12 April 1907 - Kobe

April 12th
After breakfast we went to see the Kobe Daibutsu (see guide), also a smaller one of him, with a lotus pond in front.  At the back of  this latter is a fine temple (B) with a cemetery attached called Shinkeji. Near was a pagoda, 13 storied, to Kiyomori, an ancient hero of feudal times.  Returning to our hotel we had an early tiffin and set out for Osaka.  We met on the train an old Ceylon tea planter who came up with us on the N.Y.K. boat Inaba Maru, he was going on to Kyoto.
We tried to put up at the Osaka hotel but found it too dear, went to the Nippon hotel instead, semi-European, @ Y5.50 a day.  At the railway station we got our things on three rickshaws and walked through the streets, on our way we saw a number of fine buildings, and a big memorial arch to the heroes of the war on the principal bridge.
Osaka is a modern Manchester, with a touch of Venice in its multitude of waterways, and many bridges. Shinshobashi the principal street goes for miles North and South, lined with shops containing every kind of manufacture, umbrellas, cottons, hats, rugs leather goods etc. - all made in Japan.  This evening I went to see the cherry dance  "Ashibi-Odori" as it is called, at the Yenbujo theatre near the Namba station.  There were 50 Geishas on the stage at a time, singing and dancing in the best Japanese style. It lasted from 8.30 to 9.15 p.m. 
We came back through the crowded streets about 10 p.m.

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