I woke up Tuesday morning and decided I would make the most of Juliana's company by joining her on a trip to Nara. Given that we were both feeling pretty under whelmed by the repeated shopping districts of Osaka compared to Tokyo, it was a welcome break.

We grabbed a quick breakfast at a small ramen bar in Fukushima, where you stand to eat. But unfortunately for me I was also stood next to the urinal! In Japan, most women stay at home to bring up the family, so places like these are often designed purely for men. Although I have also learnt that most Japanese women are in charge of the family purse and then give their husbands pocket money - and I definitely like the sound of this!

After breakfast we caught the train to Osakajokoen to see Osaka Castle. And despite the relentless rain, we managed to capture some great photos and wandered around the gardens.

Now somewhat soaked, we made our way to Nara, another region in the Kansai area and a popular side trip from Osaka or Kyoto. When we arrived we visited the tourist information centre, where a very helpful, friendly and humorous employee with excellent English (who had visited England 10 times and Canada 7 times - putting us both to shame) offered us a 7km walking route taking in the highlights of Nara including the Giant Buddha temple and the deer park. Deer in Nara are a protected species and can be seen walking freely around the park. They have even been taught to bow. And so if you bow to them they will bow back. They are also confident enough to nudge you for food! Another trick they seem to have learnt.

Nara was a beautiful place, but unfortunately the heavy rain meant that we walked around the place somewhat quicker than we would have done had it have been sunny. By the time we stopped for lunch (around 4pm) we were both starving hungry, quite cold and soaked through, but that had not dampened our spirits. And although we had temporarily suppressed our hunger earlier in the day with some Japanese rice cakes and other somewhat unknown goodies that we got from street vendors, we soon tucked in to our tempura, rice and noodles. I even had an afternoon serving of Asahi - well it would have been rude not to!

Then Juliana had to catch a train back to Tokyo whilst I headed back to the hostel for a warm shower and change of clothes. We both agreed, that whilst we had enjoyed the novelty and freedom of travelling alone, it was nice to meet a likeminded person to spend some time with! And it seemed very easy company, we chatted about all kinds of things throughout the day from our mutual love of Sex and the City, but our shared disliking of the film's ending, to the lack of rubbish bins in Japan (seriously they are really hard to find)!!

The following day I headed back to Shinsaibashi station to try and find Amerika-mura, a place famed for its unique fashion and American inspired culture (funnily enough). But first off I found a place selling Takoyaki (Octopus dumplings), an Osakan delicacy, and stopped off for breakfast. It was delicious. Amerika-mura, in comparison to even the busiest areas of Tokyo, which are often still quiet, is buzzing with loud music and life. Satisfied with finding the place, I explored the area and then headed back to the hostel.

I had lunch at a nearby sushi restaurant (finally!!!!!), picked up my luggage and boarded a train bound for Kyoto.