Dotombori in southern Osaka. Awesome downtown type area with lots of neon and lights.

More neon and stuff in Osaka. You can see the famous Glico Man (running guy). Unfortunately, there was some construction in front of it so I couldn't go right up to it for a picture.

You have no idea how surprised Blanchard and I were when we were walking to our hotel from Osaka station and saw a statue of the Namja Town mayor. Yes, there is another NAMJA TOWN!

Even though they don't check ID, if your birthday is within 5 days, you can get a free present, polaroid picture, and 10% off all gyoza. Luckily, it was within 5 days of Christmas so I went to reap the benefits.

NARA Pictures start here!

View from Turtle Pond in Nara, approaching Nara Park. It was cold so we didn't really see any turtles.

Deer everywhere!

Me in front of the big date to Todaiji. And yes there are still deer walking around wild everywhere.

This deer kept trying to poke at me to see if I had any deer cookies. At least this one was polite, compared to some of the other ones who would head butt you or bite you to try and get some food.

We spent way more time than planned just playing with the stupid deer.

For 150 yen, you can buy a stack of deer cookies, which you can then feed the animals with. You have to be careful though, because once the deer see you buying cookies, they will all gang up on you and try to get some.

Yes they chase you (and occasionally bite or head butt) to try and convince you to feed them.

Still feeding the deer...

Deer and a guy selling roasted sweet potatoes in the background.

Some old guy (I think a local) bought a sweet potato and was feeding the deer with it.

THEY'RE KISSING!

(or just biting parasites, probably that)

When we finally went up to Todaiji after playing with the deer, there was one guy who thought he was a badass because he just stood on the top of the stairs looking at everyone like he owned the place.

WHO OWNS THE PLACE NOW!?

Inside Todaiji. My favorite temple in Nara, mainly because it's like a mini Forbidden City.

It's huge!

Big Buddah inside; too bad the lighting is horrible to get good pictures.

Big lantern thing outside of the temple.

Even the deer in Japan are perverts, hahaha.

Lion statue on the pathway to another temple in Nara Park.

On the way back, couldn't resist to play with the deer some more. A lot of the deer kept playing with the chains, even though they could climb over it just as easy. Maybe they're teething?

This father was a jerk. He bought some cookies and got chased by the deer, then got scared so ran over to his son and was like "here, feed them!" and then his kid got ganged up on.