Kita-no-saurs and Naniwa bridge, Osaka

This cute little statue was in JR Kita-shinchi station. The sign underneath reads: Kita-no-saurs, it stretches its neck so long, in hopes of meeting you soon. Apparently few Osaka dwellers know about this statue, even though it was unveiled in 1997. Love the eyebrows!

The other half of the page, the iconic lion statue guarding Naniwa bridge (Naniwa-bashi). But history of the bridge traces back hundreds of years, but the current structure dates back 1912, closer in age to its neighbours in Nakanojima. In the back ground is everyone's favourite, Osaka city public hall (1918)!

Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka

A popular summer festival in Osaka. Drawn while standing on high grounds because it was impossible to stand still in the fast moving crowd. Other than the brightly lit food stands, it was just the constantly moving heads lol. It's hard to see from the way I coloured it, but there is a river (Yodogawa I believe, which actually sources from Lake Biwa) between the crowed and the buildings in the background, and festival boats make their away along the river.

Bank of Japan - Osaka Branch (Old Building) at Nakanojima, Osaka

The old gentleman manning the gate of Osaka City Hall kindly allowed me to stand there and sketch the Bank of Japan across the street. Sketched and coloured during a constant drizzle :D

Osaka Centre Public Hall