CHRONICLE The Land of the Rising Sun | Page 50

My next adventure led me to Ichiba Kuromon Market. Supposedly, Ichiba Kuro- mon Market is where all the chefs go to for their fresh supplies but I definitely saw more tourists there than locals. Somehow, that didn't detract from my gastronomical experience at Ichiba Kuromon, as you'd probably expect it to. I can't tell you how excited I got at the sight of spreads of fresh seafood all displayed glo- riously everywhere. I was also tempted by the tantalizing aroma of grilled seafood and oth- er equally yummy foods wafting about every time I walked past one of these stalls. Admittedly I am a castle aficionado and Miku, my Japanese friend insisted that we went to Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle) even though it was raining cats and dogs with 2 degrees Celsius outside. Surrounded by skyscrapers and a wall that gives it a fortress-like appear- 39