Escaping from the heat with Stefan

The kids are very lucky to have their back up daddy in Osaka. Stefan was in Osaka for a day and a 1/2 for work. I had to make sure I take the opportunity! It worked out perfectly as he wanted do some outdoor activity and I needed some extra hands to take all these kids out!

We met up at the train station near our house and took a local bus up into Inunaki Mountain. It is not a major tourist spot but it has waterfalls, clear water streams and lots of little temples - everything I love. Perfect day trip in the middle of summer. The temperature was almost 10 degrees cooler there.

We walked at least 5kms all up! The kids did very well. Especially Luca, he wasn't feeling too well... poor thing. He still managed to smile for every single photo though :)

This was the half way point. We threw some coins and made wishes. You can tell it was quite a mission to get Luca off the bell...

This was at the entrance to the main part of the temple. It is said that if you hit the giant bell up to three times it will bring happiness, health and wealth to the family but if you do more than 4 times it will bring bad luck. Ashley found it very interesting, she really wanted to keep going!

I managed to forget to take pictures of the main temple somehow. This is called Inunaki Shipporyuji Temple. This picture is borrowed from Osaka Prefecture informational site. It is a very small temple but beautifully situated in the middle of the mountain having a waterfall as the backdrop. Just stunning.

You can even apply for a one day practice program, wearing the religious clothing and walk under the waterfall. Normally the waterfall has more water I think. 

We spent quite a while relaxing, finding frogs and bugs under the waterfall.

We promised the kids some water play time in the mountain. I had to make sure we were halfway down the mountain just in case anyone got very tired suddenly. We walked another 30min or so and found a perfect spot where lots of Japanese kids were jumping into a pool. Of course Stefan had to get changed into his togs and jump!!! I am not sure if you can tell the height from this picture, it was quite high! Crazy crazy Australian...

The water was very clear. Perfect for a quick swim for crazy Stefan. Still too cold for my kids though...

Instead they tried to catch fish with a bag... Yuzuki managed to get some in the end.

I carried my cool bag just for this perfect moment. Deep in the mountain, surrounded by trees and waterfalls, super fresh air - a can of cold beer each, had to be done!!

It was such an awesome day out. Well done kids for walking such a long distance. Thank you Stefan for spending a day with the crazy Roses!