Osaka

It was another early start for us this morning, checking out of our ryokan at 6am and catching the Shinkansen to Tokyo. We had to make some really quick changes but luckily the trains are always on time, so we could plan ahead.

We'd read on the news that there had been an 4.6 magnitude earthquake just outside Tokyo this morning, so I had hoped my parents weren't reading the news as my Dad was terrified that we'd get hit by the "big one".

We caught a second bullet train to Osaka from Tokyo and nibbled on Pocky as we sped through the countryside. The morning was pretty uneventful with lots of travelling but Tom kept himself busy trying to spot all the different types of Shinkansen.

By midday we finally arrived in Osaka where it was grey and rainy. The city was much busier than anywhere else we'd been so far and thousands of brightly coloured umbrellas crowded the streets.

Considering the cold weather, we couldn't think of any better way to spend the day than with a hot bowl of noodles at the Instant Ramen Museum.

For 300 yen (roughly £2), you could design your own noodle pot, pick all the ingredients and watch as it made it's way through the line.

We started out by doodling on our pots. Lots of visitors drew the little chicken mascot on their pots and it was fun peeking at everyone else's deigns.

Our pots then entered the line and we turned a wheel to tip the noodles in to them.

Next up, we got to pick our ingredients. I choose sweet corn, egg, prawns and fish paste coins with the little chicken on.

A film lid was then stamped on to the pot.

Finally the pots were shrink wrapped before being dispensed at the other side and we got cute little bags to carry them in which inflated to protect them.

We were super hungry by the time they were ready so we headed down to the canteen where there were vending machines filled with dozens of ramen pots.

The rest of the museum told the story of how instant ramen was invented and there was a theta her inside a gigantic ramen pot.

We were exhausted after our early start and long day of travelling, so we headed to a capsule hotel afterwards. Women and men sleep on separate floors, so I waved goodbye to Tom as I headed to my capsule.

It was really cozy inside with a TV, light, plug and radio. It wasn't nearly as claustrophobic as I'd heard they could be and I'd be happy to stay in one again. Tom and I kept in touch over the WIFI and though we'd arranged to go out later that night, we both ended up sleeping right through until the morning.