nishi umeda

I started French lessons yesterday. Let me tell you that learning a foreign language is hard enough but trying to decipher it from Japanese is even harder. Hopefully I'll learn something, there are only 6 lessons.

After class, I went across the street to check out a new building in Nishi Umeda called Breeze Breeze (bree-zay bree-zay). It was built to replace the Sankei building.

I think it took about 2 years to build. October 3rd was the grand opening.

In the lobby there was a huge marionette called Buri-chan. This marionette is 12 meters (39 feet) tall and I think it moves on the hour.

I wanted to eat lunch there but most of the restaurants were packed and the lines long, so I settled for a light lunch on the 4th floor at the Espressamente Illy cafe.

This was the marocchino, a chocolate cappucino...a bit bitter, but delicious.

All in all, it was a good day.

(UPDATE: 6/2012 : the marionette is "travelling" and is no longer at the mall)
(UPDATE: 2016 Espressamente no longer in business)