Having skated in Tokyo in summer of 1999, it was time for me to skate in Osaka in 2000. I actually had no plans to skate in Osaka because I did not know it as well as Tokyo. There is a City Run in Osaka, but the person in charge of it, Dai-chan has not held one since April. I had emailed him last year, telling him that I wanted to skate in one of his CR's. But he does not communicate well in English, which made it virtually impossible to keep in touch with him.

So the question came up: Should I do a night skate in Osaka?? But I don't know any skaters in Osaka besides Dai-chan. I remembered seeing on his BBS this person ichigou who belonged to a skate club, Team Powersliro. I emailed her and proposed to her my idea for a night skate in Osaka. She was thrilled at the idea and she along with her friend Yumiko began helping me with the route and getting people to skate. That's how the first night skate became a reality.

Besides doing the night skate, I skated during the early morning and late afternoon in Osaka. Osaka is just as skateable if not a little easier than Tokyo. The cycling path along the Yodo river is great. Skating in Osaka Castle Park and Nagai Park are also good. The major streets in Osaka are very good to skate. But you can skate on the side walk with no problem because the bike path is designated in brown tiles or asphalt. That makes it a good place for a person who does not want to skate in traffic. Remember, only skate in traffic if you are experienced.