Neko in Japan: Osaka-jo! (2 of 2) (album)

May 6, 2008 (Tuesday) 

Osaka Castle
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Japan

Admission: 600 Yen for adults
Daily 9 am-5pm

I had only less than 24 hours to spend in Osaka (that includes the sleeping part), so I was determined that even if I missed the National Bunraku Theater, Universal Studios Japan, Suntory Museum and a visit to the Osaka Aquarium...

....well, at least I could have the food (okonomiyaki and takoyaki), a visit the previous night to Kuchu Teien Tenbodai (Floating Garden Observatory) as well as a visit to my first castle. There are a lot more places to visit and see in this city and I could only hope I could return in the future.

Calvin (see part 1 of this Osaka post) was there to help me cart along my luggage by dropping by Edobori Inn and accompanying me to Osaka-jo Koen (Osaka Castle Park).

 

Yes, we did some exercise as he lugged my bigger backpack/luggage and I did my carrying too of my laptop and extra bag. With his help, I got on my first official bus ride in Osaka, then onwards to the convenient train and then we walked onwards for most part towards the castle. As you can see from the pictures below there seemed to be a concert (fan girls!) and other activities surrounding the area. Sorry, I had no idea what boy band or group it was...and with heavy bags and bright sunlight streaming on my head...well, I had more important things to think about.

From wikipedia: 
Osaka Castle (大坂城・大阪城, Ōsaka-jō) is one of Japan's most famous castles, and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. 

Osaka Castle is situated on a plot of land roughly one kilometer square (1100 yards square). It is built on two raised platforms of landfill supported by sheer walls of cut rock, using a technique called Burdock piling, each overlooking a moat. 

The central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from sword-bearing attackers. The Castle grounds, which cover approximately 60,000 square meters (15 acres) contain thirteen structures which have been designated as Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government including the Toyokuni Shrine, dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. 



The present Osaka Castle dates from 1931 and was renovated extensively in 1997. It is smaller than the original one, but is still quite impressive with an observation platform on the top floor offering a bird's-eye view of the city while the rest of the structure houses a museum with videos, models and artifacts etc. that describes the age of Tyotomi Hideyoshi and the castle's history.

The castle is open to the public, and is easily accessible from Osakajō kōen Station on the JR West Osaka Loop Line. 

It is a popular spot during festival seasons, and especially during the cherry blossom bloom (hanami), when the sprawling castle grounds are covered with food vendors and taiko drummers. The large indoor arena Osaka-jo Hall is also located within the grounds of the castle.

My advice is to first go to the topmost floor (8th) and work your way downwards through the museum exhibits. Personally, I'd feel happier if there were more English translations and exhibits, but its still worthwhile to feel the history of the place and think that powerful people unified Japan from this castle.

- Jun 18, '08 7:54 PM