The symbol of Osaka, OSAKA CASTLE!

Osaka Castle is located in the central of Osaka, and many Japanese people visit there for sightseeing and cherry blossoms viewing.  The castle is surrounded by moats and the moats are surrounded by green forests, Osaka Castle Park, which also has Osaka Castle Hall and Hokoku Shrine. I had been there for my elementary school trip... long long time ago ><

 

A military commander, Hideyoshi Toyotomi built a impregnable castle to show his power and status and to unify the nation in 1583. It was golden glittering form, glorious and magnificent.  However, after Hideyoshi' death, his political control was deprived by Generalissimo, Ieyasu Tokugawa, and the castle fell during the Summer War in 1615. 

Even though the second Tokugawa's generalissimo had reconstructed the castle in 1630, the Main Tower was destroyed by lightning strike only after 35 years later. Finally in 1931, Osaka public efforts and enthusiasm made the construction of the Main Tower come true. So the castle looks modern now and the inside of the castle is operated as a museum.  But do not disappoint, there are still interesting displays in the castle.

Let's go to the observation deck.  You can look Osaka's nice view with Shachigawara, "Roof tile in the form of a legendary killer whale." A pair of golden shachi-gawara embellished the top roof of the main tower of Osaka Castle. The height is 2m19cm and 400kg. The castle is covered by moats and green, and cherry blossoms in spring. Hideyoshi probably had enjoyed the same view from here.

The museum has miniatures of hot fighting "The Summer War of Osaka" 1/20 scale.  At this time, we already had guns, but many warriors fought with spears. 

 

If interested, you can try on a helmet, surcoat and casual kimono, and take photos with your camera on the second floor. (JPY300 per person per time)

 

Osaka Castle has some mysteries.

1. There is a deep well just in front of the castle, and it is said that golden nuggets are sunk by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, however, they have not discovered yet... try looking into the well!

2. It is said that the castle has a secret underground passage.

3. In front of the Sakura Gate, you can see a giant rock, Tako (octopus) stone. It is amazing that people in 400 years ago could cut and bring such a big stone here. Furthermore, look at the left side... can you see some creature? Yes, it is octopus! It is more clear when you look on the rainy day. 

 

 

Osaka Castle

1-1, Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Open Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
Opening hours are extended during certain
periods in spring and summer.
Admission: JPY600 per adult

http://www.osakacastle.net/english/

Experience Japan!

Vibrant Town, Dotonbori Osaka

Most of the Japanese people know where this famous Glico sigh is...  Dotonbori, Osaka!  I went to Osaka during holidays in May.

Osaka's nickname used to be "Kitchen of the Nation," and it is taken over till today.  Osaka is famous for its food.  Dotonbori was located at the south part of Osaka and named after Mr. Doton Yasui, who devoted his fortune to construct the canal about 400 years ago.  After, the Japanese government invited playhouses to this place, and then many restaurants were built for the people who gathered to enjoys the dramas.  

You can also get on a boat and enjoy Tonbori Cruise from here.  

Dotonbori town was always crowded with people (this day was holiday and even more crowded!) and very busy. Let's go to the south street of the canal, and enjoy the lives there. You will be amazed by the giant signs of the many restaurants.

Giant crab at Kani Doraku restaurant. Not only it is huge, but also moving! The width is more than 5 meter and the this sign's price is about JPY7,000,000 (about USD 70,000.) 

Sushi is huge and puffer fish is also huge!

The sign of a grilled beef restaurant.

 

Golden Dragon Ramen noodle shop. Enjoy noodle with thick pork broth.

And please do try Takoyaki - octopus bolls - when you come to Osaka. Takoyaki is soul food for Osaka people.  Some shops and stalls are very popular and the customers were making a line on this day. This shop name is Kukuru. You can see what Takoyaki is in this website.  

http://www.shirohato.com/kukuru/

 

Dotonbori is also busy at night as a neon-lit street.  Even though the north part of the Osaka is good, but visit also south part of Osaka and feel the vibrancy of Dotonbori town! 

Dotonbori, Osaka

1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

5 minutes walk from Namba station

View Dotonbori Street in a larger map

Experience Japan!

Umeda Sky Building

Umeda Sky Building is in Kita-ku, Osaka, built in 1993.  40 floors above ground, and 2 floors underground, the height is 173m.  The building is the landmark in Osaka.

 The building has tower east and tower west, and the Floating Garden Observatory is on the top, connecting the two towers.  

From the 35th floor to the 39th floor, a see-through escalator is crossing.


















You can see the Osaka Castle and Yodo river from the observatory.

On the first basement level, 1960's Osaka town-like alley, called Takimikoji is there.



One of the most famous Okonomi-yaki (Japanese style pan cake) restaurants in Osaka, Kiji is in this floor.

If you would like to eat Okonomiyaki in Osaka, please try here!

Arima Onsen, the oldest hot spring

Arima Onsen is one of oldest hot springs in Japan, located in Kobe.   In 631, the Emperor Jomei reportedly had stayed in this hot spring for three months.

Our today's hotel is Choraku. This is a Japanese style hotel and has good hot springs.

In Arima Onsen, there are two kinds of springs.  One is called kinsen, means gold spring, which is colored yellow-brown from iron and salt.   The other is called ginsen, means silver spring, which is colorless and contains radium and carbonate.  Choraku has both two springs in the hotel.

When you walk through a path in the hotel, the Onsen is there.

The left is gold spring, and the right is silver spring.

The Onsen is open-air, look up in the sky.

Healing for your body and mind...

Kobe 10 million dollars night view

Kobe's night view is one of the best three night views in Japan. (Other two is in Hakodate and Nagasaki.)
From Rokko Mountain, you can see both Osaka and Kobe.

Rokko Garden Terrace is the good place to enjoy the view. (Altitude 890m)

The reason for $10 million night view... because electricity expenses for the area in this night view are $10 million per night!