Osaka Castle Park is the symbol of Osaka. The castle was flattened during the war and this is a replica. Inside the castle is a museum, but everything is in Japanese so I guess it is more meaningful for the Japanese tourists who visit the castle from all over Japan. For me I found it just lovely to take the train from the entrance of the park to the castle. It was just 200 yen or just over S$3 and well worth it. It’s a pretty long distance to cover on foot.
I think the park would be gorgeous during Spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom or when Autumn fully arrives and the trees are tinged in orange and red. It’s a nice place to people watch as you indulge in a soft ice cream or spicy hot dog on a stick. This may be touristy junk food, but that hot dog was one of the best I’ve ever had.
There is quite a nice view of the city from the top of the Osaka Castle which is adorned with gold-plated goldfish. You need to climb 3 flights to the 8th floor as the lift stops at level 5. You also need to climb all the way down as they is no lift going down.
My impression of the castle was that it looked so new and clean. I was impressed by the huge moat and how the castle stood majestically on the top of a huge brick wall. It almost looked like a lego castle. It was so doll like and picture perfect.
Here was the excursion for the day starting off with taking the train to the Castle area. B led the way as I may have a photographic memory but have absolutely no sense of direction. I see things in pictures and find it really hard to view things in 3 or 4 dimensions. Basically poor conceptual skills I guess coupled with lack of interest.
photo by bookjunkie
Walking from the station to the Castle Park.
photo by bookjunkie
First view of the castle from afar.
photo by bookjunkie
Walking through the canopy of trees where I saw a couple of Osakans jogging and walking their little dogs.
photo by bookjunkie
The beautiful toy like train we took. I think kids will adore this place. It’s no wonder I saw quite a few tots and school kids on excursion here. There must be a huge influx of tourists from China as the commentary on the train was in Chinese. I wistfully hoped that it would have been in English as well. I saw Korean tourists too.
photo by bookjunkie
You buy your tickets for the train from these machines, but the Japanese train master will help you if you are uncertain.
photo by bookjunkie
View of rows and rows of Sakura trees from the train window.
photo by bookjunkie
The air was cool but the sun was blazing hot, so ice cream was a good idea.
photo by bookjunkie
It had a light caramel flavour.
photo by bookjunkie
The spicy hot dog was so yummilicious.
photo by bookjunkie
The castle.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
Inside the museum, the exhibits which include video stories, tell the history of the castle. To be honest I was more interested in the view once I got to the top.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
I wouldn’t describe it as breath-taking, but it was worth the climbing all those stairs to gain perspective of the city.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
Glimpse of mountains in the background.
photo by bookjunkie
It was time to trudge 8 floors down. It was good that there were benches on each floor to rest your feet.
photo by bookjunkie
A souvenir store to entice.
photo by bookjunkie
A painter at the park grounds.
photo by bookjunkie
Sat around watching little Korean tots play, as we waited for the train.
photo by bookjunkie
A bridal couple at the nearby temple which is very near the castle.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
I find trees in temperate countries awe inspiring. I guess I see too many tropical trees in Singapore and I long for something different.
photo by bookjunkie
Leaving the beautiful castle park and heading back to the subway. The next time I visit Japan I truly hope to see more of nature and hopefully next time it’ll be Hokkaido, it’ll be snowing and I get a glimpse of white cranes. That’s a dream of mine.
