REVISITING JAPAN'S HISTORY THRU OSAKA CASTLE AND BEYOND

Location: Japan, 〒540-0002 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo Ward, Osakajo, １−１

This was the second destination on the third of my 6-day tour in Japan where the whole morning till 1:00 P.M., we enjoyed our stroll at the Universal Studios of Osaka. We took a train and headed to Osakajokoen station and lifted there.

The dynastic icon Osaka Castle in the midst of modern era

Background

Source: Wikipedia

Osaka Castle is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. The castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.

In 1660, lightning ignited the gunpowder warehouse and the resulting explosion set the castle on fire. In 1665, lightning struck and burnt down the main tower. In 1843, after decades of neglect, the castle got much-needed repairs when the bakufu collected money from the people of the region to rebuild several of the turrets.

In 1868, Osaka Castle fell and was surrendered to anti-bakufu imperial loyalists. Much of the castle was burned in the civil conflicts surrounding the Meiji Restoration.

Under the Meiji government, Osaka Castle became part of the Osaka Army Arsenal (Osaka Hohei Kosho) manufacturing guns, ammunition, and explosives for Japan's rapidly expanding Western-style military.

In 1928, the main tower was restored after the mayor of Osaka concluded a highly successful fund-raising drive.

During World War II, the arsenal became one of the largest military armories, employing 60,000 workers. Bombing raids targeting the arsenal damaged the reconstructed main castle tower and, on August 14, 1945, destroyed 90% of the arsenal and killed 382 people working there.

In 1995, Osaka's government approved yet another restoration project, with the intent of restoring the main tower to its Edo-era splendor. In 1997, restoration was completed. The castle is a concrete reproduction (including elevators) of the original and the interior is intended as a modern, functioning museum.

Taken from Osakajokoen Train Station

To reach Osaka Castle would need one to walk far from Osakajokoen train station. But along its way is mostly a sight of green trees and concrete road. The location is actually called Taiyo-no-Hiroba zone. From the train station, you will just walk down and turn left when you hit the Osaka-jo Hall.

Right side to Osaka-jo Hall with a bridge

There is a fountain before you hit Osaka-jo hall. On its right is bridge leading to Keihan Railway Kyobashi Station. But you are turning left and walk further.

This road will show as you turn left before hitting Osaka-jo Hall

Pass thru this point

You need to turn right on the edge of the road

This will show as you turned right in the previous picture and walk forward

This will show as you walk further

You will enter this gate with no entrance fee

Walk further and turn left when you see a bridge and cross it heading to the castle grounds

Part of the Yamazatomaru or Yamazato Citadel

After crossing the bridge, you will walk ascendingly as you approach the castle and pass through the Yamazatomaru. The whole area descending the tower of Osaka Castle is called Yamazatomaru. In the Toyotomi period, this area was designed to impart the quiet atmosphere of a mountain village, where many trees and vines, including pine, cherry blossom and Japanese Wistaria grew and where Hideyoshi and his family enjoyed tea parties and flower viewing.

Still a part of Yamazatomaru with the ramp ascending to the castle's foot

Reaching the foot of the castle

As you approach the foot of the castle, turn left an enter Tenshushita-shikiri-mon gate. Along the pavements are welcoming wooden benches with iron support for the tired guests. At its back are concrete viewdeck at deep drop with a lagoon down the base and overlooking the city's skyscrapers.

The other side of the castle

The castle can be best viewed on its other side which is somewhat flat green park. Fronting it is a road that divides the castle and the luscious garden park.

The dining kiosks and souvenir shops within the vicinity

The viewdeck which offers the best vantage point

The extreme right of the dining shops will offer the best point to get picturesque photos blending the castle, the backdrop cityscape, the lush green trees and the artificial man-made lagoon.

Postcard perfect picture (Model: Beng Sia)

This is what I mean: the backdrop cityscape, lush green trees and the tranquil man-made lagoon

Part of the cityscape

Another green revelation of Japan's cityscape

As I go back to the castle's main gate and heading to the Keihan Railway Kyobashi Station, I still captured nice photos where I included it here as I took them chronologically.

The upper part of the Yamazato Citadel

Crossing back the bridge from the Yamazatomaru zone

An opportunity for tourists to enjoy a lagoon boat ride

The bridge with the city's backdrop

The castle, the bridge and me

Back to the grounds of Osaka-jo Hall

On the left not shown in the picture is the Osaka-jo Hall. While the brown post-like structure is the center of the fountain which surrounds it. Past to this point is a bridge leading to Keihan Railway Kyobashi station but it was such a long, long walk.

That's what you will capture when standing from the bridge

Riverbank turned into mini green recreational park

After crossing the bridge, we entered the area of Osakajoshinbashi walk further for three blocks

This covers our long walk

We passed thru the MID Tower using escalators to the walkway bridge of Keihan Railway Kyobashi Station

The long walk at the walkway bridge

what you will see down the walkway bridge

What's inside the walkway bridge

Taking a rest at the Kyobashi Station

Kyobashi station is our entry point to take a train to the Keihan station where we boarded a 6-hour night express bus for Tokyo City which left Keihan at 10:00 P.M.

The bus station for Tokyo City

Took our dinner here at Don Don Tei in Keihan

Our night express bus for Tokyo City

Our bus trip to Tokyo ended our third day in Osaka while we were deep asleep boarding our bus.

TRANSPORT ACCESS



VICINITY MAP OF OSAKA CASTLE

A TASTE OF OSAKA'S UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Location: Japan, 〒554-0031 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Konohana Ward, Sakurajima, 2 Chome−１−３３

Source: Japan Guide.com


Universal Studios Osaka

Universal Studios Osaka is accessible by train. From the train station, one will have already a taste of what to see before you finally enter its main gate.

Taken from the main gate facing outside

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia. Opened in March 2001 in the Osaka Bay Area, the theme park occupies an area of 39 hectares and is the most visited amusement park in Japan after Tokyo Disney Resort.

While at the Hard Rock Cafe (Model: Beng Sia)

Universal Studios Japan currently has eight sections: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Visitors are able to enjoy many amusement rides, ranging from child-friendly carousels to thrilling roller coasters and simulators based on popular movies such as Spiderman, Back to the Future, Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park.

While at the Universal City Walk Osaka Shopping Mall

In addition to rides, the theme park offers many opportunities to take pictures with popular characters' mascots such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty and the puppets of Sesame Street. There are also various shows put on every day, including a night parade featuring illuminated floats that are paraded through the streets.

Approaching the Main Gate

Just outside the park's gates is Universal Citywalk Osaka, a shopping mall with multiple official Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs. Furthermore, the Osaka Takoyaki Museum, which is essentially a collection of several popular vendors of the local dish gathered under one roof, is located on the mall's fourth floor.

The iconic Main Gate

Universal Studios would really be attractive to kids most particularly its exciting rides and popular mascots where kids would like to have pictures with. The park's rates is shown below as I captured it in my camera.

The park's rates and fees

There is so much space in the park where one can rest on

The iconic Universal Studios globe

Just before the ticket gate

Our group did not actually had any ride. We strolled on areas around the park still accessible to guests who have no tickets for entry. We stayed longer at the park and we took our lunch at a nearby McDonalds outside with a burger meal with fries and soda drink at 700 yen.

TRANSPORTATION ACCESS

BY TRAIN

The entrance gate of the Universal Studios Japan is located a five minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line (also referred to as JR Sakurajima Line). From Osaka Station, there are several direct trains per hour (15 minutes, 180 yen) and many more connections that require an easy transfer at Nishikujo Station. From Kansai Airport, take a JR airport rapid to Nishikujo Station and transfer to the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station (75 minutes, 1190 yen).

BY BUS

Universal Studios Japan is connected by bus to Kansai Airport (35-75 minutes, 1550 yen, about 1 bus/hour) and Itami Airport (45 minutes, 930 yen, about 1 bus/hour). Some overnight buses from other cities across Japan also stop at the Universal Studios Japan.

BY FERRY

A ferry service named "Captain Line" connects the Universal Studios Japan with the Osaka Aquarium (10 minutes, 700 yen one way, 1300 yen roundtrip, 1-2 ferries per hour). A combination ticket for the aquarium and the ferry ride can be purchased for 2700 yen (one way) or 3300 yen (roundtrip).

HOURS AND FEES

HOURS

Varying hours, typically at least 9:00 to 19:00. Refer to the park's official website.

CLOSED

No closing days

ADMISSION

7,600 yen (12-64 years old)
5,100 yen (4-11 years old)
6,830 yen (65 years or older)
Passes include unlimited rides and can be bought at the park gates, JR ticket counters, partner hotels, selected convenience stores and travel agencies and through Voyagin.

Express Passes, that allow holders to skip lines for selected rides, are available for four rides (between 4,500 and 8,100 yen depending on the day) or seven rides (between 6,900 and 13,200 yen depending on the day) on the day of the visit at the entrance gate and inside the park. Express Passes may sell out on busy days.

HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND OSAKA