Osaka Castle

Sister Sato decided that, with a fortunate break in the rain of tsuyu (rainy season), we should spend a mid-week afternoon touring one of the most famous locales in Japan, Osaka Castle.  I didn't even have to wait for the weekend to get my Japan history fix!

We headed out in the early afternoon, after Sarah finished her English class.  We zipped up the subway and popped out in a massive park that has been built up around the castle.

Which for some reason had trees that were lifted straight from a Dr. Seuss book.

We hiked through these carefully tended gardens, slowly winding our way toward the main tower of the castle.  We were afforded glimpses of the massive outer walls and moat as we approached it.

 Note: The above pictured Crystal Tower (as it's named) is NOT the castle.

 

We also saw a tour train drive past, which was a little bit surprising, seeing as there were no tracks.  But this is Japan, so anything can happen!

We finally started glimpsing the top of the main keep as we walked through the gates to the inner grounds.  The gates, (called Sakuramon), were the location of many critical events during the Meiji Restoration, not all of which were pleasant (one official of the shogunate government was assassinated here).

No sooner had we actually begun to approach it, though, than we found ourselves face to face with a massive rock.  And by massive, I mean THIS.

Yeah. THIS.

The stone is called Takoishi, and it is the largest stone in the castle grounds.  As we walked around it, I was expecting Osaka Castle to pop right out into my face, but to my surprise I saw this castle instead.

Huh? I thought I was in Japan....

It is apparently a museum that was built before the Osaka Castle was rebuilt (it has had a rather rough history).  A little further, though, and there it was!

 GLORY!!!

Lookie! I'm wearing a castle hat!

The exterior of the castle was rebuilt to be exactly as it would have been during the height of its Edo-era splendor, and it was magnificent!  Eight stories of awesomeness!  We took the elevator (and climbed some stairs) to the lookout on the top floor, where we could see tons of Osaka.

 The view facing northwest. Got a nice profile of the giant golden Koi.

We proceeded down the floors, looking at all sorts of museum-y goodness,  as that is what its function now is.  Here's a photo dump for you to see what I'm talking about.

A diorama of Hideyoshi's family tree.  Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered Osaka Castle built, and was the first man to unify Japan under a military government.

 Various banners of different clans that participated in a big battle outside Osaka Castle in the 17th century.

 Replicas of the golden adornments on the outside of the castle.

 A diorama of said battle.  Aww, look at the li'l plastic guys, with their weapons of war!

 Hideyoshi's helmet, in typical gaudy Shogun fashion.

A sign celebrating the 80th anniversary of the most recent rebuilding of the castle.

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay any longer once we got down, as Taylor and I still had class to teach soon.  So we quickly got some souvenirs,

  Heck yes, I bought this!

and hit the subway again, stopping only for a bite to eat on the way at a superb sushi/tempura restaurant.

Sister Sato had this plate of sashimi, which looked utterly delectable....

but I got a MOUNTAIN of tempura!  I've never seen so much fried Japanese food in my life!

I was quite tuckered out while teaching class, but it was soooo worth it.  There are no two ways about it; I love Japan!