Thoughts on Kobe and Osaka
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Osakajo and the park that surrounds it. It is a reconstruction, yes, but still impressive. The destruction of the castle, the siege and battle, were major events in Japanese history. There is a work of art (woodblock print, I think) that gives a sense of the day that the castle was overrun. Not pretty. Understanding the history that led to that, what happened there, and the events that followed made visiting the site meaningful to me.
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#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
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My only experience with Kobe is the ropeway. It is right at Shin-Kobe station. I took the ropeway up, nice views, walk down, and then back on the shinkansen,
Osaka is famous for food. The saying is that Kyoto-jin spend all their money on fashion and Osaka people spend it on food. Okonomiyaki and takoyaki, also found a nice kaiten sushi place at the station, and Kobe beef, There is a national bunraku theater, short program with English headsets, but I was too jetlagged to enjoy it. My second visit to Osaka was for cherry blossoms at Osakajo Koen and another location. I used Osakajokoen station to access the park, but that is sort of the rear entrance, so I recommend the main entrance (Otemon Gate) to the southwest so that you see the front of the castle as you approach. Go on through to Osakajokoen station on the JR loop line. Actually, arriving at Osakajokoen station worked for me because it was pouring rain and there was an event hall / arena nearby. I didn't was going on inside but I bought a ticket to get out of the rain. It was a cheerleading competition which was fun to watch.
Also, Spa World is great.
Osaka is famous for food. The saying is that Kyoto-jin spend all their money on fashion and Osaka people spend it on food. Okonomiyaki and takoyaki, also found a nice kaiten sushi place at the station, and Kobe beef, There is a national bunraku theater, short program with English headsets, but I was too jetlagged to enjoy it. My second visit to Osaka was for cherry blossoms at Osakajo Koen and another location. I used Osakajokoen station to access the park, but that is sort of the rear entrance, so I recommend the main entrance (Otemon Gate) to the southwest so that you see the front of the castle as you approach. Go on through to Osakajokoen station on the JR loop line. Actually, arriving at Osakajokoen station worked for me because it was pouring rain and there was an event hall / arena nearby. I didn't was going on inside but I bought a ticket to get out of the rain. It was a cheerleading competition which was fun to watch.
Also, Spa World is great.
#24
Original Poster
Osakajo and the park that surrounds it. It is a reconstruction, yes, but still impressive. The destruction of the castle, the siege and battle, were major events in Japanese history. There is a work of art (woodblock print, I think) that gives a sense of the day that the castle was overrun. Not pretty. Understanding the history that led to that, what happened there, and the events that followed made visiting the site meaningful to me.
More later
More later