Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Day 2 in Japan - Osaka Castle, Kaiyukan, and Tempozan Ferris Wheel

On the second day, I decided to visit Osaka Castle, 大阪城 (oosakajou).  There is more than one entrance to access the castle, but I choose to get down at Tanimachi 4-chome Station, 谷町四丁目 (tanimachiyonchoomeeki) and walk towards Osaka Castle Park’s Southwestern Otemon Gate, 大手門 (ootemon), which is the main gate.  
Osaka Castle grounds surrounded by water
The Castle grounds are surrounded by water
The Castle’s main tower is located at the inner part of the castle grounds.  There are other gates, turrets, and attractions inside the castle grounds.  A ticket is needed in order to enter the main tower of Osaka Castle.  The inside of the Castle is clean and modern, not lacking any necessary facilities.
The main tower of Osaka Castle
Main Tower of Osaka Castle
Inside the castle is actually a museum, telling the history and story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, 豊臣 秀 (toyotomihideyoshi), an ally of Oda Nobunaga, 織田 信長 (odanobunaga).  At the top floor of the castle, there’s a small souvenir shop.  Visitors can enjoy the scenery around the area from the balcony.
The scenery from the top floor of Osaka Castle
The square in front of the Main Tower
Osaka Castle surrounded by water
The Castle surrounded by waters
After Osaka Castle, my destination is Osaka Aquarium or Kaiyukan, 海遊館 (kaiyuukan).  It is a short walk from Osakako Station, 大阪港駅 (oosakakoueki).  Before crossing the road to the Aquarium, I noticed an elegant and nice place, La Centifolia.  It is actually a shop that serves dessert, while the adjoining part of the building has a chapel-like interior that can be rented for wedding ceremonies.
Dessert shop La Centifolia
La Centifolia
Great dessert at a nice surrounding
Delicious dessert at a pleasant atmosphere
The Aquarium is just across the road, and the Tempozan Ferris Wheel also comes into view.  That area is known as Tempozan Harbor Village.  A shopping center, the Tempozan Marketplace is adjacent to the Ferris wheel.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kaiyukan has a unique design
Tempozan Ferris Wheel and shopping center
Tempozan Ferris Wheel and Shopping center
The Aquarium is actually one of the best in the world.  It houses marine life from around the world.  The main attraction will be the largest tank that holds a whale shark, manta rays, other species of sharks, and schools of other fishes.  Penguins, dolphins, and otters are also exhibited at the aquarium.
The fish tunnel at the beginning
The Tunnel at the beginning
Penguins!
Penguins
The famous whale shark in the biggest exhibit
The famous whale shark
Japanese Spider Crabs
Japanese Spider Crab
Visiting the aquarium is definitely worth it.  At the end of it, we can actually touch manta rays and fishes.  I take a quick walk in the shopping center and one interesting part of it is the Naniwa Food Theme Park, where Osaka’s variety of food are exhibited.  Then, I took a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel.
Osaka bay from Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Osaka Bay can be seen 
The places I visited earlier
The Places I visited just now
View of the city area
View of the city
The Tempozan Ferris Wheel changes color at night
The Ferris wheel changes color at night
After the ride on the Ferris wheel, I ate dinner at a restaurant nearby.  After having Gyudon, 牛丼 (gyuudon) and Udon, うどん (udon) for dinner, it’s time to go back for a rest ahead of more travels the next day.  
Gyudon, 牛丼 (gyuudon) and Udon, うどん (udon) for dinner
Read about the first day's travel and please stay tuned for the following days' travels.



No comments:

Post a Comment