Osaka Castle dominates the western side of the city. Its large grounds are surrounded by a deep moat and high ramparts. It looks like a museum piece inside the modern city.
Showing posts with label Osaka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Osaka. Show all posts
Friday, August 19, 2011
Osaka - Osakajo
Jo Means Castle
Osaka Castle dominates the western side of the city. Its large grounds are surrounded by a deep moat and high ramparts. It looks like a museum piece inside the modern city.
Osaka Castle dominates the western side of the city. Its large grounds are surrounded by a deep moat and high ramparts. It looks like a museum piece inside the modern city.
Osaka - Lamp Post
Whimsy
These man-like lamp posts lined a small street in the Dotonbori neighborhood.
These man-like lamp posts lined a small street in the Dotonbori neighborhood.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Osaka - The Other Thing...
Is the Underground....
The miles and miles of underground reminded me of Toronto. The Osaka underground looked less mall-like but contained just as many stores. We walked to escape the heat.
The miles and miles of underground reminded me of Toronto. The Osaka underground looked less mall-like but contained just as many stores. We walked to escape the heat.
Osaka - Two Wheels
Bikers are Everywhere
On our first walk what struck me, almost literally, were the bikes. There are many more bikers in Osaka than in Tokyo. They ride in the street, on the sidewalk and cover every age group. Old ladies on their uprights, youngsters on racers, dressy women holding umbrellas in one hand and the handlebars in the other.
On our first walk what struck me, almost literally, were the bikes. There are many more bikers in Osaka than in Tokyo. They ride in the street, on the sidewalk and cover every age group. Old ladies on their uprights, youngsters on racers, dressy women holding umbrellas in one hand and the handlebars in the other.
Osaka - First Blush
Immediately Likeable
Compared to Tokyo, Osaka is greener, easier, mellower. Though still a large city of 2 million, it feels finite, walkable, greener, nice.
Compared to Tokyo, Osaka is greener, easier, mellower. Though still a large city of 2 million, it feels finite, walkable, greener, nice.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Osaka - On a Bullet
Riding the Shinkasen
It looked to me like a white rocket laying on its side. The Shinkansen took us from Tokyo to Osaka, over 540 kilometers, in just under three hrs. In no time, Tokyo's cement maze was a blur and we soon whirred along the coastline, through tunnels, past rice paddies and tight rows of tea bushes. Mt Fuji popped up on the right and disappeared just as quickly. Nearby buildings leaned into us at strange angles but it was the train banking, centrifugal force kept in check so smoothly that it created the optical illusion. It's a quiet, easy speed that impresses - I couldn't take my eyes off the passing landscape.
It looked to me like a white rocket laying on its side. The Shinkansen took us from Tokyo to Osaka, over 540 kilometers, in just under three hrs. In no time, Tokyo's cement maze was a blur and we soon whirred along the coastline, through tunnels, past rice paddies and tight rows of tea bushes. Mt Fuji popped up on the right and disappeared just as quickly. Nearby buildings leaned into us at strange angles but it was the train banking, centrifugal force kept in check so smoothly that it created the optical illusion. It's a quiet, easy speed that impresses - I couldn't take my eyes off the passing landscape.
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