Osaka solo! * Sixtyexpress

Japan

Today we are venturing to see the sights without a guide. You know it will be via the scenic route so make sure you have comfortable shoes on. The first hurdle is obtaining tickets for the subway. A day pass is 820 Yen which is $10. Not bad for travelling on as many metro trains as you want. Our plan is to go to the Osaka Castle Museum ( we are visiting the gardens tomorrow) , then the Tennoji Garden, eat in the famous Shinsekai area and head back to rest our feet.

One train trip and we are in the castle area. Like most Japanese shrines or castles , the actual building is surrounded by park lands.

Osaka Castle is spectacular to look at with its gardens. The entrance door called the Cherry Gate is enormous. I guess it was to allow the Shogun to enter on his horse.

The queue for entrance to the castle moved quickly and then we are up the stairs. Up the stairs is the only way you can move in the museum unless you have brought your walking stick or wheelchair. I left mine behind so up we go. Most of the exhibits are original , fragile and in specially temperature controlled cabinets so no photographs except on certain floors. I cheated and looked up the official pictures so you can see some of what we saw.

Screens , paintings and drawings showing battles are beautiful. It is amazing that the colours are still vibrant when you consider they were produced in the period from 1600 to 1800’s. Letters written to warlords explaining progress are also displayed. You wonder who was smart enough to store them as a record of battles or events.
There is a model showing the Summer War in Osaka.

Don’t be on the losing side in Ancient Japan. Victorious commanders demand that the leader, and main warriors commit suicide by disembowelling themselves. One ruler, Hideyoshi Toyotomi ordered the killing of his nephew’s wife, concubines and all the children of the family . Thirty people in all. His nephew was ordered to commit suicide. This all happened when he finally had his own son at 56. Nothing like making sure that no one threatens your child and takes power. 5 ministers were set up to run the state until the son was old enough to take control. Hideyoshi also had his state surveyed so that he knew where land was farmed and Samurai lived. He then put appropriate taxes in place for each social group. Definitely forward thinking.

This was an interesting sign. I checked in with the crow concerning what he had to note , and some pigeons ,but they didn’t answer me.

On the train again. Change to a different line….count the stops. Out and up the hill to Tennoji Park. This is a public park with sporting fields, cafes, the zoo, the city museum and the Keitakuen Garden.No you can’t go to the zoo….it’s the gardens and then lunch.