Our ship docked in Osaka for the day and while many people
headed off for Kyoto and Nara, we decided to visit some of the local sights as
we had spent time at both of those place on a previous visit.
After breakfast in Allegro dining room, we went down to Deck
4 to disembark into the heavy rain. We dashed across into the terminal and took
advantage of the free WIFI that was super fast.
After returning the laptop to the ship, we headed out to Osakoko
station.
We walked to the station and caught the Chuo line train to
Tanimachi Chome. When we emerged onto
the street level, the direction of Osaka Castle was obvious. We walked across taking photos of the
enormous moat and up the many stairs to the main castle. We took the elevator to the 5th
floor and walked up to the 8th floor – the elevator only went 5
floors - where we had magnificent views
over the castle grounds and gardens as well as the smaller pavilions and gates.
We walked back down the stairs checking out each level as we
went.
The castle moat
After lots of steps the castle finally appeared from behind the trees.
Gail and Rob pose in front of the castle.
The views over the castle grounds were excellent.
One last shot of the Castle through the Ginko trees. The leaves have the shape of a Japanese fan.
Retracing our steps, we stopped at the Osaka History Museum,
housed in a magnificent new building.
This time we took the elevator to the 10th floor and worked
our way down to level 1.
The exhibitions were very interesting with a focus only on
Osaka but just as impressive were the views of the castle and gardens from this
very modern architectural gem.
By this stage, it was late and we were tired but we decided
that we could fit in 1 more sight – the Shitennoji Temple. We changed metro lines and when we came up to
street level, there was a temple directly opposite. It was delightful but not the right one!
We had a good look around and then looked at 4 more temples
– but none of them were the one we had come to see. In fact, we don’t know most of their names
but we took some nice photos.
Loved this place. Have no idea of its name!
Still don't know this place. Where is Shitennoji?
No this is not Shitennoji!
Rob spent so much time looking for Shitennoji that it looks like he took a pee behind this tree!
The tree ended up reeling to the side!
Rob needed to pass through many Tori gates
Gail checks out the trees.
Yet another tree but this one is still wrapped to protect it from winter...or Rob
Gail at the Tori Gates
This is it!! We found Shitennoji. We were too exhausted to do it justice. Have to come back.
Finally we made it to the right place. It is an enormous complex that you couldn’t
possibly miss!!! It is a major site and
we could have spent a long time there exploring but we were very tired and they
were closing for the day.
We took 2 subway rides to arrive back at the port. It took some time to actually find the
correct way to the ship – even though it was right in front of us. We had to walk through a huge shopping
complex and down some stairs.
We were barely back in our suite before the
heavens opened and the terminal lost all power for a short while. We were indeed lucky with the weather. It rained while we were in the castle and
also in the museum but had stopped when when we were inside.
Finally a photo for the kids. A lego giraffe with a huge ferris wheel behind. We were now back at the port.
2 comments:
I think this sounds like a fabulous stop!
Kids said you are more than welcome to bring that giraffe home!
I love your 'where is the temple' (or is it "that's not my temple..."?) photos. Looks like you have a very busy and fulfilling day out.
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