Osaka-jo
written by wil6ka
on August 6th, 2008
(1 vote)
The castle of Osaka is the major attraction of the town, and it surely is worth a visit. From the inside and the outside it represents the great history and future of this magic place called Japan. The Castle grounds covers 60.000 square meters, maybe the largest park in town. It dates back until 1583 when the famous Conqueror Toyotomi Hideyoshi started building it, but was many times looted and rebuilt.
Now it is one of the most famous castles in Japan and holds a modern museum of the past 500 years of regional history. He is so important, because he was the first to unify the country despite the powers of the samurai and shogunates. He tried twice to conquer Korea but failed miserably, once by mysterious Taifuns, that smashed his armada.
The museum culture is fantastic in Japan. This is mainly due to the great eye for little things and a fantastic touch on design. The Osaka-Castle is now rebuilt with the original look on the outside and a complete practical and modern style in the inside. The exhibition inside depicts Hideyoshis life with great 3D-animated films. Really funky stuff and very entertaining. There also exhibits of the fashion of the time and little metal figures, who represent big battlefield action. Even kids can have their joy in a special stamping section, were you can put your mark on many neatly designed papers.
Altogether you have to start in the 8th floor and then you make your way down.
One striking aspect of Japanese museum-culture is the merchandising. Gadgets of all kind mean a lot in Japanese popculture. But it is impressive how specialized this merch is. In Osako-jo you get little castle-keychain with a manga-figure or hello kitty climbing up the building. Just a few years ago such a production of specialized merch would have been too expensive to produce. Not anymore I guess. You reach the castle with JR West Osaka Loop Line and have to get out at Osakajokoen Station.
Castle, Japan, Hello Kitty,
Links: http://www.osakacastle.net/english/
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