Waking up in Osaka was surprisingly calm and quiet; a clear blue sky above a latticework of powerlines, narrow lined streets filled with commuters driving electric vehicles and bicycles gliding past, as the city slipped on its morning attire. A small café sat on the corner of where we were staying at The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi, called Streamer Coffee Company. It was a lovely, easy start to our first day in Japan, sipping warm cups of coffee and scoffing down delicious, toasted bagels.
By mid-morning, we arrived at the grand entrance of Osaka Castle Park, already feeling history radiate from the towering stones. A broad moat encircled the keep, its waters reflecting the sky. Stepping through the gates was like stepping into legends. The change almost palpable as the city sounds dissolved and the park spread out openly into long, wide paths of crunching gravel, paths spreading like veins to meet the past.
The castle appears in full view, looming proudly like a silent sentinel, its white stone walls stark against the emerald, green roofs, with shining gold accents reflecting the light. Standing before this ancient landmark, you could almost feel the history etched into its foundation. The museum inside is a must to understand the full history, featuring exhibitions of armoured warriors and the grand, ambitious Toyotomi clan, whispering their tales of courage and political intrigue through the glass. Above on the observation deck it is a sharp contrast from the castle, seeing a modern bustling kingdom stretch out around us.
Afterwards, we wandered towards the Nishinomaru Garden, where it was serene and tranquil. Trees of meticulously kept in a variety of luscious greens dotted the winding paths. The pond was as still as glass, broken only by ducks paddling across the surface. Visitors sat on benches, chatting softly, or sitting in contemplative silence. Time seemed to pause in the garden, a sense of calm washing over me.
The downside was the multitude of ‘influencers’ posing for the perfect shot, which took away from the imaginings of samurai marching around the grounds, their ancient history preserved in the castle’s walls, serving only as a backdrop for that ‘perfect shot’. back to the past when courage ruled the land.
We left in the afternoon, the sounds of the city beginning to buzz again. Osaka Castle is a place to feel; a sanctuary of history combined with the natural world. A visit here is a journey into the past, to stroll amongst serene beauty and learn the city’s history.
Disclaimer: All images in gallery and heading are mine, images in the moodboard were taken from Pinterest.
