The Osaka Castle

Main agenda of the second day — visiting the Osaka castle. The Osaka castle is a majestic castle, built high above ground, surrounded by a huge moat, walls built with huge rocks and beautiful gates. The castle’s origins can be traced back to the 1500s, though it was later reconstructed after facing several destruction and damages during war periods. The castle now serves as a museum. If you’re not keen on going in, at least be marveled at the sight of it — a must-see once you’ve reached Osaka.

Unlike the city, the castle surrounding is spacious. Even though there were plenty of visitors, we were free to roam and run around. Asna loved this place the most in Osaka because of that. Her favorite things were the huge rocks (which she enjoyed climbing, but I won’t advise you do that). We were lucky that there was a sakura garden in the area, where a lot of the trees had started blooming.

To reach the castle is a long walk, but once you’re near it there will be a couple of eateries. It was cold outside — the relief we felt to know that the restaurants were well-heated.

I ordered my favorite, udon, while my parents and Reza had rice and prawn tempura. Asna had never tried prawn all her life and being very picky, only had rice and refused to eat the prawn tempura — until Reza coyly mixed it with rice and fed her without her noticing. Asna’s reaction then… was priceless. She was impressed with the prawn and said:

“Wow, I will tell Radin (her BFF) I ate prawn!”

She’d been asking for prawn tempura ever since.

After lunch, we went to get our omiyage (souvenirs) at a shop nearby… then Asna went missing. Took a couple of “Mana Asna??!!” until we realized she was posing at the peep board, waiting for her picture to be taken!

May not seem like it, but the castle’s really high up. It always amazes me to see how people back then were able to create something as grand and beautiful as this.

The walk back to the station included beautifully built walkways and lush gardens with different types of trees and plants to admire. Another chilled walk in Osaka. Here’s a place I would recommend whether you’re headed to the city alone, with friends or with family.