First Week in Osaka

The rainy season is about to begin here in Japan! While the view from Dotombori bridge will likely remain oh-so-popular and ever-so-crowded, I spent the weekend trying to find a few places in the city that might be less fun when covered in rain. Here’s a shortlist of what I came up with:

From 1997-1999, Tempozan Ferris Wheel near Osaka-ko station was the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world. Though it has since lost that title to progressively taller and taller (primarily Japanese) wheels, it still stands at a mighty height of 112.5 meters and diameter of 100 meters.

Those of you who know me might be wondering why I would ride something so tall, given my fear of heights! The answer, of course, is that my fear lost out to one of my favorite pastimes – taking in a city as a whole.

A glance at “Dream Island.”

The world’s longest suspension bridge.

Despite Saturday’s cloud coverage, the view from the top ended up being pretty fantastic. However, Tempozan Harbor Village is on the far western side of Osaka, so for Sunday’s adventure, I tried to find a sight a bit more central.

I ended up at Osaka-jō-kōen, in oasis from the concrete jungle. For those of you that don’t speak Japanese (yet?)…

‘kōen’

means

park

and

Osaka-jō

means

Osaka Castle! Picture overload? Alright, alright, well luckily for you the ancient treasures inside where nestled away in no-photography-allowed exhibits, but nobody said anything about taking pictures from the terrace.

If it has not already become obvious, the sheer size and variety of life in Osaka means that the sights to be seen and the sounds to be heard here are essentially limitless. Hopefully, however, these pictures will stand as little gems of has-been spring vantage points when, in the next few days, the city becomes coated in a long-lasting drizzle. Personally, I’m looking forward to the sea of eccentric umbrellas – stay tuned!