parks, squares &gardens, Osaka

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Once you have entered or at the entrance of the Osaka Castle ground, you will be guided with my posted photos of the map and direction of the Osaka Castle. By starting off from this point, you will have a smooth and more enjoyable tour of this famous castle and park.
You can make use of these map and direction and have a pleasant tour.

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You are visiting the Osaka Castle to see the famous and historical architecture. Moreover, you will definitely be enjoying the natural beauty of its surrounding parks and gardens. They compliment each other.

Osaka Castle looks amazing during the cherry blossom season. When we talk about cherry blossom, it is Japan that comes to our mind. It becomes the symbol of this country. During this time of the year, visitors flock to the castle's ground to picnic and enjoy their life to the fullest.

Come to Japan in the month of April and I can assure you will appreciate the combination of the castle and the cherry blossoms.

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There are some nice castle-gardens around the palace of Osaka, unfortunately it was raining a bit, so I did not really enjoy it a lot. It also was during the wintertime, but the small park-train was running anyway. In some of my booklets I could read that homeless people are living in that park, but I did not see any of them.

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Well I have been to Japan many times but have NEVER been in Japan for Sakura season, this is also know as Cherry Blossom. I have always wanted to be here for this time of year so this time I am finally hear to see.

This takes place in early to mid April and Cherry Blossom viewing is called hanami.

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For a whole week in early April, about 4700 cherry blossom trees come into flower for about 4 km along the Okawa River. Japanese families, friends and colleagues are out in full force to enjoy hanami by the Okawa River. There is a festive atmosphere as food stalls sell takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, udon and other Japanese delights. The cherry blossom trees are lighted up, creating a magical atmosphere perfect for a romantic stroll along the Okawa River.

The park of Osaka Castle is the place to be on sundays. With the castle as main attraction this park is a nice setting with trees/water and defensive walls. On sundays however the invasion of the students takes place. Rockbands, Harajuku Girls, Street performers start invading the park and it turns into some kind of open-air festival.

This HUGE park was the site of the 1970 World Expo Fair. The grounds are vast & you could easily spend a whole day strolling the gardens & going through the 4 museums in the park: National Museum of Ethnology, Japan Folk Crafts Museum, National Museum of Art (Osaka), & the Osaka Prefectural Int`l Institute for Children`s Literature.
My favorite places in this park are the Japanese Garden, the bamboo groves, the lily pads, the rose garden, & the Museum of Ethnology.
There is a wooden structure located in the western part of the park. When you reach the top, you can see a beautiful view of part of the park. This place is esp beautiful in the fall when you get to look over the golden colors of the trees!!
Entrance to the park is only 250yen. Museum entrance fees are separate, but include entrance to the park as well.