What to visit in Osaka in one day.
Osaka is one hour by bus from Kobe, an important port in Japan where Suzuki & Co established itself after the opening of the port.
I was a Tour Escort for this shore excursion of the cruise company I used to work. We went to Osaka by bus. During the ride, what impressed me of this city were the speedy trains, modern buildings, factories, emphatic traffic signs, hard-working locals attempting to arrive to their workplace on time and colourful shops’s logos which remind me some Japanese films.
Osaka Castle
When we arrived to Osaka, I saw the NHK’s main building. For the ones who are wondering, NHK is the Japanese broadcast tv which is the equivalent to BBC World and CNN. In front of this brodcast, there is a huge garden with cherry blossoms where you find people walking, exercising, etc. In the middle, there is a wall from where you see some traditional Japanese style mansions. While you walk, there is another side of the park where there are some Taoist chapels and street food vendors. Take some more steps and you arrive to the area where the Tenshukaku (The Osaka Castle) imposes itself and there are souvernir shops, Japanese small gardens and food vendors.
Another tourist spot to visit in Osaka is the Takimi Koji, a Retro Restaurant Mall where you will step back in time by seeing the different decos from 1930’s through 1960’s…you will find even The Beatles in vynil placed at one of the stores!.
Umeda Sky Building.
In front of the Takimi Koji, there is another site to visit: Umeda Sky Building which is next to the Westin Osaka and close to a small garden. This building has shops and restaurants. Besides, everybody goes there because for its Observatory Kuchu Teien and the Sky Walk roof top. Both of them offer a magnificent view of the city, proper for photo shots, although you have to remove your hat and glasses when you go there due to winds.
Japan is definately a mixture of technology and a small part of its past. This is a destination where you notice its evolution from its foundation until the 21st century. It changes constantly in technology but its population keep values such as punctuality, responsibility and politeness.
