Osaka Castle

Before heading out to the park I decided to drag Jeppe and David out to Osaka Castle. I had been blown away by Kokura Castle and knowing the one here was even better this was a definite must do, regardless of how tired I may have been.

Rather than walk it I chose to be sensible and took one of the first metros of the day. Osaka-jo hall is the main sports hall close to the castle compound.

A rather isolated skyscraper.

One of many moats surrounding the castle grounds.

and here's the completely stunning Osaka Castle. Like Kokuro Castle this was built in the 1600s before catching fire, this time lightning being the cause. It's restoration also completed in the 90s.

Completely amazing!!

Making our way back down from the castle we could hear men screaming, like proper screaming so being the curious tourists that we are we decided to head towards it and check it out.

This was the hall that the noise from emanating from.

Inside a Kendo session was in full swing and we were very kindly invited in. As we sat and watched an elderly man came over and asked us if we'd like to take part. Now we were completely blown away by the request but complete chicken-shits and kindly rejected their offer. These guys were not holding back and the idea of having some untrained bodies to bash senseless filled me with dread (but of course I'd tell people that I wouldn't have time to get into the garb). Another man challenged Jeppe to a fight and he declined too. Only on the way out did we discover that the class was for the over-80s; they didn't move like 80 year-olds that I know. An amazing morning!

Nice statue close to the hall. Clearly there's some sort of kendo/sword fighting history here.

Hard to make out but that's an old man running up the stairs on the left. He did this continuously without getting out of breath. I got tired walking the descent :)

Nice water feature close to the metro station we'd take back.

Jeppe has a "The Birds" moment.

Back at the hotel. Nice busy skyline spoiled by the Colonel.