Osaka

<p>Now you are at the East Outer Moat. There are green willow trees here and there and people are strolling along the moat enjoying the beautiful view of the trees, deep-green water and the stone walls</p>

Now you are at the East Outer Moat. There are green willow trees here and there and people are strolling along the moat enjoying the beautiful view of the trees, deep-green water and the stone walls (Photo: Takako Sakamoto)

Osaka

Ultimate Guide to Osaka Castle: 02

From East Outer Moat to Gokurakubashi of Osaka Castle

Takako Sakamoto Jul 03, 2014 - ใช้เวลาอ่าน 1 นาที

<p>Now you are at the East Outer Moat. There are green willow trees here and there and people are strolling along the moat enjoying the beautiful view of the trees, deep-green water and the stone walls</p>

<p>Lush, abundant greenery in the park  </p>

<p>This is the walkaway to the Aoyamon Gate, the first gate to reach the Osaka Castle. What kind of gate will be waiting for you...?!</p>

<p>Unfortunately, the Aoyamon Gate was under maintenance work and the whole gate was covered like this...well, we have to come back again!</p>

<p>From JR Osakajo (Osaka Castle) Station to Aoyamon Gate it takes about 15 minutes by walk. But you still have a long way to go!</p>

<p>When you enter the Aoyamon Gate and look in the left direction you'll find the Plum Grove. Plum trees will be in full bloom and beautiful from late January to early Feb.</p>

<p>Now, you finally reached the Inner Moat of Osaka Castle!</p>

<p>The serene view of the Inner Moat...</p>

<p>...and the stone walls covered here and there with green mosses and plants. From here, you can only see the tip of Osaka Castle, but just the tip is better than nothing, right?!</p>

<p>Signs are written in many languages, Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese</p>

<p>And finally, you'll see the clear view of Osaka Castle in the distance, but not that far anymore!</p>

<p>Gokurakubashi Bridge. Gokuraku means something like heavenly or peaceful. This bridge was burnt down by fire in 1868 and was rebuilt in 1965</p>

<p>The name of the bridge, 'Gokurakubashi' is carved in the stone</p>

<p>To reach the main tower of Osaka Castle, you cross this bridge...</p>

<p>...and the castle gets closer and closer...</p>

<p>...and it's this close!</p>

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step to exploring the Osaka Castle and the Osaka Castle Park. The second leg of the journey begins at the East Outer Moat. From here, you'll enter the gate called, 'Aoyamon Gate' to reach the Inner Moat. When I visited, I was looking forward to see what it would look like, the very first gate I'd enter, but unfortunately it was under maintenance and covered with ugly gray sheets! Anyway, usually, you'll enter this gate and reach the Inner Moat, coming one step closer to Osaka Castle! From the Inner Moat, you can see the top of Osaka Castle in a much closer distance. But when you cross the Gokurakubashi Bridge, the view of the castle gets bigger and bigger and you can feel you are almost there! For further steps, please refer to the links below.

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Ultimate Guide: Osaka Castle

Takako Sakamoto

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...