wendy's Reviews Page 4/27

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka is a large park created on the former site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition. The grounds are very spacious and full of greenery, and the most eye-catching landmark is the Tower of the Sun, designed by Taro Okamoto.

Standing 70 meters tall, the Tower of the Sun has a very avant-garde design. Even after all these years, it still stands out in the park and remains its most iconic feature.

The park covers about 264 hectares and includes different areas such as the Natural and Cultural Gardens and the Japanese Garden. With lawns, forests, and all kinds of scenery woven together, you could easily spend an entire day exploring at a leisurely pace.

However, after actually visiting, I felt that the park was just too big! Unless you’re a strong walker, I recommend choosing one facility or one area per visit and taking your time exploring it.

Nakanoshima is located between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers. It's a rare waterfront oasis in central Osaka and is also considered one of the city's signature “Aqua Metropolis Osaka” landscapes.

Walking along the riverbanks, you can enjoy city views created by the rivers and the high-rises on both sides. It's relaxing and comfortable. When the weather is nice, the surrounding buildings are reflected on the water, creating an especially beautiful blend of city and nature.

If you're planning a day trip around central Osaka, you can also visit attractions such as the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka and the Osaka Science Museum. Take a leisurely walk through Nakanoshima and experience a side of Osaka that's different from its bustling shopping districts.

While visiting Osaka, I explored Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street and also stopped by Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is about 2.6 kilometers long and is one of Japan's well-known long shopping streets. It's lined with a dazzling variety of food, souvenirs, and general merchandise stores, making it fun to browse as you walk.

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. Once you pass through the torii gate, the liveliness of the shopping street gives way to the distinctive tranquility of a shrine. The old trees, traditional architecture, and solemn shrine buildings all have a strong sense of history.

Unfortunately, renovation work was underway during this visit, and some areas were under construction, which was a little disappointing. Still, if you're planning to visit Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, it's worth stopping by to experience the atmosphere of local Osaka life and history.

Osaka Castle is a place you shouldn't miss when visiting Osaka, and it is also one of Japan's three famous castles. Construction began under Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583, and it now has a history of more than 400 years, having witnessed many important events in Osaka's history.

The main castle tower seen today was rebuilt in 1931, and the interior has been converted into a history museum where you can learn about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the history of Osaka Castle as you explore. From the observation deck on the 8th floor, you can also look out over downtown Osaka, with a very expansive view.

Osaka Castle is surrounded by Osaka Castle Park, which is also a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Osaka. Even on weekdays, there are still many visitors, and it is one of the must-visit photo spots.

Located next to Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome Station, it is very convenient to get to. The museum recreates the streets of Osaka during the Edo period at full scale, letting you experience how ordinary people lived and what the streets felt like at the time. You can also see household items and culture from different eras.

The museum isn't very large, and you can see everything in about 2 hours at a relaxed pace. I used the Osaka Amazing Pass this time and got in for free, which felt like a great value.

With its long history, Kohfukuji Temple was one of the “Four Great Temples” of the Nara period. It is also the head temple of the Hosso school, one of the Six Schools of Nanto, and one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto. The temple has had deep ties with the Fujiwara clan since ancient times and holds a very important place in Nara’s history and culture.

As you enter the temple grounds, you are immediately surrounded by ancient buildings and a solemn atmosphere. The timeworn temple scenery especially gives you a strong sense of history. Kohfukuji Temple is also part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is truly worth visiting in person when you come to Nara.

When visiting Nara, besides Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, I also highly recommend adding Yoshikien Garden to your itinerary. Yoshikien Garden has three gardens, each with its own distinct character and showcasing a different kind of Japanese garden beauty. As you stroll through them, you can enjoy the ponds, moss garden, tea house, and seasonal greenery. It is quiet and full of Zen, and walking around really makes you feel especially relaxed.

It is also right next to Isuien Garden, so you can easily visit both attractions together. It makes for a very convenient itinerary. The weather was beautiful during this visit, and the sunlight shining across the gardens made the scenery even prettier. No matter where you take a photo, it has a distinctly Japanese feel. Most importantly--Yoshikien Garden is free to visit! You can enjoy such a beautiful garden without an admission fee, so it is definitely worth stopping by for a walk.

When visiting Nara, besides visiting Kohfukuji Temple and Todaiji Temple, I also highly recommend walking over to Sarusawa Pond. Sarusawa Pond is an artificial pond with a circumference of about 360 meters. The willow trees along the shore sway in the breeze and are reflected on the water, with Kohfukuji Temple’s five-story pagoda in the distance, creating a very elegant Nara atmosphere. This scenery has been counted as one of the “Eight Views of Nanto” since the Muromachi period, giving it a real sense of history.

There are benches around the pond, so when you get tired from walking, you can sit down and rest, gaze at the water, enjoy the breeze, and take in Nara’s leisurely pace. It is also very close to Kohfukuji Temple, so you do not need to set aside much extra time. After exploring the temple, it is just right for a stroll by the pond.

When visiting Nara, besides the familiar Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple, Gangoji Temple is also well worth adding to your itinerary! With a history of about 1,300 years, Gangoji is one of Nara's important ancient temples and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” Compared with the bustle and crowds at Todaiji Temple, this place feels especially understated and quiet. Once you enter the temple grounds, there's an added sense of tranquility and solemnity.

The temple preserves many precious historical artifacts and antiques that you can take your time appreciating while experiencing the traces left by this thousand-year-old temple. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited in some areas, so I could only keep the scenery and history before me in my memory.

If you come to Nara and don't want to visit only the popular attractions, I really recommend stopping by Gangoji Temple. Without the noisy crowds, you can quietly experience Nara's thousand years of history and culture.

When visiting Nara, besides Nara Park and Todaiji Temple, I also highly recommend taking a walk through Naramachi. Centered around the former grounds of Gangoji Temple, the area still preserves many traditional machiya townhouses dating back to the Edo and Meiji periods. As you wander through the narrow alleys, old wooden buildings stand quietly in rows. Without a flashy or bustling tourist atmosphere, it's easier to experience Nara's most down-to-earth, everyday side.

I visited on a weekday this time, and the streets were truly very quiet, with few tourists. Walking through the alleys felt especially relaxing, and sometimes all I could hear were my own footsteps, which made it feel like I had traveled back in time. It's also very close to Gangoji Temple, so taking a stroll to Naramachi after visiting the temple is just right.