Osaka Castle is one of Osaka's most iconic historical landmarks. Construction was originally begun by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583, and it served as an important base after he unified the country. After being damaged in war and rebuilt, the castle tower seen today is not the original structure from the Toyotomi era but a reconstruction completed in 1931, with an exterior that preserves the familiar appearance of the castle. The castle tower is not the only highlight. The expansive castle park, moat, and towering stone walls are also quite impressive, and walking through the grounds gives you a sense of the castle's former scale. When the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, it also becomes one of Osaka's most popular cherry blossom viewing spots.
Tower of Osaka Castle | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Kamon Wharf
Opened in 2002 in the Karato area of Shimonoseki Port, Kamon Wharf is the seaside mall where you can delight in Shimonoseki famed fugu dishes, sushi, seafood bowls, and other tastes from the Kanmon Straits, along with shops selling local specialties and souvenirs. The area is known to draw a crowd thanks to the Karato Market and its fresh seafood that’s open to the general public to come and shop, while the Kaikyo Kan aquarium and its 550 some species inside continues to stir up an unprecedented level of buzz around Moji Port.
Take a ferry from Mojiko to Shimonoseki, and once you dock, you’ll arrive at Kamon Wharf near Karato Market. This seaside mall combines dining and souvenir shopping, with a variety of seafood dishes, fugu specialties, and local products. After exploring Karato Market, stop by for something to eat or to buy souvenirs. You can also stroll along the waterfront, admire the Kanmon Straits and passing boats, and enjoy the relaxed harbor atmosphere.
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Karii Honpo Mojiko Retro store
This restaurant specializing in yaki curry stands in Mojiko, a popular tourist spot located at the northernmost tip of Kyushu. Yaki Curry is a local dish originating from Mojiko where curry is poured over rice, topped with cheese and eggs, and baked in the oven. The cheese topping, which has now become commonplace, began when the owner, Matsui san, covered the egg yolk with cheese to prevent it from bursting.
It wasn’t until I arrived at Mojiko that I discovered there’s a local specialty here you can’t miss—yaki curry! It may look like ordinary curry rice, but baking it in the oven gives it a different flavor. Rich curry is poured over rice and topped with cheese, and some restaurants also add an egg. It’s baked until the surface is lightly browned and the cheese has melted, making it wonderfully fragrant and especially tempting. This dish is said to have originated in Mojiko in the 1950s, when a café heated curry rice in the oven and accidentally came up with this way of serving it. It gradually became a signature local dish. If you visit Mojiko, don’t forget to try this specialty and add a memorable food experience to your trip!
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Starbucks Coffee Dogo Onsen Station Building
This Starbucks occupies the entire Dogo Onsen Station building on the Iyo Railway. The current station is the third-generation building, restored in 1986 based on the former station building constructed in 1911. It has long served as the gateway to Dogo Onsen, said to be Japan’s oldest hot spring. This distinctive location brings together a historic station building and a coffee shop.
When planning a visit to the Dogo Onsen shopping street and a hot spring bath, don’t forget to stop by this distinctive Starbucks! The store was converted from a classic Japanese-style building, and its wooden exterior and retro atmosphere fit in perfectly with the surrounding hot spring town. Inside, the nostalgic and warm ambiance makes it feel very different from a typical chain coffee shop. Besides having coffee and taking a short break, you may also find a locally inspired JIMOTO Mitsukarakusa mug, featuring design elements from Ehime that make it hard to resist collecting. I can’t believe I didn’t notice this mug the last time I visited, and thinking about it now, I really regret it! If I get the chance to visit again, I’ll definitely bring one home as a travel souvenir.
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