Tower of Osaka Castle | Review by Jk

I was completely charmed by the thousands of wild sika deer! Spanning more than 600 hectares, this vast green space completely overturns the usual idea of an urban park. The deer here are regarded as sacred messengers of the gods and have lived in harmony with the ancient shrines and temples for generations. As soon as you hold up some freshly bought deer crackers, deer from all around immediately trot over with their bright, expressive eyes. They even repeatedly bow as if politely asking for a snack, making the interaction incredibly fun!

The park perfectly brings together the World Heritage sites of Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine with the primeval forest. Walking beneath towering ancient trees, accompanied by the distant ringing of temple bells and the crisp sound of the deer’s footsteps, the peaceful, laid-back atmosphere unique to this ancient capital is completely soothing for the body, mind, and soul.

Walking through the streets of Dotonbori, the most immediate impression is that it’s lively, crowded, and intensely touristy. Both sides of the street along the canal are packed with visually striking oversized 3D signs and neon billboards. Large crowds are always gathered in front of the iconic Glico Running Man to take photos, and after dark, the lights reflecting on the water really create that classic Osaka urban nightlife atmosphere.

Restaurants and food stalls are densely packed throughout the area, with takoyaki, kushikatsu, ramen, and okonomiyaki everywhere. Popular places with lines often require quite a long wait. During peak hours, the streets can feel noisy and congested, so travelers who dislike crowds or an overly commercial atmosphere may find it a little tiring. But if you want a quick taste of Osaka’s distinctively outgoing character, some classic street food, or a few iconic city photos, this is still a very representative stop to include in your itinerary.

As you follow the stairs down into Gyokusendo Cave beneath Okinawa World, waves of cool, humid air immediately wash over you. Everywhere you look, the ceiling is covered with hanging stalactites, and it instantly feels like you’ve stepped into a fantasy movie about an adventure to the center of the earth! This enormous natural limestone cave took 300,000 years to form and contains more than a million stalactites, making it the largest and most spectacular limestone cave in all of Japan. Walking along the level path stretching more than 800 meters, with cool droplets dripping overhead and the sound of the blue underground river flowing beneath your feet, every step is filled with an unknown sense of mystery and the stunning visual impact of nature’s craftsmanship!

The most breathtaking sight deep inside the cave is definitely the unbelievably beautiful “Blue Fountain”! Illuminated by deep-blue LED lights, the crystal-clear underground pool is as clean and transparent as a flawless mirror, reflecting the surrounding clusters of slender, snow-white limestone columns. It’s so dreamlike and tranquil that it feels like a crystal palace inhabited by fairies. Farther ahead, you can also see the spectacular “First Love Plaza,” the “Orient’s No. 1 Main Pillar” standing like a gigantic umbrella, and the layered, terraced-basin-like “Hill of a Thousand Buddhas.” I couldn’t stop exclaiming in amazement throughout the entire walk!