Approaching Kyoto
Osaka Castle Park
The construction of Osaka Castle started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.
However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665 and burnt down.
Kuchu Teien Observatory
The “Kuchu Teien Observatory of the Umeda Sky Building” is a landmark of Umeda, Osaka and an observatory facility made up of 3 floors (39th, 40th, rooftop). In addition, another popular photo spot is its see-through escalator that goes from the 35th to the 39th floor. Inside the observatory deck on the 40th floor is a 35 meter long glass counter where visitors can enjoy some tea while feeling as if they are floating in the sky. In addition, there is the 360 degree open-air view from the rooftop observatory floor .
Onboard Entertainment
