Osaka Castle

hal festival, osaka castle, duck
Map created by EveryTrail.

The photos aren't that clear since I didn't take my time taking them. Just sort of went along.

Went to see HAL-Mode Festival today, and it's at Osaka Castle Hall. They displayed HAL final year students' projects, and most of them really are "game" centered like. They made it look like game centers. Awesome. Didn't get to play them since I was late though. The Mode Gakuen was also awesome. I really like the veggie costumes. They also invited Tsunku, and he sang some songs. It was like a concert.

Afterwards, since Osaka Castle is just nearby, I went to see it. It's been 9 years since I first saw it. I didn't get in it, just passing by. I remember the gates, but can't remember inside the castle itself. The train ride costs ¥200. This one goes to JR station.

You can climb these steep stairs to see the surroundings. It's really steep.

There's a lift to climb up. Hehe, looks so modern.

This is Osaka history museum. Reminds me of Tokyo University.

There are many families bringing their kids to spend the afternoon here. Some are tourists. Some people draw. Some people took pics. And there's one monk over there.

There's a temple nearby. Just outside one of Osaka Castle's gate.

Some food stands outside the temple. Ikayaki (grilled squid) and shaved ice with syrup.

Out of the castle area, there's NHK building. And a park, people jog and sat around. Nice weather too.

See the yellow blob in the middle? (Is walking through the small street) Getting closer...

Ack. It's behind this weird looking Osaka special tourist bus.

Urmm... from the butt! XD People are busy taking pics! And I hear some music...

There's a robotic dragon boat bursting fire and water alternately!

The dragon retires. Putting the big yellow thing to the attention again.

(quack!)

The giant yellow thing is a balloon rubber ducky XD It's his last day in Osaka. He's gonna continue his trip round the world tomorrow.

Comparing with people's size.

If you see from セカイカメラ (Sekai Camera), it's like this... very crowded. Lots of people use iPhone, eh? And that app is really popular. Or maybe everyone who has iPhone has セカイカメラ and post one thing here?

On the other hand, Autumn is coming!

Below is a more detailed GPS track. Ignore the max speed. Haha ^_^; Not sure how it gets that.



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Tenjin Matsuri

Was in Osaka on 24-25 July. I only went for the 2nd day. Decided to walk to the site since it's close enough from Umeda station.



On the way, got my lunch at Saizeriya. 299 yen. I love this Doria.



On the way there, I went pass a temple, and yeah wished for a wish. There were some people wandering around there.



Sort of an exhibition at the temple.



The crossing bridges in Umeda is awesome. This is the small one.



Doesn't that electric pole look dangerous?



I spot miko! Or maybe girls dressing as miko?



At the end of the closed big street, there was a march from the temple I guess. People were taking pics and stopping there.



After that I go with the flow of the people. They were basically walking in 1 way. So I suppose the next event will happen there.



This is the next event, the bridge is closed... And people were sitting on the roadside.



Nothing was there after awhile. Down on the river, people are getting on the boats.



Then came a march of people dressing up like this. Reminds me of gnomes.



Next, the crowd are moving towards the small road. When suddenly the police asked us to move aside.



And a tengu showed up!! People were watching from their windows too.



Going straight on, there were loads of stands. But I was still full. Ningyo Sukui! As Mikuru requested! I didn't play though.



Then I'm not sure where to go afterwards. Going along with the most crowds again, seems like they're heading to the fireworks place. Some of the roads were forced to be one way walking. There were too many people. And polices shouting "don't ride on your bikes, please go on one way"... Non stop. Must be tough.



We were going right on the side of a big street.



And look at the zebra cross!



More of one way pics. Omawari-san (policeman)!



We're heading towards the bridge.



Look at the crowds coming out from the other end.



Look at the amount of people...



I can barely see stuff and move. There were just too many people.



The boat with the lights up.



The fireworks were a bit disappointing. I've seen better in Aussie, I think. But seems like this is the small one. Each is supported by companies, like this.



There were lots of companies, but all were short ones. And so, it ended. Move with the crowds again.



Decided to go to the stands and get something to eat. I only had coffee while standing and walking for 6 hours.



And I got Tamago Senbei.



The egg is heart shaped. But eating wasn't very peaceful. Lots of people smoking on the free space. And I dripped the egg yolk again!



Say bye bye to the boats, it's time to go home.



And look at the rubbish people left. Even if it's Japan, it still get this dirty. They were scattered here and there too.



I walked with the crowd again. Not too sure where I'm going as long as it's towards a station. Here's Osaka Castle from far.



This one I've been wanting to snap. Liberty statue (upper half?!). Not sure what's that. And again I spilled the melted ice of my drinks (didn't find a proper trash can in the station).