BACKGROUND
Castles π° are a thing in Japan π―π΅. So much so, that many of the castles π° that have been destroyed over the years have been rebuilt with modern building methods. I tend to shy away from those, though, because the stories in the original building are what I like. For example, how did they join those two beams to span that gap?
I went to several castles π° on this trip. And one of the people on Yooz Toobz recently asked about which castles π° are interesting. The two I suggested are both in this trip's blog.
I wanted to push this out before the weekend, so everyone can enjoy it. I'm going to visit a friend and will be back later to finish the commentating. But the good stories are already here.
As Mark says, "Let's π ... Get Into It!"
Nijo-jo
This one was kind of a surprise for me. I think I must have been looking for stuff to do, and saw it in a travel book (yes, those were still a thing in 2005). But it turned out to be really awesome, and still my second favorite castle π° in Japan π―π΅. Good thing it's called δΊζ‘ε (Nijo-jo, Second Castle), but not because of me π.
Osaka-jo
The people I was travelling with really liked this castle. I chose not to go inside because I knew it was a modern representation of an old castle. It has an elevator, which is cool and all, just not my thing.
I just wandered around outside while they did their thing inside. This is where I got to see the German Shepherd make his master sit on the park bench (Animals) and the fella that wouldn't recruit me into his cult (Why Japan?).
First trip with my American co-worker:
Second trip with my brother:
Himeji-jo
My favorite castle π° in Japan π―π΅, thus far at least. "Why?", you ask. I love James Bond movies, as you may have guessed from the Cars page, where I discuss the Toyota 2000GTs. Well, that same Bond movie had scenes filmed at Himeji-jo. Granted, it was really campy, but which Bond movies aren't?
CONCLUSION
Go to the castles in Japan. Some of them are even UNESCO Heritage Sites. Each one has differences to the other.
- The history of Himeji-jo is very well told in the signs, in many languages.
- The gardens at Nijo-jo are absolutely fabulous (and will be featured on the Gardens page also).
- Osaka-jo is convenient and modern, so more accommodating for many people.