Above, Osaka Castle.Since I'll be gone all day tomorrow for a plaque dedication up in the San Gabriel Mountains, I'll do the remembrance of G-TOUR's last full day in Japan five years ago.
The day began with a bus trip from Kyoto to Osaka to go see Osaka Castle, which was the site of the final battle of Godzilla and Anguirus in Godzilla Raids Again in 1955.
The ride to Osaka from Kyoto was about an hour long on the expressway. We arrived at Osaka Castle in the morning and noted a time capsule placed there during an Expo world's fair that was once held in Osaka.
The castle is a reproduction and it has an observation deck that affords great views of Osaka. Nearby, one can see the Twin 21 towers that were demolished in Godzilla vs. Biollante. Osaka itself is a mix of old and futuristic architecture.
After exploring the many exhibits (some interactive) inside the Castle, we headed back to the Gimmond Hotel in Kyoto. Some tour members went on to Toei Studio Park to see the attractions there. The Power Rangers were well-represented at the park with shows. The park also has Toei Eiga Mura (Toei Movie Village) that offers a miniature version of a studio theme park. This one features Japanese super-heroes, samurai and a scary haunted house.
I elected to stay at the hotel and did some wandering around in the neighborhood once a heavy rainstorm left the area.
Above, (from left) Skip Peel, Peter H. Brothers, J. D. Lees and Armand in the lobby of the Gimmond Hotel in Kyoto.That night, G-TOUR was visited by Robert Scott Field and several of us joined him for dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant. We were also entertained by the sword prowess of a Japanese newspaper editor. He was dressed in a kimono and when he flashed his sword, other guests in the lobby did double-takes in wonderment.
Next day: Departing Japan
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