Osaka Castle Theme Park Planned

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Asahi Shimbun has posted an article on a planned Osaka Castle theme park that will be constructed on the grounds of the castle.

They wrote:

OSAKA--Visitors to Osaka Castle Park can soon take a trip back to the Edo Period (1603-1867) where they can dress up like a samurai and dine in restaurants that recreate the feel of those olden times. 

The Osaka city government on Oct. 16 selected the firm that will manage the Edo Period theme park that will be situated on the grounds of the castle, originally constructed in the 1580s by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598). 

The theme park, scheduled to open within the next fiscal year, will be located directly in front of Osakajokoen Station on West Japan Railway Co.'s Osaka Loop Line. 

Attractions in the theme park will include a photo studio that allows visitors to be photographed in samurai outfits and restaurants that let customers experience the Osaka of the Edo Period.

Godzilla fans are familiar with Osaka Castle as being the site where Godzilla finishes off Anguirus in Godzilla Raids Again (1956) (released in the U.S. as Gigantis, The Fire Monster in 1959). I would be impressed if the planners of the theme park included a special Godzilla exhibit to commemorate the movie.

Above, Anguirus and Godzilla battle at Osaka Castle. Toho Co., Ltd.

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