Osaka Castle, Osaka's Civic Symbol

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What Japanese castle was demolished in the second Godzilla movie?

For a G-fan that answer is easy. It was Osaka Castle in (where else?) the city of Osaka in Godzilla's Counterattack (or Godzilla Raids Again) in 1955. It got demolished during the battle between Godzilla and Anguirus.

The current Osaka Castle was built in 1931 and has now served as a symbol of Osaka for over 90 years. I first visited the Castle in 2004 during G-TOUR and then in 2015.

The Japan News has posted and article on Osaka Castle with some interesting history on the structure.

It begins with: 

OSAKA — Ask a child, “Who built Osaka Castle?” and the answer you’ll probably get is, “Carpenters!” Yet people who know their history are just as likely to say “Toyotomi Hideyoshi.” Turns out, both answers are correct.

Hideyoshi was a powerful warlord who unified Japan in the late 16th century before the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. He is especially popular in Osaka as a historical figure who rose to power from a peasant background.

However, when it comes to the current Osaka Castle tower that has been transformed into a modern museum with the appearance of a keep, the “carpenters” answer to the riddle is still correct. The castle tower was built by major construction company Obayashi Corp.

The eight-story structure with reinforced concrete was built in 1931 as part of a project to commemorate the accession of Emperor Showa to the throne five years earlier. Since then, it has served as a landmark as well as a symbol of Osaka for more than 90 years.

To read more, go here. 

Stripes Japan: Visiting Osaka Castle

Above, Osaka Castle in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Godzilla fans, when Osaka Castle gets mentioned, they immediately think of Godzilla Raids Again (1955) (Gojira no Gyakushū, lit. 'Godzilla's Counterattack'). For it was at Osaka Castle in the movie that Godzilla vanquishes Anguirus.

Today, Osaka Castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Osaka, Japan. I have visited it twice.

Above, yours truly with samurai swords at Osaka Castle in 2015.

Stripes Japan - Stars and Stripes posted an article on visiting Osaka Castle, calling it the "symbol of Japan's third largest city."

They begin with:

It only took me ten minutes of walking from JR Osakajokoen until I finally saw the tip of the castle from Osaka Park. Yet it was enough to amaze me. Even from afar I could see that the castle boasted impressive gold ornaments and intrinsic detail, making it aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

The symbol of Osaka was built in 1583 on the former site of Ishiyama Honganji Temple, as ordered by Hideyoshi Toyotomi during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. He was a famous warlord who successfully brought all provinces in Japan under his rule, unifying the nation in 1590.  

Every building in the complex remains in their original construction, except the main tower. It was reconstructed in 1931, following the original exterior design from the Toyotomi era. This building consists of 8 floors in total and acts as the centerpiece of the complex.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan features a spotlight on Osaka Castle.

To read more, go here. 

Osaka Castle Searched For Suspicious Objects Ahead of G20 Summit

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following in the footsteps of Godzilla and Anguirus, the G20 leaders will be in Osaka later this week for the semi-annual summit.

Kyodo News reported:

Osaka - Osaka police searched for suspicious objects around the inner moat of Osaka Castle on Monday, as part of security preparations for the Group of 20 summit to be held in the city later this week. 

Around 30 local police officers swept the park area, which is scheduled to host events related to the summit, for explosives or other suspicious objects, diving into moat waters and checking the stone wall and bridge from boats.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Visitor: History of Osaka Castle

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Osaka Castle was featured in two Godzilla movies, Godzilla Raids Again (1956) (a.k.a. Gigantis The Fire Monster) and Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). It was in Godzilla Raids Again that Osaka Castle was demolished during the final battle between Godzilla and Anguirus.

Today, Osaka Castle is one of Osaka, Japan's biggest tourist attractions. I have visited Osaka Castle twice (in 2004 and 2015).

Japan Visitor has an article on Osaka Castle's history.

It begins with:

Osaka Castle History 大阪城 

Osaka Castle was Japan's finest castle when it was constructed, and, although rebuilt in concrete, is still Osaka's most interesting sightseeing spot, and a must-see if you are in Osaka, together with the beautiful Osaka Castle Park that surrounds it - home also to the pleasant, airy Jo-Terrace Osaka restaurant and dining complex.

The article is interesting as it also goes into some detail on the stones of the walls surrounding the castle.

Above, a section of the stone walls surrounding the castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article states:

The massive stones, planed nearly paper-smooth, the largest weighing about 130 tons, were transported from all over Japan, but principally from the islands of the Inland Sea. The overcoming of the difficulties involved in quarrying, floating and dragging them such distances speaks eloquently of the levels of organization and economic development involved. The Osaka Castle Stones Michi No Eki on Shodoshima has a museum dedicated to the tools used to mine the stones, transport them as well as some of the original stones themselves. Construction of the (wooden) castle itself, however, was the preserve of the Shogun.

To read more, go here.

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.

To read more, go here.

Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Tourist Pass

Above, Osaka Castle. The rail pass will get you free admission to this and other attractions. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's another reason why people should visit Japan during the fall and spring months (plus winter in-between). Starting in October, a new rail pass will become available to foreign visitors to Japan.

According to japan-guide.com:

The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Tourist Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists available from October 2014 through June 2015. It provides pass holders with five consecutive days of unlimited travel along the popular Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi trains), free use of designated local transportation and free admission to selected sightseeing spots.

Osaka Castle is one of the selected attractions that the rail pass will provide free admission to. As Godzilla fans know, Osaka Castle was the location of the final battle between Godzilla and Anguirus in Godzilla Raids Again (1955).

Osaka Castle is spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 42.

For more details, go here.

JapanTourist: Godzilla Takes On Angilas At Osaka Castle

Above, Osaka Castle is about to be demolished in "Godzilla Raids Again."  Photo: Toho Co., Ltd.

Continuing to spread the joys of both kaiju movie history with Japan travel to others outside of fandom, my latest article has been posted at JapanTourist.

After spending the last few articles up in the Tokyo area, we head down a bit to Osaka with a focus on Godzilla's battle with Angilas (Anguirus) at Osaka Castle.

To view it, go here.

Above, it is already being Tweeted around Twitter.

Osaka Opens New Tourism Bureau

Above, Osaka Castle.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Times is reporting that a new tourist bureau has opened in the city of Osaka.

They report:

OSAKA – The Osaka prefectural and municipal governments and local business organizations jointly have opened a tourism bureau tasked with more than quadrupling the prefecture’s annual number of foreign travelers to 6.5 million by 2020. 

The tourism office, which opened Monday, is financed by a ¥750 million investment split between the three parties and runs separately from similar public entities. It is headed by Kunio Kano, 68, former regional director for Japan and South Korea with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

 As G-fans know, Osaka was the site of the first sequel to Godzilla (1954) called Godzilla's Counter-Attack (or, Godzilla Raids Again) in 1955 and released in the U.S. as the butchered Gigantis, The Fire Monster.  In this movie, Osaka Castle gets demolished during the final battle between Godzilla and Anguirus.

Above, a view of Osaka Business Park from Osaka Castle.  Photo from a video by Armand Vaquer.

Osaka was also used in 1989's Godzilla vs. Biollante in which Osaka Business Park gets demolished.

To read the full article, go here.

Happy Birthday Shinichi Wakasa!

Above, Shinichi Wakasa (background, third from right with the shades) at work at the Walk of Fame Ceremony in Hollywood in November 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is March 2, 2010 in Japan (Japan is a day ahead of us).

The significance of today is that it is Shinichi Wakasa's birthday.

Wakasa is the suit-maker of such creatures as Godzilla, Megaguirus, Mechagodzilla (Kiryu), Mothra Anguirus, Gigan, King Seesar, Rodan and many others during the past decade.

Here's a toast for a Happy Birthday to Shinichi Wakasa!

Fire At Anguirus National Forest...

"Gee, Godzilla! How many times have I told you not to light our campfire with your breath?!" Photo by Ted Newsom.