Osaka Castle

 Osaka is a working man's town.  It is the third largest city at night.  Thanks to commuters, it is the second largest city during the day.  (Tokyo being the largest and Yokahama second largest...at least at night.)  Historically, Osaka was the commercial center of feudal Japan...until the center of power shifted to Tokyo a couple of hundred years ago.

 One day when I had to work, Theresa popped over to Osaka to visit the castle.  Osaka Castle is perhaps the city's best known landmark.  It dates back to the 1400's, though this version of the castle is a restoration from the 1930's.  In Japan, the typical castle is a wooden structure built on an elevated foundation of stones with grounds surrounded by a stone wall and moat.   The stone walls and foundations have proved to be very durable over the years.  The wooden structures, however, have suffered from fires and natural disasters and wars.  Some of the castles, such as the one in Himeji, have been lucky to avoid misfortune.  Osaka Castle was not so luck.

Unfortunately, the castle was closed for entry due to the Christmas and New Year's Holidays.   We were surprised to find out that we'd arrived in Japan at the start of it's biggest holiday period - the New Year.   Many stores and tourist sites were closed.  And the trains and buses were packed with travelers.  We soon found out that everyone was maneuvering into position to celebrate the New Year.