Back to Osaka, and Visit to Tempozan
I set out on the road again to return to Osaka after looking back at Todaiji.
I retraced my steps and returned to Osaka.
There is always a shop selling souvenirs in front of the temple.
Korea and Japan are the same.
I saw the process of making Japanese rice cakes in a mortar.
It was similar to making rice cakes in Korea.
I remembered the sight of making rice cakes like that in the countryside during holidays when I was young.
Tempozan, the world’s largest Ferris wheel
After arriving in Osaka, instead of going straight to the accommodation, I headed to the Tempozan area.
Tempozan is a themed area in Osaka’s Bay Area.
The Bay Area is a planned city, much like Minato Mirai in Yokohama, created from a former warehouse area of the port.
Through the construction of the Osaka Canal, the area that used to be the sea was turned into land, creating the present Tempozan area.
Starting in the 1990s, buildings for various entertainment facilities were introduced, shaping the area into its current form.
The Bay Area is divided into two main sections: the Tempozan area and the Nanko area.
The Tempozan area includes a large shopping center and an amusement park.
Tempozan Market Place is a leisure town with over 100 restaurants, shops, and an amusement park.
Feeling awkward riding the Ferris wheel alone, I walked around instead.
Kaiyukan, Japan’s largest aquarium
Kaiyukan Aquarium attracted visitors by illuminating the area beautifully at night.
Beside the aquarium, there was a Santori Museum where you could observe various marine life in 3D IMAX, and it was open until late evening.
Santori Museum, founded by the beverage company Santori, had a unique exterior that caught my attention.
At that time, it was the world’s largest IMAX theater, standing at a height of 28 meters.
Being the largest IMAX theater in the world, I decided to book a screening.
I also added an English commentary to listen to.
It was fascinating that a single pair of glasses could provide a three-dimensional experience.
Around this time, LG’s 3D TVs were coming out, but wearing glasses and watching 3D videos wasn’t particularly enjoyable for me. It often caused eye strain and dizziness.
While I applaud LG’s efforts, it seems that 3D TVs didn’t remain popular for long.
I think this video lasted for about 30 minutes.
The cost of 10,000 won felt a bit expensive.
After leaving the IMAX theater, I went to a place nearby called ‘Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho’.
Located on the third floor of Tempozan Market Place,
it recreated Osaka in the 1950s.
I could see various shops from that time.
You could have light meals inside the shopping area, and even just exploring was quite enjoyable.
While eating alone was normal in Japan,
I didn’t gather the courage to do so alone.
If it were now, I might have gone to wherever I wanted to eat.
I returned to the city.
I intentionally got off a few subway stops earlier and walked to the Shinsekai area.
It was a busy district, so it didn’t feel too unsafe.
It wasn’t very late, but there weren’t many people.
It was an area with many inexpensive restaurants and shops gathered.
This place used to be Osaka’s prime entertainment district.
Although it declined after World War II, it didn’t quite look like an entertainment district now.
Right there is Tsutenkaku, the place where Japan’s first elevator was installed.
As I delved deeper into Shinsekai, there were many people and the shops were vibrant.
However, it wasn’t too dangerous for kids to walk around either.
There was a distinctly Japanese atmosphere in the shops and among the shopkeepers.
In a crowded place, I felt the urge to find something to eat.
However, I didn’t know Japanese,
and the menus didn’t show any Korean or English.
Holding onto my hungry stomach, I returned to the accommodation.
Dec. 13, 2009