Japan Travel: Kyoto and Osaka (Photos)
After concluding their Mount Fuji tour, a hundred car enthusiast listeners organized by China National Radio's Urban Voice TOP FM101.8 and Beijing Car Lovers embarked on the 'Sea, Land, and Air Car Lovers Japan Tour.' On the afternoon of December 26, 2011, they drove for over four hours from Hakone in Yamanashi Prefecture, arriving in Kyoto around 3:30 PM local time, marking the final leg of their Kyoto and Osaka journey.
A Glimpse of Kyoto Streets (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Kyoto, located in the Kansai region of Japan, is a city with a long history. Heian-kyo was founded in Kyoto in 794 AD. After the transfer of political authority and until the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1868, Kyoto served as Japan’s capital for over a thousand years. Since its founding, Kyoto has been the economic and cultural center of Japan, and its citizens have inherited its elegant traditions. At the same time, Kyoto is a city deeply influenced by Chinese culture; many shop names still bear traces of Chinese characters.
Kyoto Scenery (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Luoyang and Chang'an in China were capitals of Chinese dynasties many times. Influenced by China, when Heian-kyo was first constructed following the model of Chinese cities, it was divided into eastern and western parts. The western right capital was modeled after Chang'an and thus called 'Chang'an,' while the eastern left capital was modeled after Luoyang and called 'Luoyang.' However, the 'Chang'an' area in the right capital was mostly marshland and could not be developed successfully, so the actual urban area was only the 'Luoyang' of the left capital. Hence, Kyoto is also called 'Luoyang,' and various districts within the city still retain names such as Rakuchu, Rakusai, Rakunan, and Rakuhoku. Going to Kyoto is referred to as 'Jōkyō' or 'Jōraku' (going to the capital).
Arriving at Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Upon arrival in Kyoto, the car enthusiast listeners first visited the famous Kinkaku-ji. Its official name is actually Rokuon-ji. Because the building is covered in gold leaf, it is also known as the Golden Pavilion. It is an ancient Japanese temple located in Kyoto, first completed in 1397 (the fourth year of the Ōei era). Besides being a well-known tourist attraction, it is designated as a National Treasure by the Japanese government and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto (Photo by Zhang Baowen)
It is said that the garden centered around the Golden Pavilion represents the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The pond called Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond) and the Golden Pavilion reflect each other, seemingly a representative scenery of Kyoto. Especially on clear days, one can enjoy the golden pavilion and the blue sky reflected in the mirror pond, like a beautiful postcard. Kinkaku-ji also has a unique feature: instead of regular admission tickets, visitors receive paper talismans with blessings. Additionally, next to the Fudō-dō hall, there are fortune slips in Chinese and Korean for divination.
Architecture of Kinkaku-ji (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The residential-style architecture of Kinkaku-ji, combined with a Buddhist hall form, is harmonious and elegant. It is a masterpiece of garden architecture, expressing the taste and refinement of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in absorbing various cultures. This building with few pillars and walls recalls the structure of a ship, and the pool of blue water below symbolizes the sea. The Golden Pavilion is like a beautiful ship sailing across the sea of time. Kinkaku-ji is splendid, unrestrained, and captivating. It integrates the traditional culture of its time with the emerging material culture, representing the Muromachi period.
A Corner of Kinkaku-ji Scenic Area (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
After finishing the visit to Kinkaku-ji, the tour bus took over two hours to reach Osaka by around 6:00 PM that evening. Osaka is Japan's second-largest city, anciently called Naniwa, also known as Namba, and began to be called Osaka in the 19th century. It is Japan's economic, trade, and cultural center. As a famous historical and cultural city, due to its proximity to the Seto Inland Sea, Osaka has been the gateway to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto since ancient times. It was the earliest area for commerce and trade development in Japan, and several Japanese emperors established capitals here (313–412 AD, 645–683 AD), so there are many historical sites.
Night View of Kyoto Imperial Palace (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Osaka's famous historical sites mainly include the ruins of the Naniwa Palace from the Nara period, the Daihōbutsu-ji from the Heian period, the Tanju-an from the Edo period, and the Senbukan from the Meiji period. In the eastern district is Osaka Castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The terrain of Osaka is higher in the east and lower in the west. Taking advantage of the low-lying western area, the people of Osaka built many canals, making water transportation more developed. Water areas account for over 10% of Osaka's total area, hence it is called the 'City of Water,' with 1,400 bridges in the city.
Kyoto Night Scene (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
December 27, 2011, was another sunny and fine day, marking the fifth consecutive clear day since the group arrived in Japan. It seemed that the car enthusiasts were exceptionally lucky on their sea, land, and air experience tour of Japan. In the morning, they visited Osaka Castle Park. Speaking of Osaka Castle Park, one must first mention the historically significant Osaka Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1586, constructed with magnificent stone walls.
Group Photo at Osaka Castle Park (Photo by Zhao Shuxin)
At the center of Osaka Castle Park stands the main building of Osaka Castle, the Tenshukaku (castle keep), which is towering, majestic, copper-plated and gold-gilded, very spectacular. Today, Osaka Castle has been designated as a Special Historic Site. The history museum inside the castle preserves Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wooden statue, weapons, and artworks. In the Nishi-no-Maru Garden, there is a wide lawn and historic sites such as the outer moat and Taihei Gate, which were once destroyed by fire and later rebuilt, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll.
Visiting Osaka Castle (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Entering Osaka Castle Park, visitors can see lush vegetation, flocks of pigeons playing with tourists, sometimes foraging on the ground, sometimes soaring into the sky above the park.
Scenery of Osaka Castle Park (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
It is said that during the flower season, it is a famous spot for cherry blossom and plum blossom viewing. By the moat, you can see families enjoying the wild birds by the water. It is not only a beloved urban oasis for Osaka citizens but also attracts many tourists from abroad.
Winter Scenery of Osaka Castle Park (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The outer edges of the northern and eastern outer moats were formerly the Osaka Artillery Arsenal of the Japanese Imperial Army, so during World War II, they suffered intensive bombing by the U.S. military. Even now, unexploded bombs are occasionally found during civil engineering work nearby. Additionally, the Toyokuni Shrine, originally built in Nakanoshima, was relocated to the park in 1961 (Showa 36). The park has facilities such as a forest park, Osaka Castle Music Hall, and a baseball field.
Photo at Tenshukaku (Photo by Ma Feiyue)
The existing Osaka Castle Park was rebuilt in 1931 with private funds. The castle walls are surrounded by moats, and there are scenic gardens and pavilions nearby. Walking along the river, one sees exotic flowers and lush greenery, full of poetic charm. The Sakura Gate (Cherry Blossom Gate) inside the castle is quite famous. When a fire once ravaged Osaka Castle, this gate, made entirely of huge stone blocks, stood unscathed and remains as the only existing relic.
Tenshukaku (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Tenshukaku is the center of Osaka Castle and a must-visit attraction when in Osaka. The spacious grounds include Honmaru, Ninomaru, Yamazatomaru, etc. The deep double moats and tall stone walls remain intact. Several important buildings such as Otemon Gate and Tamon Yagura survive.
Photo at Osaka Park (Photo by Wang Libao)
The museum inside the Tenshukaku has a cinema room and illusion devices, and also displays materials on Osaka's history and culture. From the observation deck on the eighth floor, one can see the vast Osaka Castle and the entire city of Osaka at a glance.
Reflection in the Lake (Photo by Cui Chunjie)
Osaka Castle Park was the last attraction of the Japan tour. Afterward, the car enthusiasts drove to Kobe Port to begin their return journey. The bus took over an hour from Osaka to Kobe. Kobe Port is located on the west bank of the Ashiya River estuary in Hyogo Prefecture, southern Honshu, Japan, adjacent to the northwest side of Osaka Bay. It is Japan's largest container port and one of the world's top ten container ports.
Beauty of Osaka Castle Park (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
At around 3:00 PM on December 27, the hundred car enthusiast listeners boarded the 'Yanjing' ferry for the return trip from Japan to China. The 'Yanjing' belongs to Tianjin Jinshen Passenger and Cargo Ferry Co., Ltd. It was built in 1989 at the Onomichi Shipyard in Japan, under the initiative of former Tianjin Mayor Li Ruihuan and former Kobe Mayor Miyazaki Asao, as a luxury international passenger and cargo liner.
Osaka Street Scene (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The navigation of the 'Yanjing' not only built a maritime bridge of friendship between the two sister cities but also rewrote Tianjin's history of having no international passenger ships. The 'Yanjing' has a sea speed of 21 knots, making it one of the fastest liners on the China-Japan route, and has been operating safely for 20 consecutive years without accidents, contributing greatly to Tianjin's economic development and the construction of an international port metropolis.
Kobe Port Scenery (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The car enthusiasts would spend three nights and two days on the 'Yanjing.' After leaving Kobe Port, they sailed through the scenic Seto Inland Sea, with beautiful views on both sides. From Kobe to Tianjin, they enjoyed sights such as Kobe Artificial Island, the surging Akashi Strait, the Seto Ohashi Bridge connecting six islands in the Inland Sea, the turbulent Kurushima Bridge, the Kanmon Bridge connecting Honshu and Kyushu, passing Jeju Island and the Tsushima Strait, Korean waters, Yantai waters, the boundary of the Yellow River estuary, the famous Dagu Lighthouse, and finally arriving at Tianjin Xingang.
Kobe Port at Sunset (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
To relieve the boredom of the long voyage, the organizing units, including China National Radio's Urban Voice TOP FM101.8 and Beijing Car Lovers Sunshine, invited Political Commissar Hou Guoliang and Captain Song Fengjun of the 'Yanjing' to participate in a series of activities such as lectures on navigation knowledge, life-saving drills, visits to the bridge, and a variety show with the crew.
Photo on the 'Yanjing' (Photo by Ma Feiyue)
Meanwhile, the car enthusiasts enjoyed themselves in facilities like the karaoke room, bar, mahjong room, coffee shop, tea room, game room, table tennis room, and reading room on board. During the eight-day trip, Wang Xiaolei, host of China National Radio's 'Urban Voice' program, conducted live broadcasts every day with the station's TOP FM101.8 show 'Weekend Drive,' updating listeners about the group's itinerary in Japan. The response was very enthusiastic.
Group Photo on 'Yanjing' (Photo by Wang Libao)
Wang Xiaolei told reporters that after returning, he would produce two special review programs about this Japan trip on January 2 and 3, 2012. At 9:00 AM on December 30, 2011, the 'Yanjing' successfully docked at Tianjin Xingang, bringing the eight-day 'Sea, Land, and Air Car Lovers Japan Tour' to a successful conclusion. (Text and photos by Feng Ganyong)
