Kansai advice needed 1st week dec

[cpuer]

I don't think it is fake, but rather, most original parts have been replaced.

Due to war, fire or simply wear and tear from the elements etc, a lot of reconstruction or heavy reno/maintenance would be required for all these old structures.

 

[evilerniex]

not fake lah. just that is it mostly destroyed and restored.

i dun like it though... the stupid elevator protruding out of the side of the castle really spoils everything

 

[kifo]

Osaka castle is a fake?
Osaka Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An original Japanese Castle is constructed primarily from wood and stone. A concrete castle like the Osaka castle can be justifiably considered a fake. Furthermore, the interior layout of the reconstructed castle does not even follow the original floor plan or the concept of the hidden floor so common in true Japanese castles.

Recommended original castles:
Matsumoto
Himeji
Matsue
Hikone
Maruoka in Sakai
Inuyama
Kochi

(I have only been to the first 3)

 

[saltydog]

most castles r refurbished. only a few rike inuyamajou, nijojou etc still remains. no lifts, no escalator bs

 

[cpuer]

But undeniably, all the reconditioned structures do look very nice still.

 

[kifo]

But undeniably, all the reconditioned structures do look very nice still.

Reconditioned suggest that there is still a big portion of the original castle left.
Even for those 12 original castles like Himeji, Matsumoto, etc, many parts of their main keep now are what you would consider reconditioned/repaired/ reconstructed.

All the other remaining 64 castles (i.e. those with a main keep, not like Nijo Castle, which never reconstructed its keep which was burnt down) are reconstructed. Some reconstructions take great pains to use original wood and stones, like the popular Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu. The reconstructions there were done painstakingly and many of the original castle structures were reconstructed. I enjoyed visiting it quite a bit despite the newness of the timber and the tiles which were used. However there are also those reconstructions like the Osaka Castle which were done in concrete, and comes with all the modern conveniences like aircon, lifts and escalators. Castles like these are probably better enjoyed from afar lest you end up with a distorted appreciation of what real Japanese castles are like?

 

[butterbarter]

Osaka castle is a fake?
Osaka Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As Wiki pointed out : "The castle is a concrete reproduction (including elevators) of the original and the interior is intended as a modern, functioning museum".

Most of what you see as a visitor are not real, and the reproduction does not use the original techniques or even similar materials. The inside is nice and open with wide stairs that are easy to access. Contrast this with a real castle like the one in Hikone, where the interior is worn and bare and the stairs steep and very cramped, just like it was in the olden days. The difference is day and night.

But like I said, it does make for a nice photo opp from the outside (in fact, I got some nice photos of the Osaka castle and the park during the sakura season).

 

[hoshiyume]

This is interesting as I happen plan to do the exact 2 day trips (ie Osaka-Kobe, Kyoto-Nara) in my coming trip!

Would you be visiting Himeji during your trip to Kobe?

I plan to buy the 3 days Kansai Thru Pass. I will be doing the Osaka-Mt Kyoto day trip as well.

Was intending to buy 3 day pass. But if I cannot find another place that is worth the money then maybe 2 days only...
Himeji is under construction so my friend isn't very keen... So if there's any great places in himeji, maybe I can convince her.

I am intending to buy haruka for traveling from kix to Kyoto so money wise will be ok..
Ok I shall purchase from bus instead of queueing thanks for the tip

 

[butterbarter]

This is interesting as I happen plan to do the exact 2 day trips (ie Osaka-Kobe, Kyoto-Nara) in my coming trip!

Would you be visiting Himeji during your trip to Kobe?

I plan to buy the 3 days Kansai Thru Pass. I will be doing the Osaka-Mt Kyoto day trip as well.

Himeji castle is under renovation and is covered by a giant shroud/scaffolding.

According to the opinions on the Internet, it is still worth a visit, although I decided to go see Hikone Castle instead.

 

[cpuer]

Reconditioned suggest that there is still a big portion of the original castle left.
Even for those 12 original castles like Himeji, Matsumoto, etc, many parts of their main keep now are what you would consider reconditioned/repaired/ reconstructed.

All the other remaining 64 castles (i.e. those with a main keep, not like Nijo Castle, which never reconstructed its keep which was burnt down) are reconstructed. Some reconstructions take great pains to use original wood and stones, like the popular Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu. The reconstructions there were done painstakingly and many of the original castle structures were reconstructed. I enjoyed visiting it quite a bit despite the newness of the timber and the tiles which were used. However there are also those reconstructions like the Osaka Castle which were done in concrete, and comes with all the modern conveniences like aircon, lifts and escalators. Castles like these are probably better enjoyed from afar lest you end up with a distorted appreciation of what real Japanese castles are like?

Thanks for the educational update. As my visit to the castlel was 20+ years ago. I couldn't remember much about it besides the the imposing structure and the nice view seen from their top "balcony" with safety net all around.

 

[DingDang51]

Was intending to buy 3 day pass. But if I cannot find another place that is worth the money then maybe 2 days only...
Himeji is under construction so my friend isn't very keen... So if there's any great places in himeji, maybe I can convince her.

I am intending to buy haruka for traveling from kix to Kyoto so money wise will be ok..
Ok I shall purchase from bus instead of queueing thanks for the tip

I plan to buy 3day pass too. Will be taking day trips to Himeji-Kobe, Arashiyama-Kyoto, Nara-Fushimiinari-Uji.

 

[hdtvsg]

Sorry to hijack the thread, is it worth buying Kansai Thru Pass (3 day) for 4 people or better to catch a taxi or just pay the as go? I will be based in Osaka and planning to visit 3 different places (Kyoto, Kobe and Nara).

 

[James Tang]

Sorry to hijack the thread, is it worth buying Kansai Thru Pass (3 day) for 4 people or better to catch a taxi or just pay the as go? I will be based in Osaka and planning to visit 3 different places (Kyoto, Kobe and Nara).

taxi is quite expensive in Japan. Depending on the distance. The last time we took taxi from Hakodate to Hakodateyama and down (met with massive jam) and it cost more than SGD100. But had a good trip cos the drivers are very professional and friendly.

You may want to do a costing sheet and see which option is cheaper.

 

[coldmilk]

Sorry to hijack the thread, is it worth buying Kansai Thru Pass (3 day) for 4 people or better to catch a taxi or just pay the as go? I will be based in Osaka and planning to visit 3 different places (Kyoto, Kobe and Nara).

If you intend to travel to those places and back to Osaka, then the Kansai Thru pass is probably not worth it. The tickets from Osaka to/from Kyoto, Kobe and Nara is quite cheap (about 300 to 600 yen one way).

However if you intend to move around when you are there, then it may be ok. For example;
- Osaka to Kobe plus visit to Himeji, Arima Onsen, Mount Rokko, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge etc.
- Osaka to Nara plus visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is actually in Southern Kyoto.
You need to do your sums.
Look at this link for examples;
Japan Rail Pass and rail travel in Japan complete guide – JPRail.com » Blog Archive » Kansai Thru Pass sample itineraries

Subway in Kyoto is not very useful. You may be better off using their buses. A day bus pass worth 500 yen.

 

[James Tang]

If you intend to travel to those places and back to Osaka, then the Kansai Thru pass is probably not worth it. The tickets from Osaka to/from Kyoto, Kobe and Nara is quite cheap (about 300 to 600 yen one way).

However if you intend to move around when you are there, then it may be ok. For example;
- Osaka to Kobe plus visit to Himeji, Arima Onsen, Mount Rokko, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge etc.
- Osaka to Nara plus visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is actually in Southern Kyoto.
You need to do your sums.
Look at this link for examples;
Japan Rail Pass and rail travel in Japan complete guide – JPRail.com » Blog Archive » Kansai Thru Pass sample itineraries

Subway in Kyoto is not very useful. You may be better off using their buses. A day bus pass worth 500 yen.

Yeah bus pass is very worth it. If you take 3 buses, it is already more than 500 yen (if I remember correctly).

The only complain I have for buses in Kyoto... it has less leg space compared to buses here... and most of the time, no seats as Kyoto has loads of elderly.

 

[hdtvsg]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions! I have to do more searches on what to do and where to go...a lot of work and bit stressed out.

 

[hoshiyume]

So any other recommendations using the Kansai Pass thru? Or rather, if there's any near by places with cheap passes that I can buy and use that is out of Kansai pass thru range? was thinking of the ninja place but like very far from osaka