Tokyo's ginkgo trees—fall is here!
Ueno Park | Review by 簡宜恩
Other Reviews by 簡宜恩
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Tower of Osaka Castle
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), began construction of the tower of Osaka Castle in 1583 and completed it in 1585. The castle was later destroyed during the Osaka Natsu no Jin（summer campaign of Osaka） in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1626. However, the castle keep was destroyed by lightning in 1665. In 1931, the castle tower of the Toyotomi period was reconstructed with donations from Osaka citizens.
It was super hot, and the walk from the parking lot was all uphill. When we got to Osaka Castle, everyone rushed under the ginkgo trees to hide from the sun. I was all sweaty and sticky—really uncomfortable. 😣
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Kankakei (Ropeway)
Kankakei is a gorge in Kagawa Prefecture’s Shodo Island. It is located in the heart of Setonaikai National Park. The valley of Kankakei was formed over thousands of years as volcanic andesite and agglomerate were thrust upward via shifting of the earth’s mantle and eroded by rain and wind, creating a spectacular scene of sheer cliffs and rock formations.
I wasn't lucky—the day I visited, it was super foggy and visibility was really poor.
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Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle was built between the years 1593 and 1594. It is one of the oldest of the still-standing “gojuu-rokkai” (five roofs, six stories) structures in Japan, and it has been registered as a national treasure.
You have to take off your shoes and put them in a plastic bag before entering the main keep, but you have to carry your shoes with you the whole time. It's inconvenient, especially when climbing stairs or trying to take photos.