OSAKA, JAPAN: Day 3 – February 14, 2015

For our third day, we did what architects do: architectural spree around Osaka!

 

Abeno Harukas
 
For our first building-loving, we checked out the postmodern architecture building designed by César Pelli & Associates—the Abeno Harukas—a 300-meter tall skyscraper with 62 storeys making it the tallest building in Japan.

Abeno Harukas consists of basement parking lots, Osaka Abenobashi Station, more than 14 floors of department stores, museums, hotel, offices, restaurants and an observatory deck.

 

 

 

Walking around

 

Namba Parks

 

One of the places we went also is the Namba Parks. Conceived by an American Architect Jon Jerde, Namba Parks is a shopping and office building in Namba filled with roof-top gardens, restaurants, and cinemas. We went there not to go shopping but to appreciate the building. (Sorry, architects are like that). It’s a mixture of greeneries and concrete, lines and curves which create a unique experience in our travel.

 

 

 

 

 

Namba Hips
 
This was not part of our itinerary but we happened to pass by this interesting building that caught my attention. Designed by Shin Takamatsu, the hourglass look on its facade represents “eternity” while the exclamation mark in the middle of the building represents “amazement” or “surprise”—which is by the way, a free-fall ride, known as Yabafo. Inside the building are different varieties of entertainment facilities such as golf studios, Pachinko game machines, sports bars.

 

 

Osaka Museum of History
 
Next in our architecture appreciation day was the Osaka Museum of History.
 
Osaka Museum of History, connected to NHK Broadcasting center, is a 13-storey building that exhibits the history of Osaka, from ancient to modern times. It also consists of research facilities for archaeologist and historians, administrative offices and a library accessible for visitors.  Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the Osaka Museum of History also displays the archeological specimens from the Naniwanomiya Palace.

 

 

 
 



 
 
Osaka Castle
 
We capped off our day at Osaka Castle. The timing was perfect, we were lucky enough that during our trip, Osaka Castle was celebrating its 400^th year. There was a 3D Mapping Super Illumination on the Osaka Castle!

 

Entrance Tunnel

 

 

Back in college,we have to draw Japanese castles as one of our plates in History of Architecture subject. Haaaaay. Ganda! Ganda!

 

 

 

Aside from the 3D mapping, they also showcased “The Big Blue” a sea of animated lights and “The Jewel Illumination Show” to fill in the area of the Nishinomaru garden grounds.

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed this night. Celebrating our 6th year of togetherness while watching the castle lighted up.

 
 

Photos taken: February 2015

 
 

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