A Round the World Trip to Osaka

I’m sitting on the grass, listening to a coffeehouse playlist on Spotify, and watching the sunset as a plane flies across the setting sun. I’ve just travelled the world for the price of a subway ticket.

Tsurumi Ryokuchi park held a world expo event many years back, and the countries involved left gifts that reflect a part of their culture at this park. Typical gifts include samples of typical architecture, statues, and monuments. I walked around the peaceful park, visiting different countries along the way. Some of the more impressive gifts were the Korean temple, the Chinese district (though it has been cordoned off), and the Nepalese building. Less impressive were the French garden, the British monument, and the Irish bunker. There are moments such as in the Korean temple where you are completely surrounded by its beauty, so that it could truly give you an illusion that you are in a different country completely.

Many cosplayers also come to the park in the hope of finding a new backdrop for their photographs. Some of the exhibits are realistic enough that you could fool the person looking at the photo with ease.

The park is large in size with decent fields, which is a rare find in Japan. Coming to the park is like having a short retreat away from the city. I miss that convenience of finding nature in the heart of a city, so this is a good alternative. It’s a great place to chill, detox, de-stress, and enjoy a park with nice views of Osaka.

Transport

Train The closest subway station is Tsurumi Ryokuchi station on the Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi line.

Bus Regular city buses from Osaka station can take you to the park in an hour. Take the bus 36 to Yokozutsumi station. It’s a 10-minute walk from there.