2024.03.16 Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park (Flower Expo Memorial Park) → Dotonbori

Today, I decided to walk around Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park near Osaka Castle and take some cute animal photos. It only takes 20 minutes by subway from Osaka Castle to reach this large park in the city center. In the morning, many locals were already walking and walking their dogs, giving the place a lively atmosphere.

Shortly after entering the park, I was attracted to a mini house surrounded by flowers. This little house looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale, with colorful flowers around it adding a romantic touch to the entire park.

Moving forward, I finally saw cherry blossoms🌸. Although there was only one tree, this variety had a very beautiful color, with delicate pink petals looking especially radiant in the sunlight.

Walking further, a row of cherry blossom trees came into view. Although the color was lighter, combined with the pavilion and slope here, the whole scene appeared particularly comfortable and peaceful.

When visiting a park, you can’t miss the opportunity to photograph animals. I found a grey heron, and its two head feathers and posture were photogenic from any angle, making it truly captivating.

Before I knew it, it was 1 PM, time for an intermission and a nice lunch. I had noticed people queuing at the park restaurant when I first entered, but now there was no line, so I ordered a chicken katsu rice bowl. The menu picture showed fried chicken served with rice and salad, looking healthy, so I ordered it without hesitation. Overall, the meal was good, with crispy fried chicken covered in sauce, very delicious. Finally, I couldn’t resist adding a cheesecake for a sweet ending.

Since there were no outdoor seats available when I entered, I had to dine indoors. However, I noticed the restaurant had a high turnover rate. If you come next time, I recommend waiting for outdoor seating, as the view is truly first-class – enjoying your meal while appreciating the park’s beauty is definitely a treat.

After eating, I walked along the lake and saw various animals competing for food, all seeming to have strong “fighting spirit”.

While these animals were busy, the grey heron was building a nest in the middle of the lake, making the scene particularly heartwarming, like a beautiful painting of nature.

Finally, I arrived at the park’s flower field and windmill area to take photos. This area was very popular, and of course, there were many cute dogs playing and running through the flower fields, adding to the joyful atmosphere. The flower field was planted with various colored flowers, creating a vibrant spectacle. I think buying an ice cream and finding a comfortable spot to sit and appreciate everything would be a relaxing way to spend the entire afternoon.

After exploring the park, I headed to check in at my hotel. Today I’m staying at Sarasa Hotel near Dotonbori. Upon entering the room, I was drawn to its “homey” atmosphere. Both the room’s design and size were satisfactory, and overall, this hotel offers good value for money.

After resting at the hotel, I decided to explore Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. The liveliness of these two areas seems unchanged compared to pre-pandemic times, with the same familiar shops and crowds of people.

However, due to the overwhelming crowds, I ultimately chose a “strategic retreat” and returned to dine at the restaurant below my hotel. Regrettably, Japanese signage has largely disappeared from the side streets near the hotel, making the atmosphere somewhat different from before.