Wright Chat

I'll be spending a week in Osaka Japan. I will have one free day. Any suggestions?

Thank you

I have liked the work of the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who was born in Osaka. Some of his work is in the city or environs.

I would take the train to Kyoto (looks like about an hour ride) and spend the day there.

Hi, I understand that if you have one free day to spend your time in Japan, you may want to try and take a visit on some beautiful spots preferably at Osaka. I heard about this Kaiyukan Aquarium in Tempozan. They say that this is one of the largest public aquariums and one of most popular sceneries there because of an attractive marine life's display. Nevertheless, If you want to see the view all over, I guess, it will be nicer to ride their Ferris wheel within the vicinity. There are a lot of nice places there. I do hope you do have a great time!

Assuming you will be visiting the nearby Yamamura House, you might also look up some of the work of Kenzo Tange, especially the Yoyogi National Gymnasium and St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo, if that's not too far afield.

I would definitely take the train to Kyoto, the former capital, and visit the Katsura and Shugakuin Imperial Villas. They are each country villas in superb informal gardens, very sensitively sited and designed. You can imagine lots of Wright inspiration in them. Both probably take reservations made from the US to get in on a particular day.

I have to agree with some of the other responders in recommending a trip to Kyoto. Unfortunately, to visit the Katsura Imperial Palace, you will need to get reservations in person at the Imperial Household Agency Office in the Kyoto Imperial Park in Kyoto. The IHA office is not close to the Katsura palace, so if you make reservations the same day, make sure you have time to get there, especially if you are taking public transportation. Also, note that the IHA office is closed on Sunday and Saturday.

I would recommend strolling through Higashiyama starting at Kiyomizu dera temple down to the Heian Jingu Shrine or along the old canal, "the Philosopher's walk" from Nanzenji Temple to the Ginkakuji. There is a pdf by the Japan Travel Bureau called "Kyoto Walks". The walks I recommend are number 2 and 1 in that order. If you hustle, you could do them both in the same day. Here's the link to the pdf. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-503.pdf

These walks will take you to some of the most famous temples, shrines, old residential districts and pilgrims roads in Kyoto. It is a shame you only have a day.

Reviving this old thread. We will be traveling to Japan this summer, and am putting together an itinerary, and looking for advice from those who have been there. We'll be starting in Tokyo, and will end up in Osaka, and will definitely be in Kyoto as well.

I understand Wright's school, and Yodoko guest house are open to the public on a limited basis, and there's the rebuilt lobby of the imperial hotel. Does anyone have any advice/tips about visiting these places, or other recommendations about what to see in Japan, beyond those already mentioned here?

Here's a specific question: Is Endo's former Koshien hotel worth seeing?

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:35 pm Post subject: a

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Oh fun

I went for work, so had limited free time. However, we mostly got around by train, commuted during 'rush hour', etc. I feel like I got a very real experience.


Tokyo – Limited time/experience in the city… and I was quite jetlagged.

Bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka is a must.

Osaka – We saw a lot… probably the typical stuff. We stayed at the Hilton Osaka. I went out early (4 AM to 6 AM) for a walk almost every morning. That was fun - a very tactile experience. At the train station, under the Hilton Osaka, is a big ‘mall’. This was a source of constant fascination for me. There is an open market with fresh food. And so many restaurants.

Kyoto – We did the typical tourist stuff, including http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji. We walked a lot in Kyoto. I found the houses interesting, particularly the modern Japanese style (Tadeo Ando meets traditional Japanese). We even toured a house… the guy was nice enough to let us in.

We went here to... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hino,_Shiga... nice view of more remote village and farming area. A bit random...

Will you be with someone who knows Japanese? If not, always have the business card of your hotel with you. Or take photos of key landmarks, like the train station sign. Worst case, you can jump in a cab and show the cab driver the card or photo.

Bring cash (Yen) with you. Do not assume that you will find an easy place to convert.

I found credit cards readily accepted.