Solo Trip Nagoya (August 2023) - Nagoya Castle

 

Reaching Nagoya Castle around noon time was super hot! And from the entrance to the castle, was quite a bit of a walk! Luckily there were some museums along the way that I can go hide from the sun from.

Here is a map of Nagoya Castle. Look how big it is!

The first building I went into was a small museum. And here there are some explanation of the castle, as well as this decorative fish that can be found at the top of the castle. It seems like it is an auspicious symbol of Nagoya.

The current fish is actually golden in colour, but they have the older ones which were either made of silver or stone. I think they looked pretty cool. Mystical creatures.

Interestingly, they are also used to decorate the samurai armour. I wonder how they fight with it, lol. But perhaps this is more of a ceremonial costume?

Next, before reaching the castle, there is this wooden building that houses a lot of treasures inside. I will do a separate post on it. But mainly, this was the reason I dragged myself here. I've visited many castles in Japan before, but this was the first time I was able to view a treasure house!

At last, the castle. It was under renovation, so I can't go inside.  Can only look from the outside. 

Nearer to the gardens of the castle, there was a small museum showcasing toys. It was a rather cute museum. Nothing fancy. Just a wooden house, very small. But the exhibit inside was adorable!

Here too, you can see the auspicious fish in miniature side. And a big fish hugging a baby girl!

Souvenir pot hole shot!

And surprisingly, I came across Kato Kiyomasa again! I actually purposely went to look for his statue after coming out from the castle. The reason was just 4 months prior, I saw the same statue of him when I was visiting Kumamoto Castle in Kyushu. I thought it was a nice coincidence that he was here in Nagoya too. So I went over to say "hi" to him, before leaving Nagoya :)

Solo Trip Nagoya (August 2023) - Slow Walk to Nagoya Castle

 

This post is about the walk I took after my lunch at Yayoi Family Restaurant, to Nagoya Castle. I was not at a touristy district, but more of a office district. But even here, among the concrete buildings, I could see small shrines among the offices. Above is one example. But I didn't went in. I couldn't possibly stopped at every shrine or temple I see in Japan, cause they are just everywhere!

Along the way to the castle, I decided to walked pass an old shrine though, lol. Cause it was in a quiet place, there wasn't really anyone around. I saw the beautiful giant torii gate, and decided to walk in. 

It was still a traditional shrine, and the water pond where you were supposed to wash yourself was still there, no hand sanitiser in sight. I felt at peace here.

Everything was just stone and wood, among the greeneries. It made my heart calms down.

It was a weird temple, nested in perhaps some residential area. At the back of it, I found a stone tablet that was huge! It looked like so cool. Like something out of a story. I can't read the words on it. Was it a war memorial? Or something else?

Eventually I came to the Nagoya Castle ground, after crossing a huge road. It was such a long walk, and I was glad to take some shelter inside the castle! More of that in the next post.

Solo Trip Nagoya (August 2023) - Meals on my Last Day in Nagoya

On my last day in Nagoya, I actually stayed in my hotel till almost lunch time! But my lunch time is usually around 11am though. And for some reason, I really really wanted to eat some Japanese Eggplant. I love eggplant, and I suddenly have craving for them. I search the nearby restaurants, and found a family friendly shop called Yayoi. This restaurant is also available in Singapore, and they serve home-like food set, for quite a reasonable price. So I made my way there in time for the opening time. I made my order, and sat at the solo seats looking out into the streets. It was more of a CBD area, so there were many salary man and working adults nearer to the lunch hour.  

My very satisfying lunch! It was a simple meal, quite light, and something I could have cooked at home. But it was very comforting, to have this as my last lunch here. It was filling, and simple, and very Japanese :)  I was very happy with it. The only problem I had was, after my meal, I wasn't sure if I had to return my tray as this was a family restaurant. I couldn't see a return tray station, so I decided to just leave it. Hope I didn't play the role of the ugly tourist that day! Lol. But it was my last day, and I was kinda exhausted from all the protocol.... After lunch, I had a slow walk to Nagoya Castle to sight see. On the way back. I also stopped by an old Archive Building which was rather lovely. 

When I reached my hotel, it was early afternoon, and very hot. So I settle down for an ice coffee and anmitsu (again).  I've lost track of how many anmitsu I ate in this trip. Maybe 4? 5? Lol. I regret nothing! Anmitsu is hard to find in Singapore, and even harder in Penang. Plus, the price in Japan was a lot lower. So I'm gonna eat them as long as I feel like it!

I was wondering what to have for dinner, when I saw an Instagram message from my Japanese friend Airi. She recommended I try Yama-chan fried chicken. And so, I found myself walking to the nearest shop at 5pm to buy some fried chicken! Lol. That's my shadow in front of the shop. It was super hot!

I have looked up the menu online. Yama-chan was more of a drinking place where you go with a group. I was solo, so I wasn't going to dine there. Luckily they have some takeaway menu for loners like me! I was wondering how to order, so I was really happy to see they have set meals too!

I decided to go with Yakisoba with the fried chicken set. It was a very weird experience. While I was making my way there, it felt just like a how I felt when I go to my nearby shops to buy a meal at home. Maybe cause I didn't bring any bags with me, and just wander out empty handed. When I went to the shop, I went upstairs, and with my very primitive Japanese and the help of my mobile, I showed the staff the menu I wanted and asked if they have that. He understood, and took down my order, and gave me a number to wait while I sit. For some reason, I felt so at home and familiar. And when he called out my number, I stood up to collect my order, and rush back to my hotel like I was rushing back home. It was kind of like a defining moment for me, after staying in Nagoya for two weeks on my own. I felt like I've blend in and made myself at home in this foreign land that I love so much.

Back in the hotel, I settle down to enjoy my dinner. Above is what was in the bag. The yakisoba looked delicious!

When I opened the box, I saw the fried chicken and it smelled wonderful! The taste was delicious too. It might have been nicer if I had it there with some beer! Perhaps next time, I could go with someone and sit on the floor at their restaurant and enjoy these lovely fried chicken. But I'm glad I tried it. It's like Horai 551. Sometimes you got to try things you thought you knew, and realise you were so wrong. That similar things can taste very different in different country and culture!

Solo Trip Nagoya (August 2023) - Osu Area Notable Shrine and Temple

Besides Osu Temple, I did find two more notable worship site around the area. One was by accident, and it was an Inari Shrine, which means a Fox Shrine. I was surprised nobody was actually there. It wasn't very noticeable, just a small path into the temple by a crossroad at Osu Shopping Street.

 

But once inside, it opens up to a small pathway of red torii gates leading into the main shrine.

Sadly the main shrine was closed. But you could clearly see the foxes inside. It was quiet and beautiful.

See, totally nobody was there!

The other temple was nearer to a crowded shopping street near a Donki Quijote shop. It was on my list of places to go to as it was described as a modern zen temple. 

There was a white dragon at the side of temple that looked super realistic. It was one of the reason I wanted to visit it, cause I super love dragons! I have to come pay homage!

It was quite a simple temple. You could purify yourself outside before entering

They have kindly provided some explanation on how to do the ritual of cleaning. But since Covid, it wasn't as popular a ritual as before. These days, hand sanitiser are seen instead. How tradition has changed.....

The temple was mostly unmanned. You could make wishes, donation and pray to the gods inside on your own. There is an elevator up to the prayer halls, but I didn't went up. It felt too modern for me.

But I really did like the white dragon! 

Solo Trip Nagoya (August 2023) - Osu Shopping Street

Surrounding Osu Temple, are a mazed of shopping streets. They are all covered, thank goodness! And with high ceiling, it was nice exploring the neighbourhood. Above is one the entrance connecting two sides of the shopping street that was separated by a road. 

Above is the view of the shopping street closer to Osu Temple.

And this was actually the humble entrance from the temple. You would not have guess how wide the network of shopping street is by just the look of this picture!

As I was rather early, most of the shops were yet to opened. Lots of cafe and snack shops can be found. One okonomiyaki shop was supper popular with the old people around, cause it was super cheap, maybe just 250yen each. But I wasn't really hungry, and it was something I could make at home, so I didn't bother. 

What I love instead, was taking photos of old retro shops found in the area.  Like this beautiful blue perfume shop with cute black cats decorated on the front.

Or this toy shop with their huge retro sign with the nostalgic characters from our childhood. Is that Mospida I saw? lol. 

There were also weird shops like the above. It says old beauty street. I wonder does it mean hair salon and manicure shops? Cause it looked like a place for that. Love the compact stairs and shops all merged into a small narrow building. 

Or this beautiful cafe front that is made of wood and looked so rustic. I love shops like these. But sadly I don't visit them often enough, cause I'm cheap. At most I would go to them for breakfast, or even lunch. But I don't just drop by for a coffee just to visit and support them. I am still on  budget and I need to stretch my money! Maybe I should lighten up a bit, and relax a little.... There is more to life than money, right?

Some mural were also spotted at the area. Above is one of sushi

And another near the temple, showing a giant god/demon?

Solo Trip Nagoya (August 2023) - Osu Kannon Temple

 

Walking to Osu Temple was quite a walk. It says 20mins, but it felt longer, cause it was so hot. I somehow managed to reach it via their back door, lol. Above is the side entrance into the temple. I guess I came via the residential area, so I guess it's where all the people who might have worked in the temple stayed. I like it though, it was very village like. 

Above is actually the boring official entrance, meaning it is connected to the main road, and most tourist bus would stop here for people to walk into the temple compound. Yeah, I preferred my back door alley entrance :P

Osu Temple is a Kannon Temple, means it's dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. Fun fact, did you know the brand Canon is named after her? Above is the grand Osu temple. There was a flea market on the day I visited. It was on purposed cause market day always made the place much more memorable. Lots of nice second hand goods on sale, especially lovely tea cups, glass ware, and stuff I just love. But I didn't want to ask the price, and I didn't want to carry stuff home that are fragile and breakable. 

Walking up to the temple. Holy places are always filled with stairs to test your faith!

It was not a crowded temple like those in Tokyo or Kyoto. Around it, there were beautiful lanterns decorating the area. 

The giant lantern adorn the main entrance into the temple. 

And inside are the Gods. Outside is for you to hang your wishes.

Inside looks ancient enough. It was an old temple. 

There as a mechanical doll show outside the carpark of the temple. It plays a scene at fixed hour. I did came back to watch a show, but I couldn't get any nice photo of it because the front of the stage was covered in glass, and the sun was just shinning on it causing a bad reflection on any photos taken. But it was nice seeing how robots are taking over traditional puppet show!