Osaka

Osaka is the name of the third most populated city in Japan and the country's second smallest prefecture. It is also home to an annual autumnal marathon, which was won last year by my fellow Morpeth Harriers club mate, Serod Batochir, in an impressive time of 2:11:54. However, it was a castle and beer that drew me to Osaka last weekend, rather than athletics.

Osaka Castle is the best known landmark of the city. Built at the end of the 16^th Century under the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it was subsequently destroyed twice, by an attacking army in 1615 and consumed by fire when it was struck by lightning in 1665. Rebuilt in the 1930s, a large public park surrounds the castle. After touring the castle battlements, I ate some Takoyaki. This is a well-known dish, associated with Osaka, made out of fried balls of dough, green onion, pickled ginger and octopus.

 

 

 

Osaka Castle Park covers a huge site and is a great place to run. It is very popular. There were thronging crowds of day tripping tourists, families, cyclists, baseball players and runners - all enjoying the delights of this open space in the heart of a vast urban metropolis. Though the paths were busy, it was possible for me to do an effort session comfortably around the park. Groups of local runners appear to meet and train there.
 

 

Having worked up a bit of a sweat in the baking sun, I took a short hop over to Tennoji Park, which was hosting the 2013 Osaka Oktoberfest. This was Osaka’s version of the Munich beer festival in Germany. There were stalls selling food and beers from numerous countries, to the accompaniment of music provided by a German folk band. As darkness fell over the city, I relaxed supping some ale whilst gazing over the dance floor area in front of the band, which was packed with a multi-national crowd of bleary eyed revellers.