Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 4: Osaka and Universal Studios Japan

June 4, 2002: Osaka, with Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

On the fourth day of the Keihanshin independent trip, the mood shifted completely. After old temples, deer, and traditional streets, we finally reached Osaka's Universal Studios Japan. The plan was simple but greedy: spend the day inside movie sets and rides, then, after the afternoon parade, squeeze in one more stop at Tempozan and Kaiyukan.

So this post is not as temple-like as the earlier days. It is more of a 2002 memory of visiting a large Japanese theme park for the first time: a small railway lesson, movie scenes everywhere, cartoon characters pulling attention in every direction, and finally a ferry ride that moved the day toward the harbor ^.^

From Umeda Straight to the Movie World

Early in the morning, we transferred at Osaka Umeda Station to the JR Osaka Loop Line inner loop bound for Sakurajima, which went directly to Universal-City. For a first-time independent traveler moving around Osaka, that was very convenient.

But I also learned something important that day. On trains in Japan, the front cars and rear cars of the same train may sometimes have different final destinations. Getting on the right train matters, but sitting in the wrong car can still turn into an Orz moment...

After leaving the JR station, the entrance to Universal Studios Japan came up quickly. The mood had already changed before we even reached the gate. The previous days had been about walking slowly through Kyoto and Nara's temples. This morning, the first thing outside the station was a theme park entrance and a crowd.

Visitors walking near the Universal Studios Japan entrance gate — Arriving at the Universal Studios Japan gate from Universal-City Station

The buildings inside the park were full of clever details. Many of the scenes were obviously built sets, but they were designed with enough care to make you smile while walking through them.

Decorative streetscape buildings inside Universal Studios Japan — Theme-park buildings designed like a movie set

Soon after entering the park, Shrek came walking toward us and immediately caused a small commotion. That is the power of a theme park: even when you know it is a costumed character, the moment still pulls everyone in.

Shrek character greeting visitors inside Universal Studios Japan — Shrek appears in the park and immediately draws a crowd

Universal Studios Felt Different from Disney

The Jurassic Park area felt very familiar, almost like the scenes from the movie. Back then, it did not feel like simply looking at a decorative set. It felt like stepping into something I had seen on screen before ^.^

Jurassic Park area at Universal Studios Japan — Jurassic Park felt like stepping into a familiar movie scene

We then walked through the American street scenes and the dock area. These places were not all tied to a single clear story, but the photos together bring back the feeling of moving from one film-like setting to another: a street, then a harbor, then buildings and water catching the eye in the distance.

American-style street scene inside Universal Studios Japan — The American street area inside the park

Boats and waterfront buildings in the dock area of Universal Studios Japan — A dockside scene inside Universal Studios Japan

Small boats, wooden waterfront buildings, and water inside Universal Studios Japan — Another view across the dock area

The crowded Snoopy area also stayed in memory. The energy of people lining up, waiting to enter, or trying to take photos with characters felt completely different from the quiet pace of Nara's temples the day before.

Visitors gathering around the Snoopy area at Universal Studios Japan — The crowded Snoopy area

Two visitors posing with the Charlie Brown character at Universal Studios Japan — Taking a photo with Charlie Brown

The attractions at Universal Studios were clearly different from Disney's. They were built around movies, which is why, even years later, I still remembered the fire scene from Backdraft, the time-travel vehicle from Back to the Future, and the 3D film from Terminator.

Those attraction designs are hard to describe properly in words. You really have to experience them in person to understand how much thought goes into running a theme park like this.

The Afternoon Parade Was the Big Show

The afternoon parade was another major highlight. The rides made it feel like we were entering movie scenes, but the parade pushed the characters, music, floats, and crowds out into the street and pulled the whole park's attention onto one route.

Performers and parade vehicles moving along the street at Universal Studios Japan — The afternoon parade begins

Costumed characters and stilt performers in the Universal Studios Japan parade — Characters and performers during the parade

Parade performers and guests under a clear sky at Universal Studios Japan — More performers passing through the parade route

I kept taking one parade photo after another. Looking back now, I may not be able to name every character or float, but the bright sun, costumes, vehicles, and guests packed along the road still make this the loudest memory of the day.

A Universal globe parade float moving past spectators in Universal Studios Japan — The Universal globe appears during the parade

Whew... what a great parade. Very satisfying... ^.^

After the Parade, One More Push to Kaiyukan

After the parade, we checked the time and it was still early, so we decided to push for one more stop: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

Back then, there was a ferry from the Universal Studios side across Osaka Port to Tempozan. That short move was fun because the day suddenly changed again. One moment we were still surrounded by movies and parade floats; the next, we were on a boat looking across the harbor.

A ferry crossing Osaka Port between Universal Studios Japan and Tempozan — Taking the ferry from Universal Studios toward Tempozan

Besides Kaiyukan, Tempozan also has its well-known Ferris wheel. Even on a day that was already packed, seeing the harbor and the Ferris wheel still made us think: since we were already there, we might as well see a little more.

Tempozan Ferris wheel and harbor area in Osaka — Tempozan Ferris wheel near the harbor

Here we are... Kaiyukan... basically a very, very large aquarium @.@'"

Exterior area near Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan at Tempozan — Arriving at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Right after entering, there was a pool of adorable otters. After a whole day of outdoor sunlight and theme park noise, the pace finally slowed down inside the aquarium.

Otters in a pool inside Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan — Otters near the entrance area of Kaiyukan

At Taipei Zoo's Muzha area, I usually had to line up for a long time just to see penguins for a moment. Here, I could look at them as much as I wanted ^.^

Penguins standing together inside Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan — Penguins at Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan's design was interesting. The entrance was on the upper level, and inside there was a large aquarium tank extending across several floors. Visitors then walked downward in circles around it. Too bad the camera I had back then was not strong enough. If I brought a DSLR now, I could have recorded it properly ~.~'"

Related Posts:

Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 1 Kyoto: Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji

Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 2 Kyoto: Around Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji

Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 3 Nara: Deer Park, Todai-ji, Nigatsu-do, and Kasuga Taisha

Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 4: Osaka and Universal Studios Japan

Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 5 Kobe: Nunobiki Herb Garden and Kitano Ijinkan

Keihanshin Independent Trip, Day 6 Himeji: Koko-en and Himeji Castle

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