Day 8: 27th May 2025

Our journey from Osaka to Nagoya was aboard the charming Haruka Express, a delightful blend of efficient travel and kawaii culture!

With our JR Passes ready, we settled into the comfy seats and watched Japan’s landscape roll by, transitioning from urban sprawl to countryside calm.

Once in Nagoya, we headed straight to the iconic Nagoya Castle a gleaming symbol of Japan’s feudal era.

Built in the early 1600s, the castle was a stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate and is renowned for its majestic golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-fish ornaments) on the roof. Like many Japanese castles, it was designed not only as a residence but also as a defense fortress, complete with moats, stone walls, and lookout towers.

Walking through the castle grounds felt like stepping back in time. The restored interiors, delicate woodwork, and panoramic views from the top made it a perfect cultural stop a quiet contrast to our theme park adventures.

One of the most surprising and honestly impressive parts of our trip was how Japan handled the weather. Even after heavy rains, the streets were spotless, dry, and completely safe to walk on. No muddy puddles, no chaos, just clean and well-managed walkways waiting for our next step. It was as if the city had pressed a reset button after the downpour.

And the sights? The rain-washed shrines, misty gardens, and glistening rooftops added a cinematic charm to our photos and memories. The cloudy skies only made everything feel more serene nature’s own soft filter over Japan’s beauty.

Read more about Japan Travelogue here;

  1. My Japanese Memories
  2. On toes in Tokyo
  3. Sky hops and Matcha stops
  4. Greenery and Games
  5. Riding in Shinkansen and Kyoto Clouds️
  6. Tracks, Trains and Robot service
  7. Serenity & Showers to Confusion at the Condominium
  8. From Maze to Magic
  9. New memories brick by brick

**All Photos by Author