New Year in Osaka

An evening arrival, a quiet New Year's Eve, a full day at Universal Studios Japan, and a slower afternoon after — four days in Osaka over the turn of the year.

December 30, 2010Osaka, JapanNikon D90 · 18-105mm zoom · f/3.5-10, ISO 200-1600

Four days over the turn of the year, based in Osaka — an evening arrival, a quiet New Year’s Eve, a full day at Universal Studios Japan on New Year’s Day itself, and a slower afternoon walking off the holiday once the crowds thinned out.

Arrival

New Year’s Eve

The last afternoon of the year, spent mostly on foot — nowhere in particular, just out with the camera before the evening got busy.

Wide view of an Osaka street scene on New Year's Eve — Osaka Castle walkway, a wider frame from the same walk, 13:38.

View in Osaka on the afternoon of New Year's Eve — The pit around Osaka Castle 14:00.

Universal Studios Japan

New Year’s Day, start to finish, at Universal Studios Japan — gates open just after noon and the last frame nearly eight hours later, well after dark.

View within Universal Studios Japan, early afternoon — Space Fantasy attraction 14:06, 48mm.

View within Universal Studios Japan, midday — At Spiderman Ride, just under an hour later, 14:59.

A second view within Universal Studios Japan around midday — Stree view, a second frame.

View within Universal Studios Japan in the afternoon — Street performance 15:02, back out in the open.

View within Universal Studios Japan in the mid-afternoon — Street magic 15:33, 52mm.

Vertical view within Universal Studios Japan in the late afternoon — Jaws attraction at USJ 16:20.

A second vertical view within Universal Studios Japan in the late afternoon — Jurassic Park attraction at USJ 16:32.

By early evening the light was gone and the settings show it — slower shutter speeds, ISO pushed up toward the park’s evening illuminations.

View within Universal Studios Japan at dusk — Stage performance 18:14, ISO 200 stretched with a slower shutter as the light dropped.

Vertical view within Universal Studios Japan after dark — Christmas tree illumination 18:32.

Night view within Universal Studios Japan — Christmas tree illumination 19:34, — a night shot, braced rather than tripod-steady.

A second night view within Universal Studios Japan — Night street in USJ 19:43.

The last night view within Universal Studios Japan before leaving — USJ flood lights 19:49, — the last frame of the day, well after dark.

Back in the City

A quieter day after, walking rather than queuing — the camera came out again in the early afternoon and stayed out until dusk.

Wide view in Osaka on the afternoon after Universal Studios Japan — Souvenir shop 14:18 on the 2nd, back in the city.

View in Osaka in the mid-afternoon — Kiyomizu-dera entrance 14:20.

Vertical view in Osaka in the mid-afternoon — Kiyomizu-dera entrance, a few minutes later.

Wide view in Osaka in the mid-afternoon — View from Kiyomizu-dera 14:38.

A second wide view in Osaka in the mid-afternoon — Kiyomizu-dera with a little Snow on top 14:52.

Wide view of an Osaka street in the mid-afternoon — Kiyomizu-dera with a little Snow on top, same minute, a full-width frame.

View in Osaka in the late afternoon — Kinkaku-ji (Golden temple) shots 16:38.

A second view in Osaka in the late afternoon — Kinkaku-ji (Golden temple) shots, same minute, 58mm.

Wide view of Osaka in the late afternoon — Kinkaku-ji (Golden temple) 16:38, back to a full-width frame.

The last wide view of Osaka as evening light faded — Pond at Kinkaku-ji (Golden temple) 16:58 .

Four days, one park, and a lot of walking in between — not a trip built around a single landmark, just the ordinary rhythm of a city over the turn of the year.