布施校のスミス英会話 河内小阪　編 Exploring along the Kintetsu Nara Line 近鉄奈良線. Next stop: Kosaka Castle 小阪城, Kintetsu Kawachi Kosaka Station 近鉄河内小阪駅

スミス英会話布施校講師が書いた記事。日本語はこちらへ

Yes, you read that right! We are all familiar with Osaka Castle (大阪城)　but do you know about Kosaka Castle!? 

Kosaka Castle（小阪城）is located about 15km away from the world famous Osaka Castle in the town of Kosaka in Higashi Osaka.　東大阪の小阪

One of my students in class mentioned this place once a couple of months ago so I decided I had to investigate. 

I had been to Kosaka（小阪） numerous times but I had never seen or heard of Kosaka Castle. （小阪城）I thought it was a joke but decided to check it out just to be sure.

I entered the Shiba Ryotaro shopping arcade（司馬遼太郎 商店街）just south of Kintetsu Kawachi Kosaka Station （近鉄河内小阪駅）and began checking out the various shops.  At the first intersection I made a left, passed a Mandai Supermarket on the right, continued straight and sure enough, lo and behold, there it was!! (河内小阪 スーパー　万代)

The “famous” Kosaka Castle, a replica of Osaka Castle, sitting right above the 2 story Isono Barber Shop. 

It’s a miniature 5-story castle, which Mr. Kenichi Isono made with disposed materials from old homes in the area.  Kosaka Castle has been up there for over 20 years and from what I was told but some locals, he is constantly making some additions to it.  I was told that he also sometimes hosts friends and visitors inside the castle, and that Kosaka Castle is complete with a traditional tea ceremony room as well.　 (城主磯野　美容室　小阪城)

Here is a link, all in Japanese, and another in English which explains the history of the “famous” Kosaka Castle.  （小阪城）

I think your students are going to enjoy this and have a laugh. 

Its one of the many things which I am learning makes Higashi-Osaka, well….uniquely Higashi-Osaka! 東大阪

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B0%8F%E9%98%AA%E5%9F%8E (日本語)

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20001112b2.html　（英語）English

I encourage you to check out this place if you ever find yourself out here in Higashi-Osaka. 

We have a lot of interesting places out here, including our own Kosaka Castle! 東大阪の小阪城

Stay tuned because I recently discovered something else unbelievable in Higashi-Osaka worthy of “world leaders”…

Enjoy,

Alessandro “Alex” Stanciu

アレッサンドロ“アレックス”スタンシュー

Smith’s School of English Fuse

月謝制 の スミス 英会話 布施 校

http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/fuse.shtml     英会話 東大阪市