Can you imagine a palace vanishing? Then reappearing centuries later? That’s the story of Gojo no Miya Ato, right here in Osaka. Gojo no Miya Ato translates to “Former Naniwa Palace.” This place marks the spot of not one, but two imperial palaces. These palaces served as the heart of Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods. The first palace, completed in 652 AD, met a fiery end in 686 AD. Its story might have been lost forever, but in the 20th century, remnants began to surface. Roof tiles and a decorative ridge-end tile hinted at what lay beneath. Excavations revealed the truth. The scorched earth filling the pillar holes confirmed the Nihonshoki’s account of the fire. The first Gojo no Miya Ato had been found. This wasn’t the end of Gojo no Miya Ato’s story. A later palace, built in 726 AD for Emperor Shomu, also stood on this very ground. This later palace was even grander, built using Chinese techniques with cornerstones and tiled roofs. Eventually, its Daigokuden (Council Hall) was even dismantled and moved to the new capital, Nagaoka-kyo. Today, at Gojo no Miya Ato, you’re standing on layers of history. The stone foundations mark the later palace. Red tiles, granite pillars, and camellia hedges outline the earlier one. You can even see a restored Daigokuden within the park, offering a glimpse into the past. So, as you stand here, imagine the emperors, the ceremonies, the bustling life that once filled this space. Gojo no Miya Ato is a testament to Osaka’s role as a historical capital of Japan. A place where history was lost, found, and now, remembered.
旧守口市立下島小学校
Shimojima Elementary School’s bell echoed one last time in March 2024. This marked the end of its 49-year history. It