Another One Off The Bucket
The time had gone by quickly... Not even a year had passed since taking my solo trip (May/June 2024) and here I was a few days into a fourth trip (April 2025) to Japan. How was this possible? Sure, I’d known for over a year that I’d be coming back with the younger nephew for his high school graduation gift and for Star Wars Celebration, but it always seems like some dream. It’s not until you’re sitting in a taxi driving to meet a photographer near Osaka Castle while wearing the undersuit of a cosplay that it hits and you realize this is real life. Then, you think WTH am I doing?!
But it’s too late. You’re a few blocks from your drop-off; you’ve already paid for the photographer and you’re half-dressed in a Stormtrooper/Samurai mash-up inspired by colors of cherry blossoms. There’s no backing out now.
The taxi stops on Hommachi-dori near Uemachi-suji between the Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters and the Osaka Museum of History. It’s on the Southwest side of the castle grounds and I figure at least it’s not a long walk back if I get arrested. Meanwhile, the driver looks at me like “Have a nice day, but please get out of my vehicle.” I thanked him for the ride, and I started walking down the block to meet the photographer. Yes, I’m still only half-dressed in the costume while carrying a bag with most of the armor and banner.
The photographer and I greet one another and start walking towards the castle grounds. We’re on the outer side of the moat and approach a section with a path lined with cherry trees. Wait… I’m walking around Japan during Cherry Blossom season. Check that off the bucket list! It truly is as amazing as they say. I had seen many cherry blossoms scattered around Ginza a few days prior and even some along the streets of Osaka, but this was an endless view of pink blossoming trees lined up one after the other! Pinch me now!!!
Oh, yeah, photoshoot! I got fully dressed as the photographer got his cameras in order. We ended up shooting at this location for about 20 minutes. As we finished up this round of pics, a lady with her young daughter approached asking if they could get a picture with me. I was more than happy to oblige and gave out my first stickers to them. My photographer asked what I had given them. I explained the use of swag by conventiongoers in the time it took to get to our next location inside the castle grounds. He was impressed by the generosity of kindness swag represents.
We walked through the Ōte-mon Gate along the route towards the Sakuramon Gate which is the entrance to the and the main grounds. Although crowded with people, there was so much beauty to be seen. The greenery, the blossoms, the sun dancing atop the water in the moat. Then, you find out it’s going to be 1000 times better once you walk up the pathway and go through the Sakuramon Gate. All of what you have just experienced doesn’t even compare to seeing it inside the grounds with it highlighting Osaka Castle. Achievement Unlocked!
Time felt slower as I unfurled my sashimono to claim Osaka in the name of the Empire. We walked around for a good hour taking pictures in various spots. As expected, people would stop us as we’d pack up to move around the grounds. I met people from Australia, Venezuela, Britain, America and of course, Japan, in such a short amount of time. During this time, I also received my first bit of swag from an Australian man visiting Osaka as part of his trip to Japan for Star Wars Celebration. The pin he was giving out was AMAZING!
To say it being surreal is an understatement. I felt like I was in an alternate timeline. Everything that I had hoped for this costume was validated. Debuting it during this time and in this place was no better element. I was a Sakura Samurai Stormtrooper.
My mission was accomplished.
