Editor’s Note: Talos, a member of the National Wrestling Alliance, reached out to Slamwrestling.net and informed us he will be doing a tour for the All-Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. Per Talos’ request, certain names have been changed to protect their anonymity. Plus, who are we to argue with a seven-foot giant?
After a week off, where Talos was part of the NWA 77 signature live event in Huntington, NY (which will be on a future episode of NWA POWERRR on The Roku Channel), here is another excerpt of his recent adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun.
By Talos – For Slam! Wrestling
Day 50: Giants, Castles, and Bullet Trains
Have you ever stood before a castle? I’ve seen my share—dusty sandstone fortresses in Egypt, sprawling palace walls in China, weathered citadels in Turkey, and ivy-covered strongholds in England. Yet nothing quite prepared me for the uniquely Japanese grandeur I’d encounter this week.
Our tour schedule had us hitting Toyama and Osaka, but instead of sticking to the usual dojo routine until departure, I decided to get a head start. I left a day or two early, planning to meet the boys down south where our match was booked. And to get there? There was only one way I wanted to travel.
In America, we hear almost mythical stories about Japan’s bullet trains—the legendary Shinkansen—sleek, silver marvels that slice across the countryside at dizzying speeds. This was my chance to finally experience one firsthand.
I arrived at the station just past noon, and the ticket reservation was already confirmed online. Like everything in Japan, the place ran with quiet precision—spotless floors, signs exactly where they needed to be, and not a hint of chaos despite the steady stream of travelers. I collected my ticket from the counter, slipped past the automated gates, and lingered at the station’s food stalls in search of a quick lunch before boarding.
When my train pulled in at 1:15 p.m., it was larger than I expected—taller, wider, more spacious than any train I’d ridden so far in Japan. For once, I didn’t have to worry about grazing the ceiling with my head. I stowed my bags, found my seat, and settled in for the three-hour ride to Osaka.
The speed was exactly what I’d hoped for—but it was the smoothness that caught me off guard. We glided through landscapes like a camera panning across scenes in a film: dense city blocks, green mountainsides, shimmering coastlines, and patchwork fields flashing by in silence. It was a breathtaking and effortless way to see so much of the country in such a short time.
By the time we pulled into Osaka, evening shadows were starting to stretch long. I walked from the station to my hotel, the humid summer air tugging at my appetite more than usual. And when I’m hungry, seafood always calls my name. That’s how I ended up on a short local train ride to the famed Kuromon Market.
Stepping inside was like plunging into an ocean of scents, colors, and motion. Fish and squid sizzled over charcoal grills; tiny coffee counters buzzed with chatter; yakiniku stalls sent ribbons of smoke curling into the rafters. My first stop was a roasted squid skewer, seared to perfection with the flare of a blowtorch before being handed over. Then came the oysters; monsters, each nearly the size of my palm, briny and ice-cold. I ate until I was full and probably spent more than I should have.
But Osaka still had one landmark I couldn’t miss.
Osaka Castle is well known to anyone in Japan, but for my American readers, here is a brief history lesson: for a brief period, Osaka was, in fact, the capital of Japan and has consistently served as a major economic hub for the country.
The castle was its beating heart—a fortress of power and a symbol of ambition.
Walking toward it at dusk was like stepping into another era. To reach the keep, you pass through a gauntlet of stone gates, arched bridges, and massive walls, each layer built to repel intruders. Moats shimmered under the fading light, turrets stood like silent sentinels, and the air was thick with that particular stillness only ancient places seem to hold.
By the time I reached the central tower, the sun was sliding behind the horizon, painting the castle’s white walls and green roofs in gold and rose. It was every bit as majestic as I had imagined.
As if the day hadn’t been indulgent enough, I stumbled upon a food festival taking place on the castle grounds. I ate my way through steaming bowls of soup, dumplings hot from the pan, skewers of smoky yakitori, and—because I couldn’t resist—juicy slabs of steak.
It was late when I finally checked the time, and I had to sprint to the station to catch the last train back to my hotel. My legs were tired, my stomach was full, and my mind was still replaying the sight of Osaka Castle at sunset.
Japan has a way of giving you days like this—where the past and the present, the historic and the high-speed, all blend into one seamless, unforgettable ride.
Related Links
- Talos’ story and column archive
- Talos’ socials via LinkTree
- NWA LinkTree
