
Osakais the second largest city in Japan, the central metropolis
of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto
trio. Located in the west of Honshu, Osaka offers many sights
and is worth a visit, and is known to be a friendly, easygoing
city. Though there are relatively few historical sights,
the nightlife is extensive and it is an excellent place
for shopping. The variety and quality of restaurants is
perhaps the best in the country.
A trip to Osaka can easily be combined with a visit to Kobe,
Nara and Kyoto which are nearby. Kobe is an international
city with ethnic restaurants and a Chinatown, while Kyoto
is the ancient capital full of historical temples, and Osaka
is a bustling metropolis. Nara is a smaller, more intimate
city, and was the first imperial capital.
Sightseeing:
- Osaka Castle (大阪城 Osaka-jō) Osaka's best
known sight, although it's a concrete reconstruction
that pales in comparison with, say, Himeji. Think of
it as a museum built in the shape of a castle, rather
than as an actual historical castle. Still, it's pretty
enough from the outside, especially in the cherry blossom
season when Osakans flock to the castle park to picnic
and make merry. Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, adult
admission ¥600 (Children up to middle school free).
Closed at the end and beginning of the year. The park
can be accessed on a number of lines, but the castle
is closest to Osaka-jō Koen station on the JR Osaka
Loop Line. Naniwa Palace Site Park or Naniwanomiya can
also be found south to Osaka Castle Park (although it's
one of Japan's oldest habitats and palace sites, today
it's little more than an empty grass field where the
outlines of Naniwa's palace foundations from around
643 AD have been partly recreated in concrete). Admission
fee is only required to enter the actual castle, and
entry to the Castle Park and surrounds is free.
- Osaka Museum of History Otemae 4-Chome Chuo-ku Open
9:30AM-5PM (on Fri 9:30AM-8PM) Closed Tue but on Wed
instead if Tue is a Holiday (5min walk from subway
Tanimachi 4-chome Station but also accessible via Osaka
Castle or from JR Osaka-jō Station). An ideal place
to learn all-about of Osaka's history. Enjoyable view
over Osaka Castle and the OBP skyscrapers. Admission:
¥600
- Osaka Science Museum (大阪市立科学館) . (walk from
subway Higobashi Station or Yodoya-bashi Station, 500m
and 900m to the west respectively) Closed on Mon
and days after Holidays if not weekend. Big interactive
activity center on several floors. Great for kids. Planetarium
and cinema (with science films) downstairs. ¥600/300.
- Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル), 1-1-20 Oyodonaka,
Kita-ku (10 min on foot from JR Osaka or Hankyu
Umeda), Built in an attempt to upgrade Osaka's
somewhat downbeat Kita district, the project wasn't
quite the hoped-for commercial success but this bizarrely
shaped 40-story, 173-meter building is still a city
landmark. Take the escalator through midair to the rooftop
observatory for an open-air view of Osaka, which is
particularly impressive on a clear night. Observatory
admission ¥700, open 10 AM to 10:30 PM daily (entry
until 10 PM, varies by season). The basement features
a recreation of a Meiji-Era Street, with a few small
restaurants and bars in appropriate style.
- Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社) is one of Japan's oldest
Shinto shrines, with a history stretching back 1800
years. Its traditional architecture is unusual amongst
Japan's shrines, and its park-like surroundings with
the sacred bridge arching over a tranquil pond make
it a restful break from the busy environment of Osaka.
Best of all, it's free! Access is from the Nankai line
station of the same name; local trains run from Namba
station in central Osaka.
- Shitennōji (四天王寺), Shitennōji Tennōji-ku (5
min walk from Shitennōji-mae-Yuhiga-oka Station on subway,
or 15 min by walk to north from Tennōji Station),
originally built by Emperor Suiko in 593 AD. Although
the current buildings are mostly post WWII reconstructions,
the temple is a rare sample which conveys the continental
style (notably the positioning of the individual buildings
inside the complex) of 6th - 7th century to present.
- Japan Mint (造幣局), Temma Kita-ku (15 min by walk
from subway Temmabashi Station),. It's not widely
known even by people from elsewhere in the country that
Japan Mint is actually headquartered in Osaka. For Osakans,
Sakura-no-tōrinuke (桜の通り抜け, cherry blossom tunnel road)
is a synonym for this facility, attracting a large number
of visitors (close to 1 million in just 7 days) during
a limited, planned week of mid-Apr. A must-see if you
are fond of nature and happen to drop into Osaka in
season. Admission free. Check for official announcement
beforehand.
- Tsūtenkaku (通天閣). While the original tower was built
early 20th century, the current "newer" version is designed
by the same Prof. Naitō, who also designed Tokyo Tower.
This landmark built in the middle of Shinsekai (新世界)
area is a symbol of reconstruction of the City of Osaka
post WWII.
- Open Air Museum of Old Farmhouses, Ryokuchi-koen,
Ryokuchi station on the Midosuji subway line. Ryokuchi
Park itself is lovely, but one area is a museum of a
dozen old Edo period farmhouses, moved across country
and lovingly reconstructed. Also on display are tools,
furniture, and the like. You can go to Himeji-jo or
the old palace in Kyoto and see how the rulers lived;
but come down here to see how the people lived. Thanks
to the efforts of a volunteer from Australia, they have
a great new English-language brochure to guide you.
Admission ¥500.
Things to do:
- Imax Osaka is home to the largest Imax movie screen
in the world located in the Suntory Museum (next to
Kaiyukan). English headphones are available for no extra
cost. If you plan on going to Kaiyukan aquarium and
Imax, you can purchase a discount ticket for both at
either ticket office.
- Kaiyukan (Osakako, Chuo Line) is one of the world's
largest aquariums, with 11,000 tons of water and plenty
of sharks, dolphins, otters, seals, and other creatures
of the sea. The largest tank, representing the Pacific
Ocean with 5,400 tons is nothing but overwhelming. On
the weekend, musicians and street performers offer additional
entertainment to people outside the aquarium. ¥2,000
for adults, ¥900 for children.
- Tenpozan Ferris Wheel, next to Kaiyukan at Tempozan
(天保山) area. There is also the Suntory museum, a mall
and a port for sightseeing boats. Open 10am to 10pm.
- Sumo Spring Grand Tournament (大相撲春場所), Osaka Prefectural
Gymnasium (approx. 10 min walk from subway Namba
Station). The Osaka Tournament of Japan's national
sport, sumo wrestling, is usually held mid-March annually
at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Check for schedules
and ticket availabilities at the official Nihon Sumo
Kyokai homepage. Ticket prices range from ¥3000 to ¥14,300.
- Universal Studios Japan, at Universal-City Station
(JR Yumesaki Line, 10 min from Osaka), Japan's second-largest
theme park. One-day tickets for adults/children ¥5800/3900.
- Umeda Joypolis Sega, next to Umeda (Osaka) station,
occupying 8th and 9th floors of the Hep Five building
with arcades and a Ferris wheel at the top. From 11am
to 11pm; ¥500-¥600 attractions. Local laws prohibit
kids being here after dark even in the company of their
parents, so if you want to take the kids along, plan
on going early. The HEP5 ferris is okay though.
- Spa World Just near Tsutenkaku Tower. Gender-separated
European and Asian themed spas and saunas as well as
a pool for the family with slides and fun. Open 24hrs.
Regular prices are ¥2400 for 3 hours, ¥2700 for all
day. Extra charge ¥1000 for stays 0AM-5AM. Watch out
for the special ¥1000 deals offered from time to time,
often in March.
- National Bunraku Theater, Nippombashi, One of the
last places in the world where bunraku, a form
of intricate puppet theater from the Edo period, can
be seen live. The large puppets, which require three
operators each, are accompanied by traditional music
and narration, and act out great Japanese plays of the
1600s and 1700s. Transcripts in Japanese and synopses
in English are provided.
- Osaka Siki musical theater, Umeda, in the Herbis
ENT. Home of the Shiki Theatre Company.
- The festival hall in Nakanoshima, near Umeda, and
the symphony hall in Umeda host modern and classical
recitals, while Umeda Koma in Umeda and Shin-Kabukiza
in Namba host Enka performances. For more independent
or underground music, try Banana Hall in Umeda or
Big Cat in Amerika-mura.
- Zepp Osaka (POP clubs), Nanko (Nanko_Kita, Suminoe_ku,
near Cosmo-squair station.).
- Blue Note (Jazz clubs) Umeda.The branch of Blue
Note in N.Y...
The City Country Club, Hyatt Regency Osaka Hotel