| OSAKA INFORMATION |
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Osaka is a prefecture located in the Kinki region on Honsh?, the main island
of Japan.
The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto
area, often dubbed the second city of Japan. Osaka is traditionally considered
the "nation's kitchen" (tenka no daidokoro) or the gourmet food
capital of Japan.
Tokyo and Osaka are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen.
Nozomi trains require about 155 minutes to reach Shin-Osaka Station from Tokyo.
The Japan Rail Pass is valid on hikari and kodama trains, but not on nozomi trains.
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| Osaka Castle |
++ How to get there++
JR Loop Line, Osakajokoen Station
Subway Chuo and Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Line, Morinomiya Station
Osaka Castle is deep-rooted in the minds of citizens of Osaka as the symbol of Osaka, as is the "Taiko-han" (founder of Osaka Castle, Hideyoshi Toyotomi).
It was built by him in 1582 and was his place of rule until he died. There were five towers with the main one being nine stories tall.
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle was built. Major repair works gave the castle new glamor in 1997.
Inside the castle is a museum that documents Toyotomi Hideyoshi's life and the history of the castle. |
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| Shitennoji Temple |
++ How to get there++
20 minutes on foot from a hotel
Subway Tanimati Line, Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station (T26)
The oldest officially administered temple in Japan, Shitennoji was built by Prince Shotoku (574-622 A.D.).
Shitennoji is the favorite shrine of many Japanese people and is fondly regarded as the Buddhist altar of Osaka.
Indicative of the temple’s long history are the many annual events held here, including the Doya-Doya, the Shoryoe, and the Shitennoji Wasso. |
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| Tempozan Harbor Village / Kaiyukan aquarium |
++ How to get there++
Subway Chuo Line, Osakako Station.
Tempozan Harbor Village was developed to attract citizens to the port area
by providing facilities for cultural, exchange and recreational activities.
It is one of the most popular entertainment districts in Osaka, with multiple
facilities such as Kaiyukan which is one of the world's largest aquariums,
Tempozan Market Place, Suntory Museum which has a gallery for various events, hotels, and the large Ferris Wheel
which commands. |
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| Tower of the sun |
++ How to get there++
Osaka Monorail, Banpaku Memorial Park station
One of Taro Okamoto's most famous works, Tower of the Sun, became the symbol of
Expo '70 in Suita, Osaka, 1970. It shows the past (lower part), the present (middle part), and
the future (the face) of the human race. It still stands in the center of the Expo Memorial Park. |
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| Umeda Sky Building |
++ How to get there++
10-15 minute walk from Osaka and Umeda Stations.
The Umeda Sky Building is a spectacular high rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda Stations.
It is also known as the "New Umeda City".
The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor.
The observatory offers a great view of the city for a 700 Yen admission fee. |
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| National Bunraku Theater |
++ How to get there++
Nippombashi Station on the Subway Sennichimae and Tanimachi Lines.
Osaka has been the capital for bunraku, traditional Japanese puppet theater,
for many centuries.
The National Bunraku Theatre opened in April 1984 as a base to preserve,
develop and pass on the traditional art forms of the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto)
area, especially the art of ningyo joruri Bunraku, or puppet drama. |
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| Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum |
++ How to get there++
Subway Namba Sta.(exit No.16)
This is the only museum in the world that features a permanent exhibition
of Kamigata Ukiyoe,
or Kamigata woodblock prints. Kamigata Ukiyoe are woodblock prints from
the Kyoto/Osaka region that typically feature portraits of kabuki actors. |
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| Hozenji Yokocho Alley |
++ How to get there++
Subway Namba Sta.(exit No.14)
This narrow, stone-paved lane next to Dotombori Street feels like the Osaka of olden days?of
hundreds of years ago. Cozy and quaint, lined on both sides with small
food shops and cafes,
it earned instant fame with Sakunosuke Oda’s novel ”Meoto Zenzai” (Sweet
Bean Broth for Two).
Be sure to visit Hozenji Temple where local merchants and visitors alike pour water over
the temple's statues for luck. |
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| Den Den Town |
++ How to get there++
Ebisucho Station of Subway Sakaisuji Line
Nipponbashi Station of Kintetsu Line and Subway Sakaisuji Line, Sennichimae
Line.
Located in the Nipponbashi area, Den Den Town is an electronics district
comparable to
Tokyo's Akihabara, and you may be able to bargain to a better deal.
Den Den Town is becoming known as an otaku paradise with numerous manga
and anime retailers
as well as maid and cosplay cafes located there. |
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| America mura |
++ How to get there++
Subway Shinsaibashi Sta.(exit No.7)
Since the 1970s, America-Mura (America Village) has been a center of youth
culture in Osaka.
The streets are crammed with used clothing stores, miscellaneous goods shops, cafes,
galleries and more. The area got its name from the import shops selling
miscellaneous goods
from America which were set up here around 30 years ago. |
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| Dotonbori |
++ How to get there++
Subway Midosuji Line Namba Sta.(exit No.14)
One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal.
Dotombori is a symbol of the Minami Area and a mecca for the kuidaore food
culture of Osaka.
Dozens of restaurants line the Dotomborigawa River, and large famous billboards
draw diners’attention.
On the north side of the river, where geisha used to entertain their customers,
are now small bars and restaurants squeezed together in rows. |
