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Osaka Castle with a
five-layer donjon - Bustling Umeda Underground Mall and Namba, a
popular business and shopping quarter
Osaka prefecture located in the center of Kinki region in the
Midwest Japan covers the smallest prefecture land area in Japan, but
boasts of largest population and highest population density second
only after the capital, Tokyo. Mountains surround three sides of the
prefecture and the west faces the arc-shaped Osaka Bay. Since it is
close to former capitals of Japan Kyoto and Nara, it prospered as an
important point for land and water transportation as well as a
commercial city.
In the Osaka City is the Osaka Castle with a five-layer donjon as
its core, on a lawn park that stretches for about 60,000 square
meters. During the cherry blossom season in the spring, this park is
especially crowded with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) crowd. Osaka's
north gate, Umeda, has a gigantic stretch of underground mall that
houses many restaurants, fashion and sundry goods stores. In contrast
to Kita with Umeda as its core, Minami is an area with core cities
Namba, a popular business and shopping district, and Dotonbori with
many restaurants on both sides of Dotonbori-gawa River. Minami is
known as a town of public entertainment and has many theaters and
cinemas.
In recent years, the development of Osaka's new showplace, the
waterfront, is taking place. Tenpo-zan Harbor Village, which has a 112
meter-high Ferris wheel, shopping mall and Suntory Museum, a complex
of cultural facilities, and ATC(Asia Pacific Trade Center), Japan's
largest outlet mall, are also popular.
Getting there
About 2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Shin Osaka Station
by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line.
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Umeda
A large
shopping zone with the largest underground mall in Japan - Starting
point of Osaka crowded with people all day long
Umeda at Kita-ku, Osaka is the center of local economy, with a
huge railway terminal complex containing JR Osaka Station and other
Osaka stations of the Hankyu Line, Hanshin Line and three subways
that can be said to be the starting point of Osaka. Around the
terminal complex stand big department stores and high-rise buildings
born as a result of redevelopment of the textile wholesale district,
and now are concentrated offices, banks and hotels. Called "Kita"
(north) as opposed to "Minami" (south) with Namba and Shinsaibashi
centered in it, Umeda is also a huge shopping zone always crowded
with people day and night. The Umeda underground mall, the largest
of its kind in Japan, has coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques,
variety stores, food stores, etc. standing side by side, and forms a
single town in itself with the mosaic tiled, fountain-playing
Izumi-no-Hiroba ("Square of Spring") in the center.
Umeda's new must-see spot is the Hep Five giant ferris wheel.
Standing on the top of a 9-storied building, it is illuminated at
night and affords a night view of Osaka.
Getting there
About 2 hours and 30 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station from Tokyo
Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 7 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station to Umeda Station by subway.
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Nakanoshima
Center of administration, economy and culture of Osaka - Oasis
with rich greenery in the midst of office buildings
Sandwiched by the Dojima-gawa River and Tosabori-gawa River that
run from east to west through the central Osaka, Nakanoshima is the
center of the administration, economy and culture of Osaka. There is
concentration of the municipal offices, banks, newspaper companies,
parks, art museums, science museums, libraries, public halls and all
other cultural facilities.
The Nakanoshima-koen Park is the first park ever to be built in
Osaka. The greenery of the trees in the park forms an oasis in the
city of office buildings and is thronged with the citizens enjoying
a walk in a breeze from the rivers. There is a rose garden in the
park, where you can enjoy roses collected from all over the world.
The Osaka Municipal Oriental Porcelain Museum has a proud collection
of 2,000 pieces, and exclusively exhibits oriental porcelains from
China, Korea and Japan. You can enjoy the planetarium with the
world's largest dome screen and the Omni-Max that displays the
entire sky in the Osaka Municipal Science Museum. The Osaka Public
Nakanoshima Library and Osaka Central Public Hall at the eastern
edge of Nakanoshima are the architectures of the western style of
100 years ago. The exterior built with bricks and stones gives off
romantic atmosphere and softens the heart of the visitors walking in
the area. The illuminated view at night is also tasteful.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. Then take a subway for 10
minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Yodoyabashi Station.
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Semba
A harmonious blend of traditional wholesale complex containing
textile, sundry, cosmetic and other wholesalers and newly opened
ethnic restaurants
Semba is a town of commerce and money surrounded by rivers on
its three sides. The name Semba (ship's place) stems from the
presence of a wharf there when canals were excavated and merchants
were gathered to run Osaka, the then capital of a feudal lord's
fief, in the 16th century. The area has a grid of "Tori" (streets)
from east to west and "Suji" (avenues) from south to north. The
streets ("Tori") are lined with textile, sundry goods, cosmetic and
other wholesalers, where the avenues ("Suji") form a business center
clustered with banks, stockbrokers' offices and other business
firms.
At Minami Semba on the north side of the subway station Shinsaibashi
are many recently opened retail shops selling clothes, bags,
stationery, tableware, sundry goods and other items. Not a few
carries goods distinguished from what you find at department stores,
attracting trend-conscious people.
Semba also has unique restaurants, coffee shops and bars around,
with ethnic restaurants newly opened one after another where you can
enjoy Thai, Vietnam, Indonesian and other Asian cuisines. The
interiors of many restaurants are decorated in fancy design, and
they serve foods of different countries so that they draw many,
mostly young, people.
Getting there
About 2 hours and 30 minutes to Shin Osaka Station from Tokyo
Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 6 minutes from Umeda
Station to Shinsaibashi Station by subway.
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Kyobashi and Sakura-no-miya
Skyscrapers stand side by side in Osaka Business Park - Cherry
blossom park along the dike
Located between Miyakojima-ku and Chuo-ku, Kyobashi area is
known to be the most entertaining quarter of Osaka. Kyobashi Station
is a big junction that connects the JR Line, the Keihan Line and the
subway, and the waves of people never seem to cease in this busy
station.
Across Neya-gawa River on the Chuo-ku side is Osaka Business Park,
or OBP. Skyscrapers stand side by side in the triangular OBP site,
and major company showrooms and many entertainment facilities such
as restaurants and the Digital Art Square are gathered here. Osaka
Castle, the symbol of Osaka, is nearby, and in the evening, the
beautifully lighted castle may be seen from the view spot on the
38th floor.
In the north of Osaka Castle, there is Sakura-no-miya-koen Park at
Sakura-no-miya on the east bank of Okawa River. It has had a
reputation for beautiful cherry blossoms since ancient times. The
narrow park is made along the dike with a promenade on each side of
the river, where many people stroll and enjoy the beautiful view. On
the west bank of O-kawa River is the Osaka Zohei(Mint) Museum. This
western style building is 100 years old and its collection of coins
and decorations of Japan and other countries has more than 4,500
items on exhibition. The 450 cherry trees in the area make an arcade
of cherry blossoms and attract a great number of people in the
springtime.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station, 2 hours 30 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen
Line to Shin-Osaka Station. To Kyobashi, take JR Osaka-kanjo-sen
Line from Osaka Station, 7 minutes to Kyobashi Station. To
Sakura-no-miya, take JR Osaka-kanjo Line from Osaka Station, 4
minutes to Sakura-no-miya Station.
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Osaka Castle
The symbol of Osaka with a history of 500 years - A water city that
affords a cruising pleasure
The Osaka Castle was built in the end of the 16th century by
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a well-known warlord who brought the whole
country under his rule in the late 16th century. It has been burned
down in a series of battles in the 17th century, and reconstructed
later. Once again it was destroyed by fire, its donjon only reduced
to ashes this time, and was reconstructed at last early in the 20th
century. On display at its 1st to 7th floors are various weapons,
armors and folklife items of those days. There is a view spot on the
8th floor.
The premises of the castle contain a lawn-covered park with an area
of about 60,000 square meters, which is thronged with cherry blossom
viewers in the springtime. In its neighborhood stand the Osaka
Municipal Museum that presents culture and history of Osaka, the
Toyokuni-jinja Shrine, the Osaka-jo Hall with a seating capacity of
about 16,000 and others. With waterways running around the castle,
there is a water bus service that takes you out on an 1-hour cruise
in the river that flows through the city.
In summer, the Okawa River in the northwest of the Osaka Castle
becomes the stage for the Osaka Tenjin-matsuri Festival known as one
of the three largest in Japan. The sight of a fleet of about 100
ships going down the river is a must-see, so are the gorgeous
fireworks going up at the same time.
Getting there
About 2 hours and 30 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station from Tokyo
Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 13 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station to Osaka-jo Koen Station via JR Osaka Station
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Shinsaibashi
Unique shopping area along the main street Mido-suji in Osaka
The Shinsaibashi is the largest shopping area in Osaka where
many boutiques and specialty shops are gathered, attracting local
people and visitors. The Shisaibashi has developed from the arcaded
streets called Shinsaibashi Shopping Street. This district has a row
of large size department stores and reasonably priced shops. The
Suomachi-suji Street offers an elegant atmosphere with stone paved
sidewalks with British style streetlamps and brick buildings. This
area is nicknamed as the European Village.
The western area of the Shinsaibashi is nicknamed as the American
Village, and its symbol is the walls painted with unique
illustrations. Casual shops for trend-conscious young people are
concentrated in the American Village, giving off a contrasting
atmosphere from the European Village's. You can enjoy Osaka by
simply walking these unique districts. There are many restaurants in
the Shinsaibashi, where you can enjoy the Japanese food as well as a
wide variety of tastes from China, Korea, other Asian countries, the
US and European countries as well.
Mido-suji Street that runs the center of the Shinsaibashi is the
main street of Osaka that links the downtown Kita (north) around
Umeda and the downtown Minami (south) around the Shisaibashi and
Namba districts. At the Mido-suji Parade held in autumn, marching
bands from all over the world merrily parade on this street.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station, then take a subway for 13
minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Shinsaibashi Station.
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Dotonbori
A town with a canal loved most by Osakaites where neon lights and
the atmosphere of the 17th century coexist
Dotonbori is a large scale downtown along the south bank of the
Dotonbori-gawa Canal. Osaka is known as the gastronomists' town, and
thus the entire area of Dotonbori is thronged with an unbelievable
number of restaurants and amusement facilities, and is dearly loved
by the Osakaites. There are theaters that play traditional puppet
shows Bunraku, storytellers' halls and other popular entertainment
as well as a number of movie theaters.
Dotonbori is often selected as a scene in the Japanese and foreign
movies as the symbol of Osaka. They have recently built flowerbeds
and fountains on both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal to offer
better environment for a downtown, which are always attracting
visitors and residents. On both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal
are lined with advertisements and neon signs. The entire sides of
buildings are decorated with neon lamps. The illuminated signboards
and neon lamps reflect on the Dotonbori-gawa Canal at night, making
Dotonbori even merrier.
There is the Hozen-ji Temple built in the 17th century on the first
street to the south of street along the Dotonbori Canal. A paper
lantern hangs at the front of the temple, which gives off pale
orange light at sunset. The stone paved street in front of the
Hozen-ji Temple is called the Hozen-ji Yokocho Lane. Shops with a
beautiful latticework stand side by side as a reminiscence of the
Edo Period in the 17th century and they give off peaceful
atmosphere.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. Take a subway for 15 minutes
from Shin-Osaka Station to Namba Station.
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Namba
Popular downtown Minami is a gateway to foreign countries and a town
of public entertainment
Namba is the center of popular downtown called the "Minami" or
south, competing with the "Kita" or north around Umeda. It has
become a shopping zone with many shops after the redevelopment of
the railway station building and underground shopping mall.
Namba is also a southern gateway for Osaka. The Osaka City Air
Terminal Building is directly linked with JR Namba Station, where
Hanwa Line services directly to Kansai International Airport. The
Namba City at the Nankai Namba Station is a shopping zone with
convenient access and 300 shops and restaurants stand side by side.
The area around the Namba Station of the subway is concentrated with
restaurants that serve popular, reasonably priced foods of Osaka.
Namba is also known as the town of entertainment. There is
Shin-Kabuki-za, a theater exclusively devoted to Kabuki and Namba
Grand Kagetsu, a theater of Yoshimoto Kogyo which is a company
employing many comedians. In the Yoshimoto Kogyo Building in the
west of Namba Grand Kagetsu theater, there is Wahha Kamigata, the
Osaka Prefectural Museum of Kamigata Comedy and Performing Arts, and
a performance hall with 307 seats.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. Then take a subway for 17
minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Namba Station.
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Ten'noji and
Nipponbashi
Shiten'no-ji Temple, typical of Buddhist architecture in the
6th-7th century - Nipponbashi, a center of electric appliances known
as "Den-den Town"
Ten'noji is an area spreading out with Ten'noji Station and
Ten'noji Park in the center. It forms a railway terminal complex
with the Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, Kansai Honsen Line, Kintetsu
Minami-Osaka Line, municipal subways. converging at this area. The
Shiten'noji Temple on the north side of Ten'noji Station is one of
the typical Buddhist structures built in the late 6th century
through the early 7th century, featuring what is known "Shiten'noji
type Buddhist temple layout" with a middle gate, a tower, a main
hall and a lecture hall standing from south to north in a beeline.
Ten'noji Park located to the northwest of Ten'noji Station contains
Ten'noji Zoo opened in the eartly 20th century, and the Osaka
Municipal Art Museum mainly showing old Japanese and Oriental works
of art.
Located to the northwest of Ten'noji Park is Nipponbashi, where
there is the Kuromon Ichiba (marketplace) known as the kitchen for
"Minami" (busy quarters with Namba and Shinsaibashi in the center).
If you get off at Nipponbashi Station of Sakai-Suji Subway Line and
go south down the Sakai-Suji Avenue, you will find "Den-den Town"
(electric town), also called "Akihabara of Osaka," clustered with
electric appliances wholesalers' shops standing side by side on
Nipponbashi 3-Chome through 6-Chome. Many shops give an in-house
advertising broadcast in Korean or Chinese. The advent of an
increasing number of computer shops is a recent phenomenon.
Getting there
About 2 hours and 30 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station from Tokyo
Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 25 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station to Ten'noji Station or Nipponbashi Station by
subway.
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Shiten'no-ji Temple
Ancient Chinese-styled temple layout typical of Buddhist
architecture prevailing from the late 6th century through the early
7th century
The Shiten'no-ji Temple was built late in the 6th century by
Shotoku-taishi (Prince Shotoku), a son of Emperor Yomei, as a token
of his gratitude to the Four Devas (Shi-tenno), the guardians for
Buddhism and Buddhists, for responding to his prayer to let him
overthrow Mononobe-no-Moriya, an anti-Buddhist administrator, in the
6th century.
With its middle gate, tower, main hall and lecture hall arrangned
from south to north in a beeline, which is known as "Shiten'no-ji
type temple layout" modeled after the then Chinese style of
architecture, the Shiten'no-ji Temple typifies the Buddhist
structures built in the Asuka Period from the late 6th century
through the early 7th century together with the Horyu-ji Temple, a
World Cultural Heritage, in Nara. Soon afer its erection, the temple
had a free dispensary (Seyaku-in) and other welfare facilities set
up in its precincts to give the poor free medicines and treatment
and provide free accommodations for the aged without family and
infants, opening the way to public welfare service in Japan.
In January, there is "Doya-Doya," a festival in which the young
scramble for paper charms. Autumn is the time when "Shiten'no-ji
Wasso, " a festival reproducing a bit of the history of cultural
interchange between the ancient Korean Peninsula and Japan, takes
place.
Getting there
About 2 hours and 30 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station from Tokyo
Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 23 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station to Shiten'no-ji-mae Yuhi-ga-oka Station by
subway.
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Shinsekai
An old and popular district with amusement facilities and spas that
spreads from the Tsutenkaku Tower
The Shinsekai is a casual, popular downtown located in the west
of the Ten'noji-koen Park. Pleasure haunts, cheap taverns and cheap
eating places throng around 130 m-tall Tsutenkaku Tower, a symbol of
Osaka built to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You can see the
entire city of Osaka from the observation deck of the 91m- high
Tsutenkaku Tower. At the entrance to the observation deck stands a
statue of Billiken, a lucky mascot which is believed to make your
wish come true.
The Jan-Jan Yokocho Lane was where laborers who restored the ruins
after the WWII chose to gather. There are still many establishments
running in the same shops they built immediately after the War. The
entire area is squashed with small, cheap eating houses. There is an
amusement facility "Festival Gate" built with the image of an
underwater city in the north of JR Shin-Imamiya Station. It offers a
shopping floor, restaurants, movie theaters and an amusement park,
and has become a new attraction to the Shinsekai. There is the Spa
World, an urban type spa resort facility next to the Festival Gate.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen for 2 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo
Station to Shin-Osaka Station. Then take a subway for 19 minutes
from Shin-Osaka Station to Dobutsuen-mae Station.
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Sumiyoshi-taisha
Shrine
Guardian deity for sailors and deity for prosperity - The oldest
architecture style of the 3rd century
The Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine was built in the 3rd century. It is
located in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka and is dearly cherished by the people
of Osaka as the guardian deity for sailors and deity to bring
prosperity. It is the headquarters of over 2,000 Sumiyoshi-sha
Shrines nationwide. Some 3 million people visit this shrine at the
beginning of a new year.
The shrine has the First to Forth Sanctuaries. Each sanctuary is
built in the Sumiyoshi-Zukuri style with straight roofs, the oldest
shrine architecture style. They are all designated as national
treasures. In the precincts surrounded with woods, over 600 stone
garden lanterns stand in a row, and a red arched bridge spans over
the pond.
The Otaue Ceremony celebrated in early summer is a festival to pray
for rich harvests. In this Ceremony women form a row and plant rice
seedlings. During this planting, the Sumiyoshi-odori dance and other
traditional performing arts are performed on the stage at the center
and on the footpaths between the rice paddies. This ceremony is
designated as an important intangible cultural property of Japan
since it is a well preserved traditional planting style. There is
Abiko Kan'non(Goddess of Mercy) which is believed to protect people
from disasters and bestow happiness and the Ooyosami Shrine in the
neighboring area.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. Then, take a subway for 14
minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Namba Station, and take Nankai
Dentetsu Line for 10 minutes from Nankai Namba Station to Sumiyoshi
Taisha Staion.
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Banpaku-kinen-koen
Memorial Park
The site of Expo Osaka spreads on the Senriyama Hills - Amusement
park and cultural facilities in the vast area
The Banpaku-koen Park located on the east side of the Senriyama
Hills in the central north part of Osaka is the site where Expo
Osaka was held in 1970. Osaka Monorail runs through this 264 hectare
wide park from east to west. On the south side of the monorail,
there is an amusement park called "Expo Land". It has the world's
longest 1,200 m long suspension corkscrew and other rides as well as
a 85 m high Ferris wheel and many other attractions for families in
particular.
On the north side of the monorail, there are Japanese gardens with
teahouses such as Senri-an and Banri-an, and a natural cultural
garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. There are also the
National Anthropology Museum that introduces the lives and cultures
of different people in the world, the National International Art
Museum, Osaka Japanese Art and Craft Hall and other cultural
establishments. There are a drive-in theater "Stardust" that can
accommodate 390 cars, Senri-no-yu, a natural hot spring pumped from
1,000 m deep well and other points of interest dotted throughout the
hills.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. Then take a subway for 13
minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Senrichuo Station.
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Bay Area
Huge amusement
area with many gigantic facilities - Meet E.T. and the Terminator at
the Universal Studio Japan
The Bay Area of Osaka has recently developed into a place of
large-scale facilities for shopping and dining, and has became
popular among young people in particular. On the sidewalk lined with
palm trees is ATC( Asia Pacific Trade Center). It has the largest
outlet mall in Japan as well as shops, restaurants and amusement
facilities, a popular spot in the south harbor. WTC Cosmo Tower, the
symbol of the adjacent Osaka Bay Area, boasts a height of 256 meters
and the 360 degree glass-windowed view spot commands a stunning view
of the city of Osaka.
Mt. Tenpo-zan is the spot from where to see the sunset, and it has
the world's largest Ferris wheel with a diameter of 100 meters and
height of 112 meters. Tenpo-zan Harbor Village has the world largest
aquarium, Kaiyu-kan, that contains 39,000 sea creatures of 580
kinds. The Universal Studio Japan covers a huge area of 54 hectares
on the opposite side of the river from Mt. Tenpo-zan. It is now a
very popular spot where visitors can enjoy the world of popular
Hollywood characters such as E.T. or the Terminator in attractions,
as well as various events and shopping.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station, 2 hours 30 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen
Line to Shin-Osaka Station. From Shin-Osaka Station, take subway to
Cosmo Square Station by changing at Honcho Station, 24 minutes.
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Sakai and Kishiwada
Northern area, the newest spot of entertainment facilities -
Southern area, historical area of temples and kofun, or burial
mounds
Sakai is a city adjacent to Osaka. The western part of Sakai
facing Osaka Bay, it has prospered as a commercial city, especially
in trade with China since the 16th century. Nanshu-zen-ji Temple is
the place where the great tea master Sen-no Rikyu had his spiritual
training for the tea ceremony, and the garden of Kare-sansui using
mainly stones from its vicinity, has a quiet atmosphere. Sakai also
has the largest kofun, or burial mound, in the world,
Nintoku-ten'no-ryo, or the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku. It has triple
moats and measures 480 meters in length and is 140 cubic meters.
Kishiwada City is in southern Osaka. It has developed as a
castle town since Kishiwada Castle, also called Chigiri, was built
in the 16th century. It is famous for the Kishiwada Danjiri matsuri
Festival held in the fall. The main event of the Danjiri-matsuri
Festival is the dashing of the mikoshi, or portable shrine, on a
4-ton wooden cart the wheels of which are called Danjiri and which
is pulled by 500 to 1000 men, through the streets of Kishiwada. It
is called "yarimawashi". When the mikoshi turns the corner at full
speed, it is a most powerful and exciting scene to watch.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station, 2 hours 30 minutes by JR Tokaido Shinkansen
Line to Shin-Osaka Station. From Shin-Osaka Station, take subway to
Namba Station, 16 minutes. From Namba Station to Sakai Station, 10
minutes by Nankai-tetsudo Line to Kishiwada Station, 25 minutes.
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Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
