With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka) is Japan’s third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries.
Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan’s capital city, the first one ever known.
In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan’s capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi’s death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).
THINGS TO SEE
Floating Garden Observatory
The observation platform of this observatory connects the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building some 173m (567ft) above ground level. The views of the city are fantastic. In bad weather, the open-air top floor is closed, but the views from one floor below are still great.
The most scary bit is the escalator up the last five floors. It crosses over from one tower to the other, giving a strange sensation of moving into open air.
Museum of Oriental Ceramics
This Osaka museum has a fascinating collection of Japanese, Chinese and Korean antique ceramics from the major artistic periods.
From archaeological artefacts to the most refined examples of ceramic techniques, the museum’s excellent displays are informative and show the economic and cultural connections throughout East Asian history.
National Museum of Art
One of three national contemporary art museums in Japan, the National Museum of Art in Osaka holds exciting exhibitions of both well-known and up-and-coming Japanese artists, as well as established international artists. The entrance to the museum is quite striking – steel poles bent into a fish-like shape. The museum’s galleries are housed in three subterranean floors.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world and is contained in a unique architectural structure shaped like a butterfly. A complex of 15 water tanks centred on a single huge tank holding 5,400 tonnes of water, it is home to 580 species and 30,000 marine animals from the Pacific Rim.
The biggest tank even holds a giant whale shark, the world’s largest fish. Osaka’s aquarium is an award-winning aquarium that will fascinate both adults and children.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle stands tall on the Uemachi Daichi Plateau, the oldest inhabited place in Osaka. The castle itself is a reproduction, having been destroyed in the WWII. However, the massive walls around it are from the original structure. With its tall walls (close to 30m/98ft) and wide moats, Osaka Castle is arguably one of Japan’s most imposing castles. There are eight roof dolphins as well as ornamental roof tiles and tiger-shaped reliefs, which are all gilded with gold. The parkland by the castle is very pleasant, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring.
Osaka Museum of History
This excellent museum is located just outside Osaka Castle Park. Each of the floors represents a different period in Osaka’s history, except for the top floor, where the inside of the Naniwa-no-miya Palace has been recreated. Osaka’s 1,400-year history comes to life thanks to the creative layout and interactive displays at this museum.
Osaka Science Museum
Opened in 1989, the Osaka Science Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of science by focusing on what we know about the universe and the energy within it.
Here you can learn about electricity, the size of the planets and your own reflexes.The museum’s planetarium is able to project 28,000 stars on one of the world’s largest dome screens (with a diameter of 26.5m/87ft).
Shitenno-ji Temple
Shitenno-ji Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Japan. None of the buildings originally erected in AD593 have survived, although the classical layout of the complex is still visible. The temple precincts contain charming turtle ponds and a lovely example of a five-storey pagoda.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine
Osaka’s Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the country’s oldest shrines and the headquarters for the more than 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. It was established in the third century and represents an original form of Japanese architecture that is distinct form the Chinese and Korean influences seen in temple design.
FOOD
Due to its fertile land and close proximity to the sea, Osaka has always produced a copious amount of delicious ingredients. A particularly popular dish in Osaka is “Okonomi-yaki“, a Japanese style pancake which contains a combination of meat, seafood and vegetables, all covered in a tasty sauce. You can also try “Takoyaki” – balls of wheat batter containing octopus.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best times to visit Osaka are during the spring, for the scenic cherry blossoms and the Osaka Basho sumo tournament, and during the summer, when there are a wonderful array of festivals with spectacular parades and fireworks. Whilst the summer months can be fiendishly hot, there are afternoon sea breezes from the port that help cool things down.
Travel guide to Osaka
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