Osaka
About Osaka (wiki)
Osaka (Japanese: 大阪市), is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following Special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2.7 million in the 2020 census, it is also the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, which is the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and the 10th largest urban area in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.
Osaka was traditionally considered Japan's economic hub. By the Kofun period (300–538) it had developed into an important regional port, and in the 7th and 8th centuries, it served briefly as the imperial capital. Osaka continued to flourish during the Edo period (1603–1867) and became known as a center of Japanese culture. Following the Meiji Restoration, Osaka greatly expanded in size and underwent rapid industrialization. In 1889, Osaka was officially established as a municipality. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by the 1900s, Osaka was the industrial hub in the Meiji and Taishō periods. Osaka made noted contributions to redevelopment, urban planning and zoning standards in the postwar period, the city developed rapidly as one of the major financial center in the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area.
Osaka is a major financial center of Japan, and it is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in Japan. The city is home to the Osaka Exchange as well as the headquarters of multinational electronics corporations such as Panasonic and Sharp. Osaka is an international center of research and development and is represented by several major universities, notably Osaka University, Osaka Metropolitan University, and Kansai University. Famous landmarks in the city include Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Dōtonbori, Tsūtenkaku in Shinsekai, Tennōji Park, Abeno Harukas, Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, and Shitennō-ji, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
Top Sights in Osaka (crazytourist.com)
- Osaka Castle: Osaka Castle dates from 1583 when it was first built using 100,000 workers to get the finished building.As with many castles in Japan however, it was destroyed and the structure that stands now was built in 1931 and has also been renovated over the years. Despite the fact that the castle is no longer the original, it is still one of the most impressive buildings in Osaka and is located in the middle of a leafy park and is encircled by a charming moat. Once inside the castle you can check out a selection of weaponry as well as art work and there is also an observation deck on the 8th floor where you can take in panoramic vistas over the adjacent park and wider Osaka.
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:If you want to learn more about traditional art in Osaka then consider a trip to Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum where you can learn all about the art of ukiyoe which is a kind of Japanese print. The prints are made using blocks of wood and the museum itself is styled on a traditional Japanese house. Anyone who likes art work should definitely not miss this off the itinerary as it gives you an insight into one of the less well known handicrafts in Japan.
- Osaka Museum of Housing and Living One of the best museums in Osaka is said to be the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living which is an open air museum covered in models of houses and traditional buildings. There are a huge number of replicas of structures that would have stood in Osaka in the Edo Period from the 17th to the 19th century and this is the ideal place to come if you want to get a glimpse of how people would have lived in Osaka in days gone. To really get into the spirit of things you can even dress up in period garb and walk around the complex dressed in a traditional Japanese outfit like a kimono.
- Sumiyoshi Shrine Sumiyoshi Shrine has the claim to fame of being one of the oldest Shinto shrines not only in Osaka but also in wider Japan. The shrine was built over 1,800 years ago and it is said to be one of the prettiest Shinto shrines of its kind thanks to its ornate architecture and dainty design features. As well as the actual shrine you will also find a park here which features a bridge that stretches over a glassy pond.
- Umeda Sky Building Yhe Umeda Sky Building is one of the main landmarks in Osaka and you can see it from all over town. The building soars to a height of 173 meters and it has an observatory which is located on the 39th floor which is known as the Garden Observatory. This is one of the famous floating gardens for which Japan is well known and you can come here to check out this hanging garden which is filled with local flowers and plants.
- National Bunraku Theater The National Bunraku Theater is the place to come if you want to check out the Japanese art of bunraku. This is a kind of puppet theater which would have started out life in the Edo Period, and you can now come here to watch a performance in person. Bunraku features large puppets which are operated by as many as three puppeteers and tell the story of Japanese epics and legends from the 17th and 18th centuries. Fortunately there is also an English translation on offer so that you can work out what is going on.
- Dotonbori:Dotonbori is known is Osaka as the place to come if you want to go out and enjoy the best of the city. This part of Osaka is the central hub of bars, restaurants and cafes, and you can come here in the evening to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Many of the cafes and restaurants here also have their own roof terraces and this means that you can sit out, listen to some live music and look out across twinkling Osaka at the same time.
- Osaka Aquarium Osaka Aquarium is also known as Kaiyukan and is located inside Tempozan Harbor Village that backs on to Osaka Bay. This is one of the largest aquariums in Japan and has eight floors of exhibits which include a plethora of marine life such as whale sharks, otters, dolphins and turtles. There is also one main tank in the aquarium which is some nine meters in length and is a riot of color thanks to the tropical fish and other marine animals like seahorses that bob around inside.
- ShinsaibashiLocals will tell you that the best place to go shopping in Osaka is in the Shinsaibashi District which sells pretty much anything and everything. This part of town is a collection of arcades which means that this is a good place to come on a rainy day and you will find items such as souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes and household objects. If you want some gifts or mementoes of your time in Osaka then this is the best place to come and shop up a storm.
- Try the local food Osaka is known in Japan for being something of a foodie paradise so if you like to eat then you have come to the right place! Some of the highlights here include the Okonomiyaki which is a kind of pancake made from shredded cabbage which is loaded with a range of toppings, as well as battera which is a style of sushi which features mackerel compressed with rice in a wooden box. You can also try the kushikatsu which consists of skewers which feature different ingredients such as meat and vegetables which have been deep fried in breadcrumbs.
Osaka, flickr.com