Osaka interesting facts. Osaka, Japan – photos of Osaka, attractions, map, weather, tourist reviews. Area "American Village Amerikamura"
Osaka is a Japanese city that ranks third in terms of population in Japan and is located in the south of the island of Honshu in Osaka Bay, near the Yodo River.
It is the capital of Osaka Prefecture.
Osaka city, Japan
Video panorama of Osaka city
Short story
In 663 BC, the first Yamato warriors came ashore to the territory of present-day Osaka, defeated local tribes and created the first Japanese state of Yamato. In 638, the city of Naniva was founded in this area, which served as the capital from the 7th to 8th centuries. In the first half of the 8th century, the capital was moved to Nara, and Naniwa gradually fell into decline. In 1496, on the ruins of ancient imperial castles, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple was erected, around which the city called Osaka gradually grew. In the 16th century, the city and temple were destroyed by a confrontation between Oda Nobunaga and Buddhist sectarians, but over the next few years, thanks to the efforts of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a new monastery and city were built.
In the 17th - 19th centuries, Osaka was the most important trading point in Japan; the number of merchants living in the city was enormous.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Osaka was an industrial-military zone and was therefore heavily damaged as a result of air attacks during the Second World War.
Sights of Osaka
Umeda Sky Building
A glass escalator takes the visitor to the 39th floor of this unusual building. The observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 173 meters, combines two twin towers. It offers stunning views of the city, and features state-of-the-art displays and gaming devices that simulate virtual reality.
A famous Osaka landmark, puppet theater performances are held every January, April, June, July, August and November, and last 20 days, with plays starting at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. To understand the plot, foreign visitors can wear special headphones that play an English translation.
USJ - Universal Studio Japan
This is a theme park dedicated to Hollywood cinema, opened in 2001.
Every year the park is visited by approximately 8 million people.
USJ is divided into a number of areas: New York zone, Wild West zone, Jurassic Park, Water World, etc. The entertainment center features attractions and interesting performances and shows based on the plots of popular Hollywood films, such as “Jaws”, “Shrek”, “Terminator”, “Jurassic Park”, “Water World”, “Back to the Future”, “ Spider-Man" and many others.
Terminator at the amusement park
SPA complex Spa World
This is a giant health center that can accommodate 5,000 people. In the complex you can visit hot baths in onsens (hot springs), which are heated not by the center’s employees, but by nature itself at a kilometer depth.
In the wellness center you can take a steam bath in the national baths of various countries - China, Turkey, India, Japan, etc.
Water in onsen relieves muscle pain, treats arthritis, diseases of the joints, stomach, intestines and cardiovascular system. Women will benefit from taking mud baths, which make their skin smooth and beautiful.
Shitennoji Temple
The palace was built in the 6th century by Prince Shotoku. Japanese Buddhism was born in this temple. The buildings of the complex were burned down, and the current concrete reconstructions do not have much historical value, but are nevertheless beautiful and convey an idea of the architecture of those times.
Aquarium "Kayukan"
By visiting one of the main attractions of Osaka, the Kayukan Aquarium, you can personally observe the rich underwater world of the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium contains about 35 thousand marine inhabitants, including such huge animals as manta rays and whale sharks.
Video Osaka Aquarium
Osaka on the map of Japan
Article genre - Cities of Japan
The huge castle in Osaka (its area is 1 square kilometer) is one of the most significant historical monuments in the country.
The commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi founded the castle in 1597 on the site of an old temple. It was built based on the architecture of Azuchi Castle, the headquarters of Oda Nobunaga. The castle in Osaka was planned to be just as impregnable, but larger in all respects. That is why the building not only rises 5 floors up, but also goes 3 floors into the ground, and the walls of the tower are covered with gold leaf.
During Hideyoshi's time, Osaka became not only the country's most important economic center, uniting a divided Japan, but also the center of major feuds. The fortress-castle had to endure two major battles. In the 17th century, it nevertheless fell under enemy pressure and was destroyed. In 1620 it was decided to restore and expand it. But natural forces prevented this - lightning struck the tower and most of the buildings burned down. Until the 20th century, the castle lay in ruins, until the mayor of Osaka found funds for its reconstruction. Since 1931, the castle has once again risen above the city and houses a museum.
The interior of the castle was restored to its original form. Of the original buildings, the main Otemon gate, five Yagura towers (Tower of a Thousand Eyes) from the Tokugawa period, moats, several barracks and houses have been preserved. The stones of the buildings were laid without mortar, which allowed them to withstand earthquakes. Inaccessible sheer cliffs framing the castle, moats up to 90 meters wide, a total length of 12 kilometers, overall monumentality and proud beauty - the castle in Osaka is an expressive monument to the ambitions and strength of character of the Japanese leaders.
Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport, opened in 1994, is located on an artificial island near the city of Osaka. It was designed by Renzo Piano and is a completely civil airport.
The airport includes 2 terminals - north and south. The North Terminal receives flights from 24 airlines. It has a three-story building equipped with nine escalators and three glass elevators, one of which is external. On the ground floor there are several duty-free shops and food establishments, including restaurants.
The South Terminal welcomes nineteen airlines and serves more than 12 million passengers a year. It has a four-story building equipped with 6 travelators and 2 glass elevators. Here, duty-free shops, as well as restaurants and cafeterias, can be found on all floors of the building.
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Park Universal Studios
Universal Studios is a huge entertainment park located in the Japanese city of Osaka and competes with the famous Disneyland. This is a great place for a fun holiday with the whole family. There are a huge number of attractions and shows, divided into several thematic zones.
As in all similar parks in the world, the central theme of all attractions presented at Universal Park are films shot at the Universal Studios. All the attractions here are very realistic and, of course, high quality.
The authors of the project tried to make it a wonderful place to relax, not only from the technical side, but in terms of design and design. The almost entirely reconstructed neighborhoods here take you back to old European and American cities. The attractions in the park are divided into several thematic areas based on the most popular films: “Terminator”, “Jurassic Park”, “Water World”, “Jaws”, “Shrek”, “Spider-Man”, “Back to the Future”, “Backdraft” ", as well as many others. On one of the attractions, stuntmen recreate fragments of popular films right in front of the audience.
In addition, the park has many restaurants and shops. The entertainment program is so dense that it is unlikely that you will be able to cover everything in one day, but this is not a problem, because the Park offers its visitors 2- and 3-day tickets - so you can visit it several times in a row.
The Shinsaibashi shopping arcade and the area of the same name are the real center of trade in Osaka. You can buy everything here. Elite boutiques coexist with tiny shops, designer goods coexist with consumer goods. The shops are accompanied by numerous eateries, cafes and restaurants. The dominant feature of the area is the covered street Shinsaibashi-Suji. Here, in Shinsaibashi, the favorite place of local youth is based - the American Village with an appropriate assortment of goods.
The shopping district stretches for about 600 meters. There are two large department stores here - Daimaru and Sogo, as well as about 180 small boutiques and restaurants.
In a historical sense, the area took its name from one of the bridges built by local merchants, one of these merchants was Shinsaibashi Okada. The bridge has not survived, but the name of the merchant has remained for centuries.
Area "American Village Amerikamura"
Amerikamura, often shortened to "Amemura" in Osaka, is a large shopping area. Everyone who comes here gets the impression that there are only shops, shops and shops. The way it is. Western brand stores sell goods that European travelers are accustomed to. And many local Japanese shops and stores sometimes offer such incredible goods that the sense of reality dissolves.
The Amerikamura area is also known by another name - American Village. Apparently, to emphasize some connection with another developed country, there is its own local Statue of Liberty, watching from above everything that happens in the quarter, as well as King Kong. And there's a lot going on here. Amerikamura is the cutting edge of modern Japanese youth. Here you can see representatives of all subcultures. The imitation of American culture is felt in the local atmosphere. There are many American-style cafes here. On weekends, flea markets are organized here, and street musicians perform famous American tunes in very different ways.
It's easy to spend a whole day in this area of Osaka, walking around the shops or just wandering the streets and watching life. The local flavor will not let even an inveterate phlegmatic person get bored.
Chikiri Castle
Kishiwada Castle or Chikiri Castle was built by Hidemasa Koide in 1597. The Nobukatsu rulers of Okabe Mina took possession of the castle from Takatsuki in 1640. The Okabe family maintained their position for 13 generations (until the Meiji Restoration). The castle's main tower was destroyed when lightning struck in 1827, but was rebuilt in 1954, and is now also used as a museum.
Dotonbori District
Dotonbori is a major shopping and business district in Osaka. It is located along the southern bank of the canal of the same name. The area is loved by tourists and city residents for its swirl of energies and active, vibrant, very rich atmosphere. It's always lively and crowded here. Dotonbori has many restaurants and cafes with cuisine for every taste - the streets are literally saturated with the aromas of preparing dishes. There are large entertainment centers that are great for shopping, and theaters where traditional Bunraku puppet theater performances and other events take place. It is considered to be the center of Osaka's nightlife.
Films are often shot in Dotonbori; it acts as a kind of “face” of Osaka. During the day, the area, framed by fountains on both sides of the canal, looks quite businesslike. In the evening, it blooms with neon lights and seems to change its outfit. And numerous textured luminous signs like “Running Man Gliko” or “Crab Kani Doraku” give Dotonbori a unique, even slightly surreal, very special chic.
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Umeda Sky Building
Everyone knows that Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the world. Buildings like the futuristic office skyscraper Umeda Sky Building are obvious proof of this.
The 173-story skyscraper looks ultra-modern. Silvery materials sparkle in the sun, and look absolutely incredible when lit at night; the two slender towers are connected by the original floating garden of the Observatory. People are allowed here for a small fee and the view of the huge living metropolis from the height of the 39th floor is a truly breathtaking sight.
On the minus first floor of the building there is the Takimi-koji restaurant, which with its interior replicates the Japanese street of the early Showa period (1912-1945 - during the reign of Emperor Showa).
The skyscraper was built in 1993 according to the design of Hiroshi Hara. Initially it was planned to build it as an “Air City” and there should have been four towers, not two. But they were cut down taking into account funding opportunities, and the result was the Umeda Sky Building.
There is a park around the building. The contrast, albeit man-made, of living nature and modern reinforced concrete structures does not hurt the eye, but is pacifying in its own way. After all, the manifestation of harmony in any landscape is a strong feature of the Japanese character.
The most popular attractions in Osaka with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Osaka on our website.
Individual and group
- Where to stay: In hotels and guest houses of one of the most “remarkable” cities in Japan - Kyoto, whose monuments and museums are more than enough for more than one eastern country. “Neighbor” Kyoto Nara invites lovers of a quiet holiday surrounded by ancient architecture - there are as many as eight UNESCO sites. The “middle capital” of Nagoya will delight you with nice hotels and the absence of tourist crowds. Osaka is worth a stop for cosmopolitans: the city is famous for its restless character. Kobe is a city with a rich past and a modern face, the best place to live in Japan.
- What to see: Gosho Imperial Palace, Golden and Silver Pavilions, Temple of the Oriental Treasures, Rock Gardens and Botanical Gardens in Kyoto; numerous temples and sanctuaries, a park with 1,200 sika deer and UNESCO sites in Nara; Meiji-mura castle, Shinto shrine and open-air museum in Nagoya. Main must-sees Osaka- a five-story samurai castle and surrounding park, as well as a Universal Studios theme park. In Kobe, it is worth visiting the residences of the Ijinkan merchants, the city park and the tower, and also stopping by the “sakéry” - with an obligatory tasting of this strong drink.
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Useful information for tourists about Osaka in Japan - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.
Osaka is a city in the southern part of the island of Honshu, the center of Osaka Prefecture. It is located in Osaka Bay near the mouth of the Yodo River, with the Yamato River flowing in the southern part of the city. Part of the city is located on two plateaus, Uemati and Abiko, the other part is on an alluvial plain in the river delta. Thanks to the presence of two rivers and access to the Inland Sea of Japan, the city has become a major trade and transport center. Osaka is considered the third largest city in Japan. Unofficially, Osaka is recognized as a city with a rich and varied nightlife, plenty of entertainment and shopping centers. Entertainment and shopping are concentrated in the areas of Kitaku, Minami-ku and Shinsaibashi, where there are American and European villages, as well as the Dotombori and Namba neighborhoods, popular with fashionable Japanese youth.
In the historical center of the city is Osaka Castle, built in 1583. The castle has three underground and five above-ground floors. Initially, a Buddhist temple was built on the site of the castle at the end of the 15th century, which eventually became a monastery. The monastery belonged to a militant sect, was besieged for a long time by the troops of the ruler Oda Nobunaga and was eventually burned by its own defenders. The next ruler, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ordered a residence to be built on the site of the temple. All Japanese feudal lords were obliged to take part in the construction, and therefore the work was completed in three years. The area of the castle and its territory was 8 square meters. kilometers. The castle was destroyed several times and restored to its current form only at the end of the 20th century. Now the main tower houses a museum.
Osaka is considered the capital of the national bunraku performing arts, so it is worth visiting the bunraku theater, whose performances include puppets controlled by puppeteers, storytellers and musicians playing the shamisen, a traditional lute-type instrument. The Osaka Bunraku Theater is the main one in Japan, its troupe is on tour most of the year, and gives performances at home in January, April, June, August and November.
In 2010, Universal Studio Park was opened in Osaka, a themed amusement park in which all the attractions are based on famous films and animated films from Universal Studios. The park consists of nine thematic areas; in 2014, another one dedicated to the young wizard Harry Potter should open. The park has recreated scenery from various famous films, famous cartoon and movie characters walk around here and there and numerous shows are held.
In Osaka there is the Kayukan Aquarium, which is home to more than 35 thousand marine inhabitants. It is considered one of the largest in the world. Its visitors begin the tour from the eighth floor, gradually descending and getting acquainted with the inhabitants of different depths.
You can see Osaka from above from the observation deck of the Umeda Sky Building. It is located at an altitude of 173 meters, and you can get to it using an escalator - the highest in the world.
In Osaka there is a wellness complex Spa World, designed for visiting 5,000 people at a time. Its main part presents the bathing traditions of the countries of the Middle East, Asia, Europe and, of course, Japan. In the Chinese part of the complex you can get acquainted with the features of Chinese traditional medicine. Hot water is supplied to these “baths of the peoples of the world” from a depth of 900 meters.
Japanese Venice, the gates of the Pacific Ocean, the city of the yakuza - Osaka, one of the oldest cities in East Asia, has so many names. Japan is a country of contrasts, and this city is one of its colors.
It is the country's third largest metropolis, located in the south of Honshu Island in Osaka Bay. He made the city a major port and the industrial heart of Japan. Osaka attracts many tourists due to its shopping and tourism.
Castles of Osaka
One of the main historical and cultural attractions of the city is the Osaka Samurai Castle in Japan. It amazes tourists not only with its size (its area is one square kilometer, its height is 5 floors, and the castle goes underground for another 3 floors), but also with its magnificence - its walls are covered. The castle was built in 1597 by the commander Hideyoshi. 20 thousand people were employed in its construction. The castle stands on a sheer embankment of huge boulders to protect it from attacks.
In the 17th century, the castle was destroyed after civil wars, and subsequent attempts to restore it were thwarted by a lightning strike that caused a fire. Until the 20th century, the castle stood in ruins, and only in 1931 the city administration restored the architectural monument and housed a museum in it. Then the main tower, destroyed in the 17th century, was restored according to the surviving image on the screen. True, the Second World War again affected the construction - American air raids partially destroyed it.
After the war, the castle was restored and opened to tourists. The interiors of the main tower were completely restored - they are all modern, but the main gates, ditches, and several other buildings are original, preserved from the Middle Ages. In the museum itself you can see an interesting exhibition telling not only about the castle, but also about the activities of Hideyoshi, samuraiism and the history of the region as a whole. A screen is also kept here, which became a sketch for the restoration of the castle in the 20th century.
In addition to Osaka's largest and most famous castle, you can also see Himeiji Castle or Heron Castle in the city. It was built in the 16th century, and today it is a whole complex of 80 buildings made in traditional Japanese style. This castle is no less interesting for tourists, and it is also included in the UNESCO heritage list.
Temples in Osaka
Japan, like any other country in Asia, is full of various temples. There are many of them in the economic center of the country. There are both Buddhist and Shinto religious buildings here. At the same time, the largest centers of various schools within Buddhism are among the first to be presented.
Shitenno-ji, or the Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country, representing Washo's own school. The temple was built back in 593 and since then has experienced many shocks - over many centuries it has been destroyed by fires and lightning, typhoons, wars and uprisings, and bombing by American troops. And each time the temple was rebuilt. After World War II it was restored, but it was no longer built from wood, as before, but from reinforced concrete. Tourists who come to Osaka in April can attend the festival held annually at the temple and see what the court Bugaku dances that existed in the 8th-12th centuries in Japan looked like.
Another Buddhist temple, Isshin-ji, is also interesting, mainly because on its territory there are statues made from the ashes of dead people. Since the mid-19th century, urns containing the ashes of deceased students of this Buddhist school have been placed on the temple grounds. When there were so many urns that there was nowhere to store them, statues began to be made from ashes held together with resin. A total of 13 statues were made, but 6 of them were damaged in World War II.
The Shinto branch is represented in Osaka by such large temples as Tenman-gu, built in 949, and Sumiyoshi-taisha, the main shrine of the god of the same name. The latter, by the way, houses the oldest Japanese seals.
Modern architecture: objects that amaze the imagination
As the economic heart of the country, Osaka could not do without buildings that amaze with their scale and technology. You should start with It is unique in that it is built on a completely artificial island. And although the cost of maintaining it will never pay off, this airport is one of a kind. Osaka (Japan) cannot but inspire admiration for the tenacity of its citizens.
Despite the presence of ancient temples and castles, the face of the city is still its modern towers and skyscrapers. The Tsutenkaku TV Tower is considered a real symbol of the city and is compared to the Eiffel Tower. There is an observation deck at an altitude of 91 meters. She is very popular, but not the only one in the city. The Umeda Sky Building has a platform on the 39th floor. This skyscraper of two towers and what looks like hanging gardens or a space observatory between them (whichever you prefer), hovering at an altitude of 170 meters, may also interest tourists in the surrounding park, as well as a restaurant imitating a Japanese street of the 19th century.
"Maru-biru" is another symbol of the city. The hotel is located in a skyscraper, and all its rooms have an undeniable advantage - the view from the windows of any room overlooks the main attractions of Osaka.
Floating fountains are also interesting. Osaka, Japan, the Pond of Dreams is the location of a unique fountain based on geometric figures with flowing water, as if suspended in the air. It looked like a miracle in 1970, when it was installed for the World Exhibition, but today it is one of the calling cards of the city.
Another similar object, without a doubt, can be called the Osaka railway station, mainly due to its unique clock. The flow of water is controlled by a computer and adds up not only the numbers that show the time in Japan, but also beautiful patterns - a mesmerizing and impressive sight.
Amusement parks
The Japanese know a lot about entertainment and attractions. The most important amusement park that Osaka and the entire island of Honshu offers is, of course, Universal. It competes with the famous Disneyland. There are attractions and entertainment based on films made by Universal Studios - "Jurassic Park", "Shrek", "Jaws", "Harry Potter" and many others. The park is so interesting and large (140 hectares) that it is not easy to get around it in a day, so tourists are recommended to buy tickets for 2 or 3 days. You can even have an interesting snack here - in a pizzeria in the style of “The Godfather” or in a French cafe.
If the attractions at Universal are not enough for a tourist, there is an amusement park near the village of Tempozan, famous throughout the world for its Ferris wheel, which is 112 meters high, making it the largest in the world. Also in the park there is an aquarium with 35 thousand inhabitants, an observatory, a bird sanctuary, a state-of-the-art cinema and many other entertainments.
Osaka Museums
Those tourists who crave not only entertainment but also education in Osaka should visit local museums and exhibitions. As the largest port, Osaka has accumulated exhibits on the history of the relationship between man and the sea for many centuries. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the Osaka Maritime Museum is so interesting. It is located at the entrance to Osaka Bay and looks very impressive - a huge steel dome. Inside there are 4 floors, on which a variety of ship paraphernalia is placed, as well as a life-size replica of a merchant ship.
You can also see the most interesting exhibition at the ceramics museum, which is located about a kilometer from Osaka Castle. The city with its hustle and bustle remains behind the brick walls of the museum, and away from the bustle you can plunge into the calm, meditative world of ancient Japanese art and admire its best examples. Fans of modern oriental art should visit the art museum, where, in addition to the main exhibition presenting art from different periods, interesting exhibitions are held.
The Suntory Museum is also known throughout the world for its building in the shape of an inverted cone and its collection of 20th-century graphics.
Oceanarium "Kayukan"
We have already mentioned the aquarium in Tempozan, but it is worth talking about it separately, because not only Osaka, but Japan as a whole, is proud of it. The Kayukan Oceanarium is one of the most significant in all of Japan, and it was built in Osaka. This unique building is like a butterfly spreading its wings and is decorated with mosaics. Inside there are 14 tanks representing the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. They are divided into zones according to their habitat. Here you can find not only fish, but also animals, underwater flora, corals and algae and many other ocean inhabitants. The pavilions are designed in such a way that visitors can see the underwater and surface life of animals, for example, how fur seals bask in the sun and then dive into the depths.
Natural attractions
Despite industrial development and a forest of skyscrapers made of glass and concrete, Osaka, like any other Japanese city, cherishes its nature and its unique places. So, tourists should visit Tennoji Park, which includes a zoo, a greenhouse and a botanical garden. This is an analogue of the well-known Central Park in Manhattan, the same green oasis in the center of an industrial city. Here you can see the traditional Japanese Keita-Koen garden, which is located around a pond just behind the art gallery. This garden once belonged to the richest merchant and was donated to the city along with the mansion. The garden is part of a large complex along with a unique greenhouse - an entirely glass building that contains flowers and plants from different parts of the planet.
The local zoo is home to 1,500 animals and birds, but the hummingbird, as the only one in Japan, and the hippopotamus, for which they created conditions close to natural, are especially interesting.
You can also admire Osaka from the water by taking a cruise along Santa Maria Bay on a three-deck ship. On board there is not only an open deck for exploring the city and the ocean, but also a restaurant and a Columbus Museum.
Entertainment and nightlife
Connoisseurs of traditional Japanese culture in Osaka can enjoy Noh and Kabuki theater, Bunraku, as well as sumo fights.
Bunraku is a traditional Japanese puppet theater, and its homeland is Osaka. Japan greatly respects this art form. The National Bunraku Theater, located in the Namba quarter, gives performances to everyone, but please note that tickets sell out very quickly.
Kabuki is a unique form of theatrical art that combines music, dance and drama. You can watch performances at the Shochiku-za Theater. Particularly sophisticated viewers can also go to the Osaka Noh Hall, where plays are staged in a more difficult-to-understand style.
Nightlife lovers should head to the Ebisu-Bashi area, where all the trendy youth of Osaka hang out, or to the Amerikamura area. This is a Japanese piece of America with its Statue of Liberty and King Kong. During the day there are a lot of street musicians and flea markets, and at night local youth drink and dance in American bars.
Shopping
The center of Osaka's trade is the Shinsaibashi area. Here you can buy absolutely everything. Shinsaibashi has boutiques and shops of all world brands, and the covered street houses a huge market 600 meters long. The area also includes the American Village, where you can buy incredible souvenirs in shops and flea markets.
You can also go shopping in Dan Dan Town - this is the Nippombashi district, where the local electronic paradise is located, where you can buy any gadget. Today in Japan such neighborhoods can be found in any major city.
Cafes and restaurants
Like any metropolis, Osaka can offer tourists any cuisine - from Indian to French, however, to try local specialties, go to the Dotombori or Umeda areas. These neighborhoods are literally crammed with restaurants for every taste. Be sure to try the local version of sushi - oshizushi. They are made from rice soaked in vinegar, seaweed and small pieces of fish. It differs in Osaka and is boiled in vinegar along with seafood or meat. It is also worth finding a restaurant in Osaka that serves special okonomiyaki meat pancakes. Time in Japan differs from Moscow, ahead of it by 6 hours.