Osaka(Japanese: 大阪市 O:saka-shi (inf.)) is the third most populous city in Japan, which is located in the southern part of the island of Honshu, near the mouth of the Yodo River in Osaka Bay. The center of the prefecture of the same name. Since 1956, it has the status of a city, determined by government decree.

Geography

Osaka is located in the western part of Osaka Prefecture, in the center of the island of Honshu. The city has access to the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The relief of Osaka is flat. The highest point is Mount New Tsurumi in the Tsurumi region, with a height of 37.5 m. The lowest point is the Yamatoda area in the Nishi-Yodogawa region, located -2.21 above sea level.

Osaka is spread over two plateaus and an alluvial plain. The plateaus lie east of the city center. The largest of them is Uemati, an early Pleistocene plateau, 12 km long. It extends from north to south, from the Osaka Castle area to Sumiyoshi Shrine. The second plateau, Abiko, is smaller and formed in the late Pleistocene. It is 8 km long and extends from east to south, from Katsuyama Mound to the Yamato River.

The Osaka Alluvial Plain was formed due to the accumulation of sediments in the delta of the Yodo and Yamato rivers, which flow into Osaka Bay in the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. This plain occupies most of the city. The Yodo River is the main waterway of Osaka and flows in the northern part. At the mouth it is divided into several branches that form a delta - the Kanzaki, Tenma, Neya, Dojima, Tosa-Horikawa, Aji, Sirinashi, Kizu rivers. In early modern times, citizens connected these branches with numerous canals, which is why Osaka was called the “Water Capital”. The rivers contributed to the development of urban trade and transport, but repeatedly caused floods. They stopped after the construction of a drainage canal - the New Yodo River - in 1909. The city's second largest river, the Yamato, flows in the south of Osaka and serves as its southern border. Historically, the Yamato River merged with the Yodo in the north of the city, but in 1704 its course was changed to prevent flooding. The soil of the delta of the Yodo and Yamato rivers consists of weak sand and soft clay. Until modern times, landslides were frequent in the city due to the digging of wells and the extraction of groundwater.

Osaka belongs to the climate zone of the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The climate in the city is humid subtropical. The average annual temperature in Osaka in 1981-2010 was + 16.9 °C. Summers are usually hot and winters are relatively warm. Snow falls very rarely. The average annual atmospheric pressure is 1005.2 hPa. The amount of precipitation is insignificant - 1279.0 mm for 1981-2010. The rainiest time of year is summer and early autumn. The wind blows predominantly from the west or northeast in the city. Its average annual speed is 2.6 m/s. The wind often brings smoke from the waterfront industrial area and the northern industrial area of ​​Yodogawa to Osaka, causing air pollution and smog.

Story

The modern area where the city of Osaka is located has long been called “Naniwa” (Japanese: 難波, 浪華, 浪花). This name was preserved in the names of the central districts of the city - Naniwa and Namba. During the reign of Emperor Kotoku (596-654), there was an imperial palace in Naniwa, and the place itself was the capital of Japan. It was located at the intersection of important trade routes: sea along the Inland Sea of ​​Japan to the western lands of the country and the mainland, and land, which led to the lands of the Kanto region through modern Kyoto.

According to the first Japanese historical chronicles, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, it was in the area of ​​modern Osaka in 663 BC. e. near the delta of the Yodo River, the first conquerors of Yamato landed, who broke the resistance of the native tribes and founded the state of Yamato in the neighboring province - the first Japanese state formation. A thousand years later, in 638, Emperor Temmu founded a city in the Naniwa area. In the 7th-8th centuries it became the residence of several emperors, and therefore the capital of the country. At the beginning of the 8th century, the center of the state was moved to the city of Nara, but Naniwa remained the largest commercial city and international port of Japan. However, in the Middle Ages the development of the city almost stopped, which led to its decline at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1496, in the area of ​​​​modern Osaka, on the ruins of ancient imperial palaces, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji monastery was built, which became the center of the Jodo-shinshu sect. A city arose around the monastery, which has since received the name Osaka(Japanese 小坂, “Small Descent”), which later turned into the modern name Oosaka(Japanese: 大坂, 大阪, “Great Descent”). In 1580, the monastery and city were destroyed by a war between Buddhist sectarians and Oda Nobunaga, but within four years a new castle and city appeared in their place, which was built by Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

In the 17th-19th centuries, Osaka was the main trading center of the country. In contrast to other cities in Japan, which were inhabited mainly by samurai and burghers, Osaka was inhabited mainly by merchants. The city turned into an “all-Japan bank”, the creditors of which were almost all the country’s shoguns and the owners of the provinces. Trade contributed to the flourishing of the arts, particularly ukiyo-e prints and commoner theater kabuki and bunraku.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Osaka was an important industrial and military center, which is why it suffered from American bombing during World War II.

Osaka was granted city status on April 1, 1889. Emperor Meiji granted it with a rescript the status of a city, determined by government decree on October 1, 1911. In post-war Japan, this status was approved by government decree on September 1, 1956.

Culture

Museums and historical monuments

• Castle in Osaka
• National Museum of Art
• Museum of Oriental Ceramics
• Historical Museum

• The National Bunraku Theater is one of the country's largest puppet theaters of the traditional Bunraku genre.
• Osaka Shochiku-za (Japanese: 大阪松竹座) is a kabuki theater that also produces manzai comedies.
• Shin Kabuki-za (Japanese: 新歌舞伎座) is a new kabuki theater that specializes in dramas and performances of the enka genre.

The most famous Buddhist temples

• Isshin-ji (Japanese: 一心寺) is a temple of the Jodo-shu school, which houses statues of Amitabha, created from the ashes of hundreds of thousands of dead and held together with resin.
• Shitenno-ji (Japanese: 四天王寺) is a temple of the Tendai school, one of the oldest Japanese temples, founded by Prince Shotoku.

Shinto shrines

• Sumiyoshi-taisha (Japanese: 住吉大社) is the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi.
• Tenman-gu (Japanese: 大阪天満宮) is a Shinto shrine founded in 949.

• 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 “sakedry” - with an obligatory tasting of this strong drink.
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History of Osaka

Mentioned in the 4th century as the village of Naniwa, which translated from Japanese means “fast waves”. In the 7th century, with the emergence of the Yamato state, Naniwa became the first imperial capital of Japan and, accordingly, the cradle of the entire civilization of the islands. One of the world religions, Buddhism, began to spread throughout the country from this region.

In the 7th-8th centuries, Osaka was the residence of several emperors, and therefore the capital of the country.

In the 16th century, due to a change in administrative significance, the city was renamed Osaka, from the Japanese o - “big” and saka - “hill, slope”.

The Yodogawa River, which originates in Lake Biwa, flows through the city, cut by numerous canals. Numerous rivers and streams meander along the coastal plain on which the city is located. Over 1,300 bridges, built at different times and in different styles, span the river branches and canals that divide Osaka into separate areas. Osaka is called the “Venice of Japan”.

Osaka's advantageous geographic location on the shores of Osaka Bay was one of the reasons for the city's transformation into the country's main trading center. The first large trading houses, the Kabuki theater and the Bunraku puppet theater were born here.

The port of Osaka was opened for foreign trade in 1868. However, for a long time large foreign ships could not enter the port due to the shallowness of Osaka Bay. It has therefore become more important for coastal shipping and fishing vessels. A radical reconstruction of the port was carried out after the Second World War, which led to the active development of trade with foreign countries. The port of Osaka, united with the port of Kobe since the early 1970s, is one of the most important in the country.

The city is famous not only for its huge seaport, but also for the Kansai Airport, which was built on an artificial island in the bay. It is called the “miracle of the 21st century.”

Today Osaka is a major industrial, commercial and port center of Japan, competing due to its location on the same island and high level of development with the capital of the state - Tokyo.

In the past, the city was famous for its textile industry, for which it was called the “Manchester of the East”. Nowadays electronics, mechanical engineering, and ferrous metallurgy predominate. It is the second most important financial center in Japan (banks, stock exchange, etc.).

Today's Osaka, with its abundance of supermarkets and elegant boutiques, arcades and underground shopping streets, is a huge, modern, world-class city.

Osaka attracts many tourists with its attractions, entertainment and shopping.

Sights of Osaka

Osaka is divided into two parts: the historical south and the business north. In the southern part of the city is the traditional shopping center of Osaka - the Shinsaibashi quarter. The city's nightlife has been centered around Dotonbori for 300 years. Much of the old urban area was destroyed during World War II, and Osaka is now built up with European-style multi-story buildings.

Castles of Osaka

One of the main historical and cultural attractions of the city is samurai castle Osaka in Japan. The castle, with an area of ​​one square kilometer, stands on top of a stone embankment, at the base of which are laid huge boulders, the largest of which are six meters high and fourteen meters wide. The castle has five floors; three more floors go deep into the embankment.

The castle was built in 1597 by the commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From 20 to 30 thousand people were simultaneously employed in construction.

The castle had three defense complexes, one after the other. Thanks to the slender watchtower with white walls 42 m high, the castle seemed light and bright in appearance. It was called the “golden castle” because of the abundance of gold decorations on the pediments of the tiers.

It was destroyed in the 17th century after civil wars, and subsequent attempts to restore it were thwarted by a lightning strike that caused a devastating fire. The castle stood in ruins until the 20th century; the surviving premises were turned into barracks. Only in 1931 did the city administration restore the architectural monument and house a museum in it. Then the main tower (tenshukaku), destroyed in the 17th century, rose from the ruins and acquired a modern appearance. It was restored based on the surviving image on the screen. A major reconstruction was carried out using reinforced concrete.

The castle buildings were damaged by American air raids at the end of World War II, but were restored in 1995-97. Currently, the site is open to tourists. The interiors of the main tower are modern, but the main gate, ditches, and several other buildings are original, preserved from the Middle Ages. Now there is a Historical Museum here, which tells about the life and culture of the samurai. A screen is also kept here, which became a sketch for the restoration of the castle in the 20th century. The tower offers a beautiful view of the city. Adjacent to the castle garden is a stadium where world-class musicians touring throughout Japan perform.

Himeiji Castle or White Heron Castle

In addition to Osaka's largest and most famous castle, the city also offers Himeiji Castle or White Heron Castle. Built in the 16th century, it is a complex of 83 buildings made in traditional Japanese style. Almost all buildings are made of wood. The castle is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Himeji Castle is one of the oldest surviving castles in Japan and the most popular among tourists.

Temples in Osaka

Osaka has both Buddhist and Shinto religious buildings.

Buddhist temples in Osaka

Shitenno-ji or Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords

Shitenno-ji, or Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country. One of the oldest centers of Buddhism in Japan. The temple was built back in 593. It was the center of the Tendai school throughout the Middle Ages and modern times. In 1946, he separated from it, founding his own school, Washu.

Over its long history, the temple has experienced many shocks, being destroyed by typhoons, fires and lightning, wars and uprisings, and bombing by American troops. And each time the Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords was rebuilt. After World War II, Shitenno-ji was once again restored, but not from wood, but from reinforced concrete. The temple remains in this form to this day.

Another interesting Buddhist temple is Isshin-ji.

Isshin-ji Temple

Isshin-ji (« temple of one heart") is a Buddhist temple in Japan, in the Tennoji region. Belongs to the Jodo-shu school (Pure Land Buddhism), and is one of the oldest centers of Buddhism of this school.

In 1854, the famous Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII was buried here, and from that time on, numerous funeral urns began to be displayed in the temple. The number of urns already in 1880 exceeded 50 thousand, and due to lack of space, the abbot in 1887 ordered sculptors to create statues of Amitabh using the ashes of the dead held together with resin. This is how 13 Buddhist statues appeared, in which the ashes of tens of thousands of believers of the school were placed. During the bombing of World War II, the temple and six statues were destroyed. After the war, the temple complex was gradually reconstructed. The annual cremation ceremony is held here on April 21st.

Shinto shrines in Osaka

The Shinto branch is represented in Osaka by such large temples as Tenmangu, built in 949, and Sumiyoshi-taisha, the main shrine of the god of the same name.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka

Tenmangu Shinto Shrine in Osaka was founded in the 10th century. The temple was built to appease the spirit of the poet and scholar Sugawara Michizane, who was exiled as a result of the political intrigues of his opponent. Since the Japanese associate the name Sugawara Michizane with the god of education Tejin, a visit to the Kitano Shrine brings good luck and academic success.

In the mid-Heian era, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine received the patronage of the emperors, and from 1871 to 1946 it had the status of a state-supported shrine of the second rank.

Tenmangu Shrine was destroyed by fire many times. The buildings that exist today were recreated in 1845.

The temple is famous for the plum blossom festival, which takes place here every year on February 25th. As a rule, maiko and geiko take part in it.

Locals often visit the temple asking for academic success. Every 25th there is an extensive flea market on the temple grounds.

Sumiyoshi Temple (Sumyoshi-taisha)

Sumiyoshi-taisha- Shinto shrine, the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi in the country, dedicated to the patrons of warriors and fishermen. In the temple, according to numerous legends, the souls of dead sailors and warriors who fell in battles rest.

The majestic Sumiyoshi Taishapo Shrine is a striking representative of a Shinto shrine in its architecture. Of the four main buildings of the temple, three are dedicated to the patron gods of fishermen and one to the patron god of warriors.

The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown, but many historians claim that it already existed in the 3rd century. The temple building became the standard for the architects of Shinto shrines and early palace buildings. Built of wood on thick stilts with a projecting gable roof and crossed gable beams.

Here, every year on June 14, the Otaue-shinji festival is held, local girls organize performances that are accompanied by dances, music and various symbolic sacrifices.

The entire path to the shrine is lined with stone lamps; there are more than 600 of them. In front of them is the Soribashi Bridge, which is considered the border separating the other world and the real world. The temple houses some of the oldest seals in Japan.

On the territory there are trees that are considered the habitat of the kami deities and are called shinboku (“divine tree”).

Modern architecture of Osaka

Kansai Airport

Kansai Airport built according to a design by Renzo Piano on a completely artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay. Why on an island, and an artificial one at that? Because here, far from residential areas, the airport could be open 24 hours a day, and local residents would not be disturbed by the noise of planes taking off and landing. The only people who opposed this plan were the local fishermen, but they received generous compensation.

The project was recognized as one of the most outstanding architectural designs of the 20th century.

Construction began in 1987. For the first time in the world, the airport was located on the water, two kilometers from the coast. An artificial island 4000 meters long and 1000 meters wide was built in the middle of the bay. This structure had to withstand high tsunamis, violent typhoons and strong earthquakes. A 3-kilometer-long bridge was also built connecting this island with the town of Rinku, a suburb of Osaka. The project resulted in the world's largest artificial island, the world's largest double-decker bridge and the world's longest building.

Opened on September 4, 1994, the airport safely survived the terrible earthquake of January 17, 1995, when 6,434 people died; typhoon in 1998 with wind speeds of 200 km/h. The building survived thanks to its structure, reminiscent of an airplane wing.

Later, a second artificial island was built next to the first, connected to it by a narrow isthmus.

Tsutenkaku Tower

Tsutenkaku Tower– a television tower built in 1957 on the site of the tower of the same name built in 1912, destroyed during World War II. The 1912 tower at the time of its construction seemed to the residents of Osaka to be an unusually tall structure and was a real shock to the people of those years. It was 64 meters high and was then the tallest building in the entire East! Tsutenkaku Tower has become the symbol of Osaka. Travelers often compared it to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The new tower, over 100 meters high, has become a popular landmark in Osaka. The observation deck, located at an altitude of 91 meters, offers a beautiful view of the city.

Tempozan Harbor Village

Tempozan Harbor Village- an entertainment complex in Osaka, centered around the Tempozan shopping center of the same name and the Kaiyukan Aquarium. Here is the world's second largest Ferris wheel, the Naniwa theme park dedicated to the national food of Japan, Mount Tempozan - the lowest mountain in the country, on which there is a cozy park with paths and benches, as well as an observatory, a wine museum, a bird sanctuary, a cinema with one of the largest IMAX screens in the world, a market, many different bars and restaurants.

Ferris wheel has a height of 112.5 meters. It was considered the highest in the world until the London Eye was built in England. From the top of the Ferris wheel you have a wonderful view of the city and other attractions in Osaka.

Kaiyukan Aquarium- one of the most famous and popular aquariums in Japan. This unique aquarium opened in 1990, is seven stories high and is home to more than 30,000 marine life, including great stingrays and sharks.

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan.

Founded in the 5th-6th centuries, it originally bore the name Naniva - “swift waves”. And in 1496, during the construction of the Ishiyama Honganji Monastery, the city received its current name - Osaka, which translates as “high slope”.

Today Osaka is the largest commercial and industrial center of the state. It is here that one of the most significant ports of the country is located, receiving ships from all over the world. Many Japanese corporations were founded in the city, including Daiwa, Sumitomo and Marubeni. The Osaka Kansai Airport, built on an artificial island, is called a miracle of the 21st century.

Osaka natives are considered the most energetic, cheerful and open people in Japan. It was thanks to their determination that Osaka, completely destroyed during World War II, was not only rebuilt, but also did not lose its significance and grandeur.

Climate and weather

Osaka is located in a humid subtropical climate zone.

Winter here is usually quite mild. The coldest month in Osaka is January, when the average temperature hovers around +6 °C. Snow falls extremely rarely.

Summers here are very hot and stuffy due to high humidity. In July and August, the air during the day can heat up to +35 °C, and the average night temperature at this time is around +25 °C.

The rainy season in Osaka lasts from May to July, with a lot of rainfall also in September.

The most favorable time to come to Osaka is spring and autumn, which are characterized by mild and warm weather.

Nature

The city is located on the eastern coast of Osaka Bay. The main territory of the city and the prefecture of the same name is located on a plain, surrounded from the north and east by low mountains. River Yodogawa cuts through the city with numerous canals.

And although Osaka is a modern industrial city, there are unique corners of nature that are harmoniously woven into the cityscape.

There is an unusual park called Namba, which represents unique "Hanging Gardens of Osaka". The park, which occupies 8 floors, is located in a 30-story complex Parks Tower. Everyone can visit it and relax among the fresh greenery, artificial waterfalls and ponds.

Another natural attraction of Osaka is the national park "Shanin Kaigan". Its territory is full of land and sea caves, sand dunes and magnificent beaches. The highest waterfall in the prefecture is also located here. Tottori.

Attractions

The Second World War destroyed almost all the historical architectural and religious sights of the city, but some of them were completely restored. So, to the east of the center of Osaka rises a castle Osaka-jo. Its main five-story tower rises 58 meters high, and the castle itself is surrounded by the largest park in the city.

There is a temple in the Minami-ku area Sumiyoshi, where, according to legend, the souls of dead sailors rest. The temple is decorated with a magnificent arched bridge.

Not far from here there is a reconstruction of the oldest Buddhist temple Shitennoji. Every year on April 22, a big festival takes place here, where court dances are demonstrated. "bugaku".

A striking example of modern architecture is a skyscraper "Umeda Sky Building"- a 40-story giant consisting of twin towers. You can climb to its 173-meter-high observation deck using a glass escalator.

Village by the harbor Tempozan- a huge amusement park famous for its Ferris wheel (the largest in the world!) and an aquarium "Kaiyukan". The 14-level aquarium, populated by Pacific fish and mammals, is one of Osaka's most striking attractions.

Opposite the bay, a little to the left of the underwater tunnel is located Cosmo Square, where you can visit the observatory, wine museum and bird sanctuary "Nanko".

Nutrition

They say that people in Osaka are happy and simple-minded because they eat good food. Indeed, this city is famous for its delicious food, be it traditional dishes or products from other countries.

You'll find all types of restaurants in Osaka, from upscale establishments to fast food joints. For example, on a shopping street Tenjinbashi-suji There are establishments specializing in noodles or sushi, as well as various cafeterias. In total, there are about 600 restaurants in this area.

The widest selection of restaurants is in the Kita and Minami areas. Additionally, a walk around any of the train stations will reveal a variety of restaurants with varied menus and prices.

Most restaurant prices include sales tax. It is not customary to leave a tip in Osaka. Generally only cash is accepted for payment.

Any visit to Osaka would be incomplete without trying the local delicacies. The most prominent representative of local cuisine is "tako-yaki"(octopus dumplings). Another local dish - "okonomi"- looks like a kind of pancake with cabbage, meat, seafood or other ingredients of your choice. Most popular restaurants okonomi-yaki — "Chibo" And "Fugetsu".

Accommodation

If we talk about the price of a hotel room in Osaka, its cost in economy class rarely exceeds $100 (you can find it for $50), but accommodation in higher-class hotels will cost at least $250 per day.

Cheapest places to stay — This Hotel Raizan Minamikan, J-Hoppers Osaka Guesthouse, Capsule Hotel Daitoyo, Guesthouse CaminoRo, Weekly Uehonmachi, Raizan Kitakan.

In Osaka you can find fairly inexpensive traditional hotels (ryokans), such as Kameya Ryokan.

And, of course, there are many luxury hotels that can satisfy the most demanding requirements. . For example, Hilton hotel Osaka, Imperial hotel Osaka, New Otani, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka.

Entertainment and relaxation

In Osaka you can simply plunge into a sea of ​​entertainment. Numerous clubs and bars in the Namba and Kita areas, mind-blowing attractions in the park Universal Studios Japan, a huge aquarium, planetarium and much more await you in this vibrant city.

You can stroll through the city's museums, many of which are unique. The most interesting of them are the Science Museum, the Ceramics Museum, the Naval Museum, the Art Museum and the Osaka History Museum. Each of them is curious. So, although the Osaka History Museum is located in an ordinary building, inside it the streets of the old city are recreated in real size.

One of Osaka's unique attractions is the theater. "Bunraku"(Japanese puppet theater). Performances there are usually held in November, January, April, June, August or July for three weeks. In addition, in this theater you can see theater performances "no", "kabuki" And "rakugo".

Osaka is a city of extraordinary excursions: treat yourself to a short history cruise along the river canals or an exciting all-terrain vehicle tour that will allow you to learn the most interesting things about the city and its traditions.

Numerous festivals and holidays will help you feel the real spirit of the city. Osaka's biggest festival is Tenjin, it is held annually on July 24-25. Fairy-tale boats float along the rivers, dressed-up townspeople parade through the streets, and the sky lights up with fireworks.

Purchases

Osaka has an incredible number of department stores, boutiques and all kinds of small shops. You can start your tour of the city's shopping streets from the first district of Tenjinbashi, where the 2.5-kilometer indoor shopping street Tenjinbashi-suji runs. All kinds of shops, laundries, massage and hairdressing salons, pharmacies, banks, post offices, and mini-markets are concentrated here.

Another long shopping district begins at the metro station "Shinsaibashi". There are two large department stores here - "Sogo" And "Daimaru", as well as about 180 small boutiques and restaurants. If you turn onto Suomati Street from the middle of the block, you will find yourself in the “American village”, where there are shops selling youth clothing and various accessories. There is a street not far from here "Europe"- an elegant, stone-paved area where boutiques of European designers have settled.

Osaka has a huge market "Kuromon", where you can find wholesale and retail stores, mainly selling food products.

West of it, on the streets Kaguton and Doguya, there are shops selling kitchen utensils and furniture. To the south of Sakai-Suji you will find Nihonbashi Denden Town, an electronics and electrical engineering district.

The Kita district is a kind of calling card of the city. There are four huge department stores here. The entire area is riddled with shopping arcades, both above and below ground.

One of the peculiarities of Osaka is that shops of the same specialization are usually concentrated in one place. For example, shops selling traditional dolls and fireworks have rallied along Matsuya-suji Street.

Transport

Osaka is served by two airports: Itami (local flights) and Kansai (international flights). The city itself has an excellent transport system. Osaka has several railway lines and 7 subway lines. In addition, the city has a developed network of trams and city buses; you can take a taxi at any time of the day.

During rush hour, Osaka's streets are heavily trafficked, so avoid using public transportation during this time.

Connection

You can call your loved ones from your hotel room. There are several ways to do this. Use Skype on your laptop. All hotels in Japan provide free WiFi. Also, almost all hotel rooms have landline telephones. The cost of calls depends on the time of day.

There are pay phones on the streets from which you can make calls even abroad. A distinctive feature of international slot machines is their bright green color.

Upon arrival in Japan, right at the airport you can rent a Japanese mobile phone and a SIM card for it. If your phone is not quite modern, then you will not be able to use it here: old phone models do not receive a signal 3G.

Safety

Crime rates in Osaka are low. As a rule, you can safely walk down the street even at night. However, the risk of crime increases in bars and nightclubs. When visiting such places, we recommend that you refrain from using a credit card. The police telephone number is 110.

Japan is a zone of high seismic activity, so you should learn the basic rules of behavior in extreme situations. Remember that if an earthquake hits you indoors, you will need to hide under a table or in the bathroom. Each hotel has maps indicating emergency exits.

In connection with the accident in Fukushima, information about the state of background radiation is constantly updated. In any case, you should not eat foods from areas affected by radiation.

You can call an ambulance by calling 119.

Business climate

The International Business Assistance Center was established in Osaka (IBPC Osaka Network Center). This center is a subsidiary of the city government, created to promote trade, industry and business between Osaka and various parts of the world. This structure works in close cooperation with the city’s business communities and serves as a kind of bridge for new business entities.

In addition, there is an Investment Promotion Center in Osaka (IBPC Osaka Investment Promotion Center), where you can get information about the conditions for entering the market, potential business partners, etc. Detailed information about these centers is available on the city’s official website.

The main exhibitions are held at the international exhibition complex INTEX OSAKA.

Real estate

Demand for real estate in Osaka, one of the most prestigious cities in Japan, is always high. Housing costs are also trending upward. Firstly, because due to the small territories, land in Japan is very expensive. Secondly, because this country uses the latest technologies in construction, which make buildings the most durable and reliable.

Many people prefer long-term rental housing. So. renting a class A apartment in Osaka will cost you an average of $2,500 per month. As for the purchase, a square meter of housing costs about $5000-7000.

To better navigate the city, you need to remember that in Osaka streets running from north to south are called "suji", from east to west - "toori". Toori and Suji cross paths with each other.

Try to spend the first half of the day shopping, since in the late afternoon the number of visitors to shopping centers increases significantly.

When planning excursions around the city, keep in mind that queues here are quite common.

Hotel and restaurant service charges are included in the total bill. It is not customary here to leave remuneration on top of the invoice.

Agree with the taxi driver about the cost of the trip in advance, even if the car has a meter.

General information

Business and pleasure are closely linked in Osaka, and have been for hundreds of years. Business reputation is a reflection of the city's history as a trading capital and major commercial center. When, after the unification of the country in 1583, Hideyoshi built his main castle in the center of Osaka, it seemed that its prosperity was guaranteed. With a free-spirited entrepreneurial class eager to spend their newfound wealth, Osaka quickly emerged as the nation's undisputed center for entertainment and theater. Despite the recession of the 1990s, a consequence of the bursting of the Japanese economic bubble, anyone strolling through the famous nightlife districts of central Osaka will quickly discover that the city's residents still love to eat, drink and be merry. Their adherence to the cult of food is defined by the term kuidare (depending on interpretation means “eat until you drop” or “eat until you go broke”). Osaka may not win the competition for the most beautiful cities, but it does have a lot to offer, including several interesting museums, a remarkable aquarium, and what may be the world's largest underground shopping complex.

The best means of transportation around the city is the metro. Taxis are expensive and move at the pace of busy traffic, and information about bus routes that are indifferent to the needs of tourists is almost all in Japanese. Metro day pass (purchased at any ticket machine) will cost less than four tickets within the central zone (about £12). Tourism information provision in Osaka is one of the best of any city in Japan. Information offices are scattered throughout the city, with the central one located at the Umeda train station. The best place to start exploring Osaka is in the bustling Umeda district, where in addition to the train station there are three metro stations and two private train stations. The most famous department stores outside Tokyo are also located here and there are giant buildings of the Hankyu and Hanshin companies, whose private railways connect Osaka with Kyoto and Kobe. The Osaka Tourist Information Center is located just outside the main entrance to Hankyu Station. Umeda is located on the northern edge of the city's business and entertainment district, simply called Kita. (North), and represents the quintessence of modern Osaka.

During rush hour, Umeda's crowded subway platforms are as crowded as the Tokyo subway. No less impressive are the crowds of people near Umeda, in a gigantic cluster of shops, bars and inexpensive stylish restaurants, the number of which is amazing. The base of every major building within a one-mile radius is connected to some kind of modern shopping labyrinth. In fact, several shopping centers are located underground, connecting one to another, thereby maximizing the turnover of customers and cash. If you want to explore underground attractions, start at White Umeda under the Hankyu and Hanshin buildings and head towards Herbis Plaza, but be aware that it won't be long before you see the light of day.

The cure for a long stay underground is to climb the 40-story Umeda Sky Building. The futuristic structure, unusual in appearance, consists of two glass and steel towers connected to each other at the very top. There, visitors to the “Floating Observatory” can see a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area.

Shopping arcades are a characteristic feature of any Japanese city and town. Not surprisingly, in Osaka they are the most impressive and may seem excessive to some. You might enjoy spending hours wandering around the Hankyu Hidashi-dori arcade near Hankyu Station, which is not as fancy but no less interesting than the more famous Shinsaibashi arcade. In the south of Kita, opposite the American consulate, lies Kita Shinchi - the main entertainment and gastronomic quarter of Osaka with its center on Shinchi Hondori Street. This is a great place for people watching, although only those with a hefty holiday budget will be able to eat here.

Near Kyobashi Station there is the Fujita Art Museum with an excellent collection of Chinese and Japanese paintings dating back to the 11th century. If you're a fan of the tea ceremony, check out the magnificent collection of 14th-century objects, including ceramic teacups, teapots and teapots, as well as bamboo spoons, whisks and flower vases. You can also admire ceramics at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics (Tue-Sun 9.30-17.00; www.moco.or.jp), surrounded by a garden at the tip of Nakanoshima - the “central island” in the middle of a wide river flowing through the center of Osaka. Here you can see excellent examples of the work of Korean and Chinese masters, whose influence largely shaped the unique style of Japanese ceramics. This is one of the best collections of its kind in the world with more than a thousand exhibits. Nakanoshima is home to most of Osaka's municipal buildings, including the elegant 1918 European-style City Hall, one of the few red brick buildings in Japan.

From here you will have a wonderful view of Osaka Castle (daily 9.00-18.00, August 9.00-19.00; www.osaka.castle.net), beautifully illuminated in the evenings. Wanting to celebrate the unification of Japan after more than a hundred years of civil war, Hideyoshi turned his castle into the greatest fortress in the country, and then in 1615, after the deprivation of power of Hideyoshi's heir, the Tokugawa considered it their duty to destroy the castle. They later restored it to enhance their own prestige, but burned it again in a fit of irritation when their shogunate was abolished in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration. Today's concrete reconstruction reproduces only the majestic five-tiered tower, 42 m high, surrounded by moats and ivy-covered walls. The castle houses an interesting but depressingly modern museum exhibiting armor, weapons, costumes and historical documents. There is also a fascinating collection of bunraku dolls, providing a rare opportunity to see them up close.

The greenery of the magnificent Midosuji Boulevard, lined with sycamores and ginkgo trees, provides a respite from the ever-present asphalt. This highway extended south from Umeda to Kita's southern neighbor, Minami. On one side of the boulevard lies America-mura ("American Village") A favorite hangout for stylish urban youth, it gets its name from the large number of stores selling highly sought-after second-hand clothing from the United States.

One block east of Midosuji is the famous Shinsaibashi arcade, a shopping mecca second only to Tokyo's Ginza and Shinjuku. If you only have time for a single evening stroll in Osaka, go here. Although the arcade starts 1.6 km north, start your walk from Shinsaibashi Station Exit 6 on the Midosuji Subway Line, located between Sogo and Daimaru department stores, and turn right to head south. Every evening this area bustles with nightclubs, girly bars and private drinking clubs that are popular with businessmen. By the way, many of the bars are strangely called “snack bars”, and tourists should be vigilant! These exotic establishments offer a glass of beer for £20, and in general the prices are aimed at single middle and senior managers with a hefty account, wanting to feel at home away from home. The area is home to fashionable youth looking for fun, as well as a growing colony of young foreign residents lured by the cheapness of the yen. On Sunday afternoons and evenings there is real pandemonium. An evening stroll along the side streets will allow you to plunge into the heady atmosphere of pleasure and commerce that has permeated this part of Osaka for centuries.

At the far southern end is the small Ebisu Bridge, better known as Hikkake-bashi, or "Dating Bridge", a popular meeting place for the city's hippest youth. Before you climb the bridge, on the left you will see an arch marking the beginning of Soemon-cho, a colorful street of nightlife restaurants and clubs, a kind of answer to Minamachi Kita-Shinchi near Umeda. Pay attention to the ultra-modern black and chrome beer hall “Kirin Plaza” located next to the arch.

Stop at the bridge to soak in the sights and sounds of people, the glow of neon and the sight of the Dotomburi River beneath your feet. Hundreds of years ago, during Osaka's heyday as the capital of theater and entertainment, stage stars would sail by boat to the river-facing back entrances of the many theaters along Dotomburi Street just to the south. Enthusiastic admirers gathered on the old bridge that stood at the same place to look at their idols, who arrived in luxuriously decorated medieval analogues of modern limousines.

After the bridge, turning left, you will find yourself on Dotomburi, which in the evenings turns into the main irritant of the senses in Osaka. A host of strange creatures fill the building facades and frame this open-air mall: giant monsters crawl down the walls of restaurants, cinemas, theaters, gaming centers and sensual noodle bars. No photographer is able to convey the energy of this strange and unforgettable combination of everything.

At the other end of Dotom Buri lies the territory of Nipponbashi with Den Den Town, a half-hearted attempt to give a fitting answer to Tokyo's Akihabara electronics district. Nipponbashi is also known as a nationwide center for bunraku, Japan's vibrant traditional puppet theater. Although various forms of puppet theater have been known since the 11th century, the expressive and elaborately costumed style of bunraku emerged by the 17th century. flourished equally in Osaka and Kyoto. Although its popularity declined during the Meiji period, it has been rediscovered in modern times, perhaps best demonstrated by the significant investment in the National Bunraku Theater in Nipponbashi. Bunraku is an extremely dramatic Japanese performance art that is well worth experiencing, even if only for an hour or so in the midst of a tense sightseeing chase. Although all dialogue and narration are conducted in Japanese, simultaneous translation devices or programs in English are always at your service.

The Shin-Kabuki-za Theater operating in the neighboring Namba district (at the end of Midosuji Boulevard) gives performances only three weeks a year. However, other traditional forms of drama are widely represented, such as kyogen farces and manzai two-act comedies. Every spring, Osaka International Drama and Music Festival events take place at both the theater and the Festival Hall on Nakanoshima Island. Even if you don't get inside the latter, the architecture of the building itself is very impressive and worth seeing.

Try to find Doguya-suji between the Nipponbashi and Namba areas (Kitchen Street)- a narrow street of restaurant equipment suppliers. Here you can buy replicas of dishes that you see in restaurant windows as souvenirs, as well as Japanese-style plates, bowls, glasses, sake sets, lacquerware, giant paper lanterns and a million other things that you never expected to see on sale.

South of Namba, between Ebisucho and Tennoji stations, stands the Tsutenkaku Tower - a rather pathetic imitation of the Eiffel Tower. (and, perhaps, the only structure that allows the tower in Kyoto to look impressive). The 90-meter height of the observation deck offers a panoramic view, but it is hardly worth the climb to the top. Located nearby, next to Tennoji Station, is the Osaka City Art Museum. (Tue-Sun 9.30-17.00; www.osaka-art-museum.jp) deserves a visit thanks to Abe's famous collection of 200 Chinese paintings from the 9th to 13th centuries. and ceramics of the Ming and Qing dynasties of the XIV-XIX centuries. Keitakuen Garden is worth a visit (Tue-Sun 9.30-17.00) as part of Tennoji Park, a vast green space with a huge greenhouse. A traditional Japanese garden with a pond in the center, Keitakuen is a gift from the wealthy owner of a trading company, one Baron Sumitomo. The presence of a large permanent homeless camp around the park does not add beauty to the area, but it is quite safe there.

Nearby is Osaka's most famous temple, Shitennoji, founded in 593 by the revered reformer-lawmaker Prince Shotoku. Unfortunately, the buildings of this large temple complex are made of concrete copies of the originals, destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. Moreover, the massive stone torii gate, built in 1294, is the oldest in Japan. Shitennoji hosts Osaka's largest temple market on the 21st of every month, selling antiques, second-hand clothes and sundries. To the south is the Sumiyoshi Taisa Shrine, dedicated to the god of peace, song and navigation. The sanctuary's large, beautiful arched bridge is just one of its attractions, visited by 3 million devotees every year on the first three days of the New Year. Although the sanctuary is believed to have been founded in the 3rd century, the existing buildings are relatively recent constructions.

Located in the western part of the city, the port offers two ideal types of recreation for the whole family. In the bowels of the futuristic Kayukan aquarium (daily 9.30-20.00; www.kaiyukan.com) is home to one of the world's largest reservoirs with a stunning collection of sharks and other large deep-sea fish. It is surrounded by other containers in a downward spiral, introducing the inhabitants of the waters of the seismic zone of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The aquarium is part of an extensive complex of quaint shops and restaurants. This entire area is a great place for an afternoon break from other city attractions.

This once deserted part of the city has produced two interesting additions to the city's cultural and entertainment palette. The thought-provoking Osaka Human Rights Museum (Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00; www.liberty.or.jp)- a surprising phenomenon in a country that is often accused of refusing to discuss a number of pressing historical and social issues. Something completely different - the Universal Studios Japan amusement park (daily, hours vary; www.usj.co.jp/e/) with attractions familiar to those who visited the original theme park, including simulators based on Jaws, E.T. and Jurassic Park.

The nearby Maishima incineration plant may seem like an odd proposition for tourists, but the building, designed by Austrian artist and architect Friedrich Hundertwasser, is worth a look. The high-tech production is located in a surreal castle with turrets, terraced gardens and ceramic columns.