Osaka

THE CITY OF OSAKA

Osaka has a population of 2.5 million inhabitants and is Japan's third largest and second most important city. It is located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. Japan’s capital city Tokyo may be politically and financially more important, and Kyoto may be the city of ancient tradition, but Osaka is the nation's honest heartbeat. Osaka has also traditionally been referred to as the "nation's kitchen", or the mecca of gourmet food.

Osaka (including the Kansai Region) is the country's spiritual heartland and also one of the earliest capitals of the country. Osaka used to be called “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.

In the 1500’s Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose the city of Osaka as the location to build his castle. The city might thus 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).

Osaka city officials decided to do something about the rather pale and sloppy image of the city in the 1990’s. Since then the skyline of Osaka has changed (and risen) dramatically, and so has the city’s profile. Stylish high-rise apartment and office buildings are no longer an oddity (particularly in Umeda, Osaka's north-central district). The architectural renaissance is bolstering Osaka's role as one of the world's most energetic cities.

THE PORT OF OSAKA

In the Port of Osaka, there is no real cruise ship terminal. Cruise ships can dock at two different piers, Tempozan or SeaSideCosmo, both of which are located in Nanko port district to the west of downtown. These terminals can be reached quite easily from the city via Osakako Station on the subway Chuo line, and Cosmo Square Station on the Nanko Port Town line, respectively. At Tempozan the visitors can see one of the world's largest Ferris wheels. The Suntory Museum and IMAX cinema, Tempozan Marketplace and Osaka Aquarium are also nearby.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN OSAKA

The most important historic areas of Osaka—the castle and the shrines—are modern reconstructions after the devastations of World War II. The city, however, has made a and important long contribution to Japanese arts and culture : important Japanese cultural symbols such as the tea ceremony, flower arrangement (ikebana) and the performing arts of Bunraku, Kabuki and Noh all have their roots in Osaka

Some highlights of the city of Osaka are:

Osaka Castle is Osaka's best known sight, although it's a concrete reconstruction. It is rather a museum built in the shape of a castle, than an actual historical castle.

One of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines is Sumiyoshi Shrine. Its history goes back some 1800 years and has a traditional style of architecture that is unusual amongst Japan's shrines. The area around the shrine looks like a park which gives the surroundings a peaceful atmosphere compared to the rest of busy Osaka.

The Shitennōji Temple was originally built by order of Emperor Suiko in 593 AD. Although the current buildings are mostly post WWII reconstructions, the temple is a rare sample which conveys the continental style

The Osaka Museum of History offers a great insight into Osaka's history as well as a wonderful view over Osaka Castle and the OBP skyscrapers.

The Tsūtenkaku Tower. The original version of this tower was built early 20th century. The current "newer" version is designed by the same Prof. Naitō, who also designed Tokyo Tower. The Tsutenkaku Tower is a symbol of reconstruction of the City of Osaka post WWII.

Open Air Museum of Old Farmhouses. Ryokuchi Park itself is lovely, but one area is a museum of a dozen old Edo period farmhouses, moved across country and lovingly reconstructed. Also on display are tools, furniture, and the like.