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| Image by jiquem |
Osaka is divided into two main areas Kita (North) and Minami (South). Kita is the city’s main business and administrative center and contains the JR Osaka Train Station. Minami is the city’s entertainment and shopping area. It contains entertainment and nightlife areas such as Namba and Shinsaibashi.
Osaka’s great location makes it a fantastic base to explore famous places like Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, which are all located close by.
The highlights of Osaka include:
Osaka-jo Castle – the city’s most popular tourist attraction and a recreation of a 17th century castle. It is easily located in the center of the city, and is one of the best places in Osaka to do hanami (cherry blossom viewing) during spring.
Osaka Aquarium - also known as Kaiyukan, it is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Its theme is the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Umeda Sky Building – the city’s most iconic building and a dramatic piece of modern architecture, it features a rooftop observatory (The Floating Garden Observatory).
Dontobori – the liveliest area of Osaka packed with restaurants and amazing night-life. Take a step into Blade Runner nightscapes and neon lights.
Shinsaibashi Shopping - Shinsaibashi Shopping Center is the largest shopping area in Osaka which extends up to 580 meters in a north-south direction and approximately 180 stores including old-established shops, department stores, and those selling major brand products.
Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine - one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dedicated to the Shinto deities associated with the sea and sea travel.
Shitennoji Temple - the first Buddhist temple constructed in Japan and founded in 593.
Universal Studio Japan – also known as USJ, is one of four Universal Studios theme parks in the world and modelled on the Universal Orlando resort. The park contains nine different themed areas.
Okonomiyaki & Takoyaki – two must try local delicacies in Osaka are Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) which is also known as "Osaka Soul Food" and Takoyaki (octopus balls) both are famous and popular street food originating in Osaka.
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| Osaka HDR night scene by chriscolumbres |
Osaka is fun!
ReplyDeleteIt's lively and plenty of good food around. ^^
Thanks Lina, Yeah Osaka is one of the best places to visit and is great for food and shopping :) Have you visited most of the places I recommended?
DeleteExcept USJ. ^^
DeleteThat's a pretty good effort Lina! You are the seasoned traveler. Any plans to see USJ? I'm sure your son would love it :)
DeleteGood, informative post here. Shared it all around but, can't find that G +1 thingy to push for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike, I've been wanting to post more about Osaka for a long time! Thanks for sharing the post and that G+ thingy should be around here somewhere :) Cheers
DeleteHi J-A, Gotta agree, there's plenty to do in Osaka, both traditional and modern. The city circle line makes it pretty easy to explore Osaka by train, but we did lots of exploring on foot. So many sights and sounds. We found plenty of interesting and colourful characters hanging around Osaka Castle on the weekends. Okonomiyaki is a family favourite around here, and I cook it all the time (although I must admit our best all time family Okonomiyaki experience was had on Miyajima Island).
ReplyDeleteHi rObfOs, Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, the train lines in most Japanese cities are amazing making it easy to explore. Osaka Castle and the park are great places to hang around on the weekends as there is always something happening. I love all the different regional versions of Okonomiyaki and Hiroshima does one of my favourites :)
DeleteI've never lived in Osaka, but I've taught students from the city who've moved to Tokyo. I promise, word of honour as pedagogue, Osaka students are more fun to teach. Delightful, wicked sense of humour. ^^
ReplyDeleteOh I agree!
DeleteMy hubby used to say, if we are to move to Japan, we fit just fine in Osaka. They are not as strait-laced as those in Tokyo. ;)
Thanks Lina, I would also have to agree from my personal experience as well :)
DeleteThanks Rurousha, I have to agree with you on that. I don't think it is a coincidence that most of the famous comedians and popular TV stars come from Osaka. They are known for their fun sense of humour and relaxed personalities :)
ReplyDeleteOsaka looks great. I haven't been there yet. Maybe on my next trip to Japan.....
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, Yeah it is a great city to visit in Japan with lots to do and see with great fun loving people and amazing food :)
DeleteII heard that Osaka is so wonderful. I wanna stay a year in Tokyo to study Japanese and then go live in Osake for a year to keep studying Japanese befor travelling a full year by walking all around Japan
ReplyDeleteThanks Tunimaal, It is a wonderful city and a great place to live and work. It is also great for travel being located in an area that is so close to other great places like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, etc. Good luck with your Japan Adventure and I'd love to follow your journey of walking around Japan.
ReplyDeleteOsaka is really nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really a good city for sightseeing, there's not really much, your post sums it up pretty well.
For shopping and nightlife it's great, though.
I love Kansai, that's why I moved here, but among all the cities and places to be, Osaka is my least favorite! ^-^;
I prefer Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and Himeji a lot more!
Thanks Zooming Japan, It has to be one of my favourite spots for shopping, eating and the nightlife. There are some really cool sights there, just not as many temples and shrines as say Kyoto or Nara. Surprisingly at the moment Osaka is neck and neck with Tokyo as my readers favourite destination in Japan. Both are leaving places like Kyoto and Nara well behind in their tracks. Stay posted.
DeleteJohn