Osaka

Originally called Naniwa, it has been the gateway for goods from Korea and China since the 6th century, which is why it is mainly a mercantile city.

At the end of the 16th century, it gained prominence when Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan after years of civil war, chose Osaka to build his Castle.

During the EDO period (1603-1868) Osaka served as Japan's largest rice distribution center, thus earning it the nickname "Kitchen of Japan".

After the war, which levelled nearly a third of the city and killed more than 10,000 people, Osaka prospered to become one of Japan's major industrial center.

What to do in Osaka

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan.

Considered the cuisine of Japan, it is in Osaka that you can try the best delicacies. They have an unofficial slogan which is Kuidaore (eat until you burst)

Osaka is not a beautiful city in architectural terms, but the people of Osaka have a spirit of humor and emotions that makes them be seen as the Latinos of Japan.

It is the comedy and blues capital of Japan.

Osaka points of interest

In Osaka the points of interest are diversified. They range from the food, with the local specialties okonomiyaki and Kushikatsu (Yakitori breaded and served with a sauce), to Osaka Castle, also known as Osaka Jô. Osaka Jô was built in 1583 by 100,000 workers by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The current structure dates back to 1931 and conservation works were carried out in 1997. It has a magnificent view, especially on the eighth floor where you have a 360º view. Filled with artwork, armour and everyday artefacts from Hideyoshi and Osaka.

It is surrounded by Osaka Jô Koên, i.e. the gardens surrounding Osaka Castle.

Other tourist attractions in Osaka are, for example:

1. Kuroman Ichiba Market - a 600 meter long market, an Osaka landmark for over a century.
2. Shitennō-ji - A Buddhist temple considered to be the first and oldest officially administered Buddhist temple in Japan.
3. Shinsekai - A century ago, Shin-Sekai (New World) was the site of an amusement park. Nowadays it's a cool retro shop around the Tsûten-kaku tower.
4. Hôzen-ji - This small temple hidden in an alley has the statue of Fudô Myô-ô covered in moss. It is a favorite of night workers who stop to throw water over it.
5. Dotombori - It is the center of nightlife and the center of Minami (southern part of Osaka). Its name comes from its Dôtombori-gawa canal, which is over 400 years old. Don't miss the famous Glico running man, which is the meeting point for many people. The best views are from the Ebisu-bashi bridge.
6. Amerika Mura - It owes its name to the many stores that were formed after the second world war that sold American material, such as Zippers and T-shirts. Now it is a neighborhood where there are young and offbeat stores. In its center there is a cement park with benches in the shape of a triangle where you can admire local people and tourists. Nearby are paintings, such as Seitaro Kuroda's Peace on Earth Mural, and even a small statue of liberty.
7. Umeda sky building - Constructed by the same architect who designed Kyoto Station, Hara Hiroshi, this modern “Triumphal Arch” has a suspended garden joining the two towers that has panoramic views over Osaka.
8. Sumiyoshi Taisha - one of the oldest Shinto temples in Japan, founded in the 3rd century, before the arrival of Buddhism in Japan.
9. Osaka Tenmangu - a Shinto shrine, also known as Tenjin-san by the locals, is home to one of the 3 most important festivals in all of Japan, the Tenjin Festival.

There are even more tourist attractions in Osaka, such as the most recently UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mozu-Furuichi Tombs, which includes the keyhole-shaped mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku, called the Daisen Kofun. It is one of the 3 largest graves in the world. Osaka is the right place to have fun and enjoy all the existing culture and cuisine, so different from other Japanese cities.

Know more about other cities in Honshu: