Osaka city, Japan: attractions, recreation. Open left menu Osaka Osaka interesting facts

Osaka is considered. It is the center of the prefecture of the same name. This is a large metropolis with developed infrastructure, skyscrapers, television corporations, etc. Here you can fully feel the national spirit, its character, and the local people are more friendly and sincere than in the capital of the country.

general information

Very often, tourists planning to visit the Land of the Rising Sun are interested in where Osaka is located. The settlement is located in the south of the island of Honshu on the coast of the bay of the same name, near the Yodo River. It ranks 3rd in size and has an area of ​​223 sq. km.

The city is located on an alluvial plain and two plateaus. The highest point is Tsurumi (37.5 m), the lowest is Yamatoda (2.21 m). In the 6th century, the first capital of the state was located on this site, and the area was called Naniva.

It was the country's largest international port. In the Middle Ages, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Monastery, which was the center of the Dedo-Shinshu sect, was located here. People engaged in trade settled around the temple.

Today the population in Osaka is more than 2.5 million people, and the density is 11,836 per square meter. km. Recently, this figure has been decreasing due to people moving to the suburbs. It is home to the largest Korean community in Japan.

This is a large industrial center of the country, where trade is still considered the main activity, and agriculture, tourism and the service sector are also developed. The Osaka metropolitan area consists of 24 districts (ku): Abeno-ku, Chuo-ku, Nishi-ku, Miyakojima-ku, etc.

The city has 2 football clubs: Cerezo Osaka and Gamba Osaka. These are one of the most successful teams not only in the country, but throughout Asia.

Weather in the locality

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate, which belongs to the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The average annual temperature is +17°C. Summers here are hot and winters are quite warm. In August, the mercury stays at +34°C, and in January it does not drop below +5°C.

The average annual precipitation is 1279 mm, most often it rains in June (185 mm), and in December there is practically no rain (44 mm). The city is dominated by northeast and west winds with an average speed of 2.6 m/s. It often brings smoke and smog from the industrial areas of the island.

What can you see in Osaka?

The city is not the most beautiful in the country, but at the same time it has a lot of interesting and educational places, for example, one of the largest underground shopping complexes on the planet is located here. The most popular attractions in Osaka, Japan are:

Popular entertainment among tourists is visiting theaters and museums in Osaka:

Osaka often hosts international exhibitions, and in 2017 it will host Beautyworld Japan West (in September) and Food-Tech (in October).

The suburbs and waterfront of Osaka in Japan are amazingly beautiful, and photos taken in the city are simply stunning.

Where to live?

The village has a huge selection of all kinds of hotels, hostels, apartments or holiday homes. The most expensive ones in Osaka, Japan are:

1. Swissotel Nankai Osaka is a five-star hotel with comfortable rooms, a spa, sauna and fitness center. The restaurant serves international cuisine.
2. St. Regis Osaka – Contemporary apartments feature a coffee machine and a bathroom with rain shower and spa bath. The staff speaks 7 languages.
3. The Ritz-Carlton Osaka – The property features a wellness center, bridal suites and luggage storage. Services for people with disabilities are provided.

Budget but popular hotels are:

• 3bedroom Central Osaka;
• Picnic Hostel Osaka;
• Guest House Neko Neko.

Internet, bicycle rental and a shared kitchen are provided here. The staff speaks 3 languages ​​and the rooms are clean and comfortable.

Where to eat?

Local residents love to eat tasty and satisfying food, so catering establishments are open on almost every corner. The most popular of them are:

• Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku M, Hozenji Yokocho - BBQ steakhouse;
• Hokkyokusei Shinsaibashi Honten – the restaurant serves international dishes;
• Kuma Kafe – Australian cafe, suitable for vegetarians;
• Mizuno - they cook here;
• Kanidouraku Dotombori-Honten – Asian cuisine based on seafood, specializing in sushi.

All establishments feature friendly staff, fast service and delicious food.

City shops

You can combine a trip to Osaka with shopping. Shopping centers, boutiques and department stores are located here both underground (White Yumed, Herbies Plaza) and on the top floors of skyscrapers (Daimaru, Sogo). In the city you will buy clothes from world brands without fear of counterfeits.

Osaka has American, European and Asian clothing districts. Kuromon Market offers retail and wholesale food stores.

Transport

The most convenient means of transportation around the city is the metro. It serves 912 million people a year and is considered the largest on the planet.

Also popular are trains and buses. The city of Osaka has an international airport that receives most of the cargo and passenger flights. The second air harbor serves mainly domestic aircraft.

As you can see on the world map, Osaka borders the city of Itami, the distance is only 25 km. You can get from one settlement to another along the Meishin and Hanshin roads or No. 11.

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.

When going to Osaka, the huge Japanese metropolis in the southern part of Honshu, you should think carefully about what places you want to visit. There are truly a myriad of attractions here; the main thing is to plan your visit so as to spend a minimum of time on the road, and not rush from one end of the city to the other. Osaka is called the Japanese Venice, because on its territory there are many rivers, streams, canals, as well as bridges of completely different styles.

Ancient temples have been preserved here; they coexist with modern skyscrapers and amusement parks. Osaka is also considered the culinary center of Japan, so a considerable part of your time should definitely be devoted to getting to know national delicacies, street and restaurant food.

The museum in Osaka is not located in an ancient crumbling building, but in an ultra-modern one. Architect Cesar Pelli designed the building in such a way that only one third of the museum is above the ground, the rest is underground. Thanks to this solution, space is saved, which is not so much in Japan.

The part of the museum located above the ground looks like reed branches swaying in the wind; it was this image that inspired the architect. Only he chose a material stronger than reed - the base of the structure consists of metal. Like many museums around the world, it is closed every Monday. Here you can find works of art of the 20th century: works by Picasso, Cezanne, Calder, Etsuhiro, Kandinsky - the collection is quite rich. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions, and sometimes you can even visit the museum for free.

Location: Kita Ward, Nakanoshima, 4 - 2 - 55.

You can get acquainted with the ancient theatrical puppetry of Japan at the Bunraku Theater. The building consists of five floors, on which there is a performance area, a museum, a restaurant, and rooms for actors. Performances at the Bunraku Theater are not given all year round: the actors devote part of their time to touring around the world. Therefore, before visiting, you should find out in advance whether you will be able to watch the show.

Bunraku dolls look almost like people, only a little smaller. Colorful outfits, the sound of drums, and professional scoring make the spectacle of the Bunraku Theater unforgettable.

Location: Chuo Ward, Nipponbashi, 12 - 10.

The theme park is a must-see for tourists with children. The main theme of the park is films and cartoons from Universal Studios. Here you can temporarily find yourself in the world of Hogwarts, Shrek, chat with the Terminator actor and Spider-Man. The main feature of this park is interactivity.

Visitors, even the smallest ones, do not walk around it like a museum, but participate in what is happening, immersing themselves in the atmosphere of their favorite cartoons. Of course, the park is always full of visitors, but here you can easily spend the whole day with your child without thinking about what to do with him: everything has already been thought of and it’s done very well.

Location: Konohana-ku, 2-1-33 Sakurajima.

For parents with children, this place is also a must-visit. This is one of the best aquariums in the whole world; you can spend at least two hours here unnoticed. You shouldn't visit this place on Sunday: there are a lot of people. The oceanarium is located close to the metro station and consists of eight floors.

Here, as the Japanese love, everything is thought out and clearly planned; the engineering solution of the structure is simply amazing. A diverse collection of marine life has been collected: stingrays, sharks, seals and penguins, jellyfish and, of course, many species of fish. Animals live here the same way as in the sea: below are bottom dwellers, above are species living on the surface. You can even pet some individuals in the outdoor pools. In general, nature and sea lovers should visit this place to get an experience that will last a lifetime.

Location: Minato Ward, Kaigandori 1-1-10.

Umeda skyscrapers by Hiroshi Hara are an example of modern architecture that looks incredibly impressive. Already at the foot, you see two towers of 40 floors each, connected at the top by a “floating garden”.

From a great height there is a beautiful view of the entire city; it is beautiful here at any time of the day. During the day, at an altitude of almost 200 meters, you can find yourself between the clouds, at night you can admire the starry sky directly above your head, and at sunset you can feel the romantic touch of the rays of the setting sun.

Location: Osaka, Kita Ward, Oyodonaka, 1 - 88.

The seven-story bathhouse complex was created for healing and cleansing; people can stay here at the same time. up to 5000 visitors. The wellness center will definitely interest women; there are areas with different types of traditional baths and saunas, massage therapists, swimming pools and even a water park.

A characteristic feature of the health center is gender separation: men and women visit saunas and steam baths separately from each other.

Location: Naniwa Ward, Ebisuhigashi, 3 − 4 − 24.

Curiosity and the desire to conduct some kind of scientific experiment can be satisfied in a science museum. It is located next to the art museum, so it is advisable to plan a visit to both on the same day. Tickets are inexpensive, there is a lot of interactivity, but everything is in Japanese.

This museum has a planetarium, one of the largest in the world. Each floor is dedicated to a different theme: electricity, optical illusions, the Universe, light, sound, water and air. Performances are held here, and visitors have the opportunity to touch almost anything and look through a telescope. It will be interesting for both children and adults.

Location: Kita Ward, Nakanoshima, 4 - 2 - 1.

A very unusual complex was created in 1993. The author is the famous Italian architect, artist, design genius Gaetano Pesce. The red building is visible from afar; on its walls there are flowers, trees and other plants in pots with automatic watering.

In appearance, this “organic building” could be confused with a nine-story flower pot rack. The building was built to draw attention to the fact that in the modern world with poor ecology it is important to artificially create and maintain corners of wildlife.

Location: Minamisemba 4-7-21.

This temple is one of the most ancient shrines of Japanese Shintoism. The best time to visit this place is in May, during the Ishibutai celebration, when the temple is filled with traditional music and Bugaku dances.

Here is the beautiful illuminated Sorihashi Bridge, from which you can take great pictures and simply admire the sacred places of Japan. On June 14, you can watch the rice planting festival, also accompanied by songs and dances.

Location: Sumiyoshi Ward, Sumiyoshi, 2 - 9 - 89.

This unusual park is dedicated to chess, go, checkers, backgammon, it looks very elegant, there is a place to take pictures. Tellingly, it was created in just 9 days, becoming a favorite place not only for tourists, but also for many Osaka residents. Only environmentally friendly materials were used to create the park and all the figures.

The unusual instant noodle museum offers a lot of fun entertainment: create your own brand of ramen, study the history of noodles, come up with a packaging design for your product, and climb the noodle grid in the “Noodle Park.” As a souvenir, of course, you can buy noodles for the year ahead.

Location: 8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi.

kingdom of crabs

Japan is famous for its delicacies, here you can taste delicious dishes at every turn, even street food is much fresher and better quality than anywhere else.

One of the restaurants specializes in crabs; even at the entrance people are greeted by a huge moving crab. This restaurant seems to know every existing way to cook crab. It offers a huge selection of crab meat dishes, you can learn how to eat a whole crab, it is surrounded by top-level service, but the prices are appropriate.

An interesting attraction in Osaka is the Zuboraya restaurant. Here they serve dishes from the most dangerous fish in the world - fugu. The atmosphere is very ascetic, but the main thing here is the menu. Where else can you take a chance and try the poisonous puffer fish, if not in its homeland?

Location: Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 - 6 - 10.

Entertainment center for children under 10 years old. The main message of this place is to help children not only have fun, but also learn something about the world around them. You can visit at any time of the year, children can play different professions, feel like a scientist, and communicate with other children from all over the world. Even despite the language barrier, children will have fun here.

Location: Kita Ward, Ogimachi, 2 - 1 -7.

Gamers will love the Video Game Bar Space Station, which offers affordable drinks, free admission and a large collection of video games. Despite the small area, this place attracts tourists with a delightful selection of games and consoles, and the owner of the establishment often greets guests himself.

Even the restroom in this bar is decorated according to the theme. People from all over the world play, there are no drunken fights or noise, you can devote a few hours of your stay in Osaka to nostalgia for old game consoles and classic games.

Location: Nishishinsaibashi, 13 - 3.

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 rivers Kanzaki, Tenma, Neya, Dojima, Tosa-Horikawa, Aji, Sirinashi, Kizu. 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.

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 even 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

It is said 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 room in Osaka hotels, then 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 here 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 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. In 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.