Osaka city, Japan: attractions, recreation. Famous sights of Osaka: photos and description Osaka city in Japan attractions

The huge castle in Osaka (its area is 1 square kilometer) is one of the most significant historical monuments in the country.

The commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi founded the castle in 1597 on the site of an old temple. It was built based on the architecture of Azuchi Castle, the headquarters of Oda Nobunaga. The castle in Osaka was planned to be just as impregnable, but larger in all respects. That is why the building not only rises 5 floors up, but also goes 3 floors into the ground, and the walls of the tower are covered with gold leaf.

During Hideyoshi's time, Osaka became not only the country's most important economic center, uniting a divided Japan, but also the center of major feuds. The fortress-castle had to endure two major battles. In the 17th century, it nevertheless fell under enemy pressure and was destroyed. In 1620 it was decided to restore and expand it. But natural forces prevented this - lightning struck the tower and most of the buildings burned down. Until the 20th century, the castle lay in ruins, until the mayor of Osaka found funds for its reconstruction. Since 1931, the castle has once again risen above the city and houses a museum.

The interior of the castle was restored to its original form. Of the original buildings, the main Otemon gate, five Yagura towers (Tower of a Thousand Eyes) from the Tokugawa period, moats, several barracks and houses have been preserved. The stones of the buildings were laid without mortar, which allowed them to withstand earthquakes. Inaccessible sheer cliffs framing the castle, moats up to 90 meters wide, a total length of 12 kilometers, overall monumentality and proud beauty - the castle in Osaka is an expressive monument to the ambitions and strength of character of the Japanese leaders.

Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport, opened in 1994, is located on an artificial island near the city of Osaka. It was designed by Renzo Piano and is a completely civil airport.

The airport includes 2 terminals - north and south. The North Terminal receives flights from 24 airlines. It has a three-story building equipped with nine escalators and three glass elevators, one of which is external. On the ground floor there are several duty-free shops and food establishments, including restaurants.

The South Terminal welcomes nineteen airlines and serves more than 12 million passengers a year. It has a four-story building equipped with 6 travelators and 2 glass elevators. Here, duty-free shops, as well as restaurants and cafeterias, can be found on all floors of the building.

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Park Universal Studios

Universal Studios is a huge entertainment park located in the Japanese city of Osaka and competes with the famous Disneyland. This is a great place for a fun holiday with the whole family. There are a huge number of attractions and shows, divided into several thematic zones.

As in all similar parks in the world, the central theme of all attractions presented at Universal Park are films shot at the Universal Studios. All the attractions here are very realistic and, of course, high quality.

The authors of the project tried to make it a wonderful place to relax, not only from the technical side, but in terms of design and design. The almost entirely reconstructed neighborhoods here take you back to old European and American cities. The attractions in the park are divided into several thematic areas based on the most popular films: “Terminator”, “Jurassic Park”, “Waterworld”, “Jaws”, “Shrek”, “Spider-Man”, “Back to the Future”, “Backdraft” ", as well as many others. On one of the attractions, stuntmen recreate fragments of popular films right in front of the audience.

In addition, the park has many restaurants and shops. The entertainment program is so dense that it is unlikely that you will be able to cover everything in one day, but this is not a problem, because the Park offers its visitors 2- and 3-day tickets - so you can visit it several times in a row.

The Shinsaibashi shopping arcade and the area of ​​the same name are the real center of trade in Osaka. You can buy everything here. Elite boutiques coexist with tiny shops, designer goods coexist with consumer goods. The shops are accompanied by numerous eateries, cafes and restaurants. The dominant feature of the area is the covered street Shinsaibashi-Suji. Here, in Shinsaibashi, the favorite place of local youth is based - the American Village with an appropriate assortment of goods.

The shopping district stretches for about 600 meters. There are two large department stores here - Daimaru and Sogo, as well as about 180 small boutiques and restaurants.

In a historical sense, the area took its name from one of the bridges built by local merchants, one of these merchants was Shinsaibashi Okada. The bridge has not survived, but the name of the merchant has remained for centuries.

Area "American Village Amerikamura"

Amerikamura, often shortened to "Amemura" in Osaka, is a large shopping area. Everyone who comes here gets the impression that there are only shops, shops and shops. The way it is. Western brand stores sell goods that European travelers are accustomed to. And many local Japanese shops and stores sometimes offer such incredible goods that the sense of reality dissolves.

The Amerikamura area is also known by another name - American Village. Apparently, to emphasize some connection with another developed country, there is its own local Statue of Liberty, watching from above everything that happens in the quarter, as well as King Kong. And there's a lot going on here. Amerikamura is the cutting edge of modern Japanese youth. Here you can see representatives of all subcultures. The imitation of American culture is felt in the local atmosphere. There are many American-style cafes here. On weekends, flea markets are organized here, and street musicians perform famous American tunes in very different ways.

It's easy to spend a whole day in this area of ​​Osaka, walking around the shops or just wandering the streets and watching life. The local flavor will not let even an inveterate phlegmatic person get bored.

Chikiri Castle

Kishiwada Castle or Chikiri Castle was built by Hidemasa Koide in 1597. The Nobukatsu rulers of Okabe Mina took possession of the castle from Takatsuki in 1640. The Okabe family maintained their position for 13 generations (until the Meiji Restoration). The castle's main tower was destroyed when lightning struck in 1827, but was rebuilt in 1954, and is now also used as a museum.

Dotonbori District

Dotonbori is a major shopping and business district in Osaka. It is located along the southern bank of the canal of the same name. The area is loved by tourists and city residents for its swirl of energies and active, vibrant, very rich atmosphere. It's always lively and crowded here. Dotonbori has many restaurants and cafes with cuisine for every taste - the streets are literally saturated with the aromas of preparing dishes. There are large entertainment centers that are great for shopping, and theaters where traditional Bunraku puppet theater performances and other events take place. It is considered to be the center of Osaka's nightlife.

Films are often shot in Dotonbori; it acts as a kind of “face” of Osaka. During the day, the area, framed by fountains on both sides of the canal, looks quite businesslike. In the evening, it blooms with neon lights and seems to change its outfit. And numerous textured luminous signs like “Running Man Gliko” or “Crab Kani Doraku” give Dotonbori a unique, even slightly surreal, very special chic.

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Umeda Sky Building

Everyone knows that Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the world. Buildings like the futuristic office skyscraper Umeda Sky Building are obvious proof of this.

The 173-story skyscraper looks ultra-modern. Silvery materials sparkle in the sun, and look absolutely incredible when lit at night; the two slender towers are connected by the original floating garden of the Observatory. People are allowed here for a small fee and the view of the huge living metropolis from the height of the 39th floor is a truly breathtaking sight.

On the minus first floor of the building there is the Takimi-koji restaurant, which with its interior replicates the Japanese street of the early Showa period (1912-1945 - during the reign of Emperor Showa).

The skyscraper was built in 1993 according to the design of Hiroshi Hara. Initially it was planned to build it as an “Air City” and there should have been four towers, not two. But they were cut down taking into account funding opportunities, and the result was the Umeda Sky Building.

There is a park around the building. The contrast, albeit man-made, of living nature and modern reinforced concrete structures does not hurt the eye, but is pacifying in its own way. After all, the manifestation of harmony in any landscape is a strong feature of the Japanese character.

The most popular attractions in Osaka with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Osaka on our website.

Individual and group

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 a Japanese city that ranks third in terms of population in Japan and is located in the south of the island of Honshu in Osaka Bay, near the Yodo River.

It is the capital of Osaka Prefecture.

Osaka city, Japan

Video panorama of Osaka city

Short story

In 663 BC, the first Yamato warriors came ashore to the territory of present-day Osaka, defeated local tribes and created the first Japanese state of Yamato. In 638, the city of Naniva was founded in this area, which served as the capital from the 7th to 8th centuries. In the first half of the 8th century, the capital was moved to Nara, and Naniwa gradually fell into decline. In 1496, on the ruins of ancient imperial castles, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple was erected, around which the city called Osaka gradually grew. In the 16th century, the city and temple were destroyed by a confrontation between Oda Nobunaga and Buddhist sectarians, but over the next few years, thanks to the efforts of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a new monastery and city were built.

In the 17th - 19th centuries, Osaka was the most important trading point in Japan; the number of merchants living in the city was enormous.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Osaka was an industrial-military zone and was therefore heavily damaged as a result of air attacks during the Second World War.

Sights of Osaka

Umeda Sky Building

A glass escalator takes the visitor to the 39th floor of this unusual building. The observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 173 meters, combines two twin towers. It offers stunning views of the city, and features state-of-the-art displays and gaming devices that simulate virtual reality.

A famous Osaka landmark, puppet theater performances are held every January, April, June, July, August and November, and last 20 days, with plays starting at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. To understand the plot, foreign visitors can wear special headphones that play an English translation.

USJ - Universal Studio Japan

This is a theme park dedicated to Hollywood cinema, opened in 2001.

Every year the park is visited by approximately 8 million people.

USJ is divided into a number of areas: New York zone, Wild West zone, Jurassic Park, Water World, etc. The entertainment center features attractions and interesting performances and shows based on the plots of popular Hollywood films, such as “Jaws”, “Shrek”, “Terminator”, “Jurassic Park”, “Water World”, “Back to the Future”, “ Spider-Man" and many others.

Terminator at the amusement park

SPA complex Spa World

This is a giant health center that can accommodate 5,000 people. In the complex you can visit hot baths in onsens (hot springs), which are heated not by the center’s employees, but by nature itself at a kilometer depth.

In the wellness center you can take a steam bath in the national baths of various countries - China, Turkey, India, Japan, etc.

Water in onsen relieves muscle pain, treats arthritis, diseases of the joints, stomach, intestines and cardiovascular system. Women will benefit from taking mud baths, which make their skin smooth and beautiful.

Shitennoji Temple

The palace was built in the 6th century by Prince Shotoku. Japanese Buddhism was born in this temple. The buildings of the complex were burned, and the current concrete reconstructions do not have much historical value, but are nevertheless beautiful and convey an idea of ​​​​the architecture of those times.

Aquarium "Kayukan"

By visiting one of the main attractions of Osaka, the Kayukan Aquarium, you can personally observe the rich underwater world of the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium contains about 35 thousand marine inhabitants, including such huge animals as manta rays and whale sharks.

Video Osaka Aquarium

Osaka on the map of Japan

Article genre - Cities of Japan

A city in which the past, with samurai, traditions, ceremonies and the present, with bustling business streets harmoniously merge into one - this is Osaka, whose residents are focused only on the future. The city lives in such a dynamic rhythm both day and night that it may seem truly crazy to a visitor.

General information

Osaka is the first imperial capital of Japan, which it became in the 8th century, with the emergence of the Yamato state and, accordingly, the cradle of the entire civilization of the islands. From this region, one of the world's religions, Buddhism, began to spread throughout the country. In former times the city was called Naniva. Osaka is located on a plain, surrounded to the east and north by low mountains in the very center of the island of Honshu. Today it is not only an industrial, commercial, but also a port center of Japan, competing even because of its location on the same island and high level of development with the capital of the state, Tokyo. The city is so beautiful that it has been called “Japanese Italy”.

Weather in Osaka

The city is located in the humid subtropical zone, with four distinct seasons. The coldest month is January, but winter is generally mild (with an average temperature of 9 °C), with little snow. Spring is a pleasant time of year, but summer is stuffy and hot. Daytime temperatures in July-August can reach 35 °C, night temperatures - 25 °C.

The rainiest months are September, as well as the period from May to July. Up to 130 cm of precipitation falls annually.

Transport in Osaka

The city has two airports:

• Kansai International Airport on an artificial island washed up in the city's bay. A third of all world flights, a number of regional flights and most of the cargo flights arrive here.
• Osaka International Airport primarily caters to charter and international cargo flights.

The city can be reached from Tokyo by the Tokaido Shinkansen super express train. The journey will last 2.5 hours and end at Shin-Osaka Station. The Nozomi train takes half an hour longer. The city can be reached by rail from the ports of Kobe and Kyoto.

Around the city, most residents travel by metro or municipal, private or city buses.

Districts of Osaka

Geographically, the city is divided into two parts: North and South, separated from each other by Midosuji Boulevard. The first of them is of little interest to travelers, since these are mainly business buildings, as well as restaurants where it is convenient to have business lunches and dinners. The city’s “golden” youth live in the same area, visiting local clubs and discos, as well as expensive boutiques. The southern part is historical; there are entertainment and shopping districts, temple complexes, etc.

Osaka consists of 24 districts, called in the local language " ku". Nara Prefecture is an hour's drive from the city.

Sights of Osaka

Architecture of Osaka

• The main group of attractions in Osaka are architectural monuments:
• Osaka Castle, five stories high, is the city's main attraction. Destroyed during the Second World War, today it is completely restored and is a kind of symbol of the city. The Sakajo-Koen Garden is located around the castle. In the 16th century he played a leading role in local events, and the country's mint, built in European style, is located here.
• Buddhist and Shinto temples, of which there are many in Osaka.
• Kansai International Airport is the result of the embodiment of the genius of human thought. It was built on an artificial island, which is connected to the shore using a 4-kilometer bridge.
• The National Bunraku Theater is one of the most popular attractions in the city, because this type of theatrical art originated here. Moreover, even in modern Osaka, this theater retains its status as public artistic entertainment.
• The southern gate of Nara, decorated with statues of heavenly guardians.

Temples of Osaka

Japan is a rather religious country, and therefore the religious buildings of Osaka, as well as the holy places that have been worshiped by local residents since ancient times, deserve special attention.

• Sumiyoshi Taisha is a special shrine built in the very rare "sumiyoshi-zukuri" style. Shinto gods are worshiped here - the patrons of fishermen, sailors, and travelers. That is why the temple was built not far from the port building.
• Todaiji Temple is famous throughout the world for the “Hall of the Big Buddha” Daibutsuden. The structure, 57 m high, is considered one of the most ancient wooden buildings not only in Japan, but also in the world.
• Horyuji Temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, surrounded by a park that is home to about a thousand “divine messengers” - tame deer.
• Sitenen-ji Monastery or Sitenen, which translates as “Monastery of the Four Heavenly Kings,” is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Japan. It belongs to the Wa sect and is its main religious building. By the way, this temple is also considered the oldest state temple in the country. Its buildings are impressive, since both the Golden Hall and the ensemble of five pagodas are well preserved. There is also an embodiment of the Buddhist paradise on earth - the Gokuraku garden and the turtle pond.
• The Great Buddha is one of the world's largest bronze Buddha statues.
• Not far from Osaka, on Mount Koya, there are also a number of temples and monasteries of the Shingon school, which professes Buddhism. The first religious buildings arose here in the first millennium, and today their number numbers in the hundreds. In many of them, pilgrims can stay overnight.
• Ikasuri Shrine and Abeno Seimei Shrine are architecturally and spiritually interesting places that are rarely visited by pilgrims.
• The temple complexes in Nara still remain active, but at the same time are open to tourists. Those who wish can take part in the ceremonies and try to comprehend the meaning of eastern religious and philosophical teachings directly in their homeland.

Osaka Holidays

The historical festival takes place annually on April 22 at Shitennoji Temple. The main event of the event is bugaku. These are court ceremonies and dances dating back to the Heian era (VIII - XII centuries) - the time of the founding and flourishing of the state.

Tenjin is the city's largest festival, which takes place on July 24-25. It is considered one of the three main holidays not only on the island, but throughout the entire state. During the day, there are processions of city residents carrying mikoshi palanquins. In the evening, everyone comes to the river, where colorfully decorated boats and vessels take part in the parade. Residents of the city proudly sit on the boats, singing national songs to the beat of drums. At the end of the holiday, a grandiose fireworks display is launched.

Osaka Restaurants

Arriving in Osaka, many people make it their goal to taste national cuisine, and therefore many restaurants and bars focus specifically on the needs of visitors. Among the good places where you can have a good time are the following:

• Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M - combines quality food and service. Beef is especially well prepared.
• Kiji leaves behind an extremely pleasant impression and offers guests a huge variety of Japanese cuisine.
• French Bistro Rue D"or is a somewhat unusual establishment where, along with indigenous dishes of the islands, guests can be pleased with excellent French pastries.
• St. Regis Bar is famous throughout the city for its quality of service and the opportunity to truly relax after a hard day at work.
• La Piccola Cucina is the number one restaurant in the city, the cuisine is excellent, and the quality of service is always at its best.
• Kanidoraku Honten - focuses on hearty and tasty lunches; from the proposed assortment of dishes, each visitor can assemble a set to suit his taste.

Entertainment in Osaka

Osaka and its surroundings are full of great places to go with your kids:

• The planetarium, which has the world's largest dome, is located in the Science Museum.
• The village near the harbor of Tempozan is a grandiose amusement park with the world's largest ferris spike, with a diameter of 100 m. Here you can also visit Osaka Kaiyukan, one of the most popular attractions, the exhibition of which is dedicated to the local marine fauna. Here you can see not only fish, but also mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
• Universal Studios is a story-driven amusement park, the creators of which based it on the most famous films of the Universal film studio, which presents attractions based on the most popular films “Jurassic Park”, “Jaws”, “Back to the Future”, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”, etc. d. The park is located outside the city, but can be reached within 10 minutes from JR O saka Station.

The most popular nightlife spots in the city are bars, karaoke, pubs and nightclubs located in the Namba area.

Shopping in Osaka

The Umeda quarter, directly within the city, is an area of ​​a real underground three-story city with hundreds of boutiques, shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and gaming halls.

If you go to the historical southern part, you can find many cheap shops that offer clothing, textiles, and cosmetics.

Dan-Dan Town is an area with low prices on the latest models of consumer electronics.

Since ancient times, Japan has been famous as a country of contrasts, and modern Osaka is a clear confirmation of this. This city is so Japanese that it can be declared a living encyclopedia of local traditional culture and modern history.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY:

Osaka is the main city of the prefecture of the same name. Second in importance afterTokyo and the third most populous city, Osaka is a populartourist destination. Currently it is home to 2.5 million people.

Its history goes back more than 1,500 years. Osaka was originally the first known capital of the Japanese state, although in those days it was called Naniwa. Since the 7th century, Osaka has been considered an important commercial, as well as political and cultural center of the region. In the 16th century, the city again had a chance to become the capital, but in the end the choice fell on Edo (Tokyo). Even after this, Osaka did not lose its former importance and was still considered the economic center of the country. This fact is explained by its favorable geographical location, because the port of Osaka has long been considered the most important gateway to the city, as well as to the country.

This location has also had a positive impact on the local cuisine - it is famous for its diversity, and Osaka is often called the “city of food”. Local specialties include udon noodles, octopus takoyaki dumplings and okonomiyaki cake. By the way, Osaka is the only city in Japan included in the global gastronomic network of cities with delicious food Delice. Local cuisine can be sampled in the Dotonbori area, where there are many cafes and restaurants. There is a special atmosphere typical of Osaka that the locals love so much.

Residents of Osaka are significantly different from Tokyo residents: they are more open and energetic, and the city itself is calmer and more compact compared to the capital. Osaka, thanks to its convenient transport system, is easier to get around, and it is also more affordable for tourists in terms of housing prices.

One of the city's most famous attractions is the castle museum, built in the 16th century, which is located in a 60,000 sq. m park. m. In spring, during cherry blossoms, it is especially beautiful here. In addition to the castle, the city has other interesting places: the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, Universal Studio Japan, Umeda Sky skyscrapers, the largest Spa World complex in Japan, Rinku and Hirakata parks, Mitami and Sumiyoshi-Taisa shrines, the Shitenno-ji Buddhist temple, the city Osaka Museum, Municipal Art Museum and Oriental Ceramics Museum. Shopping lovers will find their happiness on one of the central streets of Osaka, Midosuji, where boutiques of fashionable and branded clothing are concentrated.

By the way, it was in Osaka that Bunraku, traditional Japanese puppet shows, appeared. In 2003, Bunraku dolls were included in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In addition to puppet shows, the city hosts other annual events such as the Tenjin Matsuri festival and the Hikari Renaissance light show.

Unexplored Osaka

We suggest visiting that living natural part of Osaka that few people get to. You will visit Mino Park with the waterfall of the same name, which looks especially gorgeous in autumn. Katsuoji Daruma Temple with an extraordinary daruma painting workshop. In the evening, the real night Osaka will open up for you from the observation deck of the Umeda building.

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THE CITY'S ATTRACTIONS:

Osaka Castle Osaka Castle is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. It was founded more than 400 years ago, but was repeatedly destroyed during fierce battles. Now one of Osaka's most popular attractions, the top of the tower offers beautiful views of the surrounding park, city areas and mountain slopes on the horizon. History In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the powerful ruler who unified Japan, decided to build an impregnable citadel in the heart of one of the most important regions of the country. So, on the site of the small Ishiyama Hogan-ji Temple, Osaka-jo Castle appeared. Most of the buildings of the complex were erected in just 2 years - from 1583 to 1585. Osaka-jo occupied an area of ​​more than 3 million square meters. - Every day thousands of people worked on a huge construction site. The donjon, or main tower, was 9 floors high. Its roof was decorated with golden figures of sea monsters shining in the sun. But the castle was especially famous for its powerful fortifications - its fortress walls consist of more than a million boulders. According to legend, 40,000 stones were presented to the ruler by various clans, thus recognizing Hideyoshi's dominance. Osaka-jo was the largest castle of its era. However, after the death of Toyotomi, the troops of shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa were able to defeat the defenders of the citadel. In 1615, Osaka-jo was destroyed for the first time, and the Hideyoshi family was interrupted forever. The Tokugawa clan restored the main tower of the castle, but in 1665 it burned down again from a lightning strike. The current building was erected in 1931 from much more durable materials. Its appearance was recreated from ancient engravings, but in 1997 modern elevators were added to the building’s façade to facilitate access to the observation deck. The height of the tower is about 40 meters, inside it is still divided into 9 floors. What to see Inside the building there is a historical museum - its collection contains more than 10,000 unique items from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The exhibition will tell you about the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the construction of the castle and the bloody battles for dominance over the city. Here you will see weapons and household items, painted decorative panels and scrolls, armor and ceremonial samurai costumes. Historical films are shown on large screens with subtitles in English, Chinese and Korean. For a small additional fee, everyone can have their photo taken in real military attire, consisting of a helmet, surcoat and kimono “kosode”. On the third floor, the golden tea room of Hideyoshi Toyotomi is recreated. The powerful military leader had a special passion for precious metals - on his orders, absolutely everything in the castle was decorated with gold: furniture, weapons, lamps and cutlery. In the tea room, the walls, floor, columns, ceiling were completely covered with gold... and, of course, the teapot and cups. Toyotomi’s mentor, the famous master Rikyu Sen, took part in the decoration of the room. On the 7th floor there is a diorama presenting viewers with 19 scenes from the life of Toyotomi. Here, with the help of holographic images, scenes from the life of the inhabitants of the castle are periodically played out. The stands display detailed models of the fortress and a miniature reconstruction of the Summer Battle of Osaka. The last floor of the castle is an open observation deck. Here you can also buy a variety of souvenirs and traditional treats marked with Osaka's signature symbols. The gallery offers a beautiful view of the park, also worthy of the attention of tourists. The area of ​​the castle park exceeds 100 hectares - it is a favorite vacation spot for citizens of all ages. The park is especially popular in the spring, during the cherry blossom season. But the lush greenery is beautiful at any time of the year - even in winter, camellias bloom in Osaka's warm climate. The defensive ditches filled with water are also impressive - their width reaches 90 meters! Also on the territory of the complex there are many auxiliary buildings: an armory, a warehouse, a gate and barracks. 13 buildings are recognized as Important Cultural Heritage of Japan. There is an additional fee for entrance to the Nishihonmaru Garden - here, surrounded by six hundred cherry trees, there is an elegant tea house and guest quarters.

Spa World Osaka It just so happens that Osaka cannot boast of a large number of natural hot springs - but the largest Spa World complex in Japan can welcome residents and guests of the city. It is located in the Shinsekai area, where time seems to have stood still in the 1950s. Spa World is a must-visit for anyone who likes to soak in a hot bath and enjoy a massage. There are also several communal swimming pools, a children's play area and water slides. Each zone of the complex is assigned a separate floor. To get into the building you must purchase an entrance ticket from the machine installed at the entrance. On the first level there is a lobby, the reception of the adjacent hotel, souvenir shops and individual shoe boxes. To use them, you need to make a deposit of 100 yen. (You can return the coin later). By presenting your entrance ticket at the reception, you will receive an electronic bracelet that remembers all your purchases on the territory of the complex. You can check your balance in special machines inside the spa area. Please note that entry for people with tattoos is prohibited! Spa World's aqua zones are located on the 4th, 6th and 8th floors. On the roof of the building there is a public area with an outdoor pool - here everyone wears swimsuits or robes. In the thematic areas below, it is customary to swim naked - men and women are allocated different floors of the complex. Usually on odd-numbered months the women's floor is the fourth, and on even-numbered months the women's floor is the sixth. Each floor is decorated in a unique style - for example, the 4th level contains European baths, while the 6th floor is traditionally Japanese. Cells for things are located directly at the entrance to the aqua zone. At the information desks on each floor you can rent a swimsuit and get a small towel. In the European zone there are pools designed in the style of the famous ancient baths, Finnish log saunas, the Italian Azure Grotto and even the baths of the mysterious Atlantis. Each room has some distinctive feature - for example, in Atlantis, real fish and even small sharks swim under the glass floor. The Spanish pool is located in the open air, and on one of its sides there is a rather high waterfall. In the Spanish cafe you can enjoy cool drinks by dipping your feet into a shallow pool of warm water. In the Greek halls you will be offered herbal baths and mud masks. In an Italian grotto you can relax in a salt bath, take a dip in the hottest Roman baths and then dive into a golden bowl of ice-cold water. The calm, warm pool of the Mediterranean Sea will allow you to take a break from the contrasts - there are underwater benches for guests. The Asian section features Japanese rotenburos, a Middle Eastern-style rock pool, Indian salt baths, Persian milk baths and more. Japanese-style pools are located in the open air and are decorated with cypress wood, which gives the space a special coziness and warmth. There are real cherry trees planted around the baths, and in the spring cherry blossom petals swirl right above your head. In the halls of Bali, visitors are offered massages and mud baths at an additional cost. Also in the Asian part there is the high-tech zone Dr. Spa, where you can relax in the pools with sparkling water. The eighth floor is a public area - here you will have to wear a swimsuit. The outdoor pool on the roof is especially popular in the warm season; it is connected to the internal baths by several tunnels and artificial “rivers”. The hot stone spa area is located between two large pools, one of which can be accessed via water slides. On the top floors there is also an extensive children's play area. Unlike the rest of the complex, the public pools close at 10 pm. Please note that during winter, outdoor baths and water slides may be closed for maintenance. The public area also includes a spacious gym. The men's and women's floors are open until 9 am the next day, but after midnight you will have to pay an additional 1,300 yen. There are a variety of restaurants on the third floor where you can dine after a relaxing spa treatment. For an additional price you can get a massage, peeling, manicure and other additional services. Also on the 4th and 6th floors there are relaxation rooms with blankets, pillows, TVs and comfortable low chairs - perfect for taking a nap before visiting the next pool. Additional charges include: sunbeds on hot stones, foot baths, massage sessions, water slides, swimsuit rental, slippers, socks and gym shoes. You must shower before entering the spa area. Shampoo, conditioner and towel are provided free of charge.

Universal Studios Japan Osaka is home to Universal Studios Japan, the first theme park opened by the famous American brand in Asia. Since 2001, the complex has attracted millions of visitors, second only to Tokyo Disneyland in popularity. USJ Osaka covers an area of ​​39 hectares. The park is divided into 8 large thematic zones - you can visit Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Water world, Amity Village, Wonderland and, of course, the magical world of Harry Potter. Each zone is equipped with unique attractions that take you into the bewitching world of childhood magic. There is everything here - from carousels for the youngest visitors to high-speed roller coasters for adrenaline junkies. Colorful rides and simulators will make you feel like a superhero or a visitor to a dinosaur park. Here you can meet the Terminator or fly back to the future on the legendary DeLorean. In addition, in the park you can chat with Snoopy and Hello Kitty, or take photos with the inhabitants of Sesame Street. Several themed shows are held every day, including illuminations and an evening parade. The park is constantly updated, sections are redesigned using the most modern technologies. In 2013, after the opening of the Hollywood Dream coaster and the New Adventures of Spider-Man attraction, the flow of visitors increased significantly. Also very popular is the family zone “Wonderland”, opened in 2012 on the site of the Land of Oz. Of the new attractions, it is worth noting “Bio Hazard - The Real” and “Monster Hunter - The Real” based on popular video games. Also recently opened the show One Piece, dedicated to the famous anime series. And, of course, the pearl of the park now is the magical world of Harry Potter with the village of Hogsmeade, the shops of Crooked Lane and the harsh towers of Hogwarts. Here you can also ride a hippogriff and sail over the mysterious waters of the Black Lake. Not far from the entrance to the park is Universal Citywalk Osaka - a huge shopping complex that includes a mall, several hotels, restaurants and many souvenir shops from the USJ studio. And on the 4th floor of the complex you can find a small museum of Takoyaki - a traditional Osaka treat, which is dough balls filled with octopus.

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium Osaka is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world, famous for its whale sharks. Kaiyukan is located in the center of the Bay Area - this unusual building looks like it was assembled from a huge children's construction set. By the way, the project of the complex was developed by the American bureau Peter Chermayeff LLC. Its founder, hereditary architect Pyotr Chermayev, comes from the Russian Empire (the city of Grozny). Kaiyukan is a complex of 15 giant tanks and many smaller aquariums. The largest of them contains 5,400 tons of water. It contains more than 580 species of various inhabitants of the Pacific Ridge. The aquarium is home to tens of thousands of marine animals - from tiny, fragile jellyfish to a pair of majestic whale sharks. The entrance to the aquarium is marked by the Water Gate, a tunnel running through the vast tank. Behind it there are elevators that take visitors to the Japanese Forest on the roof of the building. It is best to start viewing the exhibition from the eighth floor, gradually going down. Large tanks occupy several levels at once, so when going down the stairs that wrap around them, you can observe the life of marine life from different points of view - as if diving with scuba gear. Each of the 15 reservoirs represents a fragment of the ecosystem of a specific region of the Pacific Ridge. You'll see curious sea otters, penguins, dolphins and squid, giant Far Eastern spider crabs and stingrays. In the central tank, 9 meters deep and 34 meters long, the largest fish in nature - giant whale sharks - slowly soar. The walls of the aquariums are cast from acrylic glass up to 30 centimeters thick. The largest panel measuring 5 by 6 meters weighs more than 10 tons! There is also a restaurant and souvenir shop in Kaiyukan where you can take a photo next to a plastic whale shark.

Umeda Sky The Umeda Sky Towers are perhaps one of the most unusual buildings in Osaka. And if Hideyoshi Castle is an example of traditional architecture of past centuries, then the sparkling skyscrapers of Umeda are a symbol of modern Japan. The Umeda Sky Building complex houses offices, conference rooms, shops, restaurants and much more. For tourists, the observation deck on the 40th floor is of greatest interest. Here, at an altitude of 167 meters, the towers are connected by an original metal structure reminiscent of an alien ship. Visitors ascend to the site using an escalator installed in a transparent tunnel between the buildings. The views from the top of the skyscraper will leave few people indifferent - the city is especially beautiful in the evening. There are several cafeterias on the site, where you can buy various souvenirs, postcards and traditional treats.