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    Tourist Attractions in Osaka

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Osaka. Photos and a brief description.

    Osaka
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    About Osaka

    Osaka is the third most populous city in Japan. The location in the bay and the presence of a convenient port made Osaka an important trade center of the country. The less influence the samurai had in the area, the more successful the merchants were. This had a positive effect on the development of the city. Until now, the Dotonbori shopping district and Shinsaibashi-suji streets are important for the economy and attract tourists. In addition, Osaka is the capital of the Bunraku National Theater and comedy. Connoisseurs of local culture, especially those who know Japanese, will enjoy colorful performances.

    Since there is no free land in the city, the existing territory is used here as diligently as possible. So the Tennoji Zoo was opened within the park of the same name, and the National Museum of Art was built almost completely underground.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Osaka

    Dotonbori

    The area is located along the canal of the same name. It is both a shopping and business quarter of the city. The streets are full of people, and the smells of food and music come from many restaurants around the clock. Tourists are attracted by large entertainment centers, bunraku puppet theater and all kinds of performances. Neon signs and lanterns light up at night, so it's always as bright as day in Dotonbori.

    Dotonbori
    Osaka Castle

    Osaka Castle

    One of the most popular and important historical and architectural monuments of Japan. The castle was founded at the end of the XVI century. In the past, there was a temple on this place. The area of the structure is about 1 km2. The project was supposed to be impregnable. The buildings reach up to 5 floors high and up to 3 underground. For quite a long time the castle was in a deplorable state, it was restored in its former form, including the interior, only in the XX century.

    Shinsaibashi-suji

    It is located next to the metro station of the same name. The shopping street, stretching for more than half a kilometer, is always crowded. About 60 thousand people visit it every day. This area is about 380 years old. Shops are characterized by an atypical combination: there are boutiques of famous brands nearby and, for example, tailors' shops that make kimonos. Here you can also buy ready-made food at one of the many outlets.

    Shinsaibashi-suji
    Kuromon Market

    Kuromon Market

    It is located a five-minute walk from the Nippon Basi Metro Station. On the spacious square under the roof, all kinds of shops with clothes and food are open from 8 am to 6 pm. All shops selling fresh catch or fruit are traditionally closed on holidays and on Sundays. There are also many establishments selling hot takeaway dishes. For this reason, the market was nicknamed "folk cuisine".

    Umeda Sky Building

    The 173-storey futuristic-style skyscraper was built in 1993. The author of the project is Hiroshi Hara. Initially, it was planned to create four towers, but taking into account the financial possibilities, they stopped at two. At the very top they are connected by an Observatory, which is also unusual in design. Takimi-koji restaurant is open on one of the lower floors. Its interiors refer to the first half of the last century.

    Umeda Sky Building
    Abano Haruka

    Abano Haruka

    The construction of the skyscraper took about 4 years and ended in 2014. The height of the 60-storey building is 300 meters. It is currently considered the highest in Japan. Only large companies can afford offices in Abeno Harukas. Sharp Corporation has moved its headquarters here altogether. Boutiques, department stores, an observation deck and a high-class Marriott International hotel are also located inside.

    Shitennoji Temple

    Although the temple was founded in the VI century, the initial buildings have not been preserved to this day. They were destroyed and restored at least seven times, according to the chronicles. In the last century, during the next restructuring of Sitenno-ji, reinforced concrete was used for the first time for greater structural strength. The temple is dedicated to Buddhist gods – the so-called Heavenly Emperors. The treasury and the Gokurakujedo Garden are important objects of the complex.

    Shitennoji Temple
    Sumiyoshi Taisha Temple

    Sumiyoshi Taisha Temple

    Is the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi in Japan. According to legend, this temple was founded by Empress Jingu, after her return from Korea. The complex consists of four main buildings. There are also other significant buildings in the traditional style, such as a bridge and an arch at the rear entrance to the territory. The temple houses ancient Japanese seals, as well as historically and culturally valuable prescriptions of the emperor.

    Bunraku National Theatre

    Osaka is the capital of bunraku. The National Theater is located in the Tuoku district. Puppets are involved in the performance. Their height is usually about a meter. They are managed by a master with assistants. The production is accompanied by the playing of a shamisen – a lute with three strings and a narrative that is often hummed. The troupe tours a lot, as this kind of art is complex, rare and in demand.

    Bunraku National Theatre
    Namba Grand Kagetsu

    Namba Grand Kagetsu

    Among other things, Osaka is called the comedy capital of Japan. Namba Grand Kagetsu is a direct proof of that. In this theater, the artists of the agency "Yoshimoto Creative" put on humorous performances and give comedic solo concerts. The shows are held in Japanese, so they are designed primarily for citizens and domestic tourists. The program is fickle, as there are many comedians, and they replace each other.

    Museum of Oriental Ceramics

    The most convenient way to get to the museum is from Keihandensha train station. The collection is distributed across several halls. It includes samples of Korean ceramic art dating back to the 10th century, and Chinese pottery art. The number of exhibits exceeds 4 thousand. One of them has national wealth – a special object status for Japan. There is a souvenir shop at the museum, and tea ceremonies are arranged.

    Museum of Oriental Ceramics
    Osaka Museum of History

    Osaka Museum of History

    It has been open since 2003. Located near Osaka Castle. The exposition tells about all stages of the city's development. In the past, the Naniwa Palace was built here, and city blocks began to form after the advent of shopping arcades. The museum does not occupy the entire building. As is often the case in Japan, it is necessary to inspect the collection from the top floor, going down. Its lower floors are given over to shops and restaurants.

    Osaka Museum of Housing and Everyday Life

    Entire streets, as well as individual residential facilities, have been recreated on the territory of the vast complex. They are characteristic of past centuries and show changes in Japanese traditions and style. Edo period buildings are particularly noteworthy – you won't find such models anywhere else in Japan. Due to its convenient location, tourists can inspect the interior of the houses. You can enter some of them.

    Osaka Museum of Housing and Everyday Life
    Science Museum

    Science Museum

    The year of opening is 1937. Since the 80s, the museum has had its current name. Each of their 4 floors is dedicated to a separate scientific topic. The exposition includes about 200 exhibits. Most of them can be touched. The tour consists of experiments, visual aids and theory. The museum has a planetarium – the fifth largest in the world. It has undergone extensive restoration already in our century and has been receiving visitors again since 2004.

    National Museum of Art

    The museum was started by the international exhibition Expo-70. From her pavilion, where samples of fine art were exhibited, the current collection grew. In 2004, the museum moved to a new building on Nakanoshima Island. The American Cesar Pelly was responsible for its design. Three of the four floors are underground. The total area is 13.5 thousand m2. The funds number more than 5 thousand units of storage.

    National Museum of Art
    Museum of Instant Noodles

    Museum of Instant Noodles

    In 1958, on the initiative of Momofuku Ando, this unusual museum was opened. Acquaintance with the history of the invention of instant noodles for tourists begins with a small performance and a passage through the tunnel. Its walls are decorated with packs of noodles of different types, tastes and companies. At the master classes, you can participate in the "assembly" of noodles: add everything you need to the cup yourself and seal it.

    Kids Plaza Osaka

    An unusual museum for children. Here, young visitors are engaged in various scientific projects, give them the opportunity to realize creative impulses and get to know their peers. Special educational programs have been developed, where parents and children act as a single team. There is a recreation area. The object is completely closed, so the possibility of getting lost or meeting a stranger is reduced to zero.

    Kids Plaza Osaka
    Grand Front-Osaka

    Grand Front-Osaka

    The commercial complex opened in 2013. It was built as part of the reconstruction of the entire district. The city authorities have tried to make the unsightly territory an attractive place for tourists and investments. The rest of the district will be completed by 2025. Grand Front Osaka includes the Intercontinental Hotel, office space, shops, restaurants, concert halls, and a residential area.

    Tsutenkaku Tower

    The current television tower was erected in 1957. Earlier, its predecessor with the same name, destroyed during World War II, stood in the same place. The new structure turned out to be much larger: its height exceeds 100 meters. Tourists for a small fee can climb almost to the very top of the building, where an observation deck is equipped. From here you can see the whole city in detail.

    Tsutenkaku Tower
    Spa World

    Spa World

    The complex occupies seven floors. People come here specifically to restore health and rest. There are also separate procedures that allow you to relax after a long walk. The third floor is reserved for baths and saunas, including Finnish and Roman ones. Men and women can visit the baths in different months. There is a water park on the fifth floor in the warm season. Spa World has its own restaurants and cafes.

    Tempozan Ferris Wheel

    It is located near the Kayukan Aquarium. The opening of this attraction took place in 1997. The height of the wheel is 112.5 meters, and the diameter is about 100 meters. During the trip, which lasts 17 minutes, tourists can explore the area, including the city bay and the Rocco Mountains. The wheel is decorated with special lights. They indicate the weather in the coming days: orange – sunny, green – cloudy, blue – rain.

    Tempozan Ferris Wheel
    Tennoji Zoo

    Tennoji Zoo

    The name is derived from the urban area. The zoo opened on the territory of the park of the same name in 1915. The number of its inhabitants has already exceeded one and a half thousand, and the number of entries is more than 230. One of the most unique specimens is the kiwi bird. There are no more such in Japan. Even for large animals, like hippos or lions, conditions have been created that repeat their natural habitat.

    Nakanoshima Park

    It was broken up in 1891 between two rivers – Tosabori and Dojima. The area is about 106 thousand m2. Later, a rose garden appeared right in the center of Nakanoshima. 310 species of roses grow here, and the number of buds reaches 3700. Near the water in the park there is a restaurant "Earl", famous for its grilled dishes and beer. The main library of the city and the old building "Osaka Public Hall" are located nearby.

    Nakanoshima Park
    Kayukan Aquarium

    Kayukan Aquarium

    The eight-storey building was built in 1990. The study of the inhabitants of the underwater world takes place from top to bottom – from the 7th floor to the 4th. It is there that aquariums are installed. The main inhabitants are a huge stingray and a tiger shark. The part of the exposition where crabs and jellyfish live has an unusual design and illumination. The total area of Kayukan is more than 26 thousand m2, and the largest water tank has a volume of 5400 m3.

    Universal Studio Park

    It opened in 2010 and continues to be replenished with new attractions and entertainment areas. Everything here is connected with the films released by Universal Studios, including: "Shrek", "Terminator", "Back to the Future", "Jurassic Park". There is a playground for the youngest visitors, called "Universal Wonderland". And in the thematic areas, full-scale stuntmen put on shows.

    Universal Studio Park