Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
The port of Osaka is located in the center of the country and is one of Japans largest cities. Not traditionally known as a tourist town, there are plenty of exciting attractions in this commercial metropolis. Rivers wind throughout the water capital in the heart of Japans Kansai region.
Visit Osakas most famous landmark, Osaka Castle. The castle dates back to the 1580s and is a historical delight surrounded by modern shops and restaurants in City Center. Osaka Castle sits on the citys highest ground encircled by a moat and Historic Site Park with beautiful cherry blossoms blooming each spring. Explore the castles history museum with holograms, 3D pictures, and other interesting interactive displays. Walk around each of the eight floors in the main tower ending at the top level observation deck with fabulous views of the city from the large glass window.
Often dwarfed by Osaka Castle, other cultural and arts activities can be enjoyed throughout Osaka. Additional historic sites include Shitennoji Temple, Sumiyoshi Grand Shinto Shrine, and Tekijuku. Theatre has roots in Osaka with diverse artistic performances offered. The National Bunraku Theater boasts puppeteers performing the old art form. Kabuki plays are a traditional form of Japanese entertainment and performances are seen at the Shochikuza Theater in Osaka.
Osakas history and culture can also be uncovered touring its assorted museums. The Osaka Museum of Arts showcases an ancient collection of Japanese and Chinese paintings and pottery. The Matsushita Hall of Science and Technology is Panasonics massive complex of warehouses, stores, factories, and museums offering tours in various languages. Japans sense of humor is exhibited at Osakas silly Museum of Ramen Noodles where visitors can create and decorate their own package of instant ramen.
The Water City buzzes with lively shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. People-watching, shopping, dining, and enjoying the nightlife are daily occasions in Osakas happening neighborhoods. Dotombori is an entertainment district lining the southern banks of the Dotombori River with various stores, inexpensive restaurants, movie cinemas, and neon lights. Namba is the name of the shopping district and closest train station to Dotomobori. Suruhashi is Osakas Korea Town with many vendors selling homemade foods and crafts underneath the railroad tracks and the Suruhashi train station.
If it is raining in Osaka plenty of action happens in underground districts. A large maze of stores and restaurants are found in Underground Umeda. This is the site of a busy train station and an expansive underground mall. There is no better place for people watching than Umeda.
Restaurants with diverse cuisines in all price ranges abound throughout the city nicknamed The Kitchen of the World. Taka is one place featuring the expensive, risky delicacy of blowfish known as Fugu. Dine on safe, fresh seafood in an upscale restaurant overlooking Osaka Harbor. Enjoy foods from street vendors such as takoyaki, which is fried octopus.
Universal Studios Japan is an enormous movie theme park with nine different regions and enough activities for all ages and personalities. Walk throughout the park, eat at delicious theme restaurants, watch shows related to famous movies, and ride fun, thrilling rides.
Osaka is proud to house one of the worlds largest aquariums. Kaiyukan is an impressive architectural building which exhibits aquatic life from fifteen regions of the Pacific Rims Ring of Fire. Take a self-guided or group tour and visit the caf and gift shop. A fun summertime activity in Osaka is baseball. Osaka is home to one of Japans major league baseball teams, the Hanshin Tigers. Eat some Japanese noodles with the fans in the bleacher seats at Koshien Stadium, where Babe Ruth once played baseball. Built in 1924, Koshien is the oldest baseball stadium in Japan.
Osakas central location puts it within easy day trips to fascinating places in Japan. Take the train to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto to tour world famous temples and other attractions. Ride the bullet train for less than three hours past Mount Fuji to the countrys largest city and current capital, Tokyo, to tour its highlights one day.
Osaka is a vibrant urban metropolis with a fascinating history and culture running throughout its modern and ancient establishments. Visit historic landmarks, cultural museums, performing arts theaters, diverse shops and restaurants, and enjoy the many fun attractions that Osaka offers.
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