|
Formerly known as Naniwa, the city of Osaka is Japan’s third
largest and second most important city. It was also once Japan’s capital
before the Nara Period, the country’s very first recognized capital
established by the Emperor Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
In fact, Osaka might still have been
Japan’s capital city had not the Emperor Tokugawa Ieyasu terminated the
Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi’s death and moved his government to
Edo, now known as Tokyo.
Today, Osaka welcomes visitors with an eclectic mix of the old and the
new. While known for being a center of finance and trade in the region,
Osaka still maintains that down home feel of traditional Japan with
venues for traditional arts, Japanese entertainment and superb cuisine.
Attractions of Osaka
 1.
Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo)
The former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple which was destroyed by
the Oda Nobunaga 13 years earlier, Emperor Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose the
spot to build his castle which was intended to be the center of a
unified Japan under Toyotomi rule in 1583.
The castle however was destroyed in 1615 when Tokugawa troops attacked
the castle and cut short the Tokugawa lineage. It the year 1620, the
castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada. A few years later, the main
castle tower was hit by lightning and burnt down in 1665.
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of
the castle was built. Huge amounts of renovations gave the castle new
polish and glamorous look in 1997.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s life and the castle’s history are documented in
papers, illustrations and pictures in the castle’s museum.
 2.
Minami
Minami ("South") is one of Osaka's two major city centers. The other one
is Kita ("North") around the Osaka and Umeda Stations. Osaka's most
popular entertainment and shopping district, Minami may be found near
the Namba Station.
Attractions include the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, Amerikamura
("America Village"), Nipponbashi Den-Den Town (shopping area for
discount electronics), Dogusujiya (shopping area for cooking and
restaurant supplies) and the colorful Dotonbori entertainment district.
 3.
Umeda Sky Building
Also known as the “New Umeda City,” Osaka’s tallest building, the
Umeda Sky Building stands at an imposing height of 173 meters and
consists of two main towers connected to each other by a “Floating
Garden Observatory” on the 39th floor. For an admission fee of
Japanese Yen 700 (approximately about US$6.00,) tourists may take in the
view of the city from the Observatory.
The Takimi-koji restaurant mall, a replica of a Japanese street of the
early Showa Period, can be found on the first basement floor. Offices
occupy most of the building's other floors.
 4.
National Bunraku Theater
The capital for bunraku, the traditional Japanese puppet
theater, the National Bunraku Theater is one of the few places where
tourists and locals alike may watch this centuries old art form today.
English programs and earphones are available.
Performances are held six times per year for two weeks each.
5. Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
Considered to be the best aquarium in Japan, the Osaka Aquarium exhibits
a vast array of various forms of marine life that may be found
inhabiting the Pacific Rim.
Fifteen tanks each representing a specific region of the Pacific contain
a colorful mix of diverse marine life. The central tank, representing
the Pacific Ocean, is nine meters deep and is occupied by a whale shark,
the aquarium’s main attraction.
Visitors start their tour of the aquarium on the 8th floor and slowly
spiral down floor by floor around the central tank. Some of the tanks
stretch over several floors, making it possible to observe the animals
from different depths and perspectives.
The Osaka Aquarium is located in the Tempozan Harbor Village of
Osaka's Port area. Admission is Japanese yen 2000 (approximately
US$17.00) per adult.
>> continued on page 2
|
