Osaka Introduction -- Urban Landscape of Osaka

Osaka is a major metropolitan area of Japan. Its central business district is the modern face of the city, and further urban development is under way. Combining the old and the new, the oriental with the occidental, Osaka offers a variety of scenery to be enjoyed.

Universal Studios Japan™ (Osaka City)

Opened in spring 2001 as a movie-based theme park, it doubles as a working studio for movie and TV production.
Universal Studios Japan has delighted many visitors, not just from Japan but from around the world, with its thrilling attractions.
Not just a sightseeing spot, it has become a driving force in the Osaka economy.

Minami (Osaka City)

Minami is known as the most energetic area in Osaka, including its busiest quarters such as Dotombori and America-mura (American Village). Recently, Minami has been expanding its sphere of street style to Kita-Horie, Minami-Horie and Minami-Semba.

Dotombori (Osaka City)

Dotombori started out as a theater district, and theaters and cinema houses continue to line the streets today. The illumination of myriad signs reflecting on the surface of the Dotombori river at night is a well-known sight of Osaka. Located nearby is "Den-den Town" where electric appliances and products can be purchased at bargain prices.

Midosuji Parade (Osaka City)

A large-scale one-of-a-kind parade held on Midosuji Avenue, the main street of Osaka, every October, with participants from throughout Japan and abroad showcasing local performing arts, festivals and dances from around the world.

Danjiri Matsuri (Kishiwada City)

Danjiri, decoratively carved carts of each town in Kishiwada, are rolled through the streets at fantastic speed. There is little more magnificent than the sight of the yarimawashi maneuver whereby a danjiri is navigated round a street corner. This festival has a history of over 300 years.

Chikatsu Asuka Fudoki-no-oka (Kanan Town)

An expansive historic park containing more than 100 ancient tumuli dating back to the 6-7th centuries. Excavated cultural properties and artifacts, displayed in a museum on the site, together with the park itself speak of life in ancient times.

Cosmosquare (Osaka City)

In recent years, as a result of successive redevelopment projects, Cosmosquare has become the hottest place in town, with a museum, aquarium, trade fair facilities, and shopping malls.

EXPO '70 Commemorative Park (Suita City)

A park built on the site of World Exposition '70. Numerous attractions include the National Museum of Ethnology, and a Japanese Garden. [Photo courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.]

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (Osaka City)

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the world's largest aquarium. As well as a huge, nine-meter-deep tank where numerous fish swim comfortably, aquatic environments of the Pacific Rim are displayed in 14 tanks of various sizes. Tempozan Harbor Village, the area surrounding Kaiyukan, is a new sightseeing spot with beautiful sunset scenery.

The Osaka Maritime Museum (Osaka City)

The Osaka Maritime Museum, opened in 2000, provides visitors with opportunities to familiarize themselves with maritime exchange history through visual aids and navigation-related exhibitions. [Photo courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.]

(Picture) The Osaka Maritime Museum in Sakishima

Kagiya (inn for shipping brokers) (Hirakata City)

Sanjikkokubune (150-bushel rice boats) commuted between Kyoto and Osaka on the Yodogawa River during the Edo period (17th-19th century) Kagiya, an inn for shipping brokers, still remains in Hirakata, a city that prospered as a post town. A disembarkation place in the building reminds visitors of the old days.

Hozenji Temple (Osaka City)

The name of Hozenji Temple is referred to in many literary works and dramas such as Stories of Osaka Life by Oda Sakunosuke. After making a wish to Mizukake Fudo (an image of the Buddha that petitioners douse with water) covered with moss, would look back and see lantern lights reflecting on the wet stone pavement. [Photo courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.]

Jinai-machi area (Tondabayashi City)

A historic quarter in Tondabayashi City where the atmosphere of the Edo Period (17th-19th century) is preserved. The Old Sugiyama Family House is where Isonokami Tsuyuko, a poetess, was born.