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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 considered. It is the center of the prefecture of the same name. This is a large metropolis with developed infrastructure, skyscrapers, television corporations, etc. Here you can fully feel the national spirit, its character, and the local people are more friendly and sincere than in the capital of the country.

general information

Very often, tourists planning to visit the Land of the Rising Sun are interested in where Osaka is located. The settlement is located in the south of the island of Honshu on the coast of the bay of the same name, near the Yodo River. It ranks 3rd in size and has an area of ​​223 sq. km.

The city is located on an alluvial plain and two plateaus. The highest point is Tsurumi (37.5 m), the lowest is Yamatoda (2.21 m). In the 6th century, the first capital of the state was located on this site, and the area was called Naniva.

It was the country's largest international port. In the Middle Ages, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Monastery, which was the center of the Dedo-Shinshu sect, was located here. People engaged in trade settled around the temple.

Today the population in Osaka is more than 2.5 million people, and the density is 11,836 per square meter. km. Recently, this figure has been decreasing due to people moving to the suburbs. It is home to the largest Korean community in Japan.

This is a large industrial center of the country, where trade is still considered the main activity, and agriculture, tourism and the service sector are also developed. The Osaka metropolitan area consists of 24 districts (ku): Abeno-ku, Chuo-ku, Nishi-ku, Miyakojima-ku, etc.

The city has 2 football clubs: Cerezo Osaka and Gamba Osaka. These are one of the most successful teams not only in the country, but throughout Asia.

Weather in the locality

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate, which belongs to the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The average annual temperature is +17°C. Summers here are hot and winters are quite warm. In August, the mercury stays at +34°C, and in January it does not drop below +5°C.

The average annual precipitation is 1279 mm, most often it rains in June (185 mm), and in December there is practically no rain (44 mm). The city is dominated by northeast and west winds with an average speed of 2.6 m/s. It often brings smoke and smog from the industrial areas of the island.

What can you see in Osaka?

The city is not the most beautiful in the country, but at the same time it has a lot of interesting and educational places, for example, one of the largest underground shopping complexes on the planet is located here. The most popular attractions in Osaka, Japan are:

Popular entertainment among tourists is visiting theaters and museums in Osaka:

Osaka often hosts international exhibitions, and in 2017 it will host Beautyworld Japan West (in September) and Food-Tech (in October).

The suburbs and waterfront of Osaka in Japan are amazingly beautiful, and photos taken in the city are simply stunning.

Where to live?

The village has a huge selection of all kinds of hotels, hostels, apartments or holiday homes. The most expensive ones in Osaka, Japan are:

1. Swissotel Nankai Osaka is a five-star hotel with comfortable rooms, a spa, sauna and fitness center. The restaurant serves international cuisine.
2. St. Regis Osaka – Contemporary apartments feature a coffee machine and a bathroom with rain shower and spa bath. The staff speaks 7 languages.
3. The Ritz-Carlton Osaka – The property features a wellness center, bridal suites and luggage storage. Services for people with disabilities are provided.

Budget but popular hotels are:

• 3bedroom Central Osaka;
• Picnic Hostel Osaka;
• Guest House Neko Neko.

Internet, bicycle rental and a shared kitchen are provided here. The staff speaks 3 languages ​​and the rooms are clean and comfortable.

Where to eat?

Local residents love to eat tasty and satisfying food, so catering establishments are open on almost every corner. The most popular of them are:

• Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku M, Hozenji Yokocho - BBQ steakhouse;
• Hokkyokusei Shinsaibashi Honten – the restaurant serves international dishes;
• Kuma Kafe – Australian cafe, suitable for vegetarians;
• Mizuno - they cook here;
• Kanidouraku Dotombori-Honten – Asian cuisine based on seafood, specializing in sushi.

All establishments feature friendly staff, fast service and delicious food.

City shops

You can combine a trip to Osaka with shopping. Shopping centers, boutiques and department stores are located here both underground (White Yumed, Herbies Plaza) and on the top floors of skyscrapers (Daimaru, Sogo). In the city you will buy clothes from world brands without fear of counterfeits.

Osaka has American, European and Asian clothing districts. Kuromon Market offers retail and wholesale food stores.

Transport

The most convenient means of transportation around the city is the metro. It serves 912 million people a year and is considered the largest on the planet.

Also popular are trains and buses. The city of Osaka has an international airport that receives most of the cargo and passenger flights. The second air harbor serves mainly domestic aircraft.

As you can see on the world map, Osaka borders the city of Itami, the distance is only 25 km. You can get from one settlement to another along the Meishin and Hanshin roads or No. 11.

The most interesting sights of Osaka are scattered at great distances from each other, but some areas are worth a walk. The best place to start exploring the city is Osaka-jo Castle and its surroundings. The Umeda neighborhood, located north of the city center, also has several notable structures, such as the Oriental Ceramics Museum and impressive skyscrapers built near several train stations. Ogawa's neighborhoods, including Shinsaibashi, Dotombori, America-mura and Namba, are primarily shopping areas, with plenty of dining and entertainment options for an active nightlife.

In addition, it is worth taking a look at the Tennoji quarter, where the main temple of the city, Shitennoji, is located, and also stroll through the center along the ancient streets in the Tennoji-koen area. Further south is Osaka's ancient shrine, Sumiyoshi Taisha, a preserved green island amid the city's sprawl.

As you head towards the seaport, don't miss the Liberty Osaka Museum, which touches on some sensitive aspects of modern Japanese history. The Tempozan Harbor Village complex is home to the famous Osaka Aquarium, which has one of the best collections of aquatic fauna and flora, and very close to the giant theme park Universal Studios Japan with many amazing attractions.

About a kilometer from Osaka-jo Castle, between the Dojima and Tosaboi rivers, lies the small island of Nakanoshima, in the eastern part of which there is a small park. Here in a squat brick building is located Museum of Oriental Ceramics, where in a calm and secluded atmosphere, away from the bustling city life, you can look at typical examples of ancient Chinese and Korean ceramics.

Not far from the museum there is an attractive central town hall, built in 1816 in a neoclassical style, especially beautiful when illuminated at night. Crossing the Oe-bashi Bridge along Midosujidori Street, you find yourself in the heart of the Umeda district, where three train lines converge: Hanshin, Hankyu and Japan Railways (JR). Just in front of the train stations, in a small alley, lies the Ohatsu-Tenjin Shrine, where local stall owners pray for the prosperity of their businesses and where a flea market is held every first Friday of the month.

If you're not planning on taking the train, it's still worth a look at the Baroque-style central concourse of Hankyu Umeda Station, as well as the nearby HEP 5-story building with many shops and restaurants, the roof of which is crowned by a Ferris wheel, from which a wonderful view view of Osaka. Of course, such a Ferris wheel is worth a visit, but keep in mind that on weekends and holidays it is very crowded, and therefore the queues can be quite long. To the west of the station, through a tunnel under the railway track, you will come to the twin towers UmedaSkyBuilding, where you can take a glass elevator to observation deck "Hanging Gardens" located at an altitude of 170 meters. Despite the fact that there are several other attractions in the Twin Towers, this opportunity to look at Osaka from a bird's eye view will not be cheap, so if you have already seen Osaka Castle, then it is better not to linger here. The open area at the foot of the Twin Towers is the venue for International Beer Summit, which takes place here every year in October, during the second weekend of the month. At this time, up to forty thousand beer lovers gather for the festival, offering a wide variety of entertainment: traditional and modern music, dishes from all over the world and more than 200 varieties of different beers. The ground floor of the nearby Garden Six building is stylized as a 19th-century street called Fun Fun Plaza, which is home to many restaurants and shops.

2 kilometers from the Namba quarter is Shitennoji- the first state Buddhist temple in Japan. The temple retains its classical appearance, but none of the buildings originally erected in 593 remain. The oldest structure of this temple complex, with a pond in which turtles live and a five-tiered pagoda in the center, is a late 13th-century torii at the main entrance gate. The treasury, located in a modern white building behind the central courtyard, contains magnificent orange robes and huge mandalas decorated with fantastic dragons and birds and used for ceremonial dances bugaku, held in the temple on April 22, August 8 and October 22. The temple's main entrance is a five-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Station and a 15-minute walk from Tennoji Overland Station.

Apart from holidays, the spacious Shitennoji is an easy place to escape the crowds, but the modest grounds of the nearby temple Isshinji there are always a lot of parishioners. This temple features stunning modern sculptures of the Wind and Thunder gods (Fujin and Raijin) and images of topless dancers on the steel entrance gate.

Leaving the temple through the adjacent cemetery you can walk to Osaka Municipal Art Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition of excellent examples of ancient and modern oriental art, as well as various special exhibitions. Located behind the gallery Keita-kohen- a nice traditional Japanese garden spread around a pond. The garden, donated to Osaka by Baron Sumitomo, whose family owned the largest trading company of the same name, is currently part of Tennoji-koen, which also includes a modern giant greenhouse - a glass house that contains plants and flowers from all over the world.

Not very far from Tennoji Garden there is an unpresentable neighborhood Shin-Sekai(New World) with narrow shopping streets, inexpensive bars, restaurants and arcades pachinko. In the center of this quarter there is an interesting Tsutenkaku Tower. After being completely destroyed during World War II, the building was rebuilt in the 1950s, but at just 103 meters tall, it was inferior to both the skyscrapers of the Umeda district and the 256-meter Cosmotower near Osaka Bay. There is an amusement park within walking distance of Tsutenkaku Tower FestivalGate with plenty of attractions, restaurants and shops, as well as an interesting wellness center SpaWorld, which offers a large selection of baths and saunas, from Roman to Chinese herbal.

From Ebisucho Station, it is only a 15-minute subway or tram ride to Sumiyoshi Taisha- the largest Shinto shrine in Osaka, dedicated to the sea gods of the Shinto religion. Built in 211 in honor of Empress Jingo, who returned from her trip to Korea, the temple buildings, with beams jutting out at an angle from under thatched roofs, are an example sumiyoshi zukuri- one of the oldest Japanese styles of temple architecture. Unlike similar complexes in Ise and Izumo Taisha, Sumiyoshi Taisha is painted bright red and contrasts very sharply with the surrounding green surroundings. You can get to the shrine through the graceful humpback bridge Sori-hashi, donated to the Yodogimi Shrine, the beloved of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

To the west of Tennoji, in an industrial area, there is an important museum of the city - Liberty Osaka, or more precisely, the Museum of the Struggle for Human Rights. It features some amazing exhibits that touch on some of Japan's most taboo subjects. Here you can find an excellent booklet and audio course in English, very useful when viewing the exhibition telling about burakuminah- outcast Japanese ethnic minorities and disabled people, about the sexual oppression of women and the consequences of environmental pollution, the especially horrific results of which are illustrated by an exhibition about Minamata disease that broke out as a result of mercury pollution in the sea near Kumamoto. The museum is located a 10-minute walk from JR Ashiharabashi Station.

To get to Osaka Bay, take the JR Ring Railway to Bentencho Station. Along the way, you'll see the UFO-like Osaka Dome, home to famous performers from around the world and the local professional baseball team, the Kintetsu Buffaloes. From Bentencho Station, take the subway's Chuo Line to Osaka-ko Station, from where you can go to the giant ferris wheels, located near a large shopping complex in the Tempozan area. Inside the exotic building, slightly reminiscent of a butterfly in shape, the main facade of which is decorated with mosaics, there is Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium. This aquarium is built in such a way that you can view fourteen tanks, which contain representatives of marine fauna from different regions of the planet, from the Aleutian Islands to Antarctica. The design of the aquarium is so well thought out that, for example, you can first look at fur seals basking on rocks protruding to the surface, and immediately see how they dive or swim, cutting through the water surface. The giant central aquarium displays the fauna of the Pacific Ocean, including huge whale sharks, manta rays and other exotic representatives of the deep sea. And the main attraction is the spider crabs, very similar to the alien invaders from the movie “War of the Worlds”.

In Tempozan you can see and Suntory Museum, which is located in an amazing building made of concrete and glass, built in the form of an inverted cone by the famous self-taught Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The museum specializes in 20th-century graphic art and has a collection of more than 10,000 posters.

On the western coast of Osaka, on an area of ​​140 hectares, lies an amusement park - Universal Studios in Japan. It is one of the nation's leading theme parks, offering a variety of rides and other attractions, including Harry Potter, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and topped by a nearly vertical 25-meter drop. All performances use modern special effects and the latest computer graphics. Among the many places to eat at Universal Studios Japan are a French cafe, an Irish pub from Brooklyn, a Godfather-themed pizzeria and, oddly enough, a Japanese restaurant replicating the same one in New York's SoHo neighborhood.

The closest way to get here is through Universal City Station on the JR Sakurajima Line, which connects with the JR Circle Railway at Nishikujo Station. And there are direct express trains running from JR Osaka Station to Universal City Station every 10 minutes.

Osaka has a reputation as a foodie's paradise, but finding the best place in the city, literally crammed with restaurants, is not an easy task. The neighborhoods offer a wide selection of food establishments Dotombori And Umeda, and in the quarter Tsuruhashi There are restaurants specializing in Korean cuisine.

While in Osaka, be sure to visit an okonomiyaki restaurant, preferably one where visitors can fry these meat pancakes themselves at the table. Osaka also has its own version of sushi - oshizushi- a layer of rice soaked in vinegar, seaweed and fish, cut into small pieces. In Osaka, thick udon noodles are prepared according to the Osaka recipe - boiled in vinegar with pieces of meat or seafood.

The best selection of cafes and restaurants in Osaka is in the Umeda and Sonezaki areas of Kita, as well as in the Shinsaibashi, Dotombori and Namba areas of Minami. You can succumb to temptation as you walk through the narrow streets lined with shops selling noodle dishes and takoyaki-bars and restaurants decorated with neon lights and fancy signs - especially on Dotombori-dori street. It makes sense to visit large chain hotels or department stores, especially at lunchtime, when many restaurants operate a business lunch system.

Osaka's nightlife center is located in Ebisu-bashi, a breathtaking quarter where you should definitely take a stroll if you want to see the crazy youth of Osaka. Not far from here is America-mura filled with trendy shops and bars. And the Hozen-ji Yokocho district, near the paper-lantern-decorated Hozen-ji Temple, is the epitome of old Osaka, with narrow streets dotted with tiny drinking establishments.

There are significantly fewer gay clubs in Osaka than in Tokyo, and historically most of them are located in the Kita area. These are quite modest, although moderately decent establishments.

It was in Osaka that the art of Bunraku puppet theater originated in the 17th century, and puppet shows are still held in the Namba quarter at the National Bunraku Theater. Tickets, the cost of which directly depends on the production, sell out very quickly.

Kabuki plays can be seen at the renovated Osaka Shochiku-za, a five-minute walk from Namba Station, next to the Dotombori Canal. If you want to see more challenging Noh plays, free performances are often held at the Osaka Noh Hall on weekends and national holidays. Please note that these shows begin at 9:30.

Manzai, a comic narrative performed by a duo, is popular throughout Japan, but is associated specifically with the Kansai region, and Osaka in particular. Often vulgar, manzai is nevertheless very popular with the general public, especially the younger generation. Usually the duet consists of a “boke” (stupid and bad guy) and a “tsukkomi” (good and smart guy), and the action lasts until the boke annoys the tsukkomi with his stupidity so much that he cannot stand it and loses his composure and calmness.

Kansai manzai shows have been the most popular comedy shows on television since the early 1980s.

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.

When going to Osaka, the huge Japanese metropolis in the southern part of Honshu, you should think carefully about what places you want to visit. There are truly a myriad of attractions here; the main thing is to plan your visit so as to spend a minimum of time on the road, and not rush from one end of the city to the other. Osaka is called the Japanese Venice, because on its territory there are many rivers, streams, canals, as well as bridges of completely different styles.

Ancient temples have been preserved here; they coexist with modern skyscrapers and amusement parks. Osaka is also considered the culinary center of Japan, so a considerable part of your time should definitely be devoted to getting to know national delicacies, street and restaurant food.

The museum in Osaka is not located in an ancient crumbling building, but in an ultra-modern one. Architect Cesar Pelli designed the building in such a way that only one third of the museum is above the ground, the rest is underground. Thanks to this solution, space is saved, which is not so much in Japan.

The part of the museum located above the ground looks like reed branches swaying in the wind; it was this image that inspired the architect. Only he chose a material stronger than reed - the base of the structure consists of metal. Like many museums around the world, it is closed every Monday. Here you can find works of art of the 20th century: works by Picasso, Cezanne, Calder, Etsuhiro, Kandinsky - the collection is quite rich. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions, and sometimes you can even visit the museum for free.

Location: Kita Ward, Nakanoshima, 4 - 2 - 55.

You can get acquainted with the ancient theatrical puppetry of Japan at the Bunraku Theater. The building consists of five floors, on which there is a performance area, a museum, a restaurant, and rooms for actors. Performances at the Bunraku Theater are not given all year round: the actors devote part of their time to touring around the world. Therefore, before visiting, you should find out in advance whether you will be able to watch the show.

Bunraku dolls look almost like people, only a little smaller. Colorful outfits, the sound of drums, and professional scoring make the spectacle of the Bunraku Theater unforgettable.

Location: Chuo Ward, Nipponbashi, 12 - 10.

The theme park is a must-see for tourists with children. The main theme of the park is films and cartoons from Universal Studios. Here you can temporarily find yourself in the world of Hogwarts, Shrek, chat with the Terminator actor and Spider-Man. The main feature of this park is interactivity.

Visitors, even the smallest ones, do not walk around it like a museum, but participate in what is happening, immersing themselves in the atmosphere of their favorite cartoons. Of course, the park is always full of visitors, but here you can easily spend the whole day with your child without thinking about what to do with him: everything has already been thought of and it’s done very well.

Location: Konohana-ku, 2-1-33 Sakurajima.

For parents with children, this place is also a must-visit. This is one of the best aquariums in the whole world; you can spend at least two hours here unnoticed. You shouldn't visit this place on Sunday: there are a lot of people. The oceanarium is located close to the metro station and consists of eight floors.

Here, as the Japanese love, everything is thought out and clearly planned; the engineering solution of the structure is simply amazing. A diverse collection of marine life has been collected: stingrays, sharks, seals and penguins, jellyfish and, of course, many species of fish. Animals live here the same way as in the sea: below are bottom dwellers, above are species living on the surface. You can even pet some individuals in the outdoor pools. In general, nature and sea lovers should visit this place to get an experience that will last a lifetime.

Location: Minato Ward, Kaigandori 1-1-10.

Umeda skyscrapers by Hiroshi Hara are an example of modern architecture that looks incredibly impressive. Already at the foot, you see two towers of 40 floors each, connected at the top by a “floating garden”.

From a great height there is a beautiful view of the entire city; it is beautiful here at any time of the day. During the day, at an altitude of almost 200 meters, you can find yourself between the clouds, at night you can admire the starry sky directly above your head, and at sunset you can feel the romantic touch of the rays of the setting sun.

Location: Osaka, Kita Ward, Oyodonaka, 1 - 88.

The seven-story bathhouse complex was created for healing and cleansing; people can stay here at the same time. up to 5000 visitors. The wellness center will definitely interest women; there are areas with different types of traditional baths and saunas, massage therapists, swimming pools and even a water park.

A characteristic feature of the health center is gender separation: men and women visit saunas and steam baths separately from each other.

Location: Naniwa Ward, Ebisuhigashi, 3 − 4 − 24.

Curiosity and the desire to conduct some kind of scientific experiment can be satisfied in a science museum. It is located next to the art museum, so it is advisable to plan a visit to both on the same day. Tickets are inexpensive, there is a lot of interactivity, but everything is in Japanese.

This museum has a planetarium, one of the largest in the world. Each floor is dedicated to a different theme: electricity, optical illusions, the Universe, light, sound, water and air. Performances are held here, and visitors have the opportunity to touch almost anything and look through a telescope. It will be interesting for both children and adults.

Location: Kita Ward, Nakanoshima, 4 - 2 - 1.

A very unusual complex was created in 1993. The author is the famous Italian architect, artist, design genius Gaetano Pesce. The red building is visible from afar; on its walls there are flowers, trees and other plants in pots with automatic watering.

In appearance, this “organic building” could be confused with a nine-story flower pot rack. The building was built to draw attention to the fact that in the modern world with poor ecology it is important to artificially create and maintain corners of wildlife.

Location: Minamisemba 4-7-21.

This temple is one of the most ancient shrines of Japanese Shintoism. The best time to visit this place is in May, during the Ishibutai celebration, when the temple is filled with traditional music and Bugaku dances.

Here is the beautiful illuminated Sorihashi Bridge, from which you can take great pictures and simply admire the sacred places of Japan. On June 14, you can watch the rice planting festival, also accompanied by songs and dances.

Location: Sumiyoshi Ward, Sumiyoshi, 2 - 9 - 89.

This unusual park is dedicated to chess, go, checkers, backgammon, it looks very elegant, there is a place to take pictures. Tellingly, it was created in just 9 days, becoming a favorite place not only for tourists, but also for many Osaka residents. Only environmentally friendly materials were used to create the park and all the figures.

The unusual instant noodle museum offers a lot of fun entertainment: create your own brand of ramen, study the history of noodles, come up with a packaging design for your product, and climb the noodle grid in the “Noodle Park.” As a souvenir, of course, you can buy noodles for the year ahead.

Location: 8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi.

kingdom of crabs

Japan is famous for its delicacies, here you can taste delicious dishes at every turn, even street food is much fresher and better quality than anywhere else.

One of the restaurants specializes in crabs; even at the entrance people are greeted by a huge moving crab. This restaurant seems to know every existing way to cook crab. It offers a huge selection of crab meat dishes, you can learn how to eat a whole crab, it is surrounded by top-level service, but the prices are appropriate.

An interesting attraction in Osaka is the Zuboraya restaurant. Here they serve dishes from the most dangerous fish in the world - fugu. The atmosphere is very ascetic, but the main thing here is the menu. Where else can you take a chance and try the poisonous puffer fish, if not in its homeland?

Location: Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 - 6 - 10.

Entertainment center for children under 10 years old. The main message of this place is to help children not only have fun, but also learn something about the world around them. You can visit at any time of the year, children can play different professions, feel like a scientist, and communicate with other children from all over the world. Even despite the language barrier, children will have fun here.

Location: Kita Ward, Ogimachi, 2 - 1 -7.

Gamers will love the Video Game Bar Space Station, which offers affordable drinks, free admission and a large collection of video games. Despite the small area, this place attracts tourists with a delightful selection of games and consoles, and the owner of the establishment often greets guests himself.

Even the restroom in this bar is decorated according to the theme. People from all over the world play, there are no drunken fights or noise, you can devote a few hours of your stay in Osaka to nostalgia for old game consoles and classic games.

Location: Nishishinsaibashi, 13 - 3.