Osaka once served as Japan’s capital back in the 9th century when it was called Naniwa. If Edo was the military center of the country and Kyoto was home to the imperial court, then Osaka became “The Nation’s Kitchen”, serving as the distribution point for rice, Japan’s most important commodity and the primary measurement of wealth. Today, Osaka is the “anti-capital” of Japan, with a culture of food and commerce that is truly distinct yet parallel to Tokyo.

If visitors to Osaka need to see one particular attraction in the city, it must be Osaka Castle. Though this is just a ferro-concrete reconstruction of the original structure which was destroyed during World War II, the majesty of the building still impresses. Inside in a museum dedicated to the feudal era of Osaka and the wars in which the castle was involved. Although entrance to the museum inside requires a fee, the grounds around the castle are free to the public, and serve as a popular venue for picnics and festivals, especially during cherry blossom season. Another heritage site is Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines at 1,800 years of existence and the most famous of the Sumiyoshi shrines.

The Umeda Sky Building is Osaka’s attempt to boost the economy of the Kita district, and has since become a landmark in the city. At 143 meters in height, visitors can enjoy a great view of the metropolis at the “floating garden observatory” which connects two main towers at the 39th floor.

Geeks can enjoy a trip to Tezuka Museum in Takarazuka, a short distance outside of Osaka. It is the former home of the God of Manga Osamu Tezuka, who pioneered many techniques in the thriving field of Japanese comics.

Families can definitely enjoy Osaka, which offer kid-friendly entertainment through the Universal Studios Theme Park. The most attended Japanese theme park after Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios has 9 different areas which offer rides, shows, shops, and mascots that are based on movies and TV shows, from Jurassic Park to Sesame Street. Be prepared, though, as many characters and scenes are dubbed in Japanese. More traditional entertainment is also available, such as the National Buranku Theater. This is one of the few places in the world where Buranku is still performed, an intricate puppet show from the Edo period which showcases classic plays from the era.

For a bit of shopping, head towards Shinsaibashi, where a collection of huge department stores, premium designer shops, and independent boutiques make it the dominant commercial area in Osaka. The Amerika-mura (American Village) section of the place is extremely popular with youths for its trendy fashion.

And if you’re feeling hungry, you’ve come to the right city. As the food capital of Japan, Osaka is ground zero for the best dining experience in the country. Must try-dishes here are Okonomiyaki, which is a fried cabbage delight that is part-pizza, part-pancake, and part omelette; Takoyaki, or octopus dumplings; and Battera, a block-type sushi. The best places to eat are the street diners and stall vendors. Osaka has roads are lined full with such establishments. Finally, it should be no surprise that in this food-crazy city there is a museum dedicated to instant noodles. In the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, visitors can see a statue of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of Cup Noodles, standing on top of a giant version of his college student-feeding creation. Among the many exhibits inside are the Chicken Ramen Workshop, where visitors can make their own noodles, and My Cup Noodle Factory, which creates customized Cup Noodles, complete with a hand-drawn lid design.

If you do plan to visit Osaka, spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit the city. Not only do they avoid the monsoon rains of summer or the harsh chill of winter, but the cherry blossom festival and autumn leaves viewing are very popular draws during these times as well. Nevertheless, any time is a great time to visit, as local festivals abound all year round.   Osaka has a reputation as a dangerous place among the Japanese, but the risky areas are mainly limited to the slum areas.

Posted in Attractions, Food, Japan

This entry was posted on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 12:52 pm and is filed under Attractions, Food, Japan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.