Excursion tour in Osaka. Top architecture - monuments, castles, temples and palaces

from Yoriki-cho, Osaka Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tsutenkaku, Museum of Fine Arts, and Himeji Castle are the next landmarks in the review. Just like in the beginning of the review, we have prepared a collection of historic facts and some awesome photographs for each of these top architecture monuments of Osaka. Don’t forget to admire the look of these sights from a bird’s eye view. This view is available in the flyover video of the architectural skyline of Osaka. After such a guide, it won’t be a hassle to make up a great plan of a real-life excursion tour in Osaka. Ready, steady, go!

Osaka Castle, Osaka

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The place where the castle was built in 1598 is bloody, as the Buddhist temple was burnt by monks not to deliver it to the enemy.
» The locality is called “Osaka”, “a high hill” or “a slope”. It is here that the Japanese ruler decided to build his residence as the symbol of his greatness.
» Every day, about 30 thousand people were driven to this place.
» Construction materials were collected all over the country. Stones were taken from the walls of Buddhist temples and monasteries and ledgers were taken from old graves. One giant stone is 5.5 m high. It has a diameter of 11.7 m and weighs 140 tons. Stones are melded with the fill of melted lead. The building had been built for 3 years.
» The five-level tower is 58 meters high. The castle seems to be impregnable but entertainment events are often held here.
» The interior of some rooms is completely made of gold.
» The natural element of fire destroyed the building. The citadel had lain in ruins for three centuries.
» The castle was restored in 1931. Iron was used instead of wood. Its total area is 1 km2.
» The main tower serves as a museum. There is an observation platform on the seventh floor.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka

Location on the map:   Facts:
» Aquarium Kaiyukan is located in the eight-storied building.
» The water volume in the acrylic reservoir is 11 thousand tons. The vessels of the aquarium are constructed in the way that you can see how animals live onshore and underwater.
» The relief of reservoirs is similar to the real geographical place.
» You will find the information not only about fish species, but also about other representatives of the animal world. 30 thousand exhibits, 620 species, will tell you about nature in the Pacific Ocean.
» The excursion begins on the upper floor. First, you will see the waterfall surrounded by green plantings. It is a typical Japanese forest nook. Then, you go to the “Pacific Ocean” Center (5.4 tons of water) through the “Water Gate” tunnel.
» In the main section, you can see one of the biggest fish species, whale shark, swimming among its hammerhead relatives.
» The section of jellyfish, the Antarctic Hall with penguins, aviaries with dolphins and sea lions are just some of the sites in Osaka’s Kaiyukan.
» The promotion on Valentine’s Day is very interesting: animals are fed with feed in the shape of hearts. The male ringed seal has learned the “Banzai!” trick. At the signal, it swims underwater fast, then resurfaces and straightens its fins.

Tsutenkaku, Osaka

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The building leading to Heaven... This is about the Tsutenkaku Tower that is 103 meters high and is the significant architectural monument of Osaka.
» The construction can be repeatedly seen in many films.
» During the Second World War, the fire damaged the building. Bricks were used for military purposes.
» At the fifth level, there is an observation platform named after the God of Luck. Visitors can see a figurine with a long head, squinty eyes, plump cheeks, and a smile, which is the symbol of the God of Order. You should rub the idol’s feet and donate a few coins to the box, and success will attend you in your life. Almost 700 thousand afflicted people visit the building every year.
» There are a lot of neon lights on the tower. The light construction advertises Hitachi and represents social advertising. The short building contrasts with billboards.
» In the showroom on the 2nd floor, there is a long curved picturesque amusement park with videos and pictures depicting old events of Tsutenkaku and its surroundings.
» The round observation platform at a height of 91 meters and with a turn on 360° lets has a panoramic view of the city.
» Nowadays, Tsutenkaku is a special landmark of the city.

Museum of Fine Arts, Osaka

Location on the map:   Facts:
» Not only Japanese, but also foreign pieces of art are kept in the Osaka Museum located on Nakanoshim Island.
» Three floors of the building are situated under the water. The unusual construction was built due to the lack of space in the megapolis.
» The building is sealed, has three-layer walls, and is 22 m in the earth. It has been constructed for five years.
» The first level is glazed completely. There is a restaurant, a children’s room, and a shop. The second basement floor houses the collection of pieces of modern art. The third floor is the gallery of contemporary paintings.
» If you go up the stairs, you will see works of the Spanish painter, the American sculptor, and the Japanese artist. The upper levels of the building have an unusual avant-garde design. Wall panels are made of metal tubes. According to the architect’s plan, the exterior of the building should resemble shaking cane.
» The museum rents 13 m2. The collection of the second half of the 20th century includes over 5 thousand exhibits.
» The official name of the building is “National Museum of Fine Arts”. The museum belongs to the Japanese Ministry of Education.

Himeji Castle, Osaka

Location on the map:
Facts: » The curved flooring above the moat leads to the white castle on the high hell. Originally, it was built as a military post.
» The road winds among multiple defense towers that were built by different owners. You can see the names of warlords on the arms in the castle walls and roof.
» The hedged buildings with branches give an impression that the main building of the castle moves away.
» Himeji Castle (1333) is a five-level building. There are rooms with curved roofs at several higher levels.
» Slopes, the foundation of the building, and the first floors are stone and cemented with oil-based paint.
» Everyone must take off shoes at the entrance. The interior is wooden. Everything - the floor, wall panels, partition walls, whitewashed walls - represents austerity. There are armors and helmets with horns along the walls.
» There are triangular and rectangular oval loopholes, through which thousands of samurai could target lost enemies from three sides. The temple consists of 83 buildings.
» Its name “White Heron” reflects the resemblance of its shape with a bird’s silhouette.
» The lines «…the landscape is reflected in a drop and exists until it drips» conveys the magnificence of the old building.
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Plan your own tour over Osaka on the monuments map

More to see in Osaka
Osaka is a genuine treasury of unique landmarks and sights. Unique samples of architecture of ultimate beauty, religious sanctuaries and ceremonial places, stunning nature areas and original museums - a month will not be enough to explore all the city sights of tourist interest. The southern part of the city hosts the most significant religious landmark in Osaka being the Sumiyoshi taisha shrine which was established in the 3rd century. The shrine is one of the most significant religious objects in the country. The religious landmark enshrines the three Sumiyoshi kami which are considered to be protectors of travelers and sailors. The same impressive and attractive religious landmark is a Buddhist temple Shitenno-ji. Its opening was held in 593. The temple presents a scale architectural complex with numerous buildings of various types. The most impressive sight attracting tourists’ attention is the Golden Pavilion. A majestic garden with a pond is located on the premises of the temple. The pond is home to turtles. This marvelous nook of nature bears a symbolic meaning of Buddhist paradise. The main symbol of the city is the Osaka Castle. This is the largest fortifying construction on the territory of the country. The castle was built in the 16th century. Since that time its building has survived till nowadays and appears to numerous visitors in all its glory and majesty. The Nishinomaru garden is located in close vicinity to the grand historical landmark. The scenic … Read further

Tours through neighbours of Osaka

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