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.
One of the largest cities in the country and a famous trading port and industrial center, Osaka is a city with rich history, wonderful climate and beautiful natural landscapes. Or course, … 
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It will be interesting to visit Osaka with children at any time of the year. One of the city's most visited attractions is Universal Studios Japan. It is a park themed on the famous American … Open
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Among nature attractions the Minoo park is of great interest for tourists and city guests. The park is located in the nearest suburbs of the city. This is a valley of ultimate beauty featuring rarest plants. Annually the park is visited by thousands of thousands of tourists wishing to observe beautiful flowers and rare swamp maples. The unique wildlife preservation is a place of location of significant objects of tourist interest. An exploration of the scenic parkland can be successfully combined with a visit to the ancient Ryoanji temple.
Osaka will be of great interest not only for genuine connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine but for those tourists giving reference to other culinary trends. Among upscale eating establishments … Open
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One of Osaka's most recognizable buildings is the Umeda Sky Building. This skyscraper designed by Hiroshi Hara was built in 1993. The building is famous for its wonderful rooftop garden with fountains. However, the city has another building with a beautiful garden on its roof - this is about the Osaka Merchandise Mart (or simply OMM). Take your chance to ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel - and not only to experience an adrenaline rush but to admire the magnificent views of Osaka. The attraction is not inferior to any observation deck.
Numerous cultural traditions of local people are great and impressive. Local folks respect their ancestors and follow ancient customs and age old traditions. The city of Osaka offers its … Open
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Among Osaka’s other wonderful landmarks is the head-office building of Ikoma Company. It attracts travelers' eyes thanks to its eagle sculptures above the entrance, stained glass windows, and clock tower. This magnificent building dating back to 1930 is one of the finest examples of modern architecture. The architect was Heizo So better known for his other work - the Naniwa Bridge. The latter is sometimes called the Lion Bridge for its four lion sculptures. The bridge is famous for its classic lampposts and large stone steps leading to Nakanoshima Park. Another vivid monument of Art Nouveau architecture is the Mataichi Building.
A majestic modern city offers its visitors a vast choice of entertainments fitting each taste, fancy and budget. Huge entertainment centers and amusement parks, beautiful gardens for open … Open
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The city is famous for its spectacular ultramodern bridges, and the Ebisu Bridge striking with its round shape is an outstanding one. This is one of the favorite spots among citizens and tourists where they like to take a lot of pictures. It also offers great views of the river and the city. Interesting bridges for walking and watching are the Suisho Bridge and the Barazono Bridge. Those who wish to stroll along the most picturesque Osaka streets should pay attention to Tempozan Market Place and Toki no Hiroba - tourists will be surprised not only by shopping opportunities but also by a wonderful atmosphere. Tourists who prefer walking in more peaceful places should go to one of the parks widely presented in Osaka. You can also go explore the courtyards of some temples (for example, Ryotokuin Temple's garden).
1. An electric train network joins the cities of Osaka and Tokyo. An intercity trip takes about four hours. Tourists being not enough local entertainment facilities and landmarks for … Open
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When it comes to Osaka museums, it is worth mentioning the Mint Museum introducing visitors to coinage in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics presenting a huge collection of products made by local craftsmen is another must-visit destination in Osaka. Osaka Museum of History is perfect for acquaintance with the history of the city starting from ancient times, and if you prefer not to look at exhibits but to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of everyday life of local people's ancestors, the Museum of Housing and Living will be a great place to explore.
Osaka is a typical Japanese city with a huge population, lots of cars in the streets, a variety of shopping and entertainment centers, restaurants, and classic attractions information on … Open
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The Symphony Hall attracts tourists not only because it hosts wonderful symphonic music concerts but also with its exterior. It was the first hall in Japan built specifically for classical concerts in 1982. The hall is notable for being designed in such a way that one can clearly see every movement of pianists' fingers. Other cultural venues that host interesting concerts and events include the Festival Hall and the Osakajo Hall, while theater fans are recommended to visit the National Bunraku Theatre and Umeda Arts Theater. Finally, beautiful exhibitions are often held in Osaka International Convention Center.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Osaka and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Osaka: churches, museums and castles
Himeji Castle, Osaka
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.
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. Facts:» 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.
Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Osaka
Facts:
» You can see the whole city for 15 minutes from the Ferris Wheel that has a diameter of 100 meters and is 112 meters high. The Wheel was opened in 1977. » Depending on the weather, red and orange lights on the facade represent the sunny weather, the green color represents the cloudiness, and blue lights predict the rain.
» The Tempozan Ferris Giant Wheel is located in Osaka Bay.
» Before taking an air trip, you can have a picture in front of the cloth of plantings and toys. So, you will get commemorative pictures when leaving the venue.
» Then, the worker will take you to a free cabin and close the shutters. 60 cabins accommodate 480 people. The music sounds here. Videos about the sites you can see from the Wheel are broadcast in Japanese and English. In the cabin, there is a hanging toy fish. Perhaps, it is the advertisement of the aquarium.
» In the air, the cabin stops for a few moments but it is part of the program.
» There are separate isolated capsules for VIP visitors.
» The prototype of the big vertical wheel with capsules attached to the rim was the construction built in the 17th century. At that time, it was set in motion by people’s efforts.
» The first Ferris Wheel was constructed by an American engineer in 1893.
Osaka Maritime Museum, Osaka
Location on the map: Facts:
» You can reach the Osaka Maritime Museum through the underwater tunnel that is situated 15 km from the shore. Facts:» The building of the shape of the silver dome is 40 meters high (four floors) and has a diameter of 80 m. It is located right on the water. It is upheld by reinforced concrete pillars with steel hoods. The weight of the building is 1 200 tons.
» It has a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather. 15-mm glass withstands the water pressure and gets opaque in the sun. The museum consists of blocks: an entrance pavilion, a tunnel (its length is 60 m and width is 15 m), and a building. The tunnel is not illuminated enough to give the impression that you go under the water.
» The institution has received a special prize for “structural perfection”.
» The museum is proud of the exact life-sized copy of the wooden merchant ship of the 19th century. You can see it from the inside.
» The artifacts dedicated to maritime trade development are also of great value. Exhibits have been chosen based on the maritime theme.
» There is an outdoor observation platform and two halls where you can watch 3D films on maritime issues.
» You can show your skills in sailing on the stimulator yacht.
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. Facts:» 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.
