Japan City Nightlife Neon Lights Crowds of Shoppers Dotonbori Osaka Glass Wall Art
Japan / Best Things To Practise in Osaka in 1 Day
Osaka, Japan 3rd largest urban center, is often disregarded by tourists in favor of Kyoto. Yet, this modern megalopolis deserves to be included in an itinerary for a beginning visit to Nihon. In particular, visiting the cultural vestiges of its by of which the city is proud, discovering the temper of its shopping districts and of its nightlife are great things to do in Osaka.
And then we share with you in this post from our travel blog Heulys, the all-time itinerary to visit Osaka in one mean solar day.
T.Kambayashi / CC By-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/iii.0) Osaka is located on the Honshu Island in central Japan.
Height 3 things to do in Osaka in i twenty-four hour period:
– Osaka Castle: Cultural heritage of a flamboyant past
– Kita – Osaka station: vibrant heart of the metropolis
– Minami – Shinsaibashi – Dotonbori: a bustling atmosphere
– Applied information to visit Osaka
1. Osaka Castle (Ôsaka-jô): Cultural heritage of a flamboyant past
The commencement thing to do in Osaka is to visit its famous castle. Every bit a result this historical approach makes possible to reconnect the city'due south past with its current character.
Osaka castle is the keepsake of the city, and the most photographed monument. It has been the pride of Osaka's inhabitants for more than 450 years.
663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/past-sa/3.0/)
Located in the heart of the modern metropolis, the castle looks great with its refined architecture that truly contrasts with the "no style " concrete buildings that environs it.
Many visitors, more often than not Japanese, and groups of schoolhouse children, flock to the gates of the sublim building. They are non just here to contemplate its elegant architecture. In fact, they come to visit the castle'due south museum dedicated to its history and that of the city.
Look at the gigantic granit stones used to buit the castle walls!
But in gild to appreciate the visit to Osaka Castle, here is a brief summary of its history.
Osaka Castle's tumultuous history
In the midst of social and political instability acquired by incessant feudal wars, the powerful lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) built his castle in Osaka in 1583. Information technology was the largest castle built at that fourth dimension in Nihon. Transformed into a veritable military stronghold, information technology helped Toyotomi Hideyoshi to affirm its power over the whole country and in so doing, to contribute to the reunification of Japan in 1590.
Then, Osaka Castle will undergo several destructions and reconstructions due to wars or fires (lightning storm).
In 1931 a reconstruction piece of work began. Notwithstanding, the castle suffered damages inflicted past bombing raids during World War 2 and later a typhoon.
In 1950 major restoration works started.
Finally, information technology was not until 1997 that Osaka Castle, rebuilt in concrete, regained its splendor.
Many Japanese visiting Osaka are fascinated by its glorious by. Indeed, the castle symbolizes 3 centuries of economical and political domination of the city (until the transfer of ability to Tokyo in 1868).
Folding screens illustrate the Summertime war.
Several painters commissioned by Kuroda Nagamasa. / Public domain
Reconnecting with the shoguns history
Today, Osaka Castle houses over 7 floors a museum which traces the main events of its troubled history. Its broad and rich collection lets understand life at the fourth dimension of the shoguns and the feudal wars.
In mod rooms, artifacts and plenty of historical materials are displayed. For example, they include a multitude of Japanese everyday objects, works of art, maps, apparel, lacquered wood furniture, etc. Immature schoolchildren flock in front of the samurai costumes displayed in glass cases. There are existent work of art! Folding screens illustrate the feudal wars (Summer War, Boxing of Shizugatake) witnessed by Osaka Castle. A special identify is given to weapons, spears, swords, sabers.
The highlight of the visit is on the eighth floor, from where there is a spectacular panoramic view of the extended metropolis.
The museum alone is worth the visit to Osaka.
Osaka Castle Park
And so, we walk in the park surrounding the castle, a very welcoming green space with its groves, flower beds and diverse fruit trees. Located in the heart of an ultra-urban environment, it is the lung of the city.
In fact, during the "Koyo" (autumn) period, it attracts many visitors and photographers who want to immortalize the glowing trees. In spring, tourists and locals watch in wonder the marvelous spectacle of the flowering cherry trees.
Nosotros walk towards the tea house where we taste a "matcha", a sparkling greenish tea drunk by the Japanese. Then we stroll to the shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
In conclusion, fifty-fifty if the current building is non the original ane, Osaka Castle impresses with its haughty silhouette and its very rich museum. Its visit is really one of the all-time things to do in Osaka.
The nearest station to the castle is Osakajo-kôen station on the JR Ôsaka Loop Line. From Osaka, the castle can be reached in 10 minutes by train from Osaka Station.
The visit lasts two to 3 hours.
ii. Kita, Osaka station: the vibrant heart of the urban center
Afterward immersing ourselves in the prestigious city's past, the adjacent matter to do in Osaka is to discover Osaka Station Urban center and its lively neighborhood.
To get there, from the castle, we take the subway at H. Keihan Tenmabashi station towards Osaka Station, on the Kita district. It should be noted that it is difficult to visit Osaka on foot considering the city is so large. It is more convenient to accept the public transportation as information technology is very practical and well signposted.
Osaka station
By its size and activity, Osaka station is the largest station in western Japan. Indeed, this huge mod drinking glass complex is an of import rail and the metropolitan hub connected to other major stations in the country.
As a result, equally early as seven a.yard., the throng of people hurrying through the corridors is incredibly dense.
Osaka station also houses on several floors and buildings, a broad variety of shops, shopping centers and a multitude of restaurants, cinemas. They are connected past escalators and walkways. It is Osaka Station City, the city within the metropolis.
Osaka station city, its part buildings, commercial centers and the HEP 5 wheel.
Around the station
What other things to exercise in Osaka, especially in the Kita commune ? Effectually the station, many section stores and malls concenter locals. You tin discover everything, the most fashionable items, the latest electronic equipment, furniture, entire floors devoted to food, souvenirs, etc. The large Grant Front shopping center in Osaka has about 270 stores. Just a rock'due south throw from the station, the Tenjinbashi-suji shopping mall is ane,ii miles long and boasts over 800 shops. Needless to say that this commune is a shopping paradise!
We visit a few well-known brands to discover the latest trends in Japanese way. We are surprised to see many food products displayed. Simply this is normal since Osaka is considered the capital letter of Japanese gastronomy. So, in the "pastry" department, nosotros indulge a tasty chestnut cake ;).
Commercial corridors in the huge Hankyu section store.
In the Hankyu Store, a huge section store, a gigantic twenty-meter red whale welcomes us. So we enter the HEP Five shopping eye, a temple of shopping for young people. It is also known for its large red bicycle on its roof. The latter was very useful for finding our way in this labyrinth of streets, walkways and suspended motorways.
The visit to the Kita district reminds us that we are in one of the most populous cities in Japan.
Finally, stunned by then many shops, restaurants, and by the crowd, nosotros keep going southward to the lively streets of another very popular district: Minami.
3. Minami – Shinsaibashi – Dotonbori: a bustling atmosphere
Finally, the terminal thing to practice in Osaka in ane day is to discover its bustling nightlife…
Shinsaibashi
Continuing our visit to the south of the city, nosotros reach another popular district where shopping is male monarch: Shinsaibashi. In that location are many department stores, a multitude of mode outlets, games rooms (pachinko) and lots of cafés and restaurants. The prove is in the streets with their small-scale stalls, clothing stores, Japanese gadgets of all kinds.
Then we stroll through the very large, crowded Shinsaibashi-suji gallery. It leads to the emblematic pedestrian Dotonbori street, which runs along the culvert of the aforementioned name.
Dotonbori
The last matter to do in Osaka is to stroll along the nigh pop district in Osaka: Dotonbori.
Dotonbori Street
It'due south only 4pm and the lord's day is already failing (we're in November). So much the better, considering it is at nightfall that Dotonbori Street reveals all its charms. Illuminated by neon lights and signsboards, it invites walkers to visit its stores, its many restaurants, cafés and places of entertainment (cinemas, theaters, game-rooms, bars). The crowd roams the street in search of the most improvident signboards to photo them.
Here likewise, we observe everything, for all tastes, for all ages, from everyday consumer goods to luxury items from prestigious brands.
Restaurant Keni-dôraky
We pass the Keni-dôraky restaurant, famous for its behemothic moving crab.
Osaka, majuscule of the Japanese gastronomy
Speaking of restaurants, it should be noted that visiting Osaka is an opportunity to notice a renowned gastronomy. Dotonbori street and the streets effectually are full of restaurants of all sizes, offer fish specialties (presented fresh on the stalls), vegetables and meats. Y'all can effort the tasty specialties of takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakiniku, and and then many others. The waiters hail passers-by to invite them to enter, sometimes in restaurants located on i of the floors of the buildings. And since we are in Kansai, why not tasting the Kobe meat, whose tender mankind is so famous?
Dish with Kobe meat.
Finally, taking the side by side Shôtengai (shopping streets), nosotros keep going to the edge of the Dotonbori canal. We admire the street lights which are reflected in its waters.
Osaka_Dotonbori_Ebisu_Bridge : Past Blazon specimen – Own piece of work, CC By-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The nearest station to Dotonbori street are Namba (Mido-suji line ) and Nipponbashi (Sakai-suji and Sennichimae line).
Conclusion
For certain, people don't go to Osaka to contemplate its architecture (except for Osaka castle). The things to do in Osaka are much different. Visitors are attracted by the dynamic neighborhoods, the nightlife atmosphere and its gastronomy.
In short, these discoveries immerse the company in the humming activity of the Japanese city life.
Practical information to visit Osaka
#大阪
Access directly to the map of Osaka subway.
These 3 spots can exist visited or seen in one day (nosotros did it !).
When to visit Osaka?
Information technology is best to visit the city in fall and spring. Summer in Nihon is hot and humid.
Visit Osaka using passes
The Osaka Astonishing Laissez passer and the Osaka one-day Enjoy Eco Bill of fare let unlimited use of certain transportations for a day.
In add-on, they give gratis access to a few tourist and cultural places. They are sold at the drome and at the city stations.
To know more about the passes.
How to visit Osaka?
If you would similar to visit accompanied, Japan has gear up a network of volunteer guides.
How to go to Osaka?
Train: from Tokyo, accept JR Tokaido Shinkansen.
Bus: from Tokyo, approximately 8 hours by charabanc.
Aeroplane: Osaka International Drome.
Motorcar: half-dozen hour drive from Tokyo.
Lodging in Osaka ?
We chose the Ibis Budget Osaka Umeda Hotel near Osaka Station (to move around the urban center more easily). We recommend information technology.
If y'all accept likes this post, give information technology five stars
Source: https://heulys.com/things-to-do-osaka-japan/
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