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most visited destinations
# 3   of 106 destinations
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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide
Osaka Travel Guide
 
basic information

With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka is Japan's third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries.

Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).

Gourmet Navigator

Attractions
Central Osaka
Osaka Aquarium (5) One of Japan's most impressive aquariums.
Minami (Namba) (2) Southern downtown of Osaka.
Osaka Castle (1) Reconstruction of the large castle.
Sumiyoshi Taisha (6) Head shrine of all Sumiyoshi Shrines.
Kita (Umeda) (3) Northern downtown of Osaka.
Shitennoji Temple (9) One of the oldest temples in Japan.
Umeda Sky Building (4) Skyscraper with observation deck.
National Bunraku Theater (8) Venue for Japanese puppet theater plays.
Peace Osaka (7) Museum about the horrors of World War II.
Side Trips from Osaka
Kyoto For over 1000 years the capital of Japan.
Mount Koya Atmospheric temple mountain.
Nara Japan's first permanent capital.
Himeji Site of Japan's most beautiful feudal castle.
Kinosaki Pleasantly old-fashioned hot spring resort.
Kobe Harbor city, recovered from 1995 earthquake.
  best of the best    best of Japan    outstanding
(1) - (99)    most visited attractions

Orientation
Access and Orientation
How to get to and around Osaka.

About transportation in Japan

Accommodation
Sponsored Listings:
Japan Osaka Ryokan Association
For business or pleasure, search by area for the perfect traditional Japanese ryokan to match your Osaka accommodation needs.
J&F Guesthouse Osaka
Furnished apartments. No key money or guarantor. Free internet. From 25,000yen/month w/ utilities. Refundable 20,000yen deposit.
Hotel Wakamizu
A luxury ryokan in Takarazuka Onsen, 25min from Osaka. Offering soothing hot spring baths and delicious Japanese food.
Weekly Mansion Osaka
Furnished apartments in the middle of downtown Osaka for short and extended stays. Free In-Room Broadband.
Kaneyoshi Ryokan
A modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.
Osaka Yamatoya Honten
Japanese style budget ryokan. From 5,775yen.
Right next to Dotonbori in Osaka.
ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka
Experience ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka, formally known as ANA Hotel Osaka, in Osaka starting October 1st 2008.
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Restaurants

All of Osaka Umeda/Osaka Station Namba/Dotonbori
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Tours and Packages
Osaka Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Osaka and surroundings.

Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!

news and reports

Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
April 15, 2009
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
April 6, 2009

travel community

Users who have been to Osaka: 1152
Most visited: Ranked 3rd out of 106
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Rating by users:      recommended (85/100, 631 votes)
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Overall Rating:      best of Japan  

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english links

Osaka City
Official website of the city of Osaka.

japanese links

Osaka City
Official website of the city of Osaka.

 

 
January 12, 2009  
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