Osaka

About Osaka
Osaka is Japan's third largest city with 2.5 million inhabitants. It is known as a relaxed and colourful city - opposite the neighbouring city of Kyoto. It is also called ‘the nation’s kitchen’ because the food here is something very special.

Colourful metropolis where even the castle is modern
Umeda is the area around Osaka Station. Here you will find a large concentration of office buildings and shopping centres. Don't miss the impressive 40-storey Umeda Sky Building with the Floating Garden Observatory. The observatory is built high up in the air between two buildings and appears to be floating in the air. From here you have a great view of the city - day and night. Located in the south of the city, Namba is a huge area with pedestrian streets and shops, especially the streets of Shinsaibashisuji and Dotombori offer great shopping. Dotombori is full of neon and a great place to wander through after dark. Other sights include the reconstructed Osaka Castle, which has great views of the city and, as something unique, a lift all the way to the top! Another fun visit is the Shinsekai district which has a feeling of Japan in the 1960s. If you’re looking for the latest in electronics or fashion, take a trip to Nipponbashi (also called Den-Den Town or Amerikamura). The town also has a beautiful aquarium, and an old tradition of puppet shows that you can experience at the National Bunraku Theatre. A boat trip along the city's rivers and canals is also a great experience, and in the port of Osaka is Universal Studios Japan. Here you can visit Harry Potter World and many other rides - however, it is recommended to avoid weekends and holidays.

Other places of interest in Osaka
One of the best things is the incomparable treasure trove of delicious foods! The food culture here is completely opposite to that of Kyoto. Not one for the finer details and delicate nuances, Osaka is all about delicious food with lots of flavour that gives you sticky fingers and happy stomachs. The greatest concentration of restaurants can be found in the Kita Shinchi area south of Osaka Station, but everywhere is full of delights, not least the small side streets where the city's amazing street cuisine thrives. Taste the local street food 'takoyaki' - a small savoury round pancake with cabbage, squid and delicious sauce - and 'kushi katsu' - deep fried meat and vegetables on skewers.