Tour the Japanese City of Osaka with TourJapan.com

Osaka, formerly known as Naniwa, is located on Osaka Bay and is known as the gastronome capital of Japan. The city has a population of over 2.6. During daytime the city's population reaches a peak number of 3.7 people. Osaka has 1400 years of ancient tradition and over the centuries has immerged as a political power as well as a successful economical and trade center.

Places to see in Osaka

As many other cities in Japan, Osaka combines in its nature the historical side and the new modern one. The Osaka Castle is one of the most prominent castles in Japan. It is an architectural masterpiece and was built as a fortress to protect the people who live in it. The castle has huge grounds that include several cultural and national assets such as the Toyokuni Shrine, and during the cherry blossom season it is full of food merchants and other attractions.

A visitor to Osaka must not skip on Dotombori - the commercial street that is known symbol of the city's gourmet food culture. From high-class fashionable restaurant to small ethnic eating places and traditional bars - this area's atmosphere offers a fascinating mixture of flavors, colors and styles. The street also has a special type of antique beauty and walking through it feels at time like one has strayed back in time.

Osaka has some special museums including Osaka International Peace Center (also known as Peace Osaka), which is dedicated to the tragedy of the Second World War, the destruction of the city during it as well as to the importance of world peace. The Osaka Science Museum is another site you don't want to miss with its big theater and planetarium.

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located at the center of the bay area and it is one of the largest aquariums in the world. It has 15 water tanks with over 30,000 marine animals and 580 species. Children and adults alike will be fascinated by the bizarrely beautiful jellyfish, dolphins, penguins and sharks.

If you are tired of site seeing, the famous Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street offers many tourist attractions including movie theaters, game center and entertainment events that are held there on a daily basis.

Of course, there is no way of summing up all the beauties of this old city in one single page. For more indepth information, sites such as osaka-info.jp/en and japan-guide.com will help you with further info and ideas.