Osaka Information

Osaka is Japan's third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. The major tourist attractions are Osaka Castle which under major reconstruction, Minami which is a major entertainment centre, Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Aquarium and Sumiyoshi Taisha which is Japan's most prominent shrine.

Places of Interest

Umeda at Kita-ku, Osaka is the center of local economy. Umeda's new must-see spot is the Hep Five giant ferris wheel. Standing on the top of a 9-storied building, it is illuminated at night and affords a night view of Osaka.

Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine
The Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine was built in the 3rd century. It is located in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka and is dearly cherished by the people of Osaka as the guardian deity for sailors and deity to bring prosperity.

Shiten'no-ji Temple
The Shiten'no-ji Temple was built late in the 6th century by Shotoku-taishi (Prince Shotoku), a son of Emperor Yomei, as a token of his gratitude to the Four Devas (Shi-tenno), the guardians for Buddhism and Buddhists, for responding to his prayer to let him overthrow Mononobe-no-Moriya, an anti-Buddhist administrator, in the 6th century.

Osaka Castle
The Osaka Castle was built in the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a well-known warlord who brought the whole country under his rule in the late 16th century. It has been burned down in a series of battles in the 17th century, and reconstructed later. Once again it was destroyed by fire, its donjon only reduced to ashes this time, and was reconstructed at last early in the 20th century. On display at its 1st to 7th floors are various weapons, armors and folklife items of those days. There is a view spot on the 8th floor.