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.
