Osaka is the largest city in Japan and is known as the city of lakes. It is famous for its lake resorts and beautiful scenery.
Osaka was founded in 1873 and has a interesting history. When it was first built, it was called Nihonmachi, which meant foreign town. This is because it had no cultural or economic significance at that time.
Later on, during the Edo period (1603–1868), Osaka was known as a trading center and a place to find profitable business deals. During that time, many foreign businesses such as European and Japanese opened successful businesses together.
Today, Osaka is one of Japan’s major cities and a major economic centers. There are many companies located in Osaka that use Tokyo as their headquarters due to its strong economy.
Culture of Osaka
One of the main cultures that people in Osaka belong to is jidai-yōkai. This culture focuses on throughout life experiences and institutions that help you prepare for them in your later years.
Most large cities have their own community geared towards living, working, and enjoying the present moment. Connect with other people and learn how to be happy with yourself. Learn how to manage your time effectively so you can fully enjoy life.
There are many organizations and groups that cater to meeting other people and learning about the health benefits of this unique culture. Osaka has a couple of major culture centers where you can find these places.
They are called Kōfuku-do Center for Culture and Activity, HigashIKage Memorial Park for Culture & Activity, and Higashikoyama Memorial Park for Culture & Activity.
Transportation in Osaka
transportation in Osaka can be a little tricky. There are a couple ways to get around town. You can use the subway, Kobe subway, or Tokyo metro!
The easiest way to use the subway is to just follow the sign-ins and platforms.
Things to do in Osaka
While most people focus their trip to Japan around Osaka, there are a number of interesting destinations outside of the city. Here are some suggestions!
Abe-jingu-minami Station is located in western Osaka and serves the Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo and points south. The station is also a quick ride away from Kyoto and Nara, making it an attractive overnight stop.
Additionally, there is the Yamanashi Prefecture Forestry and Dragon Park in Maizuru, which can be visited for free at night when nearby hotels are full of visiting families.
If you have time, check out Kushima National parks in far northern Yamanashi where you can see moss covered rocks and perhaps catch a glimpse of a dragon or two.
Where to eat in Osaka
If you are planning a short trip to Osaka, then you should know some places to eat. There are many restaurants all over the city, so it is not difficult to find one to go to.
Many restaurants offer coupons in their magazines and on their websites, so you can save some money when you visit the restaurant. Also, some of the larger restaurants will partner with local food chains to offer better food at a cheaper price.
If you are looking for an elegant meal or want food that is organic and healthy, then check out Le Bricolerie and The Cellar in Shin-Osaka.
Shopping in Osaka
As the capital of Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer in terms of shopping. There are so many specialized shops and markets in Osaka that it is hard to decide where to go?
Many foreign tourists travel to Osaka for its array of shopping options. The city is known for its Harajuku and Nishi-Kita neighborhoods, which are home to some of the world?s most famous fashion shops and markets.
These areas are renowned around the world for their high quality merchandise and extremely organized sales. While shopping is not a major activity during the week, there are plenty of outlets that operate 24/7 so you can still get your purchase fast.
Most places have cash formats as well as credit and debit cards so you can pay your purchase! While most people do shop in the mornings and evenings, on weekends you will find quite a few stores opening late to accommodate their crowd.
Nightlife in Osaka
Nightlife in Osaka is relatively busy and diverse. There are lots of drinking establishments, strip clubs, smoke-filled bars, and others that offer entertainment for after dark.
Many of these nightlife venues offer discounts to members during the evenings and early nights of the week. As well as meeting new friends, you can also expect to be entertained!
A good tip when looking for nightclubs or even pubs that offer nightclubs is to ask a random person at the bar if they have ever been to any of them before. If so, you may be able to find a quieter location or someone willing to let you in for an discounted admission.
The diversity in Osaka Nightlife is huge! there are many different types of establishment and people who go there for the sole purpose of being entertained.
Tourism attractions in Osaka
There are many places of interest in and around Osaka. We suggest you make time to see some of them all on your trip to Osaka!
Most are within a short distance of each other and accessible by public transportation. Some are even located in neighborhoods rather than main downtown areas, making it a little more challenging to find, but still worth the effort.
The Nipponia Science Center is in Shonan-inskyen, an isolated area that once housed Japanese families who immigrated to Japan during the Meiji Era (1868-1912). It is one of only a few science centers in the world that focuses on science for people, not just for scientists to explore what they find fascinating.
At least four theme parks are located in or near Osaka. They vary in size and complexity, but all are worth visiting if you have time for them.
Outdoors activities in Osaka
Climbing is a fun way to spend time in the summer. There are many climbing walls in Japan, so if you are not a climber yourself, you can watch others climb and learn some new techniques.
There are many places to climb in Japan. Tokyo has several prominent buildings that you can climb on. Osaka has its own indoor climbing wall at K-Rock City. Both of these walls offer special packages for beginners and advanced climbers alike.
If you are a beginner, you can start at the lower levels and work your way up! This is mostly because more experienced climbers do not want to risk losing your familiarity with the rock.
For those who have been on the mountain but want to get back into the groove, visiting K-Rock City is a great place to do so.
