Osaka Overview

While Tokyo is a sprawling mass of concrete jungle Osaka is a rather more confined mass of concrete jungle. This means that it’s possible to get around a lot more easily and quickly, and all the major points to see and do are within a 10-20 minute subway or train ride from the center.

Although lacking the cultural splendior of Kyoto or Nara, Osaka is definately worth a visit to experience a city like no other in Japan. Osakans are famous for their busy lifestyle and a self proclaimed thrifty outlook.

Osaka’s main claims to fame are, in no particular order:

Osaka Jo Castle - rebuilt in the 1930s with a grand park, adjacent to a large business park and hall [google map].
Yoshimoto comedy club - birthplace of many of Japan’s comedians.
Umeda - shopping and business [google map].
Tsuruhasi - located in the East home to Osaka’s large Korean community.
Shinsaibashi / Dotonbori - shopping and eating [google map].
USJ - Universal Studios Japan is Osaka’s answer to Tokyo Disneyland [google map].
Osaka Port - the Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the world’s biggest, a massive ferris wheel, and IMAX theatre [google map].
Tennoji zoo and park and gardens - rather rundown area with the possibly Gaudi, possibly LSD, inspired Festival Gate entertainment complex (yes it has a roller coaster wrapped around it) [google map].
Den Den town - Osaka’s version of the Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district. Lots of electronic and photography shops, some good prices if you care to rummage about a bit.
Namba Parks - large tree filled shopping center. Very pleasant [google map].
Koshien baseball stadium - home of the Hanshin Tigers.
Osaka Dome - multi-use baseball stadium bankrupted and taken over by a private consortium. Lots of big names have played concerts there as well as being home to the Orix Buffaloes baseball team [google map].
Amerika Mura - grungy hangout of sallow gothic youth, and of course lots of shops [google map].
Doyama - the city’s gay district. A street full of restaurants, love hotels and gay bars and venues.