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Osaka

Travoley
Osaka
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Osaka Travel Guide

  • About Osaka
Bustling and energetic, Osaka is a thriving metropolis with a distinct commercial culture and with a regional identity that sets it apart from elsewhere in Japan. On the surface, the nation’s third-largest city may seem to lack the sophistication of Tokyo, or the cultural refinement and traditional townscapes of nearby Kyoto. But it more than makes up for these with its enthusiastic embrace of modernity. The city bursts with eclectic street culture, vast underground shopping malls and futuristic architectural landmarks – and that’s before we even get to the food. Osaka has museums in abundance (from the National Museum of Art to the Osaka Science Museum and the Osaka Museum of History), and the city’s aquarium is one of the best in Japan. Then there’s leafy Osaka Castle Park, which makes a peaceful escape from traffic-filled streets. However, to really know this city means mixing with the locals. Eat a regional snack or sip a beer with the good-humoured Osakans and you’ll soon understand more about Japanese culture than by simply visiting a pristine temple. Indeed, this is a city defined by its people. More than anywhere else in Japan, Osakans are friendly and outgoing, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation. They are also very proud of their local dialect, which they consider warmer and more expressive than standard Japanese. But more than anything else, they love good food. The city has a deserved reputation as foodie heaven, with fresh produce from all over the country passing through here thanks to its status as a major port. One local saying that sums up the mentality is kuidaore, which simply means ‘Eat until you drop’. There are great restaurants all over the city, from high-end dining to traditional and cheap street stalls. You certainly won’t go hungry here, and that’s just one of many factors that make Osaka a great place to get to grips with urban Japan.
  • Osaka History
Buddhism, battling warlords and booming industry have all played their part in Osaka’s story. The city has been a gateway for international commerce and exchange since the fifth century, when it was known as Naniwa, and traded with China and Korea. As well as bringing a wealth of goods and knowledge, Osaka’s foreign visitors introduced Buddhism to the town, and the religion rapidly spread across Japan. In 645AD, Emperor Kotoku made Osaka his new capital, building Naniwa-no-Miya Palace, the oldest palace in the country. The capital moved to Asuka in 655AD and then later to Kyoto, but by then Osaka was flourishing, with new temples popping up and a thriving cultural scene. For much of the 14th century, wars ravaged Osaka. But the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, built in 1496 and constructed as a fortress, served to keep the warlords at bay. Nearly a century later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi succeeded in unifying Japan, constructing Osaka Castle in 1583 and making it his power base. The entire town burnt to a cinder in 1615, but things calmed down after that and, though no longer the capital, Osaka began to prosper, sending rice and other foodstuffs to the rest of Japan. The city became renowned as a hub for culture and education, and by the 19th century, it had transformed into a modern, industrial powerhouse. During WWII, Osaka was almost decimated by Allied bombing, which explains the abundance of modern buildings and enormous skyscrapers dominating the city’s skyline today. Post-war Osaka saw meticulous city planning and a return to prosperity. Osaka has become the economic centre of western Japan, attracting multinational companies. Its rich cultural past is still evident in the local culture through the continued enjoyment of culinary pleasures, the performing arts and the city’s large entertainment areas.
  • Did you know?
Around the end of the 19th century, Osaka was nicknamed the ‘Manchester of the Orient’, owing to its successful spinning industry. Osaka hosted Expo ’70, the first world exposition held in Asia. The first Universal Studios in Asia opened in Osaka in 2001.
  • Weather in Osaka
The best times to visit Osaka are during the spring, for the scenic cherry blossoms and the Osaka Basho sumo tournament, and during the summer, when there are a wonderful array of festivals with spectacular parades and fireworks to enjoy. While the summer months can be fiendishly hot; there are afternoon sea breezes from the port that help cool things down. If you want to miss the big crowds and high hotel prices, try to avoid Golden Week (29 April and 3-5 May).

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