Osaka Japan
Japan
is a country of megacities and Osaka is the
second largest in the nation, with a
population of around 19 million inhabitants;
it is the ninth largest metropolitan city on
the planet. Situated on Osaka Bay, the city
abounds with fun things for tourists to do
and excellent shopping opportunities –
especially for those seeking access to
Japan’s renowned high technology.Osaka City,
which has a population of almost three
million, is surrounded by 10 smaller cities.
Transport in the metropolitan area is
facilitated by an excellent underground
subway system that transports over 900
million passengers every year; and any
tourist is sure to found his or her way onto
this network to get around.Osaka is also
known for its food and is often called the
“nation’s kitchen”. A few of the homespun
meals include okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter
cake), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), udon (a
noodle dish), as well as regional sushi and
other traditional Japanese foods. The city
is well served by the Kansai International
Airport, which actually sits on Osaka Bay in
an artificially created, rectangular island
that is linked with the city by bus and
train services.
Shopping
The
underground shopping mall is something for
which Osaka is famous. Sure they may be
confusing and strangely akin to rabbit
warrens to many visitors but entertaining
and intriguing they are also. A particularly
good representation of this type are the
one’s underneath the JR Osaka Station, where
shoppers can wander around buying CDs,
electronics and clothing and stop in for
some Italian cuisine while they are at it.
Osaka is also home to large wholesale
districts where discerning buyers are almost
certain to find themselves a bargain or two.
Just to the east of Nankai Namba Station is
the Doguya-suji area and the Takashimaya
department store; the streets in this zone
are packed with shops selling only kitchen
utensils; which gives a hint of what the
city can offer. Den Den Town is an
electrical goods shopping district, sure to
provide all the high-tech wonder that Japan
is known for.
Tourism
Japan
is extremely rich in culture and history and
the tourism experiences on offer represent
this in Osaka. The Osaka Castle is one of
these and is a famous landmark for Osakans
and a popular sightseeing destination for
visitors. The castle has 13 structures that
the Japanese government has designated
“important cultural assets”, including the
grand gates and turrets along the outer
moat. It is perhaps the most impressive
castle in Japan, especially the sheer height
of the outer walls (30 metres) and the width
of the moats that surround it.
Tourists will also be wowed by the 580
different species of marine animals on
display inside the Osaka Aquarium, which is
one of the biggest on earth. Its 15 tanks
hold a remarkable 5400 tons of water and
house some 30,000 animals – including a pair
of whale sharks, the biggest fish on earth.
Also of note is the Floating Garden
Observatory that is a bridge between the two
towers of the Umeda Sky Building. The
observatory is formed in a doughnut shape
that offers an uninterrupted 360 degree view
around the building, which is impressive
from 170 metres above the ground.
