Guidebook for Naniwa-ku, Ōsaka-shi
Sightseeing
After unifying Japan in the late 16th century, General Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this castle (1583) as a display of power, using, it's said, the labour of 100,000 workers. Although the present structure is a 1931 concrete reconstruction (refurbished 1997), it's nonetheless quite a sight, looming dramatically over the surrounding park and moat. Inside is an excellent collection of art, armour, and day-to-day implements related to the castle, Hideyoshi and Osaka. An 8th-floor observation deck has 360-degree views.
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Osaka Castle Park
Ōsakajō-1 Chuo WardAfter unifying Japan in the late 16th century, General Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this castle (1583) as a display of power, using, it's said, the labour of 100,000 workers. Although the present structure is a 1931 concrete reconstruction (refurbished 1997), it's nonetheless quite a sight, looming dramatically over the surrounding park and moat. Inside is an excellent collection of art, armour, and day-to-day implements related to the castle, Hideyoshi and Osaka. An 8th-floor observation deck has 360-degree views.
West of Midō-suji, Amerika-Mura is a compact enclave of hip, youth-focused and offbeat shops, plus cafes, bars, tattoo and piercing parlours, nightclubs, hair salons and a few discreet love hotels. In the middle is Triangle Park, an all-concrete 'park' with benches for sitting and watching the fashion parade. Come night, it's a popular gathering spot.
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America Village
2 Chome-11-Nishishinsaibashi Chuo WardWest of Midō-suji, Amerika-Mura is a compact enclave of hip, youth-focused and offbeat shops, plus cafes, bars, tattoo and piercing parlours, nightclubs, hair salons and a few discreet love hotels. In the middle is Triangle Park, an all-concrete 'park' with benches for sitting and watching the fashion parade. Come night, it's a popular gathering spot.
Highly photogenic Dōtombori is the city's liveliest night spot and centre of the Minami (south) part of town. Its name comes from the 400-year-old canal, Dōtombori-gawa, now lined with pedestrian walkways and a riot of illuminated billboards glittering off its waters. Don't miss the famous Glico running man sign. South of the canal is a pedestrianised street that has dozens of restaurants vying for attention with the flashiest of signage.
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Dotonbori
Dotonbori-9-1 Chome Chuo WardHighly photogenic Dōtombori is the city's liveliest night spot and centre of the Minami (south) part of town. Its name comes from the 400-year-old canal, Dōtombori-gawa, now lined with pedestrian walkways and a riot of illuminated billboards glittering off its waters. Don't miss the famous Glico running man sign. South of the canal is a pedestrianised street that has dozens of restaurants vying for attention with the flashiest of signage.
A century ago, Shin-Sekai ('new world') was home to an amusement park that defined cutting edge. Now this entertainment district mixes down-on-its-heels with retro cool. It's centred around the crusty, trusty, 103m-high steel-frame tower Tsūten-kaku – built 1912, rebuilt 1956 – and surrounded by ancient pachinko and mahjong parlours that draw some truly down-and-out characters. At the same time, Shin-Sekai draws plenty of visitors for nostalgia and cheap eateries behind over-the-top signage, especially for kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers).
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Shinsekai
Ebisuhigashi-8-2 Chome Naniwa WardA century ago, Shin-Sekai ('new world') was home to an amusement park that defined cutting edge. Now this entertainment district mixes down-on-its-heels with retro cool. It's centred around the crusty, trusty, 103m-high steel-frame tower Tsūten-kaku – built 1912, rebuilt 1956 – and surrounded by ancient pachinko and mahjong parlours that draw some truly down-and-out characters. At the same time, Shin-Sekai draws plenty of visitors for nostalgia and cheap eateries behind over-the-top signage, especially for kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers).
Arts & Culture
From its humble invention in 1958 by Andō Momofuku, (1910–2007; later chair of Nissin Foods), instant rāmen has become a global business and one of Japan's most famous exports. Exhibits here illustrate the origin of Cup Noodles and how they're made; there's also a 'tunnel' of Nissin products that showcases a half-century of package design. The highlight, however, is getting to create your own custom blend Cup Noodles to take away (¥300), including decorating the cup.
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Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda
8-25 MasumichōFrom its humble invention in 1958 by Andō Momofuku, (1910–2007; later chair of Nissin Foods), instant rāmen has become a global business and one of Japan's most famous exports. Exhibits here illustrate the origin of Cup Noodles and how they're made; there's also a 'tunnel' of Nissin products that showcases a half-century of package design. The highlight, however, is getting to create your own custom blend Cup Noodles to take away (¥300), including decorating the cup.
Entertainment & Activities
Kaiyūkan is among Japan's best aquariums. An 800m-plus walkway winds past displays of sea life from around the Pacific 'ring of fire': Antarctic penguins, coral-reef butterflyfish, unreasonably cute Arctic otters, Monterey Bay seals and unearthly jellyfish. Most impressive is the ginormous central tank, housing a whale shark, manta and thousands of other fish. Note there are also captive dolphins here, which some visitors may not appreciate; there is growing evidence that keeping cetaceans in captivity is harmful for the animals.
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
1-chōme-1-10 KaigandōriKaiyūkan is among Japan's best aquariums. An 800m-plus walkway winds past displays of sea life from around the Pacific 'ring of fire': Antarctic penguins, coral-reef butterflyfish, unreasonably cute Arctic otters, Monterey Bay seals and unearthly jellyfish. Most impressive is the ginormous central tank, housing a whale shark, manta and thousands of other fish. Note there are also captive dolphins here, which some visitors may not appreciate; there is growing evidence that keeping cetaceans in captivity is harmful for the animals.
Shopping
This Cesar Pelli–designed tower, which opened in March 2014, is Japan's tallest building (300m, 60 storeys). It houses Japan's largest department store (Kintetsu, floors B2–14), the Abeno Harukas Art Museum, a hotel, offices and restaurants. The observatory on the 16th floor is free, but admission is required for the top-level Harukas 300 observation deck, which has 360-degree views of the whole Kansai region through windows that run several storeys high. There's also an open-top atrium up here.
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Abeno Harukas
1-chōme-1-43 AbenosujiThis Cesar Pelli–designed tower, which opened in March 2014, is Japan's tallest building (300m, 60 storeys). It houses Japan's largest department store (Kintetsu, floors B2–14), the Abeno Harukas Art Museum, a hotel, offices and restaurants. The observatory on the 16th floor is free, but admission is required for the top-level Harukas 300 observation deck, which has 360-degree views of the whole Kansai region through windows that run several storeys high. There's also an open-top atrium up here.