G osaka japan. Famous sights of Osaka: photos and descriptions. Entertainment in Osaka

DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY:

Osaka is the main city of the prefecture of the same name. Second in importance afterTokyo and the third most populous city, Osaka is a populartourist destination. On at the moment it is home to 2.5 million people.

Its history goes back more than 1,500 years. Osaka was originally the first famous capital Japanese state, however, in those days it was called Naniwa. Since the 7th century, Osaka has been considered an important commercial as well as political and cultural center region. In the 16th century, the city again had a chance to become the capital, but in the end the choice fell on Edo (Tokyo). Even after this, Osaka did not lose its former importance and was still considered the economic center of the country. This fact is explained by the beneficial geographical location, because the port of Osaka has long been considered the most important gateway to the city, as well as to the country.

This location has also had a positive impact on the local cuisine - it is famous for its diversity, and Osaka is often called the “city of food”. Local specialties include udon noodles, octopus takoyaki dumplings and okonomiyaki cake. By the way, Osaka is the only city in Japan included in the global gastronomic network of cities with delicious food Delice. Local cuisine can be sampled in the Dotonbori area, where there are many cafes and restaurants. There is a special atmosphere typical of Osaka that the locals love so much.

Residents of Osaka are significantly different from Tokyo residents: they are more open and energetic, and the city itself is calmer and more compact compared to the capital. Osaka, thanks to its convenient transport system, is easier to get around, and it is also more affordable for tourists in terms of housing prices.

One of the city's most famous attractions is the castle museum, built in the 16th century, which is located in a park of 60,000 square meters. m. In spring, during cherry blossoms, it is especially beautiful here. In addition to the castle, there are others in the city interesting places: Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, Universal Studio Japan, Umeda Sky skyscrapers, the largest in Japan Spa complex World, Rinku and Hirakata parks, Mitami and Sumiyoshi-Taisa shrines, Shitenno-ji Buddhist Temple, Osaka City Museum, Municipal Art Museum and Oriental Ceramics Museum. Shopping lovers will find their happiness on one of the central streets of Osaka, Midosuji, where boutiques of fashionable and branded clothing are concentrated.

By the way, it was in Osaka that Bunraku, traditional Japanese puppet shows, appeared. In 2003, Bunraku dolls were included in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In addition to puppet shows, the city hosts other annual events such as the Tenjin Matsuri festival and the Hikari Renaissance light show.

Unexplored Osaka

We suggest visiting that living natural part of Osaka that few people get to. You will visit Mino Park with the waterfall of the same name, which looks especially gorgeous in autumn. Katsuoji Daruma Temple with an extraordinary daruma painting workshop. In the evening, the real night Osaka will open up for you from the observation deck of the Umeda building.

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CITY ATTRACTIONS:

Osaka Castle Osaka Castle is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. It was founded more than 400 years ago, but was repeatedly destroyed during fierce battles. Now one of the most popular attractions in Osaka, you can see from the top of the tower beautiful view to the surrounding park, urban areas and mountain slopes on the horizon. History In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the powerful ruler who unified Japan, decided to build an impregnable citadel in the heart of one of the the most important regions countries. So, on the site of the small Ishiyama Hogan-ji Temple, Osaka-jo Castle appeared. Most of the buildings of the complex were erected in just 2 years - from 1583 to 1585. Osaka-jo occupied an area of ​​more than 3 million square meters. - Every day thousands of people worked on a huge construction site. The donjon, or main tower, was 9 floors high. Its roof was decorated with golden figures shining in the sun. sea ​​monsters. But the castle was especially famous for its powerful fortifications- its fortress walls consist of more than a million boulders. According to legend, 40,000 stones were presented to the ruler by various clans, thus recognizing Hideyoshi's dominance. Osaka-jo was the largest castle of its era. However, after the death of Toyotomi, the troops of shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa were able to defeat the defenders of the citadel. In 1615, Osaka-jo was destroyed for the first time, and the Hideyoshi family was interrupted forever. The Tokugawa clan restored the main tower of the castle, but in 1665 it burned down again from a lightning strike. The current building was erected in 1931 from much more durable materials. Its appearance was recreated from ancient engravings, but in 1997 modern elevators were added to the building’s façade to facilitate access to the observation deck. The height of the tower is about 40 meters, inside it is still divided into 9 floors. What to see Inside the building is located historical museum- his collection contains more than 10,000 unique items from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The exhibition will tell you about the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the construction of the castle and the bloody battles for dominance over the city. Here you will see weapons and household items, painted decorative panels and scrolls, armor and ceremonial samurai costumes. Historical films are shown on large screens with subtitles in English, Chinese and Korean. For a small additional fee, everyone can have their photo taken in real military attire, consisting of a helmet, surcoat and kimono “kosode”. On the third floor, the golden tea room of Hideyoshi Toyotomi is recreated. The powerful military leader had a special passion for precious metals - on his orders, absolutely everything in the castle was decorated with gold: furniture, weapons, lamps and cutlery. In the teahouse, the walls, floor, columns, ceiling were completely covered with gold... and, of course, the teapot and cups. Toyotomi’s mentor, the famous master Rikyu Sen, took part in the decoration of the room. On the 7th floor there is a diorama presenting viewers with 19 scenes from the life of Toyotomi. Here, with the help of holographic images, scenes from the life of the inhabitants of the castle are periodically played out. The stands display detailed models of the fortress and a miniature reconstruction of the Summer Battle of Osaka. The last floor of the castle is an open observation deck. Here you can also buy a variety of souvenirs and traditional treats marked with Osaka's signature symbols. The gallery offers a beautiful view of the park, as well noteworthy tourists. The area of ​​the castle park exceeds 100 hectares - this favorite place recreation for citizens of all ages. The park is especially popular in the spring, during the cherry blossom season. But the lush greenery is beautiful at any time of the year - even in winter, camellias bloom in Osaka's warm climate. The defensive ditches filled with water are also impressive - their width reaches 90 meters! Also on the territory of the complex there are many auxiliary buildings: an armory, a warehouse, a gate and barracks. 13 buildings are recognized as Important Cultural heritage Japan. There is an additional fee for entrance to the Nishihonmaru Garden - here, surrounded by six hundred cherry trees, there is an elegant tea house and guest quarters.

Spa World Osaka It just so happens that Osaka cannot boast a large number natural hot springs - but the largest Spa World complex in Japan can welcome residents and guests of the city. It is located in the Shinsekai area, where time seems to have stood still in the 1950s. Spa World is a must-visit for anyone who likes to soak in a hot bath and enjoy a massage. There are also several communal swimming pools, a children's play area and water slides. Each zone of the complex has a separate floor. To get into the building you need to purchase entrance ticket in the machine installed at the entrance. On the first level there is a lobby, the reception of the adjacent hotel, souvenir shops and individual shoe boxes. To use them, you need to make a deposit of 100 yen. (You can return the coin later). By presenting your entrance ticket at the reception, you will receive an electronic bracelet that remembers all your purchases on the territory of the complex. You can check your balance in special machines inside the spa area. Please note that entry for people with tattoos is prohibited! Spa World's aqua zones are located on the 4th, 6th and 8th floors. On the roof of the building there is a public area with an outdoor pool - here everyone wears swimsuits or robes. In the thematic areas below, it is customary to swim naked - men and women are allocated different floors of the complex. Usually, on odd-numbered months, the women's floor is the fourth, and on even-numbered months, the sixth floor. Each floor is decorated in a unique style - for example, the 4th level contains European baths, while the 6th floor is traditionally Japanese. Cells for things are located directly at the entrance to the aqua zone. At the information desks on each floor you can rent a swimsuit and get a small towel. In the European zone there are pools designed in the style of the famous ancient baths, Finnish log saunas, the Italian Azure Grotto and even the baths of the mysterious Atlantis. Each room has some distinctive feature - for example, in Atlantis, real fish and even small sharks swim under the glass floor. The Spanish pool is located under open air, and on one of its sides there is quite a high waterfall.In a Spanish cafe you can enjoy cool drinks while dipping your feet in a shallow pool with warm water. In the Greek halls you will be offered herbal baths and mud masks. In an Italian grotto you can relax in a salt bath, take a dip in the hottest Roman baths and then dive into a golden bowl of ice-cold water. Calm warm pool Mediterranean Sea will allow you to take a break from the contrasts - there are underwater benches for guests. The Asian part features Japanese rotenburos, a stone pool in the Middle Eastern style, Indian salt baths, Persian milk baths and much more. Japanese-style pools are located in the open air and are decorated with cypress wood, which gives the space a special coziness and warmth. There are real cherry trees planted around the baths, and in the spring, sakura petals swirl right above your head. In the halls of Bali, visitors are offered massages and mud baths at an additional cost. Also in the Asian part there is the high-tech zone Dr. Spa, where you can relax in the pools with sparkling water. The eighth floor is a public area - here you will have to wear a swimsuit. The outdoor pool on the roof is especially popular in the warm season; it is connected to the indoor baths by several tunnels and artificial “rivers.” The hot stone spa area is located between two large pools, one of which can be accessed via water slides. On the top floors there is also an extensive children's room play area. Unlike the rest of the complex, the public pools close at 10 pm. Be careful - in winter time Outdoor baths and water slides may be closed for maintenance. The public area also includes a spacious gym. The men's and women's floors are open until 9 am the next day, but after midnight you will have to pay an additional 1,300 yen. There are a variety of restaurants on the third floor where you can dine after a relaxing spa treatment. For an additional price you can get a massage, peeling, manicure and others. additional services. Also on the 4th and 6th floors there are relaxation rooms with blankets, pillows, TVs and comfortable low chairs - perfect for taking a nap before visiting the next pool. Additional charges include: sunbeds on hot stones, foot baths, massage sessions, water slides, swimsuit rental, slippers, socks and gym shoes. You must shower before entering the spa area. Shampoo, conditioner and towel are provided free of charge.

Universal Studios Japan Located in Osaka entertainment complex Universal Studios Japan is the first theme park, opened by the famous American brand in Asia. Since 2001, the complex has attracted millions of visitors, second only to Tokyo Disneyland in popularity. USJ Osaka covers an area of ​​39 hectares. The park is divided into 8 large thematic zones - you can visit Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, water world, Amity Village, Wonderland and, of course, magical world Harry Potter. Each zone is equipped with unique attractions that take you into the bewitching world of childhood magic. There is everything here - from carousels for the youngest visitors to high-speed roller coasters for adrenaline junkies. Colorful rides and simulators will make you feel like a superhero or a visitor to a dinosaur park. Here you can meet the Terminator or fly back to the future on the legendary DeLorean. In addition, in the park you can chat with Snoopy and Hello Kitty, or take photos with the inhabitants of Sesame Street. Several themed shows are held every day, including illuminations and an evening parade. The park is constantly updated, sections are redesigned using the most modern technologies. In 2013, after the opening of the Hollywood Dream roller coaster and the New Adventures of Spider-Man attraction, the flow of visitors increased significantly. Also very popular is the family zone “Wonderland”, opened in 2012 on the site of the Land of Oz. Of the new attractions, it is worth noting “Bio Hazard - The Real” and “Monster Hunter - The Real” based on popular video games. Also recently opened the show One Piece, dedicated to the famous anime series. And, of course, the pearl of the park now is the magical world of Harry Potter with the village of Hogsmeade, the shops of Crooked Lane and the harsh towers of Hogwarts. And here you can ride a hippogriff and sail over the mysterious waters of the Black Lake. Not far from the entrance to the park is Universal Citywalk Osaka - a huge shopping complex that includes a mall, several hotels, restaurants and many souvenir shops from the USJ studio. And on the 4th floor of the complex you can find small museum Takoyaki is a traditional Osaka treat consisting of dough balls filled with octopus.

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium Osaka is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world, famous for its whale sharks. Kaiyukan is located in the center of the Bay Area - this unusual building looks like it was assembled from a huge children's construction set. By the way, the project of the complex was developed by the American bureau Peter Chermayeff LLC. Its founder, hereditary architect Pyotr Chermayev, comes from the Russian Empire (the city of Grozny). Kaiyukan is a complex of 15 giant tanks and many smaller aquariums. The largest of them contains 5,400 tons of water. It contains more than 580 species of various inhabitants of the Pacific Ridge. The aquarium is home to tens of thousands of marine animals - from tiny, fragile jellyfish to a pair of majestic whale sharks. The entrance to the aquarium is marked by the Water Gate, a tunnel running through the vast tank. Behind it there are elevators that take visitors to the Japanese Forest on the roof of the building. It is best to start viewing the exhibition from the eighth floor, gradually going down. Large tanks occupy several levels at once, so when going down the stairs that wrap around them, you can observe the life of marine life from different points of view - as if diving with scuba gear. Each of the 15 reservoirs represents a fragment of the ecosystem of a specific region of the Pacific Ridge. You'll see curious sea otters, penguins, dolphins and squid, giant Far Eastern spider crabs and stingrays. In the central tank, 9 meters deep and 34 meters long, the largest fish in nature - giant whale sharks - slowly soar. The walls of the aquariums are cast from acrylic glass up to 30 centimeters thick. The largest panel measuring 5 by 6 meters weighs more than 10 tons! Kaiyukan also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop where you can take a photo next to a plastic whale shark.

Umeda Sky The Umeda Sky Towers are perhaps one of the most unusual buildings in Osaka. And if Hideyoshi Castle is an example of traditional architecture of past centuries, then the sparkling skyscrapers of Umeda are a symbol of modern Japan. The Umeda Sky Building complex houses offices, conference rooms, shops, restaurants and much more. For tourists, the greatest interest is observation deck on the 40th floor. Here, at an altitude of 167 meters, the towers are connected by an original metal structure reminiscent of an alien ship. Visitors ascend to the site using an escalator installed in a transparent tunnel between the buildings. The views from the top of the skyscraper will leave few people indifferent - the city is especially beautiful in the evening. There are several cafeterias on the site, where you can buy various souvenirs, postcards and traditional treats.

The most interesting sights of Osaka are scattered at great distances from each other, but some areas are worth a walk. The best place to start exploring the city is Osaka-jo Castle and its surroundings. The Umeda district, located north of the city center, also has several notable buildings, such as the Museum of Oriental Ceramics and impressive skyscrapers built near several railway stations. Ogawa's neighborhoods, including Shinsaibashi, Dotombori, America-mura and Namba, are primarily shopping areas, with plenty of dining and entertainment options for active nightlife.

In addition, it is worth taking a look at the Tennoji quarter, where the main temple of the city, Shitennoji, is located, and also stroll through the center along the ancient streets in the Tennoji-koen area. Further south is Osaka's ancient shrine, Sumiyoshi Taisha, a preserved green island amid the city's sprawl.

Setting off to the side seaport, don't miss the Liberty Osaka Museum, whose exhibition touches on some sensitive aspects modern history Japan. The Tempozan Harbor Village complex is home to the famous Osaka Aquarium, which has one of the best collections of aquatic fauna and flora, and very close to the giant theme park Universal Studios Japan with many amazing attractions.

About a kilometer from Osaka-jo Castle, between the Dojima and Tosaboi rivers, lies the small island of Nakanoshima, in the eastern part of which there is a small park. Here in a squat brick building is located Museum of Oriental Ceramics, where in a calm and secluded atmosphere, far from the bustling city life, you can look at typical samples ancient Chinese and Korean ceramics.

Not far from the museum there is an attractive central town hall, built in 1816 in a neoclassical style, especially beautiful when illuminated at night. Crossing the Oe-bashi Bridge along Midosujidori Street, you find yourself in the heart of the Umeda district, where three train lines converge: Hanshin, Hankyu and Japan Railways (JR). Just in front of the train stations, in a small alley, lies the Ohatsu-Tenjin Shrine, where local stall owners pray for the prosperity of their businesses and where a flea market is held every first Friday of the month.

If you're not planning on taking the train, it's still worth a look at the Baroque-style central concourse of Hankyu Umeda Station, as well as the nearby HEP 5-story building with many shops and restaurants, the roof of which is crowned by a Ferris wheel, from which a wonderful view view of Osaka. Of course, such a Ferris wheel is worth a visit, but keep in mind that on weekends and holidays it is very crowded, and therefore the queues can be quite long. To the west of the station, through a tunnel under the railway track, you will come to the twin towers UmedaSkyBuilding, where you can take a glass elevator to observation deck "Hanging Gardens" located at an altitude of 170 meters. Despite the fact that there are several other attractions in the Twin Towers, this opportunity to look at Osaka from a bird's eye view will not be cheap, so if you have already seen Osaka Castle, then it is better not to linger here. Open area at the foot of the Twin Towers is the venue International Beer Summit, which takes place here every year in October, during the second weekend of the month. At this time, up to forty thousand beer lovers gather for the festival, offering a wide variety of entertainment: traditional and modern music, dishes from all over the world and more than 200 types of different beers. The ground floor of the nearby Garden Six building is stylized as a 19th-century street called Fun Fun Plaza, which is home to many restaurants and shops.

2 kilometers from the Namba quarter is Shitennoji- the first state Buddhist temple in Japan. The temple has retained its classic appearance, however, none of the buildings originally erected in 593 have survived. The oldest building of this temple complex with a pond in which turtles live and a five-tiered pagoda in the center are the late 13th century torii at the main entrance gate. The treasury, located in a modern white building behind the central courtyard, contains magnificent orange robes and huge mandalas decorated with fantastic dragons and birds and used for ceremonial dances bugaku, held in the temple on April 22, August 8 and October 22. Main entrance The temple is a five-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Station and 15 minutes from Tennoji Overland Station.

Apart from holidays, the spacious Shitennoji is an easy place to escape the crowds, but the modest grounds of the nearby temple Isshinji there are always a lot of parishioners. This temple is decorated with stunning modern sculptures the gods of Wind and Thunder (Fujin and Raijin) and images of topless dancers on the steel entrance gate.

Leaving the temple through the adjacent cemetery you can walk to Osaka Municipal Art Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition of excellent examples of ancient and modern oriental art, as well as various special exhibitions. Located behind the gallery Keita-kohen- a nice traditional Japanese garden spread around a pond. The garden, donated to Osaka by Baron Sumitomo, whose family owned the largest trading company of the same name, is currently part of Tennoji-koen, which also includes a modern giant greenhouse - a glass house that contains plants and flowers from all over the world.

Not very far from Tennoji Garden there is an unpresentable neighborhood Shin-Sekai (New world) with narrow shopping streets, inexpensive bars, restaurants and arcades pachinko. In the center of this quarter there is an interesting Tsutenkaku Tower. After being completely destroyed during World War II, the building was rebuilt in the 1950s, but at just 103 meters tall, it was inferior to both the skyscrapers of the Umeda district and the 256-meter Cosmotower near Osaka Bay. There is an amusement park within walking distance of Tsutenkaku Tower FestivalGate with plenty of attractions, restaurants and shops, as well as an interesting wellness center SpaWorld, which offers a large selection of baths and saunas, from Roman to Chinese herbal.

From Ebisucho Station, it is only a 15-minute subway or tram ride to Sumiyoshi Taisha- the largest Shinto shrine in Osaka, dedicated to the sea gods of the Shinto religion. Built in 211 in honor of Empress Jingo, who returned from her trip to Korea, the temple buildings, with beams projecting at an angle from under thatched roofs, are an example sumiyoshi zukuri- one of the oldest Japanese styles of temple architecture. Unlike similar complexes in Ise and Izumo Taisha, Sumiyoshi Taisha is painted bright red and contrasts very sharply with the surrounding green surroundings. You can get to the shrine through the graceful humpback bridge Sori-hashi, donated to the Yodogimi Shrine, the beloved of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

To the west of Tennoji, in an industrial area, there is an important museum of the city - Liberty Osaka, or more precisely, the Museum of the Struggle for Human Rights. It features some amazing exhibits that touch on some of Japan's most taboo subjects. Here you can find an excellent booklet and audio course on English, very useful when viewing the exhibition telling about burakuminah- Japan's outcast ethnic minorities and disabled people, gender oppression of women and the effects of pollution environment, the especially horrific results of which are illustrated by an exhibition about the Minamata disease that broke out as a result of mercury pollution in the sea near Kumamoto. The museum is located a 10-minute walk from JR Ashiharabashi Station.

To get to Osaka Bay, you need to take the bypass. railway JR to Bentencho Station. Along the way, you'll see the UFO-like Osaka Dome, home to famous performers from around the world and the local professional baseball team, the Kintetsu Buffaloes. From Bentencho Station, take the subway's Chuo Line to Osaka-ko Station, from where you can go to the giant ferris wheels, located near the big shopping complex Tempozan area. Inside the exotic building, slightly reminiscent of a butterfly in shape, the main facade of which is decorated with mosaics, there is Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium. This aquarium is built in such a way that you can view fourteen tanks containing representatives of marine fauna from different regions planets, from the Aleutian Islands to Antarctica. The design of the aquarium is so well thought out that, for example, you can first look at fur seals basking on rocks protruding to the surface, and then see them diving or swimming, cutting water surface. The giant central aquarium displays fauna Pacific Ocean, including huge whale sharks, manta rays and other exotic representatives depths of the sea. And the main attraction is the spider crabs, very similar to the alien invaders from the movie “War of the Worlds”.

In Tempozan you can see and Suntory Museum, which is located in an amazing building made of concrete and glass, built in the form of an inverted cone by the famous self-taught Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The museum specializes in 20th-century graphic art and has a collection of more than 10,000 posters.

On west coast Osaka, on an area of ​​140 hectares, is an amusement park - Universal Studios in Japan. It is one of the nation's leading theme parks, offering a variety of rides and other attractions, including Harry Potter, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and topped by a nearly vertical 25-meter drop. All performances use modern special effects and the latest computer graphics. Among the many places to eat at Universal Studios Japan, there is a French cafe, an Irish pub from Brooklyn, a pizzeria in the style of the Godfather and, strangely enough, a Japanese restaurant copying the same one in New York, in the Soho quarter.

The closest way to get here is through Universal City Station on the JR Sakurajima Line, which connects with the JR Circle Railway at Nishikujo Station. And there are direct express trains running from JR Osaka Station to Universal City Station every 10 minutes.

Osaka has a reputation as a foodie paradise, but to find best place in a city literally crammed with restaurants, this is not an easy task. The neighborhoods offer a wide selection of food establishments Dotombori And Umeda, and in the quarter Tsuruhashi There are restaurants specializing in Korean cuisine.

While in Osaka, be sure to visit an okonomiyaki restaurant, preferably one where visitors can fry these meat pancakes themselves at the table. Osaka also has its own version of sushi - oshizushi- a layer of rice soaked in vinegar, seaweed and fish, cut into small pieces. In Osaka, thick udon noodles are prepared according to the Osaka recipe - boiled in vinegar with pieces of meat or seafood.

The best selection of cafes and restaurants in Osaka is in the Umeda and Sonezaki areas of Kita, as well as in the Shinsaibashi, Dotombori and Namba areas of Minami. You can succumb to temptation as you walk through the narrow streets lined with shops selling noodle dishes and takoyaki-bars and restaurants decorated with neon lights and fancy signs - especially on Dotombori-dori street. It makes sense to visit large chain hotels or department stores, especially at lunchtime, when many restaurants operate a business lunch system.

Osaka's nightlife center is located in Ebisu-bashi, a breathtaking quarter where you should definitely take a stroll if you want to see the crazy youth of Osaka. Not far from here is America-mura filled with trendy shops and bars. And the Hozen-ji Yokocho district, near the paper-lantern-decorated Hozen-ji Temple, is the epitome of old Osaka, with narrow streets dotted with tiny drinking establishments.

There are significantly fewer gay clubs in Osaka than in Tokyo, and historically most of them are located in the Kita area. These are quite modest, although moderately decent establishments.

It was in Osaka that the art of Bunraku puppet theater originated in the 17th century, and puppet shows are still held in the Namba quarter at the National Bunraku Theater. Tickets, the cost of which directly depends on the production, sell out very quickly.

Kabuki plays can be seen at the renovated Osaka Shochiku-za, a five-minute walk from Namba Station, next to the Dotombori Canal. If you want to watch plays of the Noh theater that are more difficult to perceive, then on weekends and days national holidays There are often free performances at the Osaka Noh Hall. Please note that these shows begin at 9:30.

Manzai, a comic narrative performed by a duo, is popular throughout Japan, but is associated specifically with the Kansai region, and Osaka in particular. Often vulgar, manzai is nevertheless very popular with the general public, especially the younger generation. Usually the duet consists of a “boke” (stupid and bad guy) and a “tsukkomi” (good and smart guy), and the action lasts until the boke annoys the tsukkomi with his stupidity so much that he cannot stand it and loses his composure and calmness.

Kansai manzai shows have been the most popular comedy shows on television since the early 1980s.

Osaka is a Japanese city that ranks third in terms of population in Japan and is located in the south of the island of Honshu in Osaka Bay, near the Yodo River.

It is the capital of Osaka Prefecture.

Osaka city, Japan

Video panorama of Osaka city

Brief history

In 663 BC, the first Yamato warriors came ashore to the territory of present-day Osaka, defeating local tribes and created the first Japanese state of Yamato. In 638, the city of Naniva was founded in this area, which served as the capital from the 7th to 8th centuries. In the first half of the 8th century, the capital was moved to Nara, and Naniwa gradually fell into decline. In 1496, on the ruins of ancient imperial castles, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple was erected, around which the city called Osaka gradually grew. In the 16th century, the city and temple were destroyed by the confrontation between Oda Nobunaga and Buddhist sectarians, but in the next few years, thanks to the efforts of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a new monastery and city were erected.

In the 17th - 19th centuries, Osaka was the most important trading point in Japan; the number of merchants living in the city was enormous.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Osaka was an industrial-military zone and was therefore heavily damaged as a result of air attacks during the Second World War.

Sights of Osaka

Umeda Sky Building

A glass escalator takes the visitor to the 39th floor of this unusual building. The observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 173 meters, combines two twin towers. It offers stunning views of the city, and features state-of-the-art displays and gaming devices that simulate virtual reality.

A famous Osaka landmark, puppet theater performances are held every January, April, June, July, August and November, and last 20 days, with plays starting at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. To understand the plot, foreign visitors can wear special headphones that play an English translation.

USJ - Universal Studio Japan

This is a theme park dedicated to Hollywood cinema, opened in 2001.

Every year the park is visited by approximately 8 million people.

USJ is divided into a number of areas: New York zone, Wild West zone, Jurassic Park, Water World, etc. IN entertainment center there are attractions and interesting performances and shows based on the plots of popular Hollywood films, for example “Jaws”, “Shrek”, “Terminator”, “Jurassic Park”, “Waterworld”, “Back to the Future”, “Spider-Man” "and many others.

Terminator at the amusement park

SPA complex Spa World

This is a giant health center that can accommodate 5,000 people. In the complex you can visit hot baths in onsens (hot springs), which are heated not by the center’s employees, but by nature itself at a kilometer depth.

In the wellness center you can take a steam bath in the national baths of various countries - China, Turkey, India, Japan, etc.

Water in onsen relieves muscle pain, treats arthritis, diseases of the joints, stomach, intestines and cardiovascular system. Women will benefit from taking mud baths, which make their skin smooth and beautiful.

Shitennoji Temple

The palace was built in the 6th century by Prince Shotoku. Japanese Buddhism was born in this temple. The buildings of the complex were burned down, and the current concrete reconstructions do not have much historical value, but are nevertheless beautiful and convey an idea of ​​the architecture of those times.

Aquarium "Kayukan"

By visiting one of the main attractions of Osaka, the Kayukan Aquarium, you can personally observe the rich underwater world of the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium contains about 35 thousand marine inhabitants, including such huge animals as manta rays and whale sharks.

Video Osaka Aquarium

Osaka on the map of Japan

Article genre - Cities of Japan

Osaka(Japanese: 大阪市 O:saka-shi (inf.)) is the third most populous city in Japan, which is located in the southern part of the island of Honshu, near the mouth of the Yodo River in Osaka Bay. The center of the prefecture of the same name. Since 1956, it has the status of a city, determined by government decree.

Geography

Osaka is located in the western part of Osaka Prefecture, in the center of the island of Honshu. The city has access to the Inner Sea of ​​Japan. The relief of Osaka is flat. The most high point- Mount New Tsurumi in the Tsurumi region, 37.5 m high. The lowest point is the Yamatoda area in the Nishi-Yodogawa region, located −2.21 above sea level.

Osaka is spread over two plateaus and an alluvial plain. The plateaus lie east of the city center. The largest of them is Uemati, an early Pleistocene plateau, 12 km long. It extends from north to south, from the Osaka Castle area to Sumiyoshi Shrine. The second plateau, Abiko, is smaller and formed in the late Pleistocene. It is 8 km long and extends from east to south, from Katsuyama Mound to the Yamato River.

The Osaka Alluvial Plain was formed due to the accumulation of sediments in the delta of the Yodo and Yamato rivers, which flow into Osaka Bay in the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. This plain occupies most of the city. The Yodo River is the main waterway of Osaka and flows in the northern part. At the mouth it is divided into several branches that form a delta - the Kanzaki, Tenma, Neya, Dojima, Tosa-Horikawa, Aji, Sirinashi, Kizu rivers. In early modern times, citizens connected these branches with numerous canals, which is why Osaka was called the “Water Capital”. The rivers contributed to the development of urban trade and transport, but repeatedly caused floods. They stopped after the construction of a drainage canal - the New Yodo River - in 1909. The city's second largest river, the Yamato, flows in the south of Osaka and serves as its southern border. Historically, the Yamato River merged with the Yodo in the north of the city, but in 1704 its course was changed to prevent flooding. The soil of the delta of the Yodo and Yamato rivers consists of weak sand and soft clay. Until modern times, landslides were frequent in the city due to the digging of wells and the extraction of groundwater.

Osaka belongs to the climate zone of the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The climate in the city is humid subtropical. The average annual temperature in Osaka in 1981-2010 was + 16.9 °C. Summers are usually hot and winters are relatively warm. Snow falls very rarely. The average annual atmospheric pressure is 1005.2 hPa. The amount of precipitation is insignificant - 1279.0 mm for 1981-2010. The rainiest time of year is summer and early autumn. The wind blows predominantly from the west or northeast in the city. Its average annual speed is 2.6 m/s. The wind often brings smoke from the waterfront industrial area and the northern industrial area of ​​Yodogawa to Osaka, causing air pollution and smog.

Story

The modern area where the city of Osaka is located has long been called “Naniwa” (Japanese: 難波, 浪華, 浪花). This name was preserved in the names of the central districts of the city - Naniwa and Namba. During the reign of Emperor Kotoku (596-654), Naniwa was imperial palace, and the place itself was the capital of Japan. It was located at the intersection of important trade routes: sea along the Inland Sea of ​​Japan to the western lands of the country and the mainland, and land, which led to the lands of the Kanto region through modern Kyoto.

According to the first Japanese historical chronicles “Kojiki” and “Nihon Shoki”, it was in the area of ​​modern Osaka in 663 BC. e. near the delta of the Yodo River, the first conquerors of Yamato landed, who broke the resistance of the native tribes and founded the state of Yamato in the neighboring province - the first Japanese state formation. A thousand years later, in 638, Emperor Temmu founded a city in the Naniwa area. In the 7th-8th centuries it became the residence of several emperors, and therefore the capital of the country. At the beginning of the 8th century, the center of the state was moved to the city of Nara, but Naniwa remained the largest commercial city and international port of Japan. However, in the Middle Ages the development of the city almost stopped, which led to its decline at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1496, in the area of ​​​​modern Osaka, on the ruins of ancient imperial palaces, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji monastery was built, which became the center of the Jodo-shinshu sect. A city arose around the monastery, which has since received the name Osaka(Japanese 小坂, “Small Descent”), which will later turn into modern name Oosaka(Japanese: 大坂, 大阪, “Great Descent”). In 1580, the monastery and the city were destroyed by the war between Buddhist sectarians and Oda Nobunaga, but within four years a new building appeared in their place. new castle and the city that Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, built.

In the 17th-19th centuries, Osaka was the main trading center of the country. In contrast to other cities in Japan, which were inhabited mainly by samurai and burghers, Osaka was inhabited mainly by merchants. The city turned into an “all-Japan bank”, the creditors of which were almost all the country’s shoguns and the owners of the provinces. Trade contributed to the flourishing of the arts, particularly ukiyo-e prints and commoner theater kabuki and bunraku.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Osaka was an important industrial and military center, which is why it suffered from American bombing during World War II.

Osaka was granted city status on April 1, 1889. Emperor Meiji granted it with a rescript the status of a city, determined by government decree on October 1, 1911. In post-war Japan, this status was approved by government decree on September 1, 1956.

Culture

Museums and historical monuments

• Castle in Osaka
• National Museum arts
• Museum of Oriental Ceramics
• Historical Museum

• The National Bunraku Theater is one of the country's largest puppet theaters of the traditional Bunraku genre.
• Osaka Shochiku-za (Japanese: 大阪松竹座) is a kabuki theater that also produces manzai comedies.
• Shin Kabuki-za (Japanese: 新歌舞伎座) is a new kabuki theater that specializes in dramas and performances of the enka genre.

The most famous Buddhist temples

• Isshin-ji (Japanese: 一心寺) is a temple of the Jodo-shu school, which houses statues of Amitabha, created from the ashes of hundreds of thousands of dead and held together with resin.
• Shitenno-ji (Japanese: 四天王寺) is a temple of the Tendai school, one of the oldest Japanese temples, founded by Prince Shotoku.

Shinto shrines

• Sumiyoshi-taisha (Japanese: 住吉大社) is the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi.
• Tenman-gu (Japanese: 大阪天満宮) is a Shinto shrine founded in 949.

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan.

Founded in the 5th-6th centuries, it originally bore the name Naniva - “swift waves”. And in 1496, during the construction of the Ishiyama Honganji Monastery, the city received its current name - Osaka, which translates as “high slope”.

Today Osaka is the largest commercial and industrial center of the state. It is here that one of the most significant ports of the country is located, receiving ships from all over the world. Many Japanese corporations were founded in the city, including Daiwa, Sumitomo and Marubeni. Built on artificial island Osaka Kansai Airport is even called a miracle of the 21st century.

Osaka natives are considered the most energetic, cheerful and open people in Japan. It was thanks to their determination that Osaka, completely destroyed during World War II, was not only rebuilt, but also did not lose its significance and grandeur.

Climate and weather

Osaka is located in a humid subtropical climate zone.

Winter here is usually quite mild. The coldest month in Osaka is January, when average temperature air fluctuates around +6 °C. Snow falls extremely rarely.

Summers here are very hot and stuffy due to high humidity. In July and August, the air during the day can heat up to +35 °C, and the average night temperature at this time is around +25 °C.

The rainy season in Osaka lasts from May to July, with a lot of rainfall also in September.

The most favorable time to come to Osaka is spring and autumn, which are characterized by mild and warm weather.

Nature

The city is located on east coast Osaka Bay. The main territory of the city and the prefecture of the same name is located on a plain, surrounded from the north and east by low mountains. River Yodogawa cuts through the city with numerous canals.

And although Osaka is a modern industrial city, there are unique corners nature, which are harmoniously woven into the city landscape.

There is an unusual park called Namba, which represents unique « hanging gardens Osaka". The park, which occupies 8 floors, is located in a 30-story complex Parks Tower. Everyone can visit it and relax among the fresh greenery, artificial waterfalls and ponds.

Another natural attraction of Osaka is national park"Shanin Kaigan". On its territory there are many terrestrial and sea ​​caves, sand dunes and magnificent beaches. The highest waterfall in the prefecture is also located here. Tottori.

Attractions

Second world war destroyed almost all the historical architectural and religious sights of the city, but some of them were completely restored. So, to the east of the center of Osaka rises a castle Osaka-jo. Its main five-story tower rises 58 meters high, and the castle itself is surrounded by the largest park in the city.

There is a temple in the Minami-ku area Sumiyoshi, where, according to legend, the souls of dead sailors rest. The temple is decorated with a magnificent arched bridge.

Not far from here there is a reconstruction of the ancient Buddhist templeShitennoji. Every year on April 22, a big festival takes place here, where court dances are demonstrated. "bugaku".

A striking example modern architecture is a skyscraper "Umeda Sky Building"- a 40-story giant consisting of twin towers. You can climb to its 173-meter-high observation deck using a glass escalator.

Village by the harbor Tempozan- a huge amusement park famous for its Ferris wheel (the largest in the world!) and an aquarium "Kaiyukan". The 14-level aquarium, populated by Pacific fish and mammals, is one of Osaka's most striking attractions.

Opposite the bay, a little to the left of the underwater tunnel is located Cosmo Square, where you can visit the observatory, wine museum and bird sanctuary "Nanko".

Nutrition

They say that people in Osaka are happy and simple-minded because of what they eat. good food. Indeed, this city is famous for its delicious food, be it traditional dishes or products from other countries.

In Osaka you will find all types of restaurants, from upscale establishments to eateries fast food. For example, on a shopping street Tenjinbashi-suji There are establishments specializing in noodles or sushi, as well as various cafeterias. In total, there are about 600 restaurants in this area.

The widest selection of restaurants is in the Kita and Minami areas. Additionally, a walk around any of the train stations will reveal a variety of restaurants with varied menus and prices.

Most restaurant prices include sales tax. It is not customary to leave a tip in Osaka. Generally only cash is accepted for payment.

Any visit to Osaka would be incomplete without trying the local delicacies. The most prominent representative local cuisine — "tako-yaki"(octopus dumplings). Other local dish — "okonomi"- looks like a kind of pancake with cabbage, meat, seafood or other ingredients of your choice. Most popular restaurants okonomi-yaki — "Chibo" And "Fugetsu".

Accommodation

If we talk about the price of a hotel room in Osaka, then its cost in economy class rarely exceeds $100 (you can find it for $50), but hotel accommodation is more high class will cost at least $250 per day.

Cheapest places to stay — This Hotel Raizan Minamikan, J-Hoppers Osaka Guesthouse, Capsule Hotel Daitoyo, Guesthouse CaminoRo, Weekly Uehonmachi, Raizan Kitakan.

In Osaka you can find fairly inexpensive traditional hotels (ryokans), such as Kameya Ryokan.

And, of course, there are many luxury hotels here that can satisfy the most demanding requirements. . For example, Hilton hotel Osaka, Imperial hotel Osaka, New Otani, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka.

Entertainment and relaxation

In Osaka you can simply plunge into a sea of ​​entertainment. Numerous clubs and bars in the Namba and Kita areas, mind-blowing attractions in the park Universal Studios Japan, a huge aquarium, planetarium and much more await you in this vibrant city.

You can stroll through the city's museums, many of which are unique. The most interesting of them are the Museum of Science, the Museum of Ceramics, Naval Museum, Art Museum and Osaka History Museum. Each of them is curious. So, although the Osaka History Museum is located in an ordinary building, inside it the streets of the old city are recreated in real size.

One of Osaka's unique attractions is the theater. "Bunraku"(Japanese puppet theater). Performances there are usually held in November, January, April, June, August or July for three weeks. In addition, in this theater you can see theater performances "no", "kabuki" And "rakugo".

Osaka is a city of unusual excursions: treat yourself to a short historical cruise river channels or an exciting all-terrain vehicle tour that will allow you to learn the most interesting things about the city and its traditions.

Numerous festivals and holidays will help you feel the real spirit of the city. Osaka's biggest festival is Tenjin, it is held annually on July 24-25. Fairy-tale boats float along the rivers, dressed-up townspeople parade through the streets, and the sky lights up with fireworks.

Purchases

In Osaka it's easy incredible amount department stores, boutiques and all kinds of small shops. You can start your tour of the city's shopping streets from the first district of Tenjinbashi, where the 2.5-kilometer indoor shopping street Tenjinbashi-suji runs. All kinds of shops, laundries, massage and hairdressing salons, pharmacies, banks, post offices, and mini-markets are concentrated here.

Another long one shopping district starts at the metro station "Shinsaibashi". There are two large department stores here - "Sogo" And "Daimaru", as well as about 180 small boutiques and restaurants. If you turn onto Suomati Street from the middle of the block, you will find yourself in the “American village”, where there are shops selling youth clothing and various accessories. There is a street not far from here "Europe"- an elegant, stone-paved area where boutiques of European designers have settled.

Osaka has a huge market "Kuromon", where you can find wholesale and retail stores, mainly selling food products.

West of it, on the streets Kaguton and Doguya, there are shops selling kitchen utensils and furniture. To the south of Sakai-Suji you will find Nihonbashi Denden Town, an electronics and electrical engineering district.

The Kita district is a kind of calling card of the city. There are four huge department stores here. The entire area is permeated shopping arcades, both on the ground and underground.

One of the peculiarities of Osaka is that shops of the same specialization are usually concentrated in one place. For example, shops selling traditional dolls and fireworks have rallied along Matsuya-suji Street.

Transport

Osaka is served by two airports: Itami (local flights) and Kansai (international flights). Works great in the city itself transport system. There are several in Osaka railway lines, 7 metro lines. In addition, the city has a developed network of trams and city buses; you can take a taxi at any time of the day.

During rush hour, Osaka's streets are heavily trafficked, so avoid using public transportation during this time.

Connection

You can call your loved ones from your hotel room. There are several ways to do this. Use Skype on your laptop. All hotels in Japan provide free WiFi. Also, almost all hotel rooms have landline telephones. The cost of calls depends on the time of day.

There are pay phones on the streets from which you can make calls even abroad. A distinctive feature of international slot machines is their bright green color.

Upon arrival in Japan, right at the airport you can rent a Japanese mobile phone and a SIM card for it. If your phone is not quite modern, then you will not be able to use it here: old phone models do not receive a signal 3G.

Safety

Crime rates in Osaka are low. As a rule, you can safely walk down the street even at night. However, the risk of crime increases in bars and nightclubs. When visiting such places, we recommend that you refrain from using a credit card. The police telephone number is 110.

Japan is a zone of high seismic activity, so you should learn the basic rules of behavior in extreme situations. Remember that if an earthquake hits you indoors, you will need to hide under a table or in the bathroom. Each hotel has maps indicating emergency exits.

In connection with the accident in Fukushima, information about the state of background radiation is constantly updated. In any case, you should not eat foods from areas affected by radiation.

You can call an ambulance by calling 119.

Business climate

The International Business Assistance Center was established in Osaka (IBPC Osaka Network Center). This center is a subsidiary of the city government, created to promote trade, industry and business between Osaka and various parts of the world. This structure works in close cooperation with the city’s business communities and serves as a kind of bridge for new business entities.

In addition, there is an Investment Promotion Center in Osaka (IBPC Osaka Investment Promotion Center), where you can get information about the conditions for entering the market, potential business partners, etc. Detailed information information about these centers is on the city’s official website.

The main exhibitions are held at the international exhibition complex INTEX OSAKA.

Real estate

Demand for real estate in Osaka, one of the most prestigious cities in Japan, is always high. Housing costs are also trending upward. Firstly, because due to the small territories, land in Japan is very expensive. Secondly, because this country uses the latest technologies in construction, which make buildings the most durable and reliable.

Many people prefer long-term rental housing. So. renting a class A apartment in Osaka will cost you an average of $2,500 per month. As for the purchase, a square meter of housing costs about $5000-7000.

To better navigate the city, you need to remember that in Osaka streets running from north to south are called "suji", from east to west - "toori". Toori and Suji cross paths with each other.

Try to spend the first half of the day shopping, since in the evening the number of visitors in shopping centers increases significantly.

When planning excursions around the city, keep in mind that queues here are quite common.

Hotel and restaurant service charges are included in the total bill. It is not customary here to leave remuneration on top of the invoice.

Agree with the taxi driver about the cost of the trip in advance, even if the car has a meter.