Osaka is the third largest city in Japan with a population of almost 2.6 million. It’s a vibrant modern city with a buzzing nightlife and plenty of attractions: historical landmarks, parks, museums, theatres—there is something for everyone…
Enticing and unusual street food can be found all over the city, especially in pedestrian areas like the Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street. Also, there are plenty of excellent and affordable restaurants, so no need to spend a copious amount at you hotel. We enjoyed a delicious sit-down meal at a traditional Japanese restaurant in the Dotonbori district. We ordered from a picture menu as our waitress pulled out her notepad and pen from her kimono’s obi (bow) with the speed of a ninja!
We wanted to visit the Bunraku Puppet Theater and perhaps see a show but unfortunately it was closed at the time of our visit. We did see some puppets on display in the lobby. Bunraku is a form of musical storytelling with a narrator and Gidayu music played on a three-stringed shamisen. Puppeteers bring the story to life with large traditional Japanese puppets.
During our limited time in the city aside from exploring lively neighborhoods and sampling some of the delicacies (including our favorite: octopus balls) we visited the: Osaka Castle, Kaiyukan Aquarium and Tsutenkaku Tower.
Osaka Castle
Located in the center of the Osaka Castle Park and surrounded by moats, ancient bridges and lovely gardens, the castle is one of the city’s most important historical landmarks and one of the best places to view blooming cherry or plum trees. The 16th century castle, designed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, played an important role in the unification of Japan—inside there are artifacts, paintings and dioramas depicting historical scenes.
From the top floor observation deck splendid panoramic vistas of the park, mountains and modern city can be seen. There is an elevator to go up but with the exception of those with mobility problems stairs are to be used for descending.
In the vicinity of the castle there is the Hokoku Shrine as well as shopping venues and many restaurants.
The park covers an area of 106 hectares. It’s large and for $5 you can ride a trolley to explore the park or take a boat ride around the moat to view the castle. Aquatic birds can also be spotted along the way. We saved our feet and took the trolley, but be careful, we were at the wrong exit on our return and had to walk around the long way. All in the fun of exploring!
Kaiyukan Aquarium
First let me tell you that as a scuba diver and wildlife admirer I really do prefer to see creatures in their natural environment. That said, I also have to say that aquariums and zoos are where I first had exposure to exotic animals, learned about them, and this helped to shape my thinking. Perhaps for many, this is the only place they will see these magnificent creatures and they will develop a respect and love for them like I did.
I believe that awareness and understanding will help protect them for generations to come because we want to protect what we love and this starts by seeing them for the first time, even if it’s in an artificial environment. For most people this may be the only option.
The main attraction has to be the Pacific Ocean exhibit with its collection of whale sharks, spotted eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, stingrays and so much more. This was by far the largest tank I had ever seen—it’s huge and contains 5,400 tons of water, is 9 meters deep and 34 meters long. That’s almost three times the size of the Gulf Stream Aquarium in Miami. The exhibit was mesmerizing and just sitting there and admiring the sea life swim by was the highlight of our visit.
The two resident whale sharks had plenty of room to swim around but I can’t help but wonder how it affects them, as they are a migratory species. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, eat only plankton and despite their considerable size swim gracefully like all sharks do. They simply glide by. Sadly, they must be protected as they also fall victim to shark finning—for these two, living in captivity might just save their lives.
There were other interesting exhibits recreating specific areas around the Pacific Rim including Antarctica
, the Great Barrier Reef, the Japan Forest with it’s river fish and aquatic animals. We even saw some sunfish, called mola, in one aquarium. Their shape is unusual, large and flat with big dorsal and anal fins and a very short tail.
There were also interactive exhibits, creatures of the deep as well as jellyfish displays with some of the deadliest creature on earth!
Tsutenkaku Tower
The iconic tower is located in the pedestrian zone of the Shinsekai district. In the evening bright neon lights come on and the LED lighting changes color depending on the time of the year. In March and April, it’s pink in honor of the cherry blossoms. The top lights indicate tomorrow’s forecast by using different colors or combinations of colors: blue means rain, white a clear day, red and blue cloudy with rain and so on.
The tower is 103 meters tall (338 ft) and has 2 observation platforms, one at 84 m (275 ft) and the other at 87.5 m (287 ft). It has the largest clock in Japan with a face of 5.5 meters wide (18 ft). Inside there are quirky displays, a diorama, a café and shops selling all kinds of trinkets and sweets.
More Ideas
If traveling with kids the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Universal Studio or Osaka Zoo might be of interest. Others might prefer to visit a museum or see a show. There are plenty of options and I don’t think that it would be possible to get bored in this dynamic city. We truly enjoyed our visit!
We were staying in the Osaka Bay Area next to the ATC Hall, a convention center, and near the Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary where migratory birds and other wildlife can be spotted. During our visit it was raining cats and dogs at times and it wasn’t possible for us to go check it out.
Using the train and subway system is the easiest way to get around the city. It’s quick and efficient, especially during rush hour as traffic is heavy.
Related posts:
- Train Travel in Japan
- A Self-Guided Tour of Japan, not as Difficult as It Sounds
- Visiting Tokyo at Cherry Blossom Time
- Top Places to See in Kyoto, Japan
- Street Food and Other Traditional Dishes to Eat in Japan