The Solely Information You Will Want for Osaka – Plus a Guided Tour! /Tokyo Journey Help. Benefit from the native experiences!

Are you a foodie looking for your subsequent gourmand vacation spot? Or maybe you might be you seeking to go to Japan’s Western area, however don’t know the place to start out? Then you may have come to the best spot. Tokyo Journey Help’s Osaka Information will offer you the important info it is advisable profit from your go to to Osaka, Japan’s Western centre and culinary capital.

About Osaka

Osaka is the financial and political centre of Western Japan. Osaka is the third-largest metropolis in Japan by inhabitants and is the middle of Japan’s second-largest metropolitan space often called the Keihanshin metropolis. Within the Asuka and Nara durations, present-day Osaka was often called Naniwa. The importance of the title Naniwa nonetheless stays as Naniwa-ku is the title of one of many 24 wards of Osaka metropolis.

Osaka was briefly the capital of Imperial Japan within the seventh and eighth centuries. Moreover, Osaka was an vital financial middle in Japan as lots of its residents had been retailers in the course of the Edo interval (1603-1868). Throughout this time Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a big Japanese political determine recognized for unifying Japan after the Sengoku (warring states) interval, constructed Osaka fort to suggest the importance of Osaka in Japan’s political and financial realm.

Finest time to go to Osaka

Though every season in Osaka has its personal attraction, Osaka has a nice local weather making it simple to go to town at any time of the yr. The summer time might be scorching and humid and might attain temperatures of as much as 37, most days hover round 30 – 35. Winter can be very snug because the day by day low hardly ever falls beneath 5. Winter in Osaka can be very brief in comparison with different locations like Tokyo, Hokkaido, and even Korea.

If you happen to like gentle climate, then spring or fall is one of the best season for you. The months of October and November in Osaka are completely lovely with a cushty temperature with out a lot rain. You may also benefit from the altering leaves. Spring can be lovely with cherry blossoms in bloom, however many locations with one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots are filled with vacationers and locals alike.

Touring to Osaka

There are numerous methods to entry Osaka from numerous elements of Japan. If you’re coming from exterior Japan and wish to immediately come to Osaka, then it’s best to fly into Kansai Worldwide Airport (KIX), the gateway to Osaka and the Keihanshin space.

From KIX, the prepare is one of the best technique of transportation to succeed in town centre. There are two primary prepare corporations that service KIX: Nankai Electrical Railway and Japan Railway. Japan Railway affords the Kansai Airport Fast Service and the Haruka Restricted Specific prepare. Nankai Electrical Railway affords the Nankai Railway Airport Line. All three of those prepare providers provide environment friendly prepare providers, so the easiest way to determine which one to make use of is to see which one stops closest to the lodging you propose to remain at. Though Osaka is smaller than Tokyo, it’s nonetheless a big metropolis with many complicated prepare strains and stations. The web is your good friend in relation to researching arrival transfers.

From KIX in addition to from different areas within the larger Osaka space, limousine bus providers are a good selection. Limousine busses are handy as a result of they join downtown Osaka to a wider vary of places all through Osaka prefecture and even different areas like Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara.

Taxi is the best and most snug strategy to switch out and in of Osaka, however it’s the most costly. Taxis in Japan’s main cities are usually not low-cost, and a taxi journey from KIX to central Osaka prices round 20,000 yen.

If you’re already in Japan and are in search of to go to Osaka, then you may have much more transportation choices. From throughout Japan, JR trains or busses are fairly handy. If you’re in Tokyo or Nagoya, maybe a journey on the world-class Shikansen (bullet prepare) can be an fascinating selection for you. Shin-Osaka is the Shinkansen station that serves the Osaka space.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to take home flights from throughout Japan. Japan has quite a few low-cost carriers (LCC) that fly from virtually any a part of Japan into Osaka. The nation’s two greatest airways, Japan Airways and All Nippon Airways, even have many flights every day that come and go from Osaka. 

Forex change in Osaka

Whereas Japan is a technologically superior nation in lots of respects, private finance is one a part of life that’s nonetheless very old school. Money is king in Japan, and it’s exhausting to go a day with out utilizing some money. Moreover, many institutions nonetheless don’t settle for bank cards or debit playing cards, so vacationers in Japan ought to all the time carry some money whereas in Japan. 

There are a variety of the way that you may change your forex into Japanese Yen in Osaka. Upon arrival at KIX, there are a selection of forex change counters contained in the airport. Whereas these are very handy for vacationers, most airport forex change counters don’t provide a great fee. If you’re pressed for time and are in instant want of money to your taxi journey or whatnot, then these counters are helpful. In any other case, it’s best to search out higher choices inside the metropolis.

Put up places of work and banks provide forex change providers with passable charges. You will discover a financial institution or publish workplace virtually anyplace in Japan, and so they can cope with most currencies. Banks was the one establishments that had been permitted to offer change providers below Japanese regulation, so you’ll be able to belief their providers.

Financial institution and publish workplace ATMs additionally settle for overseas credit score and debit playing cards for change, together with comfort retailer ATMs that are linked to a community of various Japanese banks. Please word that financial institution ATMs in Japan don’t present 24-hour providers, and most function just a few hours earlier than and after financial institution hours. If you’re in want of money in the midst of the evening, it’s best to go to a comfort retailer.

Districts of Osaka

Kita (Umeda) Space

There are two primary metropolis centres, with the Kita, or Umeda, space being one among them. Its counterpart is the Minami, or Namba, space positioned South of Umeda. The Kita space is dwelling to a big enterprise district and is the busiest transportation hub in Osaka. This space can be dwelling to Osaka station metropolis, which is a gigantic community of underground purchasing malls. This sort of city-under-a-city is barely in Osaka!

There are additionally quite a few aboveground purchasing and leisure amenities. Grand Entrance Osaka is the latest and hottest of them since its opening in 2013. It has quite a few interconnected skyscrapers which have shops, eating places, places of work, residential areas, and even some small parks.

Umeda has many different issues to supply in addition to purchasing. There are numerous lodges and different lodging providers within the Kita space. It’s extremely handy for vacationers, and likewise makes for an amazing go to.

By way of leisure, you’ll find Umeda Sky Constructing within the Osaka station space. Umeda Sky Constructing is an unimaginable 173-metre tall skyscraper that has an open-air remark deck on the highest of the constructing. Hankyu Leisure Park, often called HEP, is one other leisure space that’s centred across the HEP 5 and HEP Navio buildings. Right here you’ll find the well-known brilliant crimson ferris wheel on high of the HEP 5 constructing!

Minami (Namba) Space

The Minami, or Namba, space is positioned South of Umeda. Though the Minami space is near the Kita space, the environment and choice of points of interest is totally completely different! Whereas Umeda feels trendy and new, Namba appears like the normal Osaka seen in media. Namba is dwelling to Dotonbori, which might be probably the most well-known landmark in Osaka. Dotonbori is a avenue stuffed with purchasing, eating places, and leisure alongside the Dotonbori canal.

North of Dotonbori is Shinsaibashi purchasing avenue, which is extra targeted on purchasing than meals. The environment is calmer than that of Dotonbori and there are much less wacky signboards in Shinsaibashi. Subsequent to Dotonbori is Hozenji Yokocho, a slender stone-paved avenue full of conventional Osaka delicacies. Upon getting into Hozenji Yokocho you would possibly really feel such as you teleported again in time! This quaint little avenue is full of institutions that provide native dishes comparable to okonomiyaki and kushi-katsu. You 

Positioned west of Shinsaibashi is an space common amongst younger locals referred to as Amerika-mura. In its early days across the 1960’s, this space centered round Sankaku Koen Park (actually “triangle park”) was full of shops that bought American import items, with surf-themed clothes and classic clothes being the preferred objects. The realm stays a hub for younger individuals and stays the house of many outlets specializing in American merchandise.

On the South facet of Namba station is an space referred to as Den Den City which is ideal for the self-proclaimed “nerd” crowd or simply these with pursuits in electronics, anime, or video games. Much like Akihabara in Tokyo, Den Den City is full of shops that provide pc elements, numerous electronics, manga, anime, and extra.

To closing main sightseeing sight in Namba is Kuromon Ichiba, an unlimited lined market full of quite a lot of avenue meals and souvinirs.

Locations to go to

Common Studio Japan

Osaka is dwelling to one of many six Common Studios theme parks on the planet, and was the primary Common Studios park to open in Asia. The park is extremely giant and is the second-most-popular theme park in Japan after Tokyo Disneyland. It options many points of interest made within the fashion of many internationally acclaimed franchises like Toy Story, and likewise has some points of interest which can be primarily based on Japanese anime or video video games. There are eight areas in Common Studios Japan: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Waterworld, Jurassic Park,  Amity Village, Common Wonderland and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Every season affords a distinct expertise at Common Studios. Many younger individuals love Halloween and gown up for a go to to the park. There are a number of scary exhibits and actors dressed like monsters roaming the park. Christmas can be common, because the romantic environment is common amongst {couples}. Throughout every season, characters are dressed up in another way. It could be enjoyable to go to throughout every vacation and evaluate your expertise!

Cup Noodles Museum

Do you know the creator of immediate noodles was a person named Momofuku Ando who resided in Osaka? He created the primary immediate noodles in 1958 to assist with the post-war efforts in Japan. The Cup Noodle Museum in Osaka is devoted to Momofuku Ando and exhibits the historical past of immediate noodles in by interactive displays. You may even create your personal unique cup noodles on the museum, or attempt to make immediate rooster ramen from scratch! Experiencing the processes concerned within the manufacturing of immediate noodles will change your perceptions of immediate noodles endlessly.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is without doubt one of the most well-known aquariums in Japan. Positioned in Tempozan Harbour Village, the aquarium is full of over 620 species of marine life in 15 completely different tanks over 8 flooring. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan focuses on marine life within the pacific rim, with every tank representing a distinct space of the pacific rim. The massive aquarium has penguins, dolphins, and turtles, however probably the most well-known sea creature within the aquarium is the whale shark. Because the aquarium is indoors, it’s the excellent exercise for vacationers, whether or not they’re solo vacationers, {couples}, or households.

Umeda Sky Constructing

Umeda Sky Constructing is an unimaginable 173-metre tall skyscraper in Umeda. It has an open-air remark deck referred to as the “Floating Backyard Observatory” on the highest of the constructing. Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in a spectacular 360-degree view of town. On clear days you’ll be able to even see so far as Awaji Island, which is sort of 100km away from Osaka.

Osaka Citadel

Osaka Citadel was constructed below the instruction Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a Japanese historic determine attributed to the unification of Japan after the Sengoku interval. The fort was meant to be an emblem for the newly unified nation in Osaka, which was a political centre of Japan at the moment. The fort went by a lot hardship, because it was destroyed by enemy warriors in 1615 and rebuilt quickly after solely to be burned down after being struck by lightening in 1665. The Osaka Citadel that stands right this moment was in-built 1931. The fort is surrounded by moats, gardens, and towering stone partitions. You may leisurely benefit from the fort by strolling by the big park that surrounds the fort earlier than going inside. There are numerous historic displays inside with artifacts from numerous durations of Japan’s historical past.

Shinsaibashi

Shinsaibashi purchasing avenue is positioned North of Dotonbori and is extra targeted on purchasing than meals. The environment is calmer than that of Dotonbori and there are much less wacky signboards in Shinsaibashi. The purchasing arcade itself is roughly 600-metres lengthy and is roofed, making it a secure place to go to even on wet days. The purchasing arcade is exclusive as a result of it hosts each low-end chain retailers and small boutiques with monumental malls and upscale vogue labels.

Dotonbori

Dotonbori is a avenue stuffed with purchasing, eating places, and leisure alongside the Dotonbori canal. The realm is characterised by its brilliant signboards. The Glico Man, pictured within the picture beneath, is the preferred place to take an image in Osaka. It is best to do the operating man pose and take an image with him. In any other case, search for landmarks like Kuidaore Taro, a mascot representing Osaka’s obsession with meals. Whereas most individuals stroll by the streets of Dotonbori, you too can expertise the world from the canal itself by taking a river cruise by the canal.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Kuromon Ichiba is a gigantic lined market full of quite a lot of avenue meals and souvenirs. Right here you’ll find recent produce, native delicacies, and dine at one of many many avenue meals stands. The title Kuromon Ichiba means “black gate market”, and is known as after a temple with a black gate that was positioned close by. Locals and vacationers alike are drawn to the marketplace for its high quality and choice of meals. One of the best half in regards to the market is that it’s completely lined, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in your meals adventures even whether it is pouring exterior.

Minoo

Minoo Park is a forested park positioned about half-hour exterior of central Osaka. The park is taken into account to be probably the greatest spots to see the altering colors of leaves within the fall. Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in a straightforward hike that passes by previous outlets, temple buildings, and even a waterfall. In the course of the autumn months you’ll be able to attempt a particular snack referred to as momiji tempura, which consists of maple leaves deep-fried in tempura batter. Though one of the best season to go to Minoo Park is fall, you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the park at any time of the yr as a small escape from town.

Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum

In the course of the Edo interval, Osaka was the hub for arts and tradition in Japan. Ukiyoe artwork is without doubt one of the hottest among the many many alternative artwork varieties that had been common in Japan at the moment. One kind that was notably common in Osaka known as Kamigata Ukiyoe from Kamigata, an previous title for the Osaka-Kyoto area. This sort of artwork was completely different from different ukiyoe artwork as a result of the artwork fashion was developed earlier than the Edo interval. There’s a museum in Osaka referred to as the Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum that options the one everlasting exhibit of Kamigata Ukiyoe on the planet. You may find out about Japanese artwork and tradition all through historical past and take a look at some genuine artistic endeavors that may solely be seen in Osaka.

Don Quijote

If you’re in want of Japanese souvenirs, then you will need to make a go to to Don Quijote. Don Quijote is a reduction chain retailer that sells all kinds of things from day by day family items, private hygiene merchandise, electronics, novelty items, and even souvenirs. The shops are well-known for the chaotic retailer structure that stimulates your senses. Don Quijote is the proper one-stop-shop for your entire purchasing wants. There are Don Quijote shops in Namba, Umeda, and a Mega Don Quijote close to Osaka Tennoji Zoo.

Now that you realize in regards to the completely different areas of Osaka and greatest locations to go to, why not get in touch with Tokyo Journey Help and go on a guided Osaka journey?  Their friedly and knowledgable native guides will take you to most of the must-visit locations listed on this article. Try the Osaka Take pleasure in Tour web page to study extra!

And tell us how you propose to take pleasure in your time in Osaka. When you have any questions, our pleasant crew at Tokyo Journey Help is right here that will help you at any time.