Osaka, Japan’s third largest and second most important city, is the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. Formerly known as Naniwa before the Nara Period, Osaka was once Japan’s capital city. With its distinctive historical background, Osaka is rich in historical and cultural sites including many bridges and canals and has one of Japanese’s most famous castles, as well as all the delights of a modern Japanese city such as international cooperates, and a large amount of shops, restaurants and a good variety of entertainments. Osaka Castle, Shitennoji … Osaka, Japan’s third largest and second most important city, is the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. Formerly known as Naniwa before the Nara Period, Osaka was once Japan’s capital city. With its distinctive historical background, Osaka is rich in historical and cultural sites including many bridges and canals and has one of Japanese’s most famous castles, as well as all the delights of a modern Japanese city such as international cooperates, and a large amount of shops, restaurants and a good variety of entertainments.

Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple and Sumiyoshi Taisha are some of the places of interest to discover Osaka in depth. Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most important castles that started its construction in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple. The castle now has reconstructed several times in the 1620s by Tokugawa Hidetada, 1931 when the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built, and 1997 when the castle had its new glamor with the major repair works. Today, the castle houses an informative museum about the castle’s history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Osaka Castle Park is Osaka’s most popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot during the cherry blossom season. Shitennoji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. The temple was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. Although the temple’s buildings burned down several times throughout the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th century design. Sumiyoshi Taisha, founded in the 3rd Century, is one of Japan’s oldest shrines and also one of the few shrines displaying a purely Japanese shrine architecture prototype.

For leisure travelers, Umeda, Shinsekai and Minami (Namba) offers a wide range of shopping options for you to enjoy ultimate shopping. Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium are two great places for visitors of all ages.