Osaka

Ōsaka (大阪) is the third largest city in Japan, with a population of over 17 million people in its greater metropolitan area. It is the central metropolis of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio.

"Osaka" can mean either the larger Osaka prefecture (大阪府 Ōsaka-fu), covered in a separate guide, or central Osaka city (大阪市 Ōsaka-shi), the topic of this guide. The city is administratively divided into 24 wards (区 ku), but in common usage the following divisions are more useful:

If Tokyo is Japan's capital, one might call Osaka its anti-capital. Whatever you call it, though, there are many opportunities for you to discover its true anti-character.

Osaka dates back to the Asuka and Nara period. Under the name Naniwa (難波), it was the capital of Japan from 683 to 745, long before the upstarts at Kyoto took over. Even after the capital was moved elsewhere, Osaka continued to play an important role as a hub for land, sea and river-canal transportation. (See "808 Bridges" infobox.) During the Tokugawa era, while Edo (now Tokyo) served as the austere seat of military power and Kyoto was the home of the Imperial court and its effete courtiers, Osaka served as "the Nation's Kitchen" (「天下の台所」 tenka-no-daidokoro), the collection and distribution point for rice, the most important measure of wealth. Hence it was also the city where merchants made and lost fortunes and cheerfully ignored repeated warnings from the shogunate to reduce their conspicuous consumption.

During Meiji era, Osaka's fearless entrepreneurs took the lead in industrial development, making it the equivalent of Manchester in the U.K. A thorough drubbing in World War II left little evidence of this glorious past — even the castle is a ferroconcrete reconstruction — but to this day, while unappealing and gruff on the surface, Osaka remains Japan's best place to eat, drink and party, and in legend (if not in practice) Osakans still greet each other with mōkarimakka?, "are you making money?".

Osaka has a distinctive dialect of Japanese, which is favoured by many comedians in Japanese popular culture. The Osaka dialect is traditionally associated with the merchant class, and as such is regarded by many Japanese as rather rough-sounding compared to standard Japanese. While generally not a problem for advanced Japanese speakers, it may be difficult to understand if you have just started learning Japanese. All non-elderly locals are able to speak and understand standard Japanese though, so if you don't understand, politely ask them to repeat themselves in standard Japanese (hyōjungo 標準語) and they will usually oblige.

As with most other major Japanese cities, English is spoken in major tourist attractions and large international hotels, but is otherwise not widely spoken.

• Osaka's best known sight is the Osaka castle. While it is a reconstruction, it is pretty and has a nice castle park. To learn more about the history of Osaka, you can head to the nearby Osaka Museum of History.
• The Osaka Science Museum on Nakanoshima is an interactive activity center with planetarium and cinema.
• Umeda Sky Building is a weirdly shaped building with an observation deck and a escalator suspended between two buildings mid-air. It is near the Osaka station.
• The Sumiyoshi Shrine is south of the city center. It is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines and has a very unusual architecture. It is also famous for a bridge arching over a pond.
• The Japan mint is in Osaka and is especially famous for the nearby cherry blossom tunnel road, a prime spot to see the annual cherry blossom.
• The Tsūtenkaku landmark tower in the Shinsekai area with an observation platform at 91 meters.
• The Shitennōji temple is near the Tennōji station. It is regarded as maybe the first Buddhist temple in Japan dating back to the 6th century. The building of today's temple however, are a reconstruction.
• In Ryokuchi Park is the Open Air Museum of Old Farmhouses, a collection of Edo period farmhouses. This gives a good insight in the lives of the common people during this period. It is north of the city center.
• The Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum in Namba is dedicated to ukiyoe, Japanese woodblock prints.

Osaka's best known sight is the [[Osaka/Osaka castle|Osaka castle]]. While it is a reconstruction, it is pretty and has a nice castle park. To learn more about the history of Osaka, you can head to the nearby Osaka Museum of History.

The Osaka Science Museum on [[Osaka/Kita|Nakanoshima]] is an interactive activity center with planetarium and cinema.

Umeda Sky Building is a weirdly shaped building with an observation deck and a escalator suspended between two buildings mid-air. It is near the [[Osaka/Kita|Osaka station]].

The Sumiyoshi Shrine is [[Osaka/South|south]] of the city center. It is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines and has a very unusual architecture. It is also famous for a bridge arching over a pond.

The Japan mint is in Osaka and is especially famous for the nearby [[Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossoms Spots|cherry blossom tunnel road]], a prime spot to see the annual cherry blossom.

The Tsūtenkaku landmark tower in the [[Osaka/Tennoji|Shinsekai]] area with an observation platform at 91 meters.

The Shitennōji temple is near the [[Osaka/Tennoji|Tennōji]] station. It is regarded as maybe the first Buddhist temple in Japan dating back to the 6th century. The building of today's temple however, are a reconstruction.

In Ryokuchi Park is the Open Air Museum of Old Farmhouses, a collection of Edo period farmhouses. This gives a good insight in the lives of the common people during this period. It is [[Osaka/North|north]] of the city center.

The Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum in [[Osaka/Minami|Namba]] is dedicated to ukiyoe, Japanese woodblock prints.

• Kaiyukan. This is one of the world's largest aquariums, with 11,000 tons of water and plenty of sharks (including a whale shark), dolphins, otters, seals, and other sea creatures. The largest tank, representing the Pacific Ocean with 5,400 tons is nothing but overwhelming. On the weekend, musicians and street performers offer additional entertainment to people outside the aquarium. Adults ¥2,300, children ¥1,200.
• Tenpozan Ferris Wheel. 10A0:00-22:00. There is also the Suntory Museum, a mall and a port for sightseeing boats. The mall has a wide variety of shops that cater to fashionistas, otaku, tourists, or dog lovers, variably. The mall doubles as a kind of amusement park, with a Ferris wheel, and the best deal is to catch the ferry from there to Universal Studios across the water. ¥700, children up to 3 years old free.
• Sumo Spring Grand Tournament. The Osaka Tournament of Japan's national sport, sumo wrestling, is usually held mid-March annually at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Check for schedules and ticket availabilities at the official Nihon Sumo Kyokai homepage. ¥3000-14,300.

• Universal Studios Japan. Japan's second-largest theme park. Expect much Japanese dubbing over your favorite characters and movies. (If you are coming here on a side trip from Tokyo Disney Resort, see that article's Get out section for information on how to get here and return to Tokyo that same day.) One-day ticket for adults ¥6,980, children ¥4,880.
• Umeda Joypolis Sega. 11:00-23:00. Occupies the 8th and 9th floors of the Hep Five building with arcades and a Ferris wheel at the top. Local laws prohibit kids being here after dark even in the company of their parents, so if you want to take the kids along, plan on going early. The HEP5 Ferris is okay though. ¥500-600 attractions.
• Spa World. 24 hours. Gender-separated European and Asian-themed spas and saunas as well as a pool for the family with slides and fun (don't forget your swimming trunks). Open 24 hr so it is handy if you're stuck for accommodation or locked out of your hotel after a night on the town, just pay up, change into their cotton overalls and pass out on one of their comfy leather recliners with as many blankets as you like. Try the outdoor onsen (try not to get burnt in the sun) or watch their huge TV in their bar with a cold beer. Gym also available to you as part of the entry fee. "Rollover" for day passes is at 9AM on the dot. Watch out for the special ¥1000 deals offered from time to time, often in March. Well worth spending an afternoon chilling out here. People with tattoos, permanent or temporary, are barred from using the facilities. ¥2400 for 3 hours, ¥2700 for all day; extra charge ¥1300 for stays 00:00-05:00.
• National Bunraku Theater. One of the last places in the world where bunraku, a form of intricate puppet theater from the Edo period, can be seen live. The large puppets, which require three operators each, are accompanied by traditional music and narration, and act out great Japanese plays of the 1600s and 1700s. Transcripts in Japanese and synopses in English are provided.
• Osaka Shiki Musical Theater. Home of the Shiki Theatre Company, proposing plays and musicals.
• Zepp Namba. A pop club.
• Billboard Live Osaka. A jazz club, formerly "Blue Note Osaka".
• The City Country Club, Hyatt Regency Osaka Hotel, 1-13-11 Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-Ku, +81 6 6612-1234. A spa.
• The festival hall in Nakanoshima, near Umeda, and the symphony hall in Umeda host modern and classical recitals, while Umeda Koma in Umeda, and Shin-Kabukiza in Uehommachi host Enka performances. For more independent or underground music, try Banana Hall in Umeda or Big Cat in Amerika-mura.
• ROR Comedy, +81 80-4451-5539. English-language stand-up comedy playhouse.

Kaiyukan. This is one of the world's largest aquariums, with 11,000 tons of water and plenty of sharks (including a whale shark), dolphins, otters, seals, and other sea creatures. The largest tank, representing the Pacific Ocean with 5,400 tons is nothing but overwhelming. On the weekend, musicians and street performers offer additional entertainment to people outside the aquarium. Adults ¥2,300, children ¥1,200.

Tenpozan Ferris Wheel. 10A0:00-22:00. There is also the Suntory Museum, a mall and a port for sightseeing boats. The mall has a wide variety of shops that cater to fashionistas, otaku, tourists, or dog lovers, variably. The mall doubles as a kind of amusement park, with a Ferris wheel, and the best deal is to catch the ferry from there to Universal Studios across the water. ¥700, children up to 3 years old free.

Sumo Spring Grand Tournament. The Osaka Tournament of Japan's national sport, sumo wrestling, is usually held mid-March annually at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Check for schedules and ticket availabilities at the official Nihon Sumo Kyokai homepage. ¥3000-14,300.

Universal Studios Japan. Japan's second-largest theme park. Expect much Japanese dubbing over your favorite characters and movies. (If you are coming here on a side trip from Tokyo Disney Resort, see that article's [[Tokyo Disney Resort#Go next|Get out]] section for information on how to get here and return to Tokyo that same day.) One-day ticket for adults ¥6,980, children ¥4,880.

Umeda Joypolis Sega. 11:00-23:00. Occupies the 8th and 9th floors of the Hep Five building with arcades and a Ferris wheel at the top. Local laws prohibit kids being here after dark even in the company of their parents, so if you want to take the kids along, plan on going early. The HEP5 Ferris is okay though. ¥500-600 attractions.

Spa World. 24 hours. Gender-separated European and Asian-themed spas and saunas as well as a pool for the family with slides and fun (don't forget your swimming trunks). Open 24 hr so it is handy if you're stuck for accommodation or locked out of your hotel after a night on the town, just pay up, change into their cotton overalls and pass out on one of their comfy leather recliners with as many blankets as you like. Try the outdoor onsen (try not to get burnt in the sun) or watch their huge TV in their bar with a cold beer. Gym also available to you as part of the entry fee. "Rollover" for day passes is at 9AM on the dot. Watch out for the special ¥1000 deals offered from time to time, often in March. Well worth spending an afternoon chilling out here. People with tattoos, permanent or temporary, are barred from using the facilities. ¥2400 for 3 hours, ¥2700 for all day; extra charge ¥1300 for stays 00:00-05:00.

National Bunraku Theater. One of the last places in the world where bunraku, a form of intricate puppet theater from the Edo period, can be seen live. The large puppets, which require three operators each, are accompanied by traditional music and narration, and act out great Japanese plays of the 1600s and 1700s. Transcripts in Japanese and synopses in English are provided.

Osaka Shiki Musical Theater. Home of the Shiki Theatre Company, proposing plays and musicals.

Zepp Namba. A pop club.

Billboard Live Osaka. A jazz club, formerly "Blue Note Osaka".

The City Country Club, Hyatt Regency Osaka Hotel, 1-13-11 Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-Ku, +81 6 6612-1234. A spa.

The festival hall in Nakanoshima, near Umeda, and the symphony hall in Umeda host modern and classical recitals, while Umeda Koma in Umeda, and Shin-Kabukiza in Uehommachi host Enka performances. For more independent or underground music, try Banana Hall in Umeda or Big Cat in Amerika-mura.

ROR Comedy, +81 80-4451-5539. English-language stand-up comedy playhouse.

• Osaka's most famous shopping district is Shinsaibashi (心斎橋), which offers a mix of huge department stores, high-end Western designer stores, and independent boutiques ranging from very cheap to very expensive. Within Shinsaibashi, the Amerika-mura (アメリカ村, often shortened to "Amemura") or "American Village" area is particularly popular among young people, and is often said to be the source of most youth fashion trends in Japan. Just west of Amerika-mura, Horie (堀江) is a shopping area with fashionable Japanese boutiques, centered around Tachibana-dori (which is often translated as Orange Street).
• The many shops in Umeda are also popular among trendy locals, particularly in the Hep Five and Hep Navio buildings adjacent to Hankyu Umeda Station, although these shops tend to be too expensive to captivate most tourists' interest. For example, the “E-ma” buildings next to Hanshin department store, and “Nu-Chayamachi” (Nu 茶屋町) near Hankyu Umeda station.
• For electronics, the Nipponbashi (日本橋) area southeast of Namba, and particularly the "Den-Den Town" shopping street, was once regarded as the Akihabara of western Japan; nowadays, more people would rather shop at the new, enormous Yodobashi Camera (ヨドバシカメラ) in Umeda or BicCamera (ビックカメラ) and LABI1 in Namba, although Nippombashi still offers good deals on many gadgets, PC components and used/new industrial electronics.
• For Japanese and foreign books, try Kinokuniya in Hankyu Umeda Station, or Junkudo south of Osaka Station.
• The Official Hanshin Tigers (baseball team) Shop is on the 8th floor of Hanshin Department Store at Umeda.
• Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street (天神橋筋商店街 Tenjinbashi-suji Shōtengai) is said to be the longest straight and covered shopping arcade in Japan at approx. 2.6 km length. The arcade is running north-south along Tenjinbashi-suji street, and is accessible from multiple subway and/or JR stations, e.g. Tenma, Minami-Morimachi, and Tenjinbashi-suji 6-chome. Nothing meant for sightseeing, the arcade is a live exhibition of Osaka's daily life, open since Edo period.

Osaka's most famous shopping district is Shinsaibashi (心斎橋), which offers a mix of huge department stores, high-end Western designer stores, and independent boutiques ranging from very cheap to very expensive. Within Shinsaibashi, the Amerika-mura (アメリカ村, often shortened to "Amemura") or "American Village" area is particularly popular among young people, and is often said to be the source of most youth fashion trends in Japan. Just west of Amerika-mura, Horie (堀江) is a shopping area with fashionable Japanese boutiques, centered around Tachibana-dori (which is often translated as Orange Street).

The many shops in Umeda are also popular among trendy locals, particularly in the Hep Five and Hep Navio buildings adjacent to Hankyu Umeda Station, although these shops tend to be too expensive to captivate most tourists' interest. For example, the “E-ma” buildings next to Hanshin department store, and “Nu-Chayamachi” (Nu 茶屋町) near Hankyu Umeda station.

For electronics, the Nipponbashi (日本橋) area southeast of Namba, and particularly the "Den-Den Town" shopping street, was once regarded as the [[Tokyo/Akihabara|Akihabara]] of western Japan; nowadays, more people would rather shop at the new, enormous Yodobashi Camera (ヨドバシカメラ) in Umeda or BicCamera (ビックカメラ) and LABI1 in Namba, although Nippombashi still offers good deals on many gadgets, PC components and used/new industrial electronics.

For Japanese and foreign books, try Kinokuniya in Hankyu Umeda Station, or Junkudo south of Osaka Station.

The Official Hanshin Tigers (baseball team) Shop is on the 8th floor of Hanshin Department Store at Umeda.

Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street (天神橋筋商店街 Tenjinbashi-suji Shōtengai) is said to be the longest straight and covered shopping arcade in Japan at approx. 2.6 km length. The arcade is running north-south along Tenjinbashi-suji street, and is accessible from multiple subway and/or JR stations, e.g. Tenma, Minami-Morimachi, and Tenjinbashi-suji 6-chome. Nothing meant for sightseeing, the arcade is a live exhibition of Osaka's daily life, open since Edo period.

The widest selection of restaurants is in Osaka's main entertainment districts, with the highest concentration of all in the Umeda and Dotombori areas.

Even in a nation of obsessive gourmands Osaka is known as an excellent place to eat, exemplified by the Osakan maxim kuidaore, "eat yourself into ruin". The best place for trying out kuidaore is probably Dōtonbori (道頓堀) and neighboring Hōzenji-yokochō (法善寺横町) or Soemon-cho (宗右衛門町), the whole area containing nearly nothing but one restaurant after another.

Some typically Osakan foods worth trying include:

• Battera (バッテラ), is a block type sushi, with mackerel put on rice and squeezed very hard in a wooden box, cut into pieces when served. Battera sushi is a variant and direct descendant of primitive sushi, this one from Osaka is unique for its squarelike shape. Available not only in sushi restaurants but also as take-away in department stores and train stations.
• Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), fried cabbage cakes that resemble a cross between a pancake, pizza, and omelette.
• Takoyaki (たこ焼き), bits of octopus inside fried dumplings.
• Kushikatsu (串かつ), skewers with various sorts of food (meat, vegetables, cheese, etc.) deep-fried in dough and served with a black sauce.

Okonomiyaki is best eaten in hole-in-the-wall restaurants, while takoyaki is best eaten from street vendors' carts, which can be found all over the major districts around nightfall. The best place to find kushkatsu(串カツ) is in Shinsekai, between Dobutsuen-mae and Ebisucho stations on the Sakaisuji subway line.

There are many nightlife districts in Osaka. Nightlife in Osaka is very popular.

• Kitashinchi(北新地) This area, south of JR Osaka station, is the most famous nightclub and entertainment district of contemporary Osaka. It’s just like Tokyo’s Ginza, filled with many hundreds of high-class bars, clubs and small restaurants where Japanese businessmen entertain their clients.
• Dotonbori(道頓堀) This area is the centre of nightlife.
• Hozenji-Yokocho(法善寺横丁)

Kitashinchi(北新地)

Dotonbori(道頓堀)

Hozenji-Yokocho(法善寺横丁)

• Opti Café is a surprisingly cheap internet café in Umeda. ¥100/30min. Yodobashi Camera department store's groundfloor, next to Excelsior Café. You are requested to register for membership but it doesn't cost anything.
• Y-net Cafe, Labi 1 Namba GF, Nambanaka 2-11-35, Naniwa-ku. First hour of use is free and no registration needed.

Opti Café is a surprisingly cheap internet café in Umeda. ¥100/30min. Yodobashi Camera department store's groundfloor, next to Excelsior Café. You are requested to register for membership but it doesn't cost anything.

Y-net Cafe, Labi 1 Namba GF, Nambanaka 2-11-35, Naniwa-ku. First hour of use is free and no registration needed.

English-speaking doctor, See the website http://miyoshi-clinic.com/ for the address and Google map. (near Uehommachi Station. Dr Miyoshi speaks good English and is a general doctor and a specialist in gynecology.

• Australia Australia, MID Tower Twin 21 29F, 2-1-61, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-941-9271.
• China China, 3-9-2, Utsubohommachi, Nishi-ku, +81 66-445-9481.
• France France, Crystal Tower 10F, 1-2-27, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, +81 64-790-1500.
• Germany Germany, Umeda Sky Bldg, Tower East, 35F, 1-1-88-3501, Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, +81 66-440-5070.
• Indonesia Indonesia, Nakanoshima Intes Building 22 F, 6-2-40 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, +81 66 6449-9898.
• South Korea Republic of Korea, Korean Center Bldg, 2-3-4, Nishi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-211-4092.
• the Netherlands Netherlands, Twin 21 MID Tower 33F, 2-1-61, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-944-7272.
• the Philippines Philippines, 101 Uchiawajicho Advan City, 2-3-7, Uchiawaji-cho, Chuo-ku, +81 66-910-8962.
• Russia Russia, 1-2-2, Nishimidorigaoka, Toyonaka City, +81 66-848-3451.
• Singapore Singapore, Osaka Kokusai Bldg 14F, 2-3-13, Azuchi-machi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-262-2662.
• Thailand Thailand, Konoike East Bldg 4F, 3-6-9, Kitakyuhoji-machi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-243-5563.
• the United Kingdom United Kingdom, Seiko Osaka Bldg 19F, 3-5-1, Bakuromachi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-281-1616.
• the United States United States, 2-11-5, Nishitemma, Kita-ku, +81 66-315-5900, +81 3-3224-5000 (After hours emergency).

Australia Australia, MID Tower Twin 21 29F, 2-1-61, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-941-9271.

China China, 3-9-2, Utsubohommachi, Nishi-ku, +81 66-445-9481.

France France, Crystal Tower 10F, 1-2-27, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, +81 64-790-1500.

Germany Germany, Umeda Sky Bldg, Tower East, 35F, 1-1-88-3501, Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, +81 66-440-5070.

Indonesia Indonesia, Nakanoshima Intes Building 22 F, 6-2-40 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, +81 66 6449-9898.

South Korea Republic of Korea, Korean Center Bldg, 2-3-4, Nishi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-211-4092.

the Netherlands Netherlands, Twin 21 MID Tower 33F, 2-1-61, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-944-7272.

the Philippines Philippines, 101 Uchiawajicho Advan City, 2-3-7, Uchiawaji-cho, Chuo-ku, +81 66-910-8962.

Russia Russia, 1-2-2, Nishimidorigaoka, Toyonaka City, +81 66-848-3451.

Singapore Singapore, Osaka Kokusai Bldg 14F, 2-3-13, Azuchi-machi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-262-2662.

Thailand Thailand, Konoike East Bldg 4F, 3-6-9, Kitakyuhoji-machi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-243-5563.

the United Kingdom United Kingdom, Seiko Osaka Bldg 19F, 3-5-1, Bakuromachi, Chuo-ku, +81 66-281-1616.

the United States United States, 2-11-5, Nishitemma, Kita-ku, +81 66-315-5900, +81 3-3224-5000 (After hours emergency).

English-speaking doctor, See the website http://miyoshi-clinic.com/ for the address and Google map. (near Uehommachi Station. Dr Miyoshi speaks good English and is a general doctor and a specialist in gynecology.

Osaka has a dangerous reputation (by Japanese standards), but is still remarkably safe for a city of its size, and the overall level of crime is as low as in Tokyo or other Japanese cities. However, some areas, particularly Shinsekai and Tobita, may be a little dodgy at night and the Airin/Kamagasaki area — Japan's largest slum, home to a lot of jobless and/or homeless people — south of Shin-Imamiya is best avoided at most times, especially after dark.

Incidentally, despite the movie stereotype of gangsters speaking in Osakan dialect, the actual base of Japan's biggest yakuza families is neighboring Kobe — and the most gang violence occurs in Tokyo. Unless you're dealing drugs, you're unlikely to get involved with the local mafia.

• Its location makes Osaka a perfect base for doing one-day trips to nearby cities like Kyoto (30 minutes), Kobe (20 minutes), Nara (40 minutes) or Himeji (1 hour). (Typical times shown on JR Trains available without extra express charges starting from Osaka Station.)
• The Expo Park in Suita, the huge commemorial park of the Japan World Expo '70, with its interesting Japanese Garden and Museum of National Ethnology. It's a very large park, and a good place for a picnic.
• Hirakata - Home to the child-friendly Hirakata Park and Kansai Gaidai University.
• Church of Light (茨木春日丘教会 Ibaraki Kasuga-oka Kyoukai)(Ibaraki), one of the masterpiece architecture by Tadao Ando.
• Minō, a popular maple watching spot in autumn and nature escape all year round. From Hankyu Umeda station take the train to Minō station. It is a pleasant walk to the waterfall (~30 minutes one way) through shady forest, with wild monkeys and deer . Try the local Minoh beer or maple leaves in sweet tempura batter.
• The temples and lush greenery of Mount Koya, 90 minutes away by train, are an entirely different world and the perfect getaway when all the concrete starts to get to you.
• Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest single-span suspension bridge is near Kobe, about 40 minutes away by train.
• Tokimeki Beach is a good get away if you want to spend the day at the seaside. Take the Nankai line from Namba station to Tannowa Station. The trip costs around ¥720 and takes about 45 minutes. The bag and shower service closes at 5PM.

Its location makes Osaka a perfect base for doing one-day trips to nearby cities like [[Kyoto]] (30 minutes), [[Kobe]] (20 minutes), [[Nara]] (40 minutes) or [[Himeji]] (1 hour). (Typical times shown on JR Trains available without extra express charges starting from Osaka Station.)

The Expo Park in [[Suita]], the huge commemorial park of the Japan World Expo '70, with its interesting Japanese Garden and Museum of National Ethnology. It's a very large park, and a good place for a picnic.

Church of Light (茨木春日丘教会 Ibaraki Kasuga-oka Kyoukai)([[Ibaraki (Osaka)|Ibaraki]]), one of the masterpiece architecture by Tadao Ando.

Tokimeki Beach is a good get away if you want to spend the day at the seaside. Take the Nankai line from Namba station to Tannowa Station. The trip costs around ¥720 and takes about 45 minutes. The bag and shower service closes at 5PM.