Cerezo Osaka

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, with a history stretching back 1800 years. Its traditional architecture is unusual among Japan's shrines, and its park-like surroundings with the sacred bridge arching over a tranquil pond make it a restful break from the busy environment of Osaka.

This is Japan's largest red-light district outside Tokyo, where ladies pose at genkan entrances Amsterdam-style to attract clientele, accompanied by an older woman (called a yarite-baba or mama-san) who serves as the pimp and collects money from customers. However, this place is arguably more interesting to walk through than its Amsterdam counterpart, and most of the brothels operate out historic buildings dating back to the Taisho era (1912-1926), giving visitors a rare glimpse into what Japanese red-light districts looked like before the prostitution ban came into effect in 1958. No photographs allowed, even in the streets! Women walking through the area will be met with stern looks from the mama-san making it clear that they are not welcome, and even foreign men have long been unwelcome, though that is gradually changing as a few of the brothels have started accepting foreign customers if they can speak Japanese. If you don't mind that, it is well worth the experience, even if you just came for the looks.