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Ward of Osaka, Japan
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Onyo at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tennōji (大阪 天王寺) is a city district of Osaka.
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通天閣
While the original tower was built early 20th century, the current "newer" version is designed by the same Prof. Naitō, who also designed Tokyo Tower. This landmark built in the middle of the Shinsekai (新世界) area is a symbol of reconstruction of the City of Osaka post World War II. There's a "Sky Billiken" on the platform, definitely makes your wishes come true, once you rub his feet! And if you are lucky, your guide will have another job as a comedian!
四天王寺
The temple was built by Emperor Suiko in 593 AD. Although the current buildings are mostly post World War II reconstructions, the temple is a rare sample which conveys the continental style (notably the positioning of the individual buildings inside the complex) of 6th-7th century to present.
Being Osaka's tallest building, this tower features malls, restaurants, shops and offices. Most interesting for tourists is probably the Abeno Harukas Art Museum (changing exhibitions, around ¥1300) and the observation deck Harukas 300 on 60th floor in 300 m height (¥1350). If you want to get a good view of the city for free, take elevators and escalators to 17F, then change into one of the business elevators to 30F. There are large glass windows on all sides of the building offering views onto all of Osaka for free!
天王寺動物園
The zoo has animals from African Savanna, Asian tropical rainforest, aviary, polar bears, penguins and sea lions.
大阪市立美術館
The museum focuses on Japanese and east Asian art.
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. The gym also available to you as part of the entry fee, but other facilities like massages and body scrubs, cost extra. "Rollover" for day passes is at 09:00 on the dot. Well worth spending an afternoon chilling out here. People with tattoos, permanent or temporary, are barred from using the facilities.
大阪市立天王寺スポーツセンター
Heated swimming pool & exercise room.
Jan-Jan Yokocho is a famous shopping street along a narrow lane. There are still many establishments running in the same shops they built immediately after World War II. The entire area is squashed with small, cheap eating houses.
串かつだるま 新世界総本家
The original Shinsekai shop of Osaka's most famous kushikatsu institution, with its trademark grumpy uncle statue admonishing diners not to double-dip their skewers into the shared sauce pots. Order a 13-piece Shinsekai set for an easy sampler of this Osakan classic and wash it down with draft beer or a whiskey highball. If there's a queue at the original outlet (and there usually is), there are two other Darumas right around the corner with the same food, more spacious seating, and less lines.
ホテルピボット
Western and Japanese style rooms available. Rooms are simple, but clean. Traditional Japanese bath with communal showers and hot pool open to men and women during separate opening times in the morning and evening. Three additional private showers are available 24 hr. Showers and bath are on the ground floor. Wireless internet in rooms plus three internet connected computers in the lobby. Free tea and coffee in the mornings. No communal kitchen, but microwave and boiling water available in lobby. No curfew.
ホテル中央オアシス
ホテル中央セレーネ
ホテル来山北館
ホテル来山南館
ホテルミカド
Free use internet and kitchen.
ホテル東洋
Some Japanese people seem to use this place as a de facto apartment, which is a testament to the low price and convenience of the hotel. Each room contains a futon, a fan/heater or AC, and TV. There is a shower room on the first floor, or you can use the public bath of the neighboring Hotel Taiyo for free. Internet is available in the small lounge for free, and free WiFi is available on every floor.
ビジネスホテル大洋
Free internet available in the lobby and nice rooms with a clean futon, TV, & fridge. Friendly staff at reception with minimal English and beer vending machine. Communal toilets and washroom with bath, sometimes can see Yakuza members in the washroom with their irizumi (tattoos)!
アーベイ天王寺ホテル
No Wifi.
Located right next to Shinsekai, this large, arty hotel by the Hoshino Resort group is the first upscale hotel in the area and has been variously hailed and condemned as an example of gentrification. The starkly modernist bathhouse on the 2nd floor is also open to the public (¥1000).
Abeno Cues Town
Enormous mid-range shopping mall integrated into the Abeno Harukas complex. Clothes, electronics, restaurants, supermarket, the works.
By train
Tennoji is a major train hub and well connected not just to Osaka, but other major cities in the region.
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Osaka · International · ITM
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