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Designated city in Kansai, Japan
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Onyo at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ōsaka (大阪) is the beating heart of Japan's Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio of cities, with a population of over 17 million people in the greater metropolitan area. With fantastic food and nightlife, great connectivity and accommodation options in every price bracket, it makes a great base for exploring the entire region.
The newer center of the city, including the Kita ward (北区). Umeda Station (梅田駅) is the main railway terminal. Department stores, theaters and boutiques are clustered around JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station, which serves several city and private railways.
The traditional commercial and cultural center, composed of the Chuo (中央区) and Naniwa (浪速区) wards. Namba (なんば, 難波) is the main railway station, and the surrounding area has the department store and showy shopping. Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) and Horie (堀江) is the fashion area. Dōtonbori (道頓堀) is the best place to go for a bite to eat. Semba (船場) straddles the line between Kita and Minami, and contains the business districts of Yodoyabashi (淀屋橋), Doujima (堂島) and Hommachi (本町); and the financial district of Kitahama (北浜).
Generally means the area around JR Tennōji Station, Abeno and Tennoji subway stations and Kintetsu rail lines at the south end of Tennōji ward. The ward was named after the historical Shitennoji temple. Tennōji Park and Zoo are in the area. To the west of Tennōji is Shinsekai (新世界), a once seedy amusement area that has been oddly reincarnated as a tourist trap.
Osaka Castle (大阪城) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan. Kyōbashi (京橋) is northeast of Osaka Castle, home to Osaka Business Park.
Covering the area north of Osaka. Includes bullet train hub Shin-Osaka (新大阪) and red light district Jūsō (十三).
The eastern suburbs of Osaka hosts a spacious 122 ha park that sees international cosplayers’ gathering annually.
The gritty southern suburbs of Osaka, with cheap accommodation and the Sumiyoshi-Taisha Grand Shrine. Home to Tsuruhashi (鶴橋) with its large Zainichi Korean community and many Korean restaurants, Japan's second largest red-light district Tobita Shinchi (飛田新地) and Japan's largest slum in the Kamagasaki/Airin (釜ヶ崎/あいりん) area.
Huge amusement area with many gigantic facilities, including Universal Studios Japan and the Kaiyukan aquarium.
Hirano was originally independent, moated, and commercial city from Osaka and nationally known as Cotton City. Today, the Hirano Old City (平野旧市街), also called as Hirano-gō (平野郷) area is known as one of the oldest urban areas in Osaka, and preserved old townscape.
By train
Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (新幹線) trains arrive at Shin-Osaka station, to the north of the city center.
By bus
As Osaka is a major city, there are many day and overnight buses which run between Osaka and other locations throughout Japan, which can be a cheaper alternative than shinkansen fares.
By boat
Osaka International Ferry Terminal is in Nankō (南港) in the Osaka Bay Area. There are no banks, post office, shops, or restaurants in the terminal.
By metro
The Osaka Metro is Japan's second-most extensive metro network after Tokyo, which makes the underground the natural way to get around.
By train
True to its name, the JR Osaka Loop Line (環状線 Kanjō-sen) runs in a loop around Osaka.
By bicycle
Many residents get around by bicycle, as the city is mostly flat and easily navigable by bike. Riding on the sidewalks is permitted and some sidewalks even have bike lanes marked.
By car
It is generally a bad idea to use an automobile to visit Osaka. Many streets do not have names, signs are usually only in Japanese, and parking fees are astronomical.
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