| Page Views: 1,056 Last Visit to Osaka: March, 2001 | PartyRambo's Osaka Page by PartyRambo - last update: Mar 29, 2003 |
Osaka is a wonderful secret for the Western traveller. Its history is rich, its scenery is gorgeous, and it's well-located close to the major cultural centres of Kyoto & Nara, and just a few hours by bullet train (shinkansen) to Tokyo/Yokohama.
Originally known as Naniwa, the port served as gateway to Korea and China (at the time, more refined cultures). In the middle of the 7th century, Naniwa served as Japanese capital, but over a few centuries of trouble, lost its status, changed its name to Osaka, and became a 'temple town'. |
| A park in the middle of the river |
|  | In 1583, warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built his castle here (see my Travelogue on Osaka-Jo), and it became a key component in his effort to unite the country. When Toyotomi died in 1598, rival Tokugawa Ieyasu shifted to capital to Edo (later renamed Tokyo), and an era of political instability ensued. The Tokugawa shoguns now had a firm grip on power, and allowed Osaka to grow as a commercial & economic centre. |
After the bombings of WWII, Osaka picked itself up & became one of the wealthiest cities in the world, its gross domestic product exceeding that of Australia! |  | | The Sky Building - an observatory/garden on top |
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| Pros: | "A big industrial city (3-4 million population), plenty of English in main areas." | | Cons: | "Not particularly foreigner-friendly, not a big outside-tourist draw." | | In A Nutshell: | "Despite being less-than-tourist-friendly, it's a tourist heaven - a Castle, sites, and Kyoto/Nara close by for day trips!" |
PartyRambo's Osaka Travel Tips
PartyRambo's Osaka Travelogues | | | |
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Comments for PartyRambo about Osaka | | | | |
Karamazov_G Wed Jan 26, 2005 23:46 UTC Great commentaries on Osaka. Very helpful. Thanks! Out of curiousity - how was the Guinness? | Ivan_Jimenez Thu Apr 3, 2003 13:36 UTC A re-encounter with Albert, the monkeys, Benoit, even Brad Pitt, yes but where are the japanese?... Can a bathroom get any smaller than the ones at the New Oriental?. I cannot believe you didnīt go inside that hostess bar.. |
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