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| Osaka, Japan |
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Having a Fun Vacation in Osaka, Japan
Osaka is the second largest city in all of Japan, and considered by many to be the "anti-capital" of the country, a city just as lovely as Tokyo but with many subtle differences that are worth investigating. The first step to consider when planning an Osaka vacation is booking a hotel. There is fair amount of budget hotels in the area (particularly around JR Shin-Imamiya) and higher-priced luxury resorts. Some of the best-known hotels for budget booking include the Hotel Chuo as well as the Hotel Taiyo and Hotel Mikado. Some of the cheapest locations you will find cater to students and may be referred to as youth hostels. Even in these cheap hotels you may find Internet access and saunas. However, be aware that not all hotels allow female guests.
Business hotels are more familiar to tourists and usually offer single rooms. Notable business hotels include the Esaka Central Hotel and the Business Hotel OK. Love hotels are another option and cater towards lovers, with the higher-end establishments featuring fanciful rooms (sometimes using anime characters), rotating beds, ceiling mirrors, karaoke machines, toys and specialty lighting. For mid-range hotels the Comfort Inn Shinsaibashi or the Park Hotel Rinkai, and if you're willing to splurge on your Osaka vacation, then the Hilton Osaka and Hyatt Regency Osaka provide a western touch, while the New Otani, Hotel Nikko Osaka and Rihga Royal Hotel offer more of a Japanese touch. Be aware that some hotel services may not understand English.
Dining and Drink In Osaka
A popular Osaka expression is "eat yourself into ruin." It's a fitting phrase, since Osaka dining is among the most delicious cuisine in all of eastern civilization. Some specialty dishes to look for include Okonomiyaki, which is a fried cabbage cake that resembles a hybrid food of pizza, omelet and pancake, Kushiage, which is a mix of meat, vegetables and cheeses in deep fried dough and black sauce and Battera, which is a type of sushi squeezed in a box and cut into pieces. The best areas for Osaka dining are in Dotonbori and Hozenji-yokocho. Some of the most popular locations for fine dining include Kuidaore, which is easily one of the largest restaurants in the world and features a mechanical clown and Tako Tako King, which features a giant red octopus wearing a crown. If you are looking for inexpensive dining, then check out Tsuruhashi Fugetsu. However, if you're ready to sample the best of Japan with no limits on price, then visit Harijyu, located in Dotonbori Chuo-ku. Osaka certainly does not shy away from drinking and nightclubbing. Some of the best-known establishments include Clube Joule and Club Pure. Some of the pricier nightclubs offer unlimited free drinks as long as you keep your cup for the entire stay.
The Best Attractions in Osaka
Osaka has plenty of sightseeing and fun for tourists looking to sample the Japanese lifestyle. Osaka has an impressive collection of historical sites, such as the Osaka Castle and the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine to Shinto. Sumiyoshi Taisha dates back to nearly two millenniums ago, and offers a tranquil setting free of charge. The Tsutenkaku Tower has a history dating back to the early 1900's, while the Open Air Museum of Old Farmhouses in Ryokuchi Park contains reconstructed old Edo period farmhouses. If you want a brush of greatness then travel to Himeji-jo and see how the great rulers of the past lived.
However, there is plenty more to do in Osaka, rather than appreciate history. You can visit the Imax Osaka, the largest Imax screen in the world, found in the Suntory Museum. You can even request free English headphones for the experience. You can gaze at the exotic marine life at the Kaiyukan Aquarium, which holds 11,000 tons of water many sharks, dolphins, otters and seals. The most revered sport in Japan is sumo wrestling and you can enjoy the Sumo Spring Grand Tournament at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Some popular theme parks of Osaka include Universal Studios Japan, and the Umeda Joypolis Sega, which contains arcade games and a Ferris wheel atop the 8th and 9th floors of the Hep Five building. Finally, chill out from all the excitement by taking a dip at Spa World near Tsutenkaku Tower.
Traveling in Osaka
What's the best way to travel around Osaka, Tokyo? Like other cities in Japan, Osaka makes use of rechargeable smart cards on various rail, subway and bus systems. Given the congestion of vehicles, this may be the most comfortable way to travel. Public transportation cars are available at vending machines. There is also an Osaka Unlimited Pass, for one day or two days. Some restrictions apply on certain means of transportation; however, the good news is that both versions come with a booklet suggesting easier routes. Osaka is not quite Tokyo, but that might be a good thing for the vacationer who wants a quieter experience, with the same Japanese charm. |
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