Overview

Considered one of Japan's oldest cities and its first capital, Osaka has been a prominent presence in the archipelago since ancient times. Bound by mountains on three sides, the city opens onto Osaka Bay in the west and is divided by a number of rivers, most notably the Okawa. Thanks to these waterways and Osaka's busy commercial port, the bustling metropolis is known yet today as the City of Water. Since the settlement's early days, it has been a center for trade, accessible to China and Korea, as well as to other Japanese locales. Even as recently as the 19th century, Osaka was driving the country's economy and was nicknamed the Kitchen of the Realm for the variety of foodstuffs it routed to the nation and had available within its boundaries. In fact, the city's reputation for incredible cuisine hasn't abated in the years since. The modern age has, however, led Osaka to bolster its status with entertainment facilities, including the Osaka Dome and Universal Studios Japan. If culture and heritage are more your style, take in the Osaka Museum of History for a glimpse of local history, browse the fine art holdings at the Municipal Museum of Fine Art, the ceramics collections at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, or explore Osaka Castle, a 16th century reproduction that is the city's landmark structure. Nighttime flash and energy make an appearance in clubs and restaurants along the Dotombori canal, within the exuberant Amerika Mura district, or at the multi-storied HEP Five entertainment complex. If you're in the mood for traditional Osakan art forms, catch a performance by the National Bunraku Theater, which presents sophisticated puppet dramas exploring the dynamics between society and individualism. Otherwise, the many diversions in both Kita (the northern part of the city) and Minami (the south) are sure to occupy your time, satisfy your appetite, and delight your spirit � in abundance.

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