Travel to Osaka, the Kansai Region of Honshu in Japan

Located in Kansai, Osaka is the third biggest city in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama. It was formerly known as Naniwa, a name still used: Naniwa-ku is one of Osaka 24 wards.

Osaka Fullscreen Slideshow Gallery

A fullscreen gallery with photos shot in Osaka or around (Daito, Higashiosaka).

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Osaka and the Kansai: the Kinki Region

Kansai (“west of the border”), the historical heart of Japan, lies in Honshū, Japan’s main island. The Osaka Plain with Osaka and Kyoto is the core of the region.

A Japanese teenager plays a video game with the real size image of a samouraï holding an ice cream behind him.
Inside Osaka Castle Park, not far from Ōsakajōkōen Station – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 400, 1/320 sec at f/5.6

Other famous cities are Kobe and Nara. Both Kyoto and Nara are Japan ancient capitals.

Famous for its temples and geishas, Kyoto, the ancient capital is also a very modern city with the biggest railways station in Japan.
Famous for its temples and geishas, Kyoto, the ancient capital is also a very modern city with the biggest railways station in Japan – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 800, 1/10 sec at f/8.0

The Kansai dialect can be different from the Japanese language spoken in Tokyo.

Travel to Osaka: what to see?

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is a famous hot spot in Osaka but it’s a reproduction as the original has been destroyed by fire many times.

Osaka Castle by night.
Osaka Castle is a famous landmark in Japan – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 800, 1/15 sec at f/2.8

An other famous castle in Kansai is Himeji Castle.

Umeda Sky Building

Built by the Japanese architect Hiroshi Hara, it was completed in 1993.

View of the Umeda Sky Building from the Osaka Railway Station.
Located to the north of Osaka Station, the Umeda Sky Building was designed by Hiroshi Hara and completed in 1993 – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 200, 1/400 sec at f/8.0

The 173 meter tall Umeda Sky Building is one of Osaka most recognizable landmarks. It consists of two separate towers that are connected on the top 39th floor by an observation deck, the “Floating Garden Observatory” featuring a 360 degree panoramic views.

View of the Umeda Sky Building from Kaze-no-hiroba Plaza located on the 11th floor of Osaka Station City.
View of the Umeda Sky Building from Kaze-no-hiroba Plaza located on the 11th floor of Osaka Station City – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 200, 1/320 sec at f/8.0

It is surrounded by an urban garden with walking trails and water features. There is also an underground market with restaurants. And even a cinema.

Two posters and a young Japanese woman from the cinema inside the Umeda Sky Builing: "A German Life" and on the left, Woody Allen's "Wonder Wheel" movie.
Two posters from the cinema inside the Umeda Sky Builing: A German Life and on the left, Wonder Wheel written and directed by Woody Allen – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 800, 1/20 sec at f/5.6

Osaka Station

Yesterday a dark and cramped station, Osaka Station was reborn in 2011 as Osaka Station City. It is divided into the North Gate Building and the South Gate Building,

A train is arriving on a track at Osaka Station while the platform is crowded by people.
A train is arriving on track 1 – there are 11 tracks – at Osaka Station while the platform is crowded by people – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 400, 1/30 sec at f/5.6

The Biggest Station in West Japan

Located in the Umeda district (Kita), Osaka Station is the biggest station in west part of Japan. Operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), it is served by a large number of trains, but not the shinkansen which stop at Shin-Osaka Station.

Shadows on the car and marking at Osaka Station.
Shadows on the car and marking at Osaka Station – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 800, 1/250 sec at f/11.0

Toki-no-hiroba Plaza

Located on the 5th floor, Toki-no-hiroba Plaza is a bridge running between the North Gate and South Gate buildings.

Located on the 5th floor of Osaka Station City, Toki-no-hiroba Plaza is a bridge running between the North Gate and South Gate buildings.
Located on the 5th floor of Osaka Station City, Toki-no-hiroba Plaza is a bridge running between the North Gate and South Gate buildings – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 800, 1/100 sec at f/8.0
Toki-no-hiroba Plaza, located on the 5th floor of Osaka Station City, during Christmas time.
Toki-no-hiroba Plaza during Christmas time – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 400, 1/30 sec at f/8.0

Kaze-no-hiroba Plaza

The “garden of the wind” is located on the 11th floor and offers a great view on the Umeda Sky Building and the city.

A couple is taking a nap at Kaze-no-hiroba plaza, located on the 11th floor of Osaka Station City.
A couple is taking a nap at Kaze-no-hiroba plaza, located on the 11th floor of Osaka Station City – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 200, 1/60 sec at f/8.0

At the end of Kaze-no-hiroba plaza, you can find a cinema.

Posters and shadow for the cinema located at the end of Kaze-no-hiroba Plaza, at Osaka Station City.
Posters and shadow for the cinema located at the end of Kaze-no-hiroba Plaza, at Osaka Station City – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 200, 1/200 sec at f/5.6

Water Clock

The computerized Water Clock is located at the South Gate Building square.

Water Clock and Pikachu at the South Gate Building, in Osaka Station.
The Water Clock is located at the South Gate Building of Osaka Station City – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 1600, 1/200 sec at f/5.6

The Water Clock shows time, but also pictures, welcome message to visitors in different languages, and even some musical symbols like the treble clef.

The North Gate Building

Featuring 28 stories, the North Gate Building is the tallest of the two buildings. Both the Lucua department store and the Isetan department store are part of it.

The North Gate aera by night during Christmas time at Osaka Station.
The North Gate aera by night during Christmas time at Osaka Station – Canon 77D, 35mm f/2 IS – ISO 1600, 1/15 sec at f/5.6

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