G osaka japan. Osaka, Japan – photos of Osaka, attractions, map, weather, tourist reviews. Shinto shrines in Osaka

Osaka(Japanese: 大阪市 O:saka-shi (inf.)) is the third most populous city in Japan, which is located in the southern part of the island of Honshu, near the mouth of the Yodo River in Osaka Bay. The center of the prefecture of the same name. Since 1956, it has the status of a city, determined by government decree.

Geography

Osaka is located in the western part of Osaka Prefecture, in the center of the island of Honshu. The city has access to the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The relief of Osaka is flat. The highest point is Mount New Tsurumi in the Tsurumi region, with a height of 37.5 m. The highest low point- Yamatoda area in the Nishi-Yodogawa area, located −2.21 above sea level.

Osaka is spread over two plateaus and an alluvial plain. The plateaus lie east of center cities. The largest of them is Uemati, an early Pleistocene plateau, 12 km long. It extends from north to south, from the Osaka Castle area to Sumiyoshi Shrine. The second plateau, Abiko, is smaller and formed in the late Pleistocene. It is 8 km long and extends from east to south, from Katsuyama Mound to the Yamato River.

The Osaka Alluvial Plain was formed due to the accumulation of sediments in the delta of the Yodo and Yamato rivers, which flow into Osaka Bay in the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. This plain occupies most cities. The Yodo River is the main waterway of Osaka and flows in the northern part. At the mouth it is divided into several branches that form a delta - the rivers Kanzaki, Tenma, Neya, Dojima, Tosa-Horikawa, Aji, Sirinashi, Kizu. In early modern times, citizens connected these branches with numerous canals, which is why Osaka was called the “Water Capital”. The rivers contributed to the development of urban trade and transport, but repeatedly caused floods. They stopped after the construction of a drainage canal - the New Yodo River - in 1909. The city's second largest river, the Yamato, flows in the south of Osaka and serves as its southern border. Historically, the Yamato River merged with the Yodo in the north of the city, but in 1704 its course was changed to prevent flooding. The soil of the delta of the Yodo and Yamato rivers consists of weak sand and soft clay. Until modern times, landslides were frequent in the city due to the digging of wells and the extraction of groundwater.

Osaka belongs to the climate zone of the Inland Sea of ​​Japan. The climate in the city is humid subtropical. The average annual temperature in Osaka in 1981-2010 was + 16.9 °C. Summers are usually hot and winters are relatively warm. Snow falls very rarely. The average annual atmospheric pressure is 1005.2 hPa. The amount of precipitation is insignificant - 1279.0 mm for 1981-2010. The rainiest time of year is summer and early autumn. The wind blows predominantly from the west or northeast in the city. Its average annual speed is 2.6 m/s. The wind often brings smoke from the waterfront industrial area and the northern industrial area of ​​Yodogawa to Osaka, causing air pollution and smog.

Story

The modern area where the city of Osaka is located has long been called “Naniwa” (Japanese: 難波, 浪華, 浪花). This name has been preserved in the names central regions cities - Naniva and Namba. During the reign of Emperor Kotoku (596-654), there was an imperial palace in Naniwa, and the place itself was the capital of Japan. It was located at the intersection of important trade routes: sea along the Inland Sea of ​​Japan in western lands country both mainland and land, which led to the lands of the Kanto region through modern Kyoto.

According to the first Japanese historical chronicles, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, it was in the area of ​​modern Osaka in 663 BC. e. near the delta of the Yodo River, the first conquerors of Yamato landed, who broke the resistance of the native tribes and founded the state of Yamato in the neighboring province - the first Japanese public education. A thousand years later, in 638, Emperor Temmu founded a city in the Naniwa area. In the 7th-8th centuries it became the residence of several emperors, and therefore the capital of the country. At the beginning of the 8th century, the center of the state was moved to the city of Nara, but Naniwa remained the largest commercial city and international port of Japan. However, in the Middle Ages the development of the city almost stopped, which led to its decline at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1496, in the area of ​​​​modern Osaka, on the ruins of ancient imperial palaces, the Ishiyama Hongan-ji monastery was built, which became the center of the Jodo-shinshu sect. A city arose around the monastery, which has since received the name Osaka(Japanese 小坂, “Small Descent”), which will later turn into modern name Oosaka(Japanese: 大坂, 大阪, “Great Descent”). In 1580, the monastery and city were destroyed by a war between Buddhist sectarians and Oda Nobunaga, but within four years a new castle and city appeared in their place, which was built by Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

In the 17th-19th centuries, Osaka was the main trading center of the country. In contrast to other cities in Japan, which were inhabited mainly by samurai and burghers, Osaka was inhabited mainly by merchants. The city turned into an “all-Japan bank”, the creditors of which were almost all the country’s shoguns and the owners of the provinces. Trade contributed to the flourishing of the arts, particularly ukiyo-e prints and commoner theater kabuki and bunraku.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Osaka was an important industrial and military center, which is why it suffered from American bombing during World War II.

Osaka was granted city status on April 1, 1889. Emperor Meiji granted it with a rescript the status of a city, determined by government decree on October 1, 1911. In post-war Japan, this status was approved by government decree on September 1, 1956.

Culture

Museums and historical monuments

  • National Theater Bunraku is one of the country's largest puppet theaters of the traditional Bunraku genre.
  • Osaka Shochiku-za (Japanese: 大阪松竹座) is a kabuki theater that also produces manzai comedies.
  • Shin Kabuki-za (Japanese: 新歌舞伎座) is a new kabuki theater that specializes in dramas and performances of the enka genre.

The most famous Buddhist temples

  • Isshin-ji (Japanese: 一心寺) is a temple of the Jodo-shu school, which houses statues of Amitabha, created from the ashes of hundreds of thousands of dead and held together with resin.
  • Shitenno-ji (Japanese: 四天王寺) is a temple of the Tendai school, one of the oldest Japanese temples, founded by Prince Shotoku.

Shinto shrines

  • Sumiyoshi-taisha (Japanese: 住吉大社) is the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi.
  • Tenman-gu (Japanese: 大阪天満宮) is a Shinto shrine founded in 949.

Another city that had the honor of bearing the title of capital of Japan is Osaka. In 1586, a large castle was built on the site of the future city. It served as the abode of samurai Toyotomi Hideshi. Since then, the city has noticeably increased its influence on the country, and over time has grown into a large industrial centre. Osaka is currently in third place among largest cities Japan (the city lost first place to Tokyo and Yokohama).

In ancient times in Japanese history, Osaka Castle was a large and fortified structure, but such a tasty morsel was often subject to sieges and was destroyed several times. Each time it was restored, the last such restoration occurred in 1931. Since then, the castle remained untouched, and soon became a museum dedicated to the history of its owners and samurai in general. A special platform has been equipped from where you can observe the surrounding natural landscapes and buildings accompanying the castle.

The city is home to the Shitenno-ji Temple, which was built in the 6th century. The temple is significant because it was the birthplace of Buddhism in Japan, which later spread throughout the country. Unfortunately, the current appearance of the temple is a reconstruction of the 20th century. Once a month, on the 21st, a flea market is held in the temple. Another interesting temple is Sumiyoshi-taisha. This is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to people with a maritime profession. According to myths, this temple contains the souls of dead sailors.

The city is interesting not only for its temples. It houses many museums. For example, it is worth noting the large historical museum, which displays remarkable objects that were found during the excavations of Naniwa Castle. The floors of the museum represent a reconstruction of the large halls of the palace, and a panoramic view of the city from different periods is also organized. The museum also has an invention center.

Notable is the Museum of Japanese Folk Culture. Here are exhibits of folk art: toys, dishes, furniture, etc. All things are unique. And in the National Art Museum you can find masterpieces of classical artists. The museum itself is decorated in a rather unusual way. In addition, Osaka is home to theaters that stage performances by famous Japanese and foreign authors.

Osaka has its own twin towers called the Umeda Sky Building. These are two buildings that have 40 floors each, and where they meet there is an extensive observation deck. Near the architectural marvel there is an underground market that realistically reconstructs the spirit of the 20th century.

Among the entertainment facilities, the Universal Studios amusement park should be noted. This theme park, which is divided into zones dedicated to cities, characters, and eras.

Osaka has a large aquarium dedicated to peace Pacific Ocean. The total displacement of the Aquarium is about 13 million liters, the aquarium is divided into 14 thematic levels. The Aquarium houses living inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean, from small crustaceans to large sharks.

Japanese Venice, the gates of the Pacific Ocean, the city of the yakuza - so many names one of oldest cities East Asia Osaka. Japan is a country of contrasts, and this city is one of its colors.

It is the country's third largest metropolis, located in the south of Honshu Island in Osaka Bay. He made the city a major port and the industrial heart of Japan. Osaka attracts many tourists due to its shopping and tourism.

Castles of Osaka

One of the main historical and cultural attractions of the city is the Osaka Samurai Castle in Japan. It amazes tourists not only with its size (its area is one square kilometer, its height is 5 floors, and the castle goes underground for another 3 floors), but also with its magnificence - its walls are covered. The castle was built in 1597 by the commander Hideyoshi. 20 thousand people were employed in its construction. The castle stands on a sheer embankment of huge boulders to protect against attacks.

In the 17th century the castle was destroyed after civil wars, and subsequent attempts to restore it were thwarted by a lightning strike that caused a fire. Until the 20th century, the castle stood in ruins, and only in 1931 the city administration restored the architectural monument and housed a museum in it. Then the main tower, destroyed in the 17th century, was restored according to the surviving image on the screen. True, the Second World War again affected the construction - American air raids partially destroyed it.

After the war, the castle was restored and opened to tourists. The interiors of the main tower were completely restored - they are all modern, but the main gates, ditches, and several other buildings are original, preserved from the Middle Ages. In the museum itself you can see an interesting exhibition telling not only about the castle, but also about the activities of Hideyoshi, samuraiism and the history of the region as a whole. A screen is also kept here, which became a sketch for the restoration of the castle in the 20th century.

In addition to Osaka's largest and most famous castle, you can also see Himeiji Castle or Heron Castle in the city. It was built in the 16th century, and today it is a whole complex of 80 buildings, made in traditional Japanese style. This castle is no less interesting for tourists, and it is also included in the UNESCO heritage list.

Temples in Osaka

Japan, like any other country in Asia, is full of various temples. There are many of them in the economic center of the country. There are both Buddhist and Shinto religious buildings here. At the same time, among the first presented largest centers various schools within Buddhism.

Shitenno-ji, or the Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country, representing Washo's own school. The temple was built back in 593 and since then has experienced many shocks - over many centuries it has been destroyed by fires and lightning, typhoons, wars and uprisings, and bombing by American troops. And each time the temple was rebuilt. After World War II it was restored, but it was no longer built from wood, as before, but from reinforced concrete. Tourists who come to Osaka in April can attend the festival held annually at the temple and see what the court Bugaku dances that existed in the 8th-12th centuries in Japan looked like.

Another Buddhist temple, Isshin-ji, is also interesting, mainly because on its territory there are statues made from the ashes of dead people. Since the mid-19th century, urns containing the ashes of deceased students of this Buddhist school have been placed on the temple grounds. When there were so many urns that there was nowhere to store them, statues began to be made from ashes held together with resin. A total of 13 statues were made, but 6 of them were damaged in World War II.

The Shinto branch is represented in Osaka by: large temples, like Tenman-gu, built in 949, and Sumiyoshi-taisha, the main shrine of the god of the same name. The latter, by the way, houses the oldest Japanese seals.

Modern architecture: objects that amaze the imagination

As the economic heart of the country, Osaka could not do without buildings that amaze with their scale and technology. You should start with It is unique in that it is built on a completely artificial island. And although the cost of maintaining it will never pay off, this airport is one of a kind. Osaka (Japan) cannot help but inspire admiration for the tenacity of its citizens.

Despite the presence of ancient temples and castles, the face of the city is still its modern towers and skyscrapers. The Tsutenkaku TV Tower is considered a real symbol of the city and is compared to the Eiffel Tower. There is an observation deck at an altitude of 91 meters. She is very popular, but not the only one in the city. The Umeda Sky Building has a platform on the 39th floor. This skyscraper of two towers and what looks like hanging gardens or a space observatory between them (whichever you prefer), hovering at an altitude of 170 meters, may also interest tourists in the surrounding park, as well as a restaurant imitating a Japanese street of the 19th century.

"Maru-biru" is another symbol of the city. The hotel is located in a skyscraper, and all its rooms have an undeniable advantage - the view from the windows of any room overlooks the main attractions of Osaka.

Floating fountains are also interesting. Osaka, Japan, the Pond of Dreams is the location of a unique fountain based on geometric figures with flowing water, as if suspended in the air. It looked like a miracle in 1970 when it was installed for the World's Fair, but today it is one of business cards cities.

Another similar object, without a doubt, can be called railway station Osaka, mainly due to its unique watches. The flow of water is controlled by a computer and adds up not only the numbers that show the time in Japan, but also beautiful patterns - a mesmerizing and impressive sight.

Amusement parks

The Japanese know a lot about entertainment and attractions. The most important amusement park that Osaka and the entire island of Honshu offers is, of course, Universal. This is a rival to the famous Disneyland. There are attractions and entertainment based on films made by Universal Studios - "Jurassic Park", "Shrek", "Jaws", "Harry Potter" and many others. The park is so interesting and large (140 hectares) that it is not easy to get around it in a day, so tourists are recommended to buy tickets for 2 or 3 days. You can even have an interesting snack here - in a pizzeria in the style of “The Godfather” or in a French cafe.

If the attractions at Universal are not enough for the tourist, there is an amusement park near the village of Tempozan, famous throughout the world for its Ferris wheel, which is 112 meters high, making it the largest in the world. Also in the park there is an aquarium with 35 thousand inhabitants, an observatory, a bird sanctuary, a state-of-the-art cinema and many other entertainments.

Osaka Museums

Those tourists who crave not only entertainment but also education in Osaka should visit local museums and exhibitions. How largest port, Osaka has been accumulating exhibits on the history of the relationship between man and the sea for many centuries. Therefore it is no coincidence that Maritime Museum Osaki is so interesting. It is located at the entrance to Osaka Bay and looks very impressive - a huge steel dome. Inside there are 4 floors, on which a variety of ship paraphernalia is placed, as well as a life-size replica of a merchant ship.

You can also see the most interesting exhibition at the ceramics museum, which is located about a kilometer from Osaka Castle. The city with its hustle and bustle remains behind the brick walls of the museum, and away from the bustle you can plunge into the calm, meditative world of ancient Japanese art and admire its best examples. Fans of modern oriental art should visit the art museum, where, in addition to the main exhibition presenting art from different periods, interesting exhibitions are held.

The Suntory Museum is also known throughout the world for its building in the shape of an inverted cone and its collection of 20th-century graphics.

Oceanarium "Kayukan"

We have already mentioned the aquarium in Tempozan, but it is worth talking about it separately, because not only Osaka, but Japan as a whole, is proud of it. The Kayukan Oceanarium is one of the most significant in all of Japan, and it was built in Osaka. This unique building like a butterfly spreading its wings and decorated with mosaics. Inside there are 14 tanks representing the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. They are divided into zones according to their habitat. Here you can find not only fish, but also animals, underwater flora, corals and algae and many other ocean inhabitants. The pavilions are designed in such a way that visitors can see the underwater and surface life of animals, for example, how fur seals bask in the sun and then dive into the depths.

Natural attractions

Despite industrial development and a forest of skyscrapers made of glass and concrete, Osaka, like any other Japanese city, values ​​​​its nature and its unique places. So, tourists should visit Tennoji Park, which includes a zoo, a greenhouse and a botanical garden. This is an analogue of the well-known Central Park in Manhattan, the same green oasis in the center of an industrial city. Here you can see the traditional Japanese Keita-Koen garden, which is located around a pond just behind art gallery. This garden once belonged to the richest merchant and was donated to the city along with the mansion. The garden is part of a large complex along with a unique greenhouse - an entirely glass building that contains flowers and plants from different parts of the planet.

The local zoo is home to 1,500 animals and birds, but the hummingbird, as the only one in Japan, and the hippopotamus, for which they created conditions close to natural, are especially interesting.

You can also admire Osaka from the water by taking a cruise along Santa Maria Bay on a three-deck ship. On board there is not only an open deck for exploring the city and the ocean, but also a restaurant and a Columbus Museum.

Entertainment and nightlife

Connoisseurs of traditional Japanese culture in Osaka can enjoy Noh and Kabuki theater, Bunraku, as well as sumo fights.

Bunraku is a traditional Japanese puppet theater, and its homeland is Osaka. Japan greatly respects this art form. The National Bunraku Theater, located in the Namba quarter, gives performances to everyone, but please note that tickets sell out very quickly.

Kabuki is a unique form of theatrical art that combines music, dance and drama. You can watch performances at the Shochiku-za Theater. Particularly sophisticated viewers can also go to the Osaka Noh Hall, where plays are staged in a more difficult-to-understand style.

Nightlife lovers should head to the Ebisu-Bashi area, where all the trendy youth of Osaka hang out, or to the Amerikamura area. This is a Japanese piece of America with its Statue of Liberty and King Kong. During the day there are a lot of street musicians and flea markets, and at night local youth drink and dance in American bars.

Shopping

The center of Osaka's trade is the Shinsaibashi area. Here you can buy absolutely everything. Shinsaibashi has boutiques and shops of all world brands, and the covered street houses a huge market 600 meters long. The area also includes the American Village, where in the shops and on flea markets you can buy incredible souvenirs.

You can also go shopping in Dan Dan Town - this is the Nippombashi district, where the local electronic paradise is located, where you can buy any gadget. Today in Japan such neighborhoods can be found in any major city.

Cafes and restaurants

Like any metropolis, Osaka can offer tourists any cuisine - from Indian to French, however, to try local specialties, go to the Dotombori or Umeda areas. These neighborhoods are literally crammed with restaurants for every taste. Be sure to try the local version of sushi - oshizushi. They are made from rice soaked in vinegar, seaweed and small pieces of fish. It differs in Osaka and is boiled in vinegar along with seafood or meat. It is also worth finding a restaurant in Osaka that serves special okonomiyaki meat pancakes. Time in Japan differs from Moscow, ahead of it by 6 hours.

  • Where to stay: In hotels and guest houses of one of the most “sightseeing” cities of Japan - Kyoto, the monuments and museums of which are more than enough for more than one eastern country. "The Girl Next Door" Kyoto Nara invites lovers quiet rest surrounded ancient architecture- there are as many as eight UNESCO sites here. The “middle capital” of Nagoya will delight you with nice hotels and the absence of tourist crowds. Osaka is worth a stop for cosmopolitans: the city is famous for its restless character. Kobe is a city with a rich past and a modern “face”, the best place for life in Japan.
  • What to see: Imperial Palace Gosho, Gold and Silver Pavilions, Eastern Treasure Temple, Rock Gardens and Botanical gardens to Kyoto; numerous temples and sanctuaries, a park with 1,200 sika deer and UNESCO sites in Nara; castle, Shinto shrine and museum under open air Meiji-mura in Nagoya. Main must-sees Osaka- a five-story samurai castle and surrounding park, as well as a Universal Studios theme park. In Kobe, it is worth visiting the residences of the Ijinkan merchants, the city park and the tower, and also stopping by the “sakéry” - with an obligatory tasting of this strong drink.
  • You may also be interested in

History of Osaka

Mentioned in the 4th century as the village of Naniwa, which translated from Japanese means “fast waves”. In the 7th century, with the emergence of the Yamato state, Naniwa became the first imperial capital of Japan and, accordingly, the cradle of the entire civilization of the islands. One of the world religions, Buddhism, began to spread throughout the country from this region.

In the 7th-8th centuries, Osaka was the residence of several emperors, and therefore the capital of the country.

In the 16th century, due to a change in administrative significance, the city was renamed Osaka, from the Japanese o - “big” and saka - “hill, slope”.

The Yodogawa River, which originates in Lake Biwa, flows through the city, cut by numerous canals. Numerous rivers and streams meander along the coastal plain on which the city is located. Over 1,300 bridges, built in different times and in different styles. Osaka is called the “Venice of Japan”.

Profitable geographical position Osaka on the shores of Osaka Bay was one of the reasons for the city's transformation into the main trading center of the country. The first large trading houses, kabuki theater and bunraku puppet theater were born here.

The port of Osaka was opened for foreign trade in 1868. However, for a long time large foreign ships could not enter the port due to the shallowness of Osaka Bay. It has therefore become more important for coastal shipping and fishing vessels. A radical reconstruction of the port was carried out after the Second World War, which led to the active development of trade with foreign countries. The port of Osaka, united with the port of Kobe since the early 1970s, is one of the most important in the country.

The city is famous not only for its huge seaport, but also the Kansai airport, which was built on an artificial island in the bay. It is called the "miracle of the 21st century."

Today Osaka is a major industrial, commercial and port center of Japan, competing due to its location on the same island and high level of development with the capital of the state - Tokyo.

In the past, the city was famous for its textile industry, for which it was called the “Manchester of the East”. Nowadays electronics, mechanical engineering, and ferrous metallurgy predominate. It is the second most important financial center in Japan (banks, stock exchange, etc.).

Today's Osaka, with its abundance of supermarkets and elegant boutiques, arcades and underground shopping streets, is a huge modern city world level.

Osaka attracts many tourists with its attractions, entertainment and shopping.

Sights of Osaka

Osaka is divided into two parts: the historical south and the business north. In the southern part of the city is the traditional shopping center of Osaka - the Shinsaibashi quarter. Night life The city has been concentrated in the Dotonbori quarter for 300 years. Much of the old urban development was destroyed during World War II, and Osaka is now built up with European-style multi-story buildings.

Castles of Osaka

One of the main historical and cultural attractions of the city is samurai castle Osaka in Japan. The castle, with an area of ​​one square kilometer, stands on top of a stone embankment, at the base of which are laid huge boulders, the largest of which are six meters high and fourteen meters wide. The castle has five floors; three more floors go deep into the embankment.

The castle was built in 1597 by the commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From 20 to 30 thousand people were simultaneously employed in construction.

The castle had three defense complexes, one after the other. Thanks to the slender watchtower with white walls 42 m high, the castle seemed light and bright in appearance. It was called the “golden castle” because of the abundance of gold decorations on the pediments of the tiers.

It was destroyed in the 17th century after civil wars, and subsequent attempts to restore it were thwarted by a lightning strike that caused a devastating fire. The castle stood in ruins until the 20th century; the surviving premises were turned into barracks. Only in 1931 did the city administration restore the architectural monument and house a museum in it. Then the main tower (tenshukaku), destroyed in the 17th century, rose from the ruins and acquired a modern appearance. It was restored based on the surviving image on the screen. A major reconstruction was carried out using reinforced concrete.

The castle buildings were damaged by American air raids at the end of World War II, but were restored in 1995-97. Currently, the site is open to tourists. The interiors of the main tower are modern, but the main gate, ditches, and several other buildings are original, preserved from the Middle Ages. Now there is a Historical Museum here, which tells about the life and culture of the samurai. A screen is also kept here, which became a sketch for the restoration of the castle in the 20th century. The tower offers a beautiful view of the city. Adjacent to the castle garden is a stadium where world-class musicians touring throughout Japan perform.

Himeiji Castle or White Heron Castle

In addition to Osaka's largest and most famous castle, the city also offers Himeiji Castle or White Heron Castle. Built in the 16th century, it is a complex of 83 buildings made in traditional Japanese style. Almost all buildings are made of wood. The castle is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Himeji Castle is one of the oldest surviving castles in Japan and the most popular among tourists.

Temples in Osaka

Osaka has both Buddhist and Shinto religious buildings.

Buddhist temples in Osaka

Shitenno-ji or Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords

Shitenno-ji, or Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country. One of the oldest centers of Buddhism in Japan. The temple was built back in 593. It was the center of the Tendai school throughout the Middle Ages and modern times. In 1946, he separated from it, founding his own school, Washu.

Over its long history, the temple has experienced many shocks, being destroyed by typhoons, fires and lightning, wars and uprisings, and bombing by American troops. And each time the Temple of the Four Heavenly Lords was rebuilt. After World War II, Shitenno-ji was once again restored, but not from wood, but from reinforced concrete. The temple remains in this form to this day.

Another interesting Buddhist temple is Isshin-ji.

Isshin-ji Temple

Isshin-ji (« temple of one heart") is a Buddhist temple in Japan, in the Tennoji region. Belongs to the Jodo-shu school (Buddhism Pure Land), and is one of the oldest centers of Buddhism of this school.

In 1854, the famous Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII was buried here, and from that time on, numerous funeral urns began to be displayed in the temple. The number of urns already in 1880 exceeded 50 thousand, and due to lack of space, the abbot in 1887 ordered sculptors to create statues of Amitabh using the ashes of the dead held together with resin. This is how 13 appeared buddhist statues, in which the ashes of tens of thousands of school believers were placed. During the bombing of World War II, the temple and six statues were destroyed. After the war temple complex was gradually reconstructed. The annual cremation ceremony is held here on April 21st.

Shinto shrines in Osaka

The Shinto branch is represented in Osaka by such large temples as Tenmangu, built in 949, and Sumiyoshi-taisha, the main shrine of the god of the same name.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka

Tenmangu Shinto Shrine in Osaka was founded in the 10th century. The temple was built to appease the spirit of the poet and scholar Sugawara Michizane, who was exiled as a result of the political intrigues of his opponent. Since the Japanese associate the name Sugawara Michizane with the god of education Tejin, visiting the Kitano Shrine brings good luck and academic success.

In the mid-Heian era, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine received the patronage of the emperors, and from 1871 to 1946 it had the status of a state-supported shrine of the second rank.

Tenmangu Shrine was destroyed by fire many times. The buildings that exist today were recreated in 1845.

The temple is famous for the plum blossom festival, which takes place here every year on February 25th. Maiko and geiko usually take part in it.

Locals often visit the temple asking for academic success. Every 25th there is an extensive flea market on the temple grounds.

Sumiyoshi Temple (Sumyoshi-taisha)

Sumiyoshi-taisha- Shinto shrine, the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi in the country, dedicated to the patrons of warriors and fishermen. In the temple, according to numerous legends, the souls of dead sailors and warriors who fell in battles rest.

The majestic Sumiyoshi Taisha Temple, in its architecture, is a prominent representative Shinto shrine. Of the four main buildings of the temple, three are dedicated to the patron gods of fishermen and one to the patron god of warriors.

The exact date of construction of the temple is unknown, but many historians claim that it already existed in the 3rd century. The temple building became the standard for the architects of Shinto shrines and early palace buildings. Built of wood on thick stilts with a projecting gable roof and crossed gable beams.

Here, every year on June 14, the Otaue-shinji festival is held, local girls organize performances that are accompanied by dances, music and various symbolic sacrifices.

The entire path to the shrine is lined with stone lamps; there are more than 600 of them. In front of them is the Soribashi Bridge, which is considered the border separating the other world and the real world. The temple houses some of the oldest seals in Japan.

On the territory there are trees that are considered the habitat of the kami deities and are called shinboku (“divine tree”).

Modern architecture of Osaka

Kansai Airport

Kansai Airport built according to a design by Renzo Piano on a completely artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay. Why on an island, and an artificial one at that? Because here, far from residential areas, the airport could be open 24 hours a day, and local residents The noise of planes taking off and landing would not be disturbing. The only people who opposed this plan were local fishermen, but they received generous compensation.

The project was recognized as one of the most outstanding architectural designs of the 20th century.

Construction began in 1987. For the first time in the world, the airport was located on the water, two kilometers from the coast. In the middle of the bay was poured artificial island 4000 meters long and 1000 meters wide. This structure had to withstand high tsunamis, violent typhoons and strong earthquakes. A 3-kilometer-long bridge was also built connecting this island with the town of Rinku, a suburb of Osaka. The project resulted in the world's largest artificial island, the world's largest double-decker bridge and the world's longest building.

Opened on September 4, 1994, the airport safely survived the terrible earthquake of January 17, 1995, when 6,434 people died; typhoon in 1998 with wind speeds of 200 km/h. The building survived thanks to its structure, reminiscent of an airplane wing.

Later, a second artificial island was built next to the first, connected to it by a narrow isthmus.

Tsutenkaku Tower

Tsutenkaku Tower– a television tower built in 1957 on the site of the tower of the same name built in 1912, destroyed during World War II. The 1912 tower at the time of its construction seemed to the residents of Osaka to be an unusually tall structure and was a real shock for the people of those years. It was 64 meters high and was then the tallest building in the entire East! Tsutenkaku Tower has become the symbol of Osaka. Travelers often compared it to Eiffel Tower in Paris. New tower over 100 meters high, it has become a popular attraction in Osaka. Co observation deck, located at an altitude of 91 meters, offers beautiful views of the city.

Tempozan Harbor Village

Tempozan Harbor Village – entertainment center in Osaka, centered around the eponymous shopping center Tempozan and Kaiyukan Aquarium. Here is the world's second largest Ferris wheel, the Naniwa theme park dedicated to the national food of Japan, Mount Tempozan - the most low mountain in a country with a cozy park with paths and benches, as well as an observatory, a wine museum, a bird sanctuary, a cinema with one of the largest IMAX screens in the world, a market, and many different bars and restaurants.

Ferris wheel has a height of 112.5 meters. It was considered the highest in the world until the London Eye was built in England. From the top of the Ferris wheel you have a wonderful view of the city and other attractions in Osaka.

Kaiyukan Aquarium- one of the most famous and popular aquariums in Japan. This unique aquarium opened in 1990, is seven stories high and is home to more than 30,000 marine life, including great stingrays and sharks.



We recommend reading