CHUO OSAKA

CHUO OSAKA DISTRICTS

Namba is an entertainment district of central Osaka, famous for its giant crab and other restaurants. Namba includes Dotonbori where many of the most famous images of Osaka come from including the Glico Man and the Giant Crab which are around the Dotonbori canal.

CHUO OSAKA CASTLES

Osaka Castle is a hill top style Japanese Castle and Osaka's most famous landmark. While the main donjon (tower) is modern reconstruction, Osaka Castle features thirteen structures which are designated Important Cultural Properties. Osaka Castle also features an observation deck and museum.

CHUO OSAKA LANDMARKS

Former Osaka City Museum is within the inner moat of Osaka Castle. The Former Osaka City Museum building is not currently in use.

The Former Osaka Guest House is within Osaka Castle Park.

Fountain Osaka Castle Park is the main fountain in Osaka Castle Park.

Hosho-an Hermitage is within the greater area of the Osaka Castle Park and specifically on the north eastern edge of Nishinomaru Garden.

CHUO OSAKA MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

Osaka International Peace Centre is a museum which focuses on the destruction of Osaka during World War II. There are also exihibits of Japan's roll in World War II. Osaka International Peace Centre is within Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka Museum of History is in a distinctive modern building opposite Osaka Castle Park. The Osaka Museum of History covers the 1,400 year history of Osaka through life-size reconstructions, scale models, photographs and movies.

CHUO OSAKA THEATRES and CONCERT HALLS

Since opened in 1984, National Bunraku Theatre has been taking a significant role to preserve, develop and pass on the traditional art forms of the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto), especially the art of Ningyo Joruri Bunraku (puppet drama). The theater houses many facilities, including the main theater, a training institution and archives for historical materials. The building was constructed with a mix of tradition and modernity, with key elements from traditional Edo Era architecture incorporated abstractly throughout the design. The theater also uses modern technology in the stage and its functions to enhance the traditional characteristics of a Bunraku performance. National Bunraku Theatre> is in Namba central Osaka.

Osaka Castle Band Shell is a performance venue in Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka-jo Hall (also referred to as Osaka Castle Hall) is a multipurpose indoor arena which is used for rock and pop concerts along with martial arts championships. Osaka-jo Hall is within Osaka Castle Park.

CHUO OSAKA GARDENS and PARKS

Forest Park - Osaka Castle Park is part of the greater Osaka Castle Park.

Nishinomaru Garden is Osaka's most popular location for cherry blossom viewing. Nishinomaru Garden features around 600 cherry trees and is within Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka Castle Park is a large 106.7 hectare park which includes many facilities, gardens and attractions including Osaka Castle and its cherry blossom which are considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Osaka Castle Park - Japanese Garden is a traditional Japanese garden, within the Inner Moat and very close to the Osaka Castle donjon (tower).

Osaka Castle Park - Nioi-no-mori is the "Fragrant Forest" within the Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka Castle Park - Omoide-no-mori (Grove of Remembrance) also know as Peach Grove is a major feature when in blossom or in Autumn when the leaves turn red. Omoide-no-mori (Grove of Remembrance) is within Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka Castle Park - Plum Grove is a major feature when in blossom or in Autumn when the leaves turn red. Plum Grove is within Osaka Castle Park.

Taiyo-no-hiroba (Osaka Castle Park Playground) is a very large childrens playground in the Osaka Castle Park.

CHUO OSAKA GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

Osaka Prefectural Police Office is the headquarters for the Osaka Prefectural Police force. The Osaka Prefectural Police Office features a very distinctive modern architecture. Osaka Prefectural Police Office is across the moat and road from Osaka Castle in Chuo Ward Osaka.

Osaka Prefecture Government Office is where the elected officials of the Osaka Prefectural Government meet. Osaka Prefecture Government Office is across the moat and road from Osaka Castle in Chuo Ward Osaka.

CHUO OSAKA SPORTING VENUES

Osaka Castle Park Baseball Ground is in Osaka Castle Park.

CHUO OSAKA TRAIN STATIONS

Osaka Castle Station is one of the closest train stations to Osaka Castle.

CHUO OSAKA SHOPPING

Kuromon Ichiba Market served as the main market for the people of Osaka for more than 170 years, everyone from restaurant chefs to housewives have come here, drawn by the taste, freshness and variety of its products. Kuromon Ichiba Market has a total length of 600 meters with 170 shops, providing fresh and best quality meat, fish, vegetables, eggs and other ingredients from around the country and abroad.

Namba City is a shopping complex with 300 shops of clothing, brand items, restaurants and cafes, adjoined to both subway and Nankai Namba Station in Namba central Osaka. Namba City features a huge replica of the 'N-1 Rocket' which launched Japan's first geostationary satellite in 1977 is displayed on the underground floor. This area is called 'Rocket Square' and is a popular meeting place among locals.

Namba NanNan, in Namba, was the first underground shopping centre (mall) in Osaka.

Namba Walk is an underground shopping centre (mall) in Namba central Osaka.