Osaka
Osaka 大阪
Overview
Osaka is Japan's second city, the home of one of the best castles in the country, the funniest comedians, the wildest neon, the most imitated dialect, a lot of mobsters, bunraku puppet theater, and more.
Osaka is in many ways the anti-Tokyo. It is working class, hands on, unrestrained, and wilder than the buttoned down capital.
It is also a good place to cycle as the port city is flat.
The areas worth seeing are fairly spread out but can usually be cycled.
The main areas of the city - Umeda in the north, Shinsaibashi and Namba in the south - are all fairly easy going on a bike. The biggest problem cyclists will face - outside the city center - is traffic and distances. Hills are not a problem, and the city is laid out on a grid so finding your way around is a cinch.
In between the two poles - Kita and Minami (North, which means Umeda; south, which refers to Shinsaibashi and Namba) - is Nakanoshima.
Another good area for cycling is along the Yodo River. This is the entrance to the city for those cycling down from Kyoto. For those already in Osaka, ride to City Hall, and head east towards the Okawa River where there is a bike path that leads out of the city or to Osaka Castle.
Some of the best sites to see in the city are Osaka Castle, the Osaka Aquarium, Midosuji, Universal Studios Japan, and the National Museum of Art Osaka.
Osaka Castle is the city's most famous historical attraction. Work began in 1583. It was the largest castle in Japan at the time it was completed, and was meant to symbolize the power of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Shortly after his death, however, the castle was destroyed in 1615 by troops loyal to Tokugawa. It was rebuilt in the 1620s. However, in the 1660s, disaster struck again: lightning struck and the castle burnt down.
The current castle was built in 1931, and managed to survive US bombing during World War II when most of Osaka was flattened.
The castle is surrounded by moats and located in a large urban park.
Osaka Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, and is truly fabulous. The Aquarium is built on a man-made island, and to get there is tricky but possible on a bike. Therefore, CycleKyoto recommends parking the bike in town, and taking the Chuo Line to Osakako Station. For those who want to ride, ride on the small bridge past Minatosumiyoshi shrine after crossing under the Hanshin Expressway on a bridge just south of Minato Dori.
Another park-and-ride (the train) attraction is Universal Studios Japan. USJ is also built out towards the bay on reclaimed land, and is more easily accessed on the loop line (Kanjo Sen). For those who want to ride, go towards the bay on Hokko Dori from Umeda.
The National Museum of Art Osaka is a quirky building designed by Cesar Pelli with multiple floors underground. It is located on Nakanoshima Island not too far from City Hall. (Also on the river-bound island are: the city's main library, the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, the Osaka Museum of Science, and several Meiji Period buildings.)
The Mint Museum Osaka is located along the river going east from from City Hall. It is still an active mint, and tours are free (but in Japanese).
The main shopping area of the city is Midosuji Dori, an elegant European boulevard that runs north-south, and connects Umeda and Namba.
For those with time and a sense of adventure, an area south of Namba and near Tennoji Station is worth a ride. Here you will find the Tsutenkaku Tower, theaters, the city zoo (a bit grim), a quirky red-light area, and street cars. The area is known as Shinsekai, and is a real old-school working class area. A bit east of there is the city's Human Rights Museum.
Tsutenkaku is a tower that was rebuilt after World War II. The first Tsutenkaku was completed in 1912, and was 64 meters tall - making it the tallest structure in Asia at the time. The current structure was completed in 1956.
Getting to the Starting Point
A good place to start is JR Osaka Station, which is centrally located and will get the blood racing.
Directions
The map below is helpful for those with a smart phone.
Total Riding Time
It depends on where one cycles.
Places of Interest
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is located close to Kyobashi and Osakajo Koen Eki, both on the JR Loop Line.
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last admission at 4:30 p.m.) Opening hours are extended during certain periods in spring and summer.
Admission: 600 yen
Tel: 06 6941 3044
National Museum of Art Osaka
10:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30). Open until 19:00 on Fridays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing ・Closed on Mondays (or Tuesdays when Monday falls on a national holiday except May 4 (Tues./Holidays)
Admission: 420 yen
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
10 am - 8 pm
1-1-10 Kaigan-dori, Minato-ku, Osaka
Admission: 2000 yen for adults over 16 years old
TEL 06 6576 5501
Universal Studios Japan
10:00 to 17:00 (18:00 on weekends)
Admission: 6,200 yen (one-day pass)
Tel: 06 6465 3000
Japan Mint Museum
Tours start at 9:00, 10:00, 10:30, 13:00, 13:30 and 14:30. Approximate tour time is 90 minutes; open 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Admission: free
Temma 1-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0043 Tel: 06 6351 6150
Tsutenkaku
Open 9 am to 9 pm.
Admission: 600 yen
1-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka Tel: 06 6641 9555
Bike Rental
Uemachi Rental (near the Matsuyamachi Station or Tanimachi 6-chome Station)
Tel: 070 5664 8184
1300 yen for one day
Map
Osaka Cycling Sites
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