Osaka Attractions

The Floating Island Airport

Advantages: Clean, Modern, Sleek Building
Disadvantages: slight long walks

During the 90's, Osaka needed a new airport because of two reasons. Competition with Tokyo and because the current airport was a threat to the neighborhood area. Infact the old airport was only 200m away from an elementary school. Because Japan is really crowded, engineers took a gamble to create a floating island. Today, it is known as one of the most impressive buildings in the world. The Airport It's located 50km south of downtown Osaka. The ...
...places. Overall Kansai provides excellent services, are very efficient, and can keep you with a smile on your face. Please note that you may have to walk alot within the airport. So, if you have to go to Osaka or connect at Kansai, don't be disappointed! http://www.kansaiairport.or.jp/english/access/index.htm ...

cyclone88 24.12.2002 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Osaka - Kansai, Japan (KIX)

Universal Studios Japan - USJ

Advantages: Fun, Well put together
Disadvantages: Expensive

On arrival in Osaka any Japanese person will ask you Have you Been to USJ? Seems to be the most recommended place in town. USJ was opened in 2001and is in the citys west waterfront district. Prices Adult 5500yen, child 3700yen, senior (over 65) 4800yen. Opening hours vary depending on the season., so check with the park (or tourist information) before you go, but they are pretty standard theme park hours. A great (and tame) ride is the ET ride, amazingly ...
...a bike and "flying". THey ask for your name when you enter, dont be upset if they get it wrong, my brother David went through as Deborah and my friend Tracey went as Tara! I wont tell you why they ask for your name (it spoils it!) but keep an ear out at the end of the ride! The Jurassic Park ride is great, also amazingly put togehter with great props - look out for the big drop at the end (eeeeek) as they take your photo - you can check out the ...

worm1976 27.07.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

Not a real Castle but worth a visit.

Advantages: A large open space in the centre of Osaka.
Disadvantages: Why not go to Himeji castle or Kyoto?

...(Children Free) HOURS: 9-5pm Osaka castle is a modern reconstruction. It still looks very beautiful from afar but if you want the feel of a genuine wooden castle, with hidey holes and sword marks, then two of the finest examples in Japan are a short train ride from Osaka: Himeji-jo is huge, was used as the setting for the film Shogun and is one of the most impressive sites in Japan, Hikkone-jo is smaller and close to the beautiful Biwa lake. If ...
...Osaka city then Osaka castle is still worth a visit. Inside a castle is a museum about Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Japan's most famous warlord who used the castle as a base. The museum feels like a department store but is actually quite interesting if you can understand Japanese or have a guide. It could be quite dull on your own. There are some nice views to be had from the top of the castle over the centre of the city. Osaka Castle park is more of an ...

oblivionjapan 27.04.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo), Osaka

A good escape.

Advantages: Nice relaxing cafe bar in a busy area.
Disadvantages: Art gallery is expensive.

Kirin Plaza Osaka is in the Dotombori area - the part of Osaka to eat and get drunk in. It is just off Ebisubashi in the very centre of Dotombori and close to Namba rail stations. It is there simply to promote the image of Kirin beer - one of the major breweries in Japan. There is a modern art gallery (usually modern Japanese art - ticket prices vary but usually expensive) which usually has fun exhibits from contemporary Japanese artists and a microbrewry. ...
...Dotombori and if you are the kind of person who likes the bar at the cinema more than the pub it would be a good place for you to escape the hectic streets outside. The first floor has a cafe / bar which produces a fairly bland selection of snacks you might appreciate if genuine Japanese food is not to your taste. The highlight of the place is what I call the "happy meal" - 5 miniature glasses of the 5 beers produced by the microbrwery for 500yen. ...

oblivionjapan 27.04.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Kirin Plaza Osaka, Osaka

I love the Umeda Sky Building

Advantages: View and fake mist
Disadvantages: Glass Elevator

...is a short walk from Umeda station and easily visible so you dont need a map (as long as you know what the building looks like). The sky building is 173 meter tall and has two towers which are connected with each other on the 39th floor. More information (including pics) can be found at http://www.skybldg.co.jp/ http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4002.html The sky building costs 700 yen to enter, but if you are only in Osaka for a short time a very ...
...at Kansai Airport and JR Umeda which is the main train station, as well as a few other places) as well as a few hotels and a few other places. Any tourist information Centre in Osaka will know about them, there is also a separate one for Kobe. The cinema costs the normal price that any cinema in Japan costs. Which stretching my memory is around 2500 yen. The markets vary, and will call themselves Christmas Market, Book Market, depending on what ...

worm1976 27.07.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Umeda Sky Building, Osaka