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Tourist Places
Reviews - Review a tourist place
Osaka
Osaka CastleOsaka Castle is one of the two best castles the Kansai area. (Himeji Castle is the other). Japanese castles, like most things, observe the law of diminishing returns. The first castle you visit will entertain you for hours. By the third, you are ready to leave after 15 minutes. Osaka Jo is a big castle with a large garden. The castle was refurbished recently., and frankly looks a lot better than it did before. The garden has apricot blossoms in February and cherry blossoms (and drunken salarymen) in April . It can be romantic at night, but beware if you start getting carried away with the romance. The park is populated with a bunch of very lonely middle aged men who enjoy spying on couples. Directions: Take the Osaka Loop Line to the Osaka Jo Koen station, and walk east. OR Take the Chuo subway line and get off at the Tanimachi 4 chome station.
The Osaka AquariumAlso sometimes called Tempozan or Kaiyukan. It costs 2,000 yen but it is really a pretty good aquarium. There is one huge tank with a bunch of fish, including a white shark inside. 35,000 animals and 580 different species live in the aquarium. The new thing is an “Aqua Gate”, which is kind of a tube that you walk through with fish surrounding you. It’s usually pretty crowded on the weekends. Going once was fun, but I doubt if I’d go again. Nearby there is also a big Ferris Wheel, which has a nice view of the port area. The aquarium is open from 10am - 8pm. Last admission is at 7pm. Their schedule is complicated so call 06-6576-5501 before you go to make sure they're going to be open on the day you want to visit. Directions: Take the subway to Osaka Ko (port) Station, and walk to ward the Ferris Wheel. You’ll see signs for the aquarium.
Tsutenkaku TowerYou know what? I've never been here. But I read that it is open all year-round from 10am - 6pm. Their phone number is 06-6641-9555. Entrance is 600 yen. Directions: Get off of either the Midosuji Subway line at Dobutsuenmae station or the Sakasuji line at the Ebisucho station. Look up. Find the big tower. Walk toward it.
Festival GateI've heard mixed opinions on Festival Gate. Some people say it's dangerous because there are strange people walking around. But I saw a ton of security guards walking around the three times I went there. The best things about Festival Gate is that it is close to Namba, it has a not-too-bad roller-coaster (700 yen), and there is no entrance fee. So in the evening, it's nice for a romantic hour or two; eating food at some decent restaurants (including A&W), shopping, playing video games and taking a ride or two. If you live here, and find yourself spending every weekend wandering around Namba, get on the subway and go to Festival Gate for a bit. I can't recommend it if you are a tourist. I mean, this place ain't Disneyland. Directions: Take either the Midosuji or Sakaisuju subway line to the Dobustuenmae Station and follow the signs. OR Take the JR Loop line to Shin-Imamiya, and you'll hear the roller-coaster and see Festival Gate, east of the station.
Den-Den TownThis is the electronics district of Osaka. It is one of the few places in Japan where you can negotiate prices. (Learn this word - "makete". Repeat after me. "Ma - ke - te"). It means 'lower'. Point to the price on the thing you want to buy, frown, look at the salesperson and ask 'Makete?'. Try to get at least 10% off the listed price before you buy anything. Den-Den Town is kind of spread out. You can start out at the Hard Rock Cafe and walk due east, under the Nankai train station. OR Take the Sakaisuji Subway line and get off at the Ebisucho station.
Dotonbori BridgeThis is kind of the 'Times Square' part of town. The bridge is located one block east of Midosuji halfways between Namba and Shinsaibashi.
Ame Mura -"Ame Mura" means roughly "American Village". This neighborhood was once a nice little quite place with a school and some shops. Well, the school was torn down and BIGSTEP was built in its place. And the place is filled with kids buying funky clothes and stuff. This place is easy to find. If you walk to the bar called Jellyfish you will be in the middle of Ame Mura.
The National Bunraku TheaterThis is a really traditional puppet theater. Japanese music, 2 foot high puppets, and a storyteller. Even if you understand Japanese, you probably can not understand all the words, because they use the old old old words to tell the story. But it's interesting to watch. The theater is located in Osaka, east of Namba. Call 06-6212-2531.
The ATC Center
I've been there a couple of times, and I'll tell you right away, I don't think it is very interesting. The subway ride is 480 yen from Umeda. Once you get there, there really isn't a lot to do. Yes, the building is new and looks nice and you can take a romantic stroll along the pier, and maybe see a boat or some guys fishing, but basically that's it. Sure, there is a tall tower and you can look out at Osaka, and there are shops, but except for being besides the ocean, it is just about the same as being in Umeda or Namba. If you still want to go, take the subway to the Trade Center-mae station and follow the signs.
The Science Museum OsakaThe Science Museum of Osaka has 3 exhibition floors, a Science Theater with a large dome screen. Take the JR loop line to Fukushima station or the Yotsubashi Line to the Higobashi station. For more info phone 06-6444-5656.
The Shin Umeda City BuildingClearly the most interesting looking of all buildings in Umeda, this 40-story, 170 meter high building has a "floating garden" where you can drink expensive coffee. In the basement of the building is an interesting reproduction of what Osaka streets looked like 70 years ago. The building is close to the JR Osaka station, Hankyu Umeda station, Hanshin Umeda station, and the Midosuji Umeda station. Phone: 06-6440-3901.
Tennoji Park300 kind of animals live in the Tennoji Zoo. Also in the park are the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, and lots of greenery and flowers. Take either the JR Line, the Midosuji line, or the Tanimachi line to the Tennoji station. Or take the Kintetsu line to Abenobashi. Art Musuem phone 06-6771-4874. Zoo phone 06-6771-8401.
Osaka Business Park - OBPNice looking new office buildings near Osaka Castle. Visit Panasonic Square to look at new electronics and get a stamp "hanko" with your picture on it. Nearby is the International Market Place, IMP, offering stuff to buy from around the world. Take the JR loop line to Osaka-jo station, walk west and then over the bridge. Or take the Nagahori Tsurumiryokuchi subway line to the Osaka Business Park station. Call IMP 06-6945-1313 or Panasonic Square 06-6949-2122.
The Osaka MintYou know a mint, like where they make money. This one opened in 1871. There is a museum and in the spring, there are a bunch of cherry trees which bloom all pretty-like. Take the Tanimachi line or Keihan line to Tenmabashi station. Or take the Tanimachi or Sakaisuji lines to Minamimorimachi station. Mint Museum 06-6351-5361.
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Koen (park)This is a great place for a date. Lots of place to walk and explore and get lost in the woods and make out. Oh, yes and there are lots of flowers and it's a really pretty park, and it's free. Crowded with families during the summer weekends. Take the Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Subway line (the light green one) to Tsurumi Ryokuchi station, then follow the maps.
Expo '70 StuffBack in 1970 they had a big expo here in Osaka, and now there is a Commemoration Park left behind. There is a Japanese Garden, a Park of Nature and Culture, and some kind of giant white-bird-face-weather-monitoring-device-looking-thing. Also nearby are The National Museum of Art Osaka (06-6876-2481), the EXPO '70 Commemorative Stadium (06-6877-3331), the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Osaka (06-6877-1971), the International Institute for Children's Literature Osaka (06-6876-8800), and The National Museum of Ethnology (06-6877-0560).
ExpolandIt's an amusement park, baby!! Got a big 'ol Ferris Wheel, and some cork-screwing roller coaster. Spend the day, bring the kids. (06-6877-0560).
Kobe
Mt. RokkoTired of city life? Visiting Mt. Rokko gives you a chance to experience country living without traveling far from Osaka or Kobe. In the summer, people go to Mt. Rokko to enjoy its cool breezes, and romantic evening views of the city lights below. You can also see horses and cows and stuff. Most people drive to the top. It usually takes about 45 minutes from Kobe, but if you drive on a Sunday, in the middle of summer, be prepared to spend several hours in your car trying to get up the hill. You can also get to the top by cable car. Take the Hankyu line to Rokko, and take a taxi or city bus to the Rokko Cable station.
Himeji CastleAs I said before, Himeji Castle is one of the two best castles in the Kansai area. It's worth visiting even if you have already been to Osaka Castle. To get to Himeji Castle take the JR line to Himeji and look for the castle. It will be obvious. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the castle from the station. The entrance fee for the castle is 500 yen. It opens at 9am and closes at 4pm. It's closed from December 29-31. For more information, call 0792-85-1146.
HarborlandHarborland is a big shopping area in Kobe. If you are going to stay in Kansai for over a week, you might visit Harborland, but don't bother if you are just in town for a few days. You can see a nice ocean view of Kobe (left) To get there take the JR line and get off at the Kobe station. Follow the signs.
Kyoto
Kinkakuji TempleThis you cannot miss. If you can visit only one spot in Kansai, this should be it. Kinkakuji is sometimes called the 'golden pavilion' and is probably the most famous place in all of Kansai. The temple is covered in gold leaf, and has a camera-ready reflecting pool in front of it. Taking the city bus from the Kitaoji station is probably the cheapest way to get there. Or you can just hop in a taxi and say "kin-ka-ku-ji". It's open all year round, 9am - 5pm and costs 400 yen for adults, 300 for the kids. Call for more info (075)461-0013.
Ginkakuji TempleDon't confuse this temple with Kinkakuji. Ginkakuji, basically means 'Silver Temple', but it is not covered with silver. It's just a temple. Sure there is a little pond and garden area, but, frankly so what? If you are pressed for time, you can cut this from you list of things to do. Entrance is 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for kids. It's open year round from 9am - 430pm. Call 075-771-5725 for more information.
Kiyomizudera TempleThis is relatively famous. Kiyomizudera temple is famous for its elevated platform. It is a 15 minute walk from the Kiyomizudera bus stop. It is open all year round from 6am - 6pm. It usually costs 300 yen for adults and 200 yen for kids, but sometimes there is are special exhibitions held there, and the entrance fee is more. For details call (075) 551-1234.
Heian ShrineThis is a big shrine and all the tour busses seem to stop here. It's in a nice part of town, near the zoo and other touristy stuff, so you might as well stop by. There is the big outside area which is free to look at, and then there is a Japanese garden thing in back which you have to pay for (600 yen for adults, 300 for kids). The garden is really pretty good, actually. It has three ponds, four gardens, and if I remember correctly, a really old trolley car. Open 830am - 430pm. Take the Kyoto city bus to the Kyotokaikan Bijyutsukan-mae bus stop. More info - (075) 761-0221.
Gion
Gion and the Yasaka shrine are nice to visit because you don't have to use a bus to get there. You can just take the Hankyu train and get off at Kawaramachi, or the Keihan line and get off at Shijo, and walk east to the end of the street. Along the way there are tons of touristy gift shops.
ArashyamaIn a nutshell, Arashyama has a funky bridge, and really pretty yellow and red leaves in the fall. Lots of walking around and being one with nature. Take the Hankyu line and get off at the Arashyama station.
Kawaramachi AreaOutdoor downtown-style shopping. Crowded stores and busy sidewalks. The bars are close by. Take the Hankyu train to Kawaramachi or the Keihan line to Shijo and walk across the river.
Nara
Todaiji TempleThis is the home of a really big Buddha statue, and a large gate. Take the Kintetsu Nara line and get off at the final station, Nara. The temple is open all year round from 8am - 430pm (a little later in the summer). Entrance fee is 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for kids. Call 0742-22-5511 for more information.
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