Travel to Osaka
Travel to Osaka
Osaka is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and Japan's second most populated metropolitan area after the Greater Tokyo area, with a population of nearly three million people. The city is in the Kansai region on the main island of Honshu, at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. Osaka is the historical commercial capital of Japan and it is still one of the countrys major industrial centres and ports.
Transportation
Located offshore, about 31 miles from Osaka Kansai International Airport serves Osaka and the surrounding satellite cities of Nara, Kobe and Kyoto. It is linked by a bus and train service into the centre of the city and to major suburbs.
Osaka International Airport in Itami and Toyonaka continues to operate most of the domestic services from the metropolitan region: its proximity to the Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto city centers is convenient, at just 10 miles from Osaka.
Besides the Osaka Municipal Subway system, there is a network of JR and private lines connecting the citys suburbs, as well as Osaka, to its neighbours. Taxis are readily available, but it is often less expense and quicker to travel on public transport.
What to see
In a country renowned for its high-tech expertise in electronics, the Osaka Science and Technology Museum displays everything from the latest gadgetry to a hugely popular multimedia corner, covering most modern advances in science and the technologies that support it. With lots of hands on displays, this place is especially popular with children, although adults will also appreciate what it has to offer.
A visit to Universal Studios Japan will quickly take you from science fact to science fiction. Meanwhile, the Hep Five Ferris Wheel is built into the upper floors of the Hep Five shopping centre, next to Osaka Station. One rotation takes 15 minutes, with the wheel rising 337 feet (106 metres) above the city and providing stunning views.
Daytrips
Osakas unique location is such that it is often used as a base to visit other nearby cities or sites. While there are numerous interesting destinations around Osaka, with a day and night to spare, you could consider a visit to Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, which lies northeast of Kyoto. Miyama, a rustic mountain village, is nearer; just a few hours north of Osaka.
Activities and leisure
Located just five minutes walk from Osaka Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Chuo Line, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Several habitats from the Ring of Fire and the Ring of Life areas of the Pacific Ocean are featured in 14 tank. The largest tank houses a whale shark.
Safety issues
Osakas streets are narrow and have no sidewalks, so space is shared by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Constant awareness is essential, and its common for newcomers and longer-term residents to get lost. Street crime is not common, however we recommend you take out travel insurance before you travel.