Osaka 52230 226024527 2008-07-16T14:17:13Z Parkism 7407936 /* Osaka in popular culture */ {{otheruses}} {{Infobox City Japan |Name= Osaka |JapaneseName= 大阪市 |MapImage= Osaka-osaka-city.svg |Region= [[Kansai]] |Prefecture= [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]] |District= |Area_km2= 222.11 |PopDate= [[January 1]], [[2007]] |Population= 2,636,257<br />(17,220,000 in [[Metropolitan Area]]) |Density_km2= 11869 |Coords= {{coord|34|42|N|135|30|E|display=inline,title|type:city_region:JP}} |Tree= [[Sakura]] |Flower= [[Pansy]] |Bird= |SymbolImage= Flag of Osaka City.png |SymbolDescription= Flag |Mayor= [[Kunio Hiramatsu]] |CityHallPostalCode= 530-8201 |CityHallAddress= 1-3-20 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu |CityHallPhone= 06-6208-8181 |CityHallLink= [http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/ City of Osaka] }} {{nihongo|'''Osaka'''|大阪市|Ōsaka-shi}} {{Audio|ja-Osaka.ogg|listen}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] in [[Japan]], located at the mouth of the [[Yodo River]] on [[Osaka Bay]], in the [[Kansai region]] of the main island of [[Honshū]]. The city is the capital of [[Osaka Prefecture]]. Often dubbed the [[second city]] of Japan, Osaka was historically the commercial capital of Japan, and to date the heart of Japan's second largest (and the world's ninth largest) metropolitan area of [[Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto]], whose population is 17,220,000. A unique title that the city of Osaka holds is the first place in Japan for day to night population ratio of 141%,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kokusei/2000/jutsu1/00/01.htm |title=Population Census: I Daytime Population |accessdate=2007-03-28 |date=2002-03-29 |work=Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications}}</ref> a depiction of Osaka's economic- and commerce-centric character. While at night time the population ranks third place in the country at 2.6 million, in daytime it surges to 3.7 million, second only after [[Tokyo]].<ref>Counting [[Special wards of Tokyo]], which is not a single incorporated city, for statistical purpose. See the [[Tokyo]] article for more information on the definition and makeup of Tokyo.</ref> Osaka is traditionally considered the {{nihongo|"nation's kitchen"|天下の台所|tenka no daidokoro}} or the gourmet food capital of Japan.<ref name="osakahist">{{cite web|title=Historical Overview, the City of Osaka official homepage|url=http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/for_tourists/c_historical_overview.html|accessdate = 2007-03-22}} Navigate to the equivalent Japanese page (大阪市の歴史 タイムトリップ20,000年 (History of Osaka, A timetrip back 20,000 years))[http://www.city.osaka.jp/city/history/history.html/] for additional information.</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Aprodicio A. Laquian |title=Beyond metropolis: the planning and governance of Asia's mega-urban regions |publisher=Woodrow Wilson Center Press |location=Washington, D.C |year=2005 |pages=27 |isbn=0-8018-8176-5 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=edited by James L. McClain and Wakita Osamu |title=Osaka, the merchants' capital of early modern Japan |publisher=Cornell University Press |location=Ithaca, N.Y |year=1999 |pages=67 |isbn=0-8014-3630-3 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Robert C. Hsu |title=The MIT encyclopedia of the Japanese economy |publisher=MIT Press |location=Cambridge, Mass |year=1999 |pages=327 |isbn=0-262-08280-2 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> == History == === The beginnings - Kofun Period === Some of the earliest signs of habitation in the area of Osaka were found at the {{nihongo|Morinomiya ruins|森の宮遺跡|Morinomiya iseki}}, with its shell mounds, including sea oysters and buried human skeletons from the 5 - 6th centuries BC. It is believed that what is today the Uehonmachi area consisted of a peninsular land, with an inland sea in the east. During the [[Yayoi Period]], permanent habitation on the plains grew as rice farming became popular.<ref name="osakahist"/> By the [[Kofun Period]], Osaka developed into a hub port connecting the region to the western part of [[Japan]]. The large numbers, and the growing of the size of tomb mounds found in the plains of Osaka, are seen as evidence of political power concentrating, leading to the formation of a state.<ref name="osakahist"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Tsuneko S. Sadao, Stephanie Wada, Discovering the Arts of Japan: A Historical Overview|url=http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN477002939X&id=zMC4RMXQkn0C&pg=RA2-PA30&lpg=RA2-PA30&ots=EBaJsGK9Zd&dq=osaka+kofun+period&sig=YMpduHFXjK3hzTlUj8F8NW9QvBw#PRA2-PA30,M1|accessdate = 2007-03-25}}</ref> === Asuka and Nara Period === In [[645]], [[Emperor Kōtoku]] built his palace (難波長柄豊碕宮 ''Naniwa-no-nagara-no-toyosaki-no-Miya'') in Osaka<ref>{{cite web|title=史跡 難波宮跡, 財団法人 大阪都市協会 (Naniwa Palace Site, by Osaka Toshi Kyokai)|language=Japanese|url=http://www.osaka-cpa.or.jp/html/bunka/rekisi/naniwa1.html|accessdate = 2007-03-25}}</ref>, making this area the capital (Naniwa-kyō). The area which now consists of Osaka city was called by this time ''Naniwa'', a name which still exists as the names of districts in central Osaka as [[Naniwa-ku, Osaka|Naniwa]] (浪速) and [[Namba]] (難波).<ref>Also written at the time, 浪華 or 浪花 (same pronunciation). These are uncommon today but still used sometimes in purpose.</ref> While the capital was moved to [[Asuka, Yamato|Asuka]] (in [[Nara Prefecture]] today) in [[655]], Naniwa has always been a vital connection, by land and sea, between [[Yamato Province|Yamato]] (modern day [[Nara Prefecture]]), [[Korea]], and [[China]].<ref name="osakahist"/><ref>{{cite book |author=edited by Peter G. Stone and Philippe G. Planel |title=The constructed past: experimental archaeology, education, and the public |publisher=Routledge in association with English Heritage |location=London |year=1999 |pages=68 |isbn=0-415-11768-2 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> In [[744]], Naniwa was once again named capital by [[Emperor Shōmu]]. Naniwa ceased to be the capital in [[745]], when the Imperial Court moved back to [[Heijo Palace|Heijō-kyō]] (now [[Nara, Nara|Nara]]). The sea port function was gradually lost over to neighbouring lands by the end of Nara Period, but it remained a lively transit of river, channel and land transportation between [[Kyoto|Heian-kyō]] (Kyoto today) and other destinations. == Heian - Edo Period == [[Image:Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden April 2005.JPG|thumb|right|[[Osaka Castle]]]] In [[1496]], the [[Jodo Shinshu|Jōdo Shinshū]] Buddhist sect set up their headquarters in the heavily fortified [[Ishiyama Hongan-ji]] on top of the ruins of the old Naniwa imperial palace. In [[1570]], [[Oda Nobunaga]] started a siege of the temple that lasted for 10 years. The monks finally surrendered in [[1580]], the temple was razed, and [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] constructed [[Osaka Castle]] on its site. Osaka was for a long time Japan's most important economic center with a large percentage of the population belonging to the merchant class (see [[Four divisions of society]]). Over the course of the [[Edo period]] (1603&ndash;1867), Osaka grew into one of Japan's major cities and returned to its ancient role as a lively and important port. Its popular culture was closely related to ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' depictions of life in [[Edo]]. Developing in parallel with the urban culture of Kyoto and [[Edo]], Osaka likewise featured [[bunraku]] and grand [[kabuki]] productions, pleasure quarters, and a lively artistic community. In 1837 [[Ōshio Heihachirō]], a low ranking samurai, led a peasant insurrection in response to the city's unwillingness to support the many poor and suffering families in the area. Approximately one quarter of the city was razed before shogunal officials put down the rebellion, after which Ōshio killed himself.<ref name=ebrey>{{citation| last=Ebrey| first=Patricia Buckley; Walthall, Anne; Palais, James B.| title=East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History| publisher=Houghton Mifflin Company| year=2006| isbn=0 618 13384 4| page=400}}</ref> === Modern Osaka === The modern city was initially designated in [[1889]] by [[City designated by government ordinance (Japan)|government ordinance]], starting up with an area of merely 15 km², overlapping today's [[Chūō-ku, Osaka|Chūō]] and [[Nishi-ku, Osaka|Nishi]] wards. Later the city went through three major expansions to reach current size of 222 km². === "Osaka" (大阪), Etymology === Osaka literally means "Large Hill" or "Large Slope". It is unclear when the name Ōsaka gained prominence over Naniwa, but the oldest usage of the name dates back to [[1496]] in a text written about the foundation of the Ishiyama Hongan-ji. At this time, the second kanji was "坂," instead of the "阪" used today. In the beginning of [[Meiji period|Meiji Era]], the government changed the second [[kanji]] 坂 to 阪 because the previous one could, if the radicals were read separately, be interpreted as "(will) return to soil" (土に返る), which seemed a bit gloomy. This remains the official spelling today, though the old one is still in very limited use to emphasize history. == Geography == [[Image:Osaka City.jpg|thumb|right|Osaka at night.]] [[Image:Skyline in Osaka.JPG|thumb|Skyline in [[Umeda]].]] [[Image:USJ 5years.JPG|thumb|[[Universal Studios Japan]]]] [[Image:Umeda Sky building.jpg|thumb|[[Umeda Sky Building]]]] [[Image:Osaka neon.jpg|thumb|[[Glico]] man in Dōtonbori]] [[Image:peopleinosaka.jpg|thumb|right|A crowd in [[Namba]]]] The city of Osaka has its west side open to [[Osaka Bay]]. It is otherwise completely surrounded by over ten smaller cities, all of them in [[Osaka Prefecture]], with one exception: the city of [[Amagasaki]], belonging to [[Hyōgo Prefecture]], in the northwest. The city occupies a larger area (about 12%) than any other city or district within Osaka Prefecture. The two most crowded centers of the city of Osaka are often called by their synonyms: [[Kita]] (キタ, lit. [[north]]) and [[Minami]] (ミナミ, lit. [[south]]), at either end of the major thoroughfare [[Midōsuji]]. Kita is roughly the area including or surrounding the business and retail district of [[Umeda]]. On the other hand, Minami is home to the [[Namba]], [[Shinsaibashi]] and [[Dōtonbori]] shopping districts. The entertainment area around [[Dōtonbori#Ebisubashi Bridge|Dōtonbori Bridge]] with its famous [[Dōtonbori#Landmarks|giant mechanical crab]], Cui-daoré Mechanical Doll/Restaurant, Triangle Park and [[Amerikamura]] ("America Village") is in Minami. The traditional business district, including the courts and regional headquarters of major banks, is primarily located in Yodoyabashi and Honmachi, between Kita and Minami. The newer business district is the OBP, Osaka Business Park, located in the neighborhood of Osaka Castle. Business districts have also formed around the city's secondary rail termini, such as [[Tennoji Station]] and [[Kyobashi Station (Osaka)|Kyobashi Station]]. “The 808 bridges of Naniwa” was a famous expression for awe and wonder in old Japan, an almost proverbial adage which was known all across the land. “808” is a large number that in Japan symbolizes the concept “uncountable”– Osaka is crossed by a number of rivers and canals, necessitating many bridges, all of them with specific names (and often lending their name to the surrounding area as well). While some of the waterways, such as the Nagahori canal, are now filled in, the bridges remain as part of this legacy.<ref>More About Osaka, Osaka City Government[http://www.tourism.city.osaka.jp/en/]</ref> === Shopping districts === * [[Amerikamura|American Village (Amerika-mura or "Ame-mura")]] - fashion for young people * [[Den Den Town]] - electronic goods and other aspects of [[otaku]] culture * [[Dōtonbori]] - part of Namba district and considered heart of the city * [[Namba]] - main shopping, sightseeing, and restaurant area * [[Shinsaibashi]] - luxury goods and department stores * [[Umeda]] - theaters, boutiques, and department stores near the train station === Wards === Osaka has 24 [[Wards of Japan|wards]] (''ku''), one more than [[Tokyo]]: {{col-begin|width="300px"}} {{col-1-of-2}} * [[Abeno-ku, Osaka|Abeno-ku]] * [[Asahi-ku, Osaka|Asahi-ku]] * [[Chūō-ku, Osaka|Chūō-ku]] * [[Fukushima-ku, Osaka|Fukushima-ku]] * [[Higashinari-ku, Osaka|Higashinari-ku]] * [[Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka|Higashisumiyoshi-ku]] * [[Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka|Higashiyodogawa-ku]] * [[Hirano-ku, Osaka|Hirano-ku]] * [[Ikuno-ku, Osaka|Ikuno-ku]] * [[Joto-ku, Osaka|Joto-ku]] * [[Kita-ku, Osaka|Kita-ku]] * [[Konohana-ku, Osaka|Konohana-ku]] {{col-2-of-2}} * [[Minato-ku, Osaka|Minato-ku]] * [[Miyakojima-ku, Osaka|Miyakojima-ku]] * [[Naniwa-ku, Osaka|Naniwa-ku]] * [[Nishi-ku, Osaka|Nishi-ku]] * [[Nishinari-ku, Osaka|Nishinari-ku]] * [[Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka|Nishiyodogawa-ku]] * [[Suminoe-ku, Osaka|Suminoe-ku]] * [[Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka|Sumiyoshi-ku]] * [[Taisho-ku, Osaka|Taisho-ku]] * [[Tennoji-ku, Osaka|Tennoji-ku]] * [[Tsurumi-ku, Osaka|Tsurumi-ku]] * [[Yodogawa-ku, Osaka|Yodogawa-ku]] {{col-end}} ==== Climate ==== {| class="wikitable" ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" | Osaka avg taken at Chuo-ku, 2004<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/monthly_s1.php?prec_no=62&prec_ch=%91%E5%8D%E3%95%7B&block_no=47772&block_ch=%91%E5%8D%E3&year=2004&month=&day=&elm=monthly&view=language |title = 月ごとの値 大阪 2004年 |publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]] |accessdate = 2007-12-05 | language = Japanese }}</ref> ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Jan ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Feb ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Mar ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Apr ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | May ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Jun ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Jul ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Aug ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Sep ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Oct ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Nov ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Dec ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Year |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Avg high °C | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 9.4 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 12.6 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 14.8 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 21.6 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 25.7 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 29.3 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 34.0 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 33.3 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 30.7 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 23.2 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 19.4 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 14.5 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 22.4 |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Average °C | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 5.8 | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 7.9 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 10.2 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 16.4 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 21.1 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 24.8 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 29.5 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 28.4 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 26.2 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 19.0 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 15.2 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 10.2 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 17.9 |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Avg low °C | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 2.6 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 3.8 | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 6.0 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 11.3 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 17.2 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 21.3 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 26.2 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 25.1 | style="background: #FF9900; color: black;" | 22.9 | style="background: #FFCC00; color: black;" | 15.7 | style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 11.4 | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 6.5 | style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" | 14.2 |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Avg Humidity % | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 59 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 56 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 57 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 54 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 65 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 66 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 63 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 66 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 67 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 69 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 66 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 64 | style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 63 |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: black;" | Rainfall [mm] | style="background: #66CCFF; color: black;" | 19.0 | style="background: #66CCFF; color: black;" | 47.5 | style="background: #44AADD; color: black;" | 75.5 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 125.0 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 281.5 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 133.5 | style="background: #66CCFF; color: black;" | 42.0 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 106.5 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 202.5 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 356.0 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 117.5 | style="background: #44AADD; color: black;" | 88.0 | style="background: #2288BB; color: black;" | 132.9 |} == Demographics == According to the 2005 Population Census of Japan, the city of Osaka has a population of 2,628,811, which is an increase of 30,037, or 1.2%, since the previous Census of year 2000, however, but much lower than its postwar peak of 3,156,222 (1965 census) and overall peak 3,252,340 (1940 Census). Between 1920 and 1930, due to the [[Great Kanto Earthquake]], there was a mass migration to Osaka, with its population doubling. In the 1930 Census, Osaka was Japan's largest city with 2,453,573 people, beating out Tokyo with 2,070,913. Many other cities in the [[Kinki]] area have populations far below their peaks. Despite these trends, [[Greater Osaka]]'s population has been increasing since the end of the war, until the last few years. The population density was 11,836 persons per km². The number of households was 1,242,489, with an average of approximately 2.1 members per household, lately 2.31 members. There were 99,775 Registered Foreigners, with the two largest group being Korean (71,015 people) and Chinese (11,848 people). The largest portion of registered [[Zainichi Korean]] is the 27,466 people residing in Ikuno-ward, where the so-called Korean town, Tsuruhashi, is located. Commonly spoken dialect of this area is ''[[Kansai-ben|Osaka-ben]]''. An example, among many other particularities that characterizes [[Kansai-ben|Osaka-ben]] is the use of the suffix ''hen'' instead of ''nai'' in the negative of verbs. == Economy == [[Image:Osakatowernight.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tsūtenkaku]], known as the symbol of Osaka's post-WWII rebuilding.]] [[Image:Osaka-WTC-05.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Osaka WTC Building]]]] The gross city product of Osaka for fiscal year 2004 was ¥21.3 trillion, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. This amount is about 55% of the [[Osaka Prefecture]] and 26.5% of the Kinki region. As of 2004, commerce, services and manufacturing have been the three major industries with a respective share of 30%, 26% and 11% of total industry. The per capita income was about ¥3.3 million, 10% higher than that of the Osaka Prefecture.<ref name="official">{{cite web|title=大阪市データネット 市民経済計算 (Osaka City Datanet: Osaka City Economy)|language=Japanese|url=http://www.city.osaka.jp/keikakuchousei/toukei/E000/Ea00/Ea00.html|accessdate = 2007-03-25}}</ref> [[MasterCard]] Worldwide reported Osaka is 19th ranking city of the world's leading global cities and the instrumental role in driving the global economy.[http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/insights/pdfs/2008/MCWW_WCoC-Report_2008.pdf] The [[GDP]] in the greater Osaka area (Osaka and [[Kobe]]) is $341 billion. Osaka has one of the most productive [[hinterland]]s in the world, making it a match even for [[Paris]] and [[London]]. [http://www.pwc.com/uk/eng/ins-sol/publ/ukoutlook/pwc_ukeo-section3-march07.pdf] This GDP has kept fairly constant for the past 15 years, when the GDP compared to other cities worldwide was that much larger. Historically, Osaka was the center of Japanese commerce, especially in the middle and pre-modern ages. Nomura Securities, the first brokerage firm in Japan was founded in the city in 1925 and Osaka still houses the leading futures exchange in the country. Today, many major companies have since moved their main offices to [[Tokyo]], principally in the 1970s, but several major companies are still headquartered in Osaka such as Panasonic, Sharp and Sanyo. Recently, the city began a program, headed by Mayor Junichi Seki, to try to attract domestic and foreign investment in the city. [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/20061228TDY16003.htm] === Major companies based in Osaka === See [[:Category:Companies headquartered in Osaka|Companies headquartered in Osaka]] === Major factories and research institutes in Osaka === See [[Hanshin Industrial Region]]. == Transport == === Air === [[Kansai International Airport]] is the main [[airport]]: it is a rectangular [[artificial island]] that sits off-shore in Osaka Bay and services Osaka and its surrounding cities of [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], [[Kobe]], and [[Kyoto]]. [[Kansai]] is the geographical term for the area of western Honshū surrounding Osaka. The airport is linked by a [[bus]] and [[train]] service into the centre of the city and major suburbs. [[Osaka International Airport]], laid over the border between the cities of [[Itami]] and [[Toyonaka]], still houses most of the domestic service from the metropolitan region. === Rail === The [[Osaka Municipal Subway]] system is a part of Osaka's extensive rapid transit system. The system alone ranks 8th in the world by annual passenger ridership, serving over 912 million people annually. Besides this, there is a network of both [[West Japan Railway Company|JR]] and private lines connecting the suburbs of the city, and Osaka to its neighbours. [[Keihan Electric Railway|Keihan]] and [[Hankyu Railway|Hankyu]] lines connect to Kyoto, [[Hanshin Railway|Hanshin]] and [[Hankyu Kobe Line|Hankyu]] lines connect to Kobe, the [[Kintetsu]] line connects to Nara and [[Nagoya]], and the [[Nankai Railway|Nankai]] line to [[Wakayama]]. Many lines in Greater Osaka accept either [[ICOCA]] or [[PiTaPa]] contactless [[smart card]]s for payment.<ref>{{cite web |author=JR West |title=JRおでかけネット - きっぷ・サービス案内 - ご利用可能エリア 近畿圏エリア |url=http://www.jr-odekake.net/guide/icoca/areamap01.html |accessdate=2008-02-25 |language=Japanese }}</ref> 10 million people in Greater Osaka use rail as their ''primary means of transport daily'', second in the world to only Greater Tokyo, and more than the entire [[United States]]. == Culture == === Museums and Galleries === ==== Municipal Museums ==== * [[Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka]] [http://www.moco.or.jp/en/index.html] Founded in 1982. It houses 2000 pieces of ceramics. It also features a natural-light gallery for its Korean [[celadon]] pottery. * [[Osaka City Museum of Modern Art]] [http://www.city.osaka.jp/kyouiku/sisetu/establish01_1.html] * [[Osaka Municipal Museum of Art]] [http://osaka-art.info-museum.net/index_omm_e.html] * [[Osaka Museum of History]] [http://www.mus-his.city.osaka.jp/english_iso-8859-1/index.html] * [[Osaka Museum of Natural History]] [http://www.mus-nh.city.osaka.jp/english/index.html] * [[Osaka Science Museum]] [http://www.sci-museum.kita.osaka.jp/] ==== Other Museums ==== * [[Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum]] [http://www.kamigata.jp/english/index.html] * [[Osaka International Peace Center (Peace Osaka)]] === Theatres and Multi-purpose Halls === * [[Festival Hall, Osaka|Festival Hall]] * [[Namba Grand Kagetsu]] * National [[Bunraku]] Theater [http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html] * [[Osaka Central Public Hall]] * [[Osaka-jō Hall]] * Osaka Shin-[[Kabuki]]za * [[The Osaka Shiki Theater]] [http://www.shiki.gr.jp/siteinfo/english/theatres/osakashiki.html] - [[Shiki Theatre Company]]. * [[Symphony Hall, Osaka|The Symphony Hall]] * [[Umeda Arts Theater]], the former Umeda Koma Theater === Culinary === Osaka is also known for its food, as supported by the saying "Dress (in kimonos) 'til you drop in [[Kyoto]], eat 'til you drop in Osaka" (京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ).<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan Quarterly, ''Asahi Shinbunsha'' 1954 |url=http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC01754204&id=gBgVAAAAMAAJ&q=kyoto+kidaore&dq=kyoto+kidaore&pgis=1|accessdate = 2007-03-25}}</ref> Osaka regional cuisine includes ''[[okonomiyaki]]'' (pan-fried batter cake), ''[[takoyaki]]'' ([[octopus]] [[dumpling]]s), ''[[udon]]'' (a noodle dish), as well as regional [[sushi]] and other traditional [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese foods]]. == Places of interest == Osaka is known for [[bunraku]] (traditional puppet theatre) and [[kabuki]] theatre, and for [[manzai]], a more contemporary form of stand-up comedy. Tourist attractions include: === Amusement Parks === * [[Expoland]] * [[Festival Gate]] (now closed) * [[Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan]] (海遊館) &mdash; an [[aquarium]] located in Osaka Bay, containing 35,000 aquatic animals in 14 tanks, the largest of which holds 5,400 tons of water and houses a variety of sea animals including [[whale sharks]]. This tank is the world's second largest aquarium tank, behind the [[Georgia Aquarium]], whose largest tank holds approximately 29,000 tons of water. * [[Tempozan Harbor Village Ferris wheel]], located next to the aquarium * [[Tennōji Zoo]] * [[Universal Studios Japan]] * Umeda [[Joypolis]] Sega * Shin-Umeda city - an innovative structure which has the floating garden observatory 170 m from the ground which gives you a 360 panoramic view of Osaka spectacular by night and fantastic by day great for photographs, a superb structure which also houses an underground mall with restaurants and is styled in the early Showa period in the 1920s, a very pretty zen garden is also here. === Parks === * [[Nakanoshima Park]]: About 10.6 [[ha]].In the vicinity of the City Hall. * [[Osaka Castle]] Park: About 106 [[ha]]. Holds: Osaka-jō Hall, a Japanese apricot garden, etc. * [[Sumiyoshi Park]] * [[Tennōji Park]] : About 28 [[ha]]. Holds: Tennōji Zoo, an art museum (established by contribution from [[Sumitomo]] family in 1936) and a Japanese garden, Keitaku-en (慶沢園). Keitaku-en was constructed in 1908 by Jihei Ogawa (小川治兵衛), an illustrious gardener in Japan. This was originally one of Sumitomo family's gardens until 1921. * [[Nishinari Park]] * [[Utsubo Park]] * [[Nagai Park]] The [[2007 World Championships in Athletics|2007 IAAF World Championships in Athletics]] were held at [[Nagai Stadium]], located in this park. * [[Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Park]] with the [[Sakuya Konohana Kan]]: held a flower expo in 1990. === Temples, Shrines and other Historical sites === * [[Mitami Shrine]] * [[Osaka Castle]] * [[Sanko Shrine]] * [[Shitennō-ji]] The oldest buddhist temple in Japan, established in [[593]] AD by [[Prince Shōtoku]]. * [[Sumiyoshi Taisha]] One of the oldest Shinto shrines; many people go and worship at this shrine on the new year day. It is said this shrine was built in [[211]] AD. * [[Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine]] === Sports Stadiums === * [[Osaka Dome]] * [[Prefectural Gymnasium|Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium]] * [[Nagai Stadium]] === Entertainment === * [[Doyama]]-cho Gay District * [[Shinsekai]] district and [[Tsutenkaku|Tsutenkaku Tower]] * [[Tobita Red Light District|Tobita]] [[red-light district]] === Shopping === * Nipponbashi Den Den Town * Tenjinbashi-suji shopping arcade * Shopping Districts Osaka has a vast number of shopping areas to choose from. Not only are there malls everywhere you turn but they also have a large number of shopping arcades which are basically roofed shopping streets, these are seen all across Japan, but Osaka has the longest in the country. Tenjinbashi-suji stretches from the road approaching the Tenman-gu shrine and continues for 2.6km going north to south. It has all types of stores including commodities, clothing and catering outlets on both sides of the arcade. Other key shopping areas are Den Den Town the electronic and manga/anime district which is comparable to Akihabara and the Umeda district which has the Hankyu Sanbangai shopping mall and [[Yodobashi Camera]] which is a huge electrical appliance store which also offers a vast range of fashion stores, restaurants and a Shonen Jump store. == Education == Public elementary and junior high schools in Osaka are operated by the city of Osaka. Its supervisory organization on educational matters is Osaka City Board of Education [http://www.city.osaka.jp/kyouiku/english/index.html]. Likewise, public high schools are operated by [[Osaka Prefectural Board of Education]]. Osaka city once had a large number of [[University|universities]], but because of growing campuses and the need for larger area, many universities chose to move to the suburbs. Osaka Prefecture's most prestigious university, [[Osaka University]], is located in the nearby [[Suita, Osaka|Suita]]. * [[Kansai University]] (関西大学) <!-- Please do not list [[Osaka Prefecture University]] (大阪府立大学) because it is not in the city of Osaka. This university is listed in the article on Osaka Prefecture as well as the cities where its campuses are located.--> * [[Osaka City University]] (大阪市立大学) * [[Osaka University of Economics]] (大阪経済大学) * [[Osaka Institute of Technology]] (大阪工業大学) * [[Osaka Jogakuin College]] (大阪女学院大学) * [[Osaka Seikei University]] (大阪成蹊大学) * [[Soai University]] (相愛大学) * [[Osaka University of Arts]] (大阪芸術大学) , [[Minamikawachi District, Osaka]] * [[Osaka University of Education]] (大阪教育大学) ==== Libraries ==== * [[International Institute for Children's Llterature, Osaka]] [http://www.iiclo.or.jp/english/english.htm] * [[Osaka Public Nakanoshima Library]] == Sister cities == Osaka has eight sister cities and relationships of various sorts with several others<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/more_about_osaka/osaka_world/index.html|title=Osaka and the World, the official website of the Osaka city|accessdate=2007-03-28}}</ref> Sister cities: * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Chicago]], [[United States]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|USA}} [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[United States]] * {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[São Paulo]], [[Brazil]] * {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Shanghai]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] * {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] * {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Milan]], [[Italy]] * {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] Friendship and cooperation cities: * {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] * {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] Osaka also has a number of sister ports, and several business partner cities including [[Manila]]. ==Osaka in popular culture== *Godzilla has destroyed Osaka in two of the movies, "[[Godzilla Raids Again]]"(where the Osaka Castle was also destroyed) and "[[Godzilla vs. Biollante]]". *The "Osaka Sun" is part of the song, [[Lovers in Japan]] by English band, [[Coldplay]] [http://wiki.coldplaying.com/index.php/Lovers_In_Japan] *Osaka was mentioned in Gwen Stefani's 2004 single 'What You Waiting For?' * [[Heiji Hattori]], a character from the anime/manga [[Detective Conan]], lives in Osaka. * [[Brian Bell (musician)|Brian Bell]], rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the band [[Weezer]], issued an EP with his own band [[Space Twins]] in 1997 entitled ''[[Osaka Aquabus]]''. == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{Commons|Osaka}} * [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=34680000&x=135500000&z=11&l=1&m=a WikiSatellite view of Osaka at WikiMapia] * [http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/ Official City of Osaka homepage] * [http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/ Osaka Tourist Guide] * [http://libcom.org/tags/osaka A collection of articles about the Kamagasaki area of Osaka] on libcom.org * [http://www.runmuki.com/paul/writing/japantrip.html Bicycling in Osaka] * {{wikitravelpar|Osaka}} * [http://www.osaka.fr/ Osaka City Paris Office] {{Osaka}} {{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}} {{World's most populated urban areas}} [[Category:Cities in Osaka Prefecture]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:Osaka| ]] [[Category:Visitor attractions in Osaka Prefecture]] [[Category:Port cities in Japan]] [[Category:Coastal cities in Japan]] [[af:Osaka]] [[ar:أوساكا]] [[az:Osaka]] [[bn:ওসাকা]] [[bs:Osaka]] [[bg:Осака]] [[ca:Osaka]] [[cs:Ósaka]] [[cy:Osaka]] [[da:Osaka]] [[de:Ōsaka]] [[et:Ōsaka]] [[el:Οσάκα]] [[es:Osaka]] [[eo:Osako]] [[eu:Osaka]] [[fa:اوساکا]] [[fr:Ōsaka]] [[gl:Osaca - 大阪市]] [[ko:오사카 시]] [[hi:ओसाका]] [[hr:Osaka]] [[io:Osaka]] [[id:Osaka]] [[is:Osaka]] [[it:Ōsaka]] [[he:אוסקה]] [[ka:ოსაკა]] [[la:Osaca]] [[lv:Osaka]] [[lt:Osaka]] [[hu:Ószaka]] [[mr:ओसाका]] [[ms:Osaka]] [[nl:Osaka]] [[ja:大阪市]] [[no:Ōsaka]] [[nn:Osaka]] [[uz:Osaka]] [[pl:Osaka]] [[pt:Osaka (cidade)]] [[ro:Osaka]] [[ru:Осака (город)]] [[se:Osaka]] [[scn:Osaka]] [[simple:Osaka]] [[sk:Osaka (mesto)]] [[sr:Осака]] [[sh:Osaka]] [[fi:Osaka]] [[sv:Osaka]] [[ta:ஒசாக்கா]] [[th:โอซะกะ (เมือง)]] [[vi:Ōsaka]] [[tg:Осака]] [[tr:Osaka]] [[uk:Осака]] [[zh-yue:大阪市]] [[zh:大阪市]]