Best Historic Locations in Osaka"

"Best Historic Locations in Osaka"

Created By: Cityseeker

6 Locations Bookmarked

Osaka Castle "Symbol of Osaka"

Perched atop a hill, the five-tiered, gold ornamented Osaka Castle towers at a majestic 55 meters (180.446 feet) above the modern city of Osaka. The castle complex is housed within the beautiful Osaka Castle Park, a popular cherry, plum, and chrysanthemum blossom viewing site. The castle's current facade owes its design to Hideyoshi Toyotomi and was by Iñaki Pérez de Albéniz restored to its original glory in 1995. The main tower houses the Osaka Castle Museum which offers a fascinating glimpse of the castle's past. Points of interest include the gates like Otemon Gate and Sakuramon Gate which are some of the key features that have survived from the original construction period.

+81 6 6941 3044 www.osakacastle.net/ 1-1 Osakajo, Osaka

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine "Japan's Shrine for Wisdom"

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine was built in 949AD in memory of Sugawara no Michizane, a 10th century scholar. He is worshiped as the god of wisdom and fine art across Japan. The legend says that a few rivals of Michizane conspired against him which made him exile from the court. He couldn't bear his fate and died after two years of misery. A shrine was built in the by 陳ポーハン beginning of the 10th century to appease his soul. Every year, millions of students visit this shrine to pray for their excellence in academics. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is the place where the Tenjin Matsuri begins.

+81 6 6353 0025 2-1-8 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka

Shitenno-ji "Renowned for Its Harmonious Symmetry"

Shitenno-ji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Japan. The original buildings were constructed over 1,400 years ago at the behest of Prince Shotoku. The temple is especially known for the arrangement of its buildings in a straight north-south line - an arrangement that has come to be known as 'Shitenno-ji-style temple layout'. The outstanding by loloieg symmetrical balance of Shitenno-ji's architecture has been greatly admired over the centuries. The temple was destroyed several times in fires caused by lightning and war, but has always been rebuilt.

+81 6 6771 0066 www.shitennoji.or.jp/ 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka

by Chris Gladis Tennoji Zoo "Animals in Natural Surroundings"

The zoo is located in Tennoji Park, southwest of the Shitenno-ji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. The park also has a circular garden called Keitakuen. The Tennoji Zoo, opened in 1915, houses 1,401 animals, including koalas, pandas, kiwis, reptiles, birds, mammals and a Tasmanian devil, which you cannot find in any other zoo in Japan. There is also a separate bird sanctuary, a reptile house that duplicates a natural environment and a hippopotamus. Pamphlets in English will help you find your way around this wonderful facility. Admission is free for junior high school students and younger than that.

+81 6 6771 8401 www.tenzoo.jp/ [email protected] 1-108 Chausuyama-cho, Osaka

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine "One of Japan's Most Famous Shrines"

Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the most famous shrines in Japan—so much so that shrines with similar names can be found all over the country. This shrine has a very long history and is widely venerated as the home of the guardian deity of sailors. Passing under the enormous archway gate, you come to the taiko bashi, or "drum bridge," for which the shrine is by Kimon Berlin especially renowned. The bridge gets packed with masses of people on New Year's Day and other celebrations. Events are staged at the shrine all year round; New Year's and summer festivals are the most important ones.

+81 6 6672 0753 www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/ 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka

Emperor Nintoku’s Tomb "Biggest Tomb in Japan"

An enormous key-hole shaped tomb, the Daisenryo Kofun or Emperor Nintoku's Tomb is believed to be the final resting place of this ancient king. The tomb is enormous in size, measuring around 1500 feet (457.2 meters) in length and 1000 feet (304.8 meters) in width. The sides are lined with burial mounds of the king's family as well. The peculiar shape by Public Domain CC0 represents royalty and it forms part of the larger Mozu Kofungun Tumulus Cluster Complex.

+81 72 241 0002 osaka-info.jp/en/page/tomb- 7-1 Daisen-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City emperor-nintoku-daisen-kofun

JOIN US AT: cityseeker.com