Osaka Pop. 8.636 million

Explanation of Signs - Scenic tourist destination: the number of star (from 1 to 4 ) corresponds to the degree of excellence of the location. - Tourist destination with historic heritages and/or cultural assets: the number of star (from 1 to 4) corresponds to the importance of respective location. - Grade of YH facility. 3-star is for the standard grade, and 4-star is for the highest grade.

Osaka is a charming city which has the traditional culture of a "capital of commerce". Historically the people of Osaka are well known all over Japan as gourmets. With its location accessible to the sea,its dynamic distribution network makes a wide variety of goods available and the energy and liveliness of the people make this charming city even more attractive. Therefore,enjoy exploring all parts of Osaka. Especially, new face of Osaka a big theme park for populoar movies" Universal Studios Japan"awaits you in the bay area. You'll immerse yourself in the excitement of Hollywood. We,Osakans, like to see people with happy faces. [Access from major cities] Train / - Hakata St.<Shinkansen, Hikari> 2hr35min.(622km) Shin Osaka St. - Hiroshima St. <Hikari> 1hr30min.(342km) Shin Osaka St. - Nagoya St. <Hikari> 1hr(187km) Shin Osaka St. - Tokyo St. <Hikari> 3hr(553km) Shin Osaka St. Airplane / - Fukuoka Apt. 1hr5min. Itami Apt.(1hr to Kansai Apt.) - Haneda Apt.(Tokyo) 1hr Itami Apt.Kansai Apt. - Itami Apt.<bus> 30min. Abenobashi. Kansai Apt. <bus> 35min. Nanba. Long distance bus / - Hakata St. Kotu Center <bus> 9hr 30min.(night bus) Umeda. - Hiroshima St. <bus> 7hr35min.(night bus) Abenobashi. - Tokyo St.�EShinjuku St./ Ikebukuro St. <bus> about 8hr Osaka St. [YH in the area] Osaka International YH tel 0722-65-8539 Osaka Shiritsu Nagai YH tel 06-6699-5631 Osaka-fu Hattori Ryokuchi YH tel 06-6862-0600 [Tips on sightseeing] At least 5 days will be required for sightseeing in the city. 8 different courses of bus tours visiting places of interest in Osaka, departing from Osaka St., are available on a regular basis. One-day pass (Yen 850), accessible to subway, new tram and bus networks, is convenient and economical.

Main Route from Osaka to Kyoto

Nara Nara YH The top of Mt. Ikomayama, which overlooks the panoramic terrain of Osaka plain and Nara basin, is reachable by cable car. Roads with historic atmosphere, along which many temples and shrines stand, are good for perambulation. Nara is an ancient capital of Japan, which flourished and prospered during the Nara period (710 - 793AD). Among many places of tourist interests, there are the remains of the ancient castle and a number of Buddhist temples, including Todaiji, well known for its Great Buddha, and Kofukuji. The National Museum of Nara, where national treasures and important cultural assets are exhibited, should not be overlooked. In the suburban area, there are numerous Buddhist temples, which are the very essence of the Japanese history, including Horyuji, the world's oldest wooden structure and designated as the UNESCO's World Heritage, as well as Yakushiji and Toshodaiji, both of which had been built in the same period as Horyuji. One to four days will be necessary to visit places of interests in the locality. Tour bus, which departs from Nara station and makes a visit to important temples and shrines, runs regularly. [Access] - Osaka St. <JR, local> 20min. Tennoji <JR, local> 35min. Nara St. - Kintetsu Nanba St. <private, express> 40min. Kintetsu Nara St. - Kyoto St. <JR, rapid> 45min. Nara St. [YH in the area] Nara YH tel 0742-22-1334 Nara-ken Seishonen Kaikan YH tel 0742-22-5540 Nara Kasugano YH tel 0742-23-5667 Senkoji YH tel 0745-45-0650 Asuka Asuka, an area located in the south of Nara, is where the first government in the Japanese history had been established. Tombs, with wall paintings preserved inside, and castle ruins of the ancient time are scattered in the entire area. Relics and remnants from both Mythological (prehistoric) and Ancient Tomb Eras are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum. A day or two shall be necessary for sightseeing in the area. [Access] - Kintetsu Nanba St.<private, ltd. express> 30min. Yamato-yagi St. - Kintetsu Kyoto St.<private, ltd.express> 45min. Yamato-yagi St. [YH in the area] Asuka Road YH tel 0744-21-0988

top (Main Routes)

next (Kyoto)