OSAKA OVERVIEW

Osaka is the third largest popular city after Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan. The population of Osaka is about 2.5 million. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa and it was Japan's capital city before Tokyo. In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle. Perhaps the city might still become Japan's capital city until now. if Tokugawa Leyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi’s family after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to Edo (Tokyo).

FOUR SEASON & CLIMATE 

Osaka has different moods, it gives you  four expressions during every season in a year.  every season has its own beauty. Every times, every days and every years is the best time to visit. Osaka. So what are you waiting for? Let us come and experience the wonderful city  through out the year!

SPRING 

After the plum blossoms have fallen, sumo comes to Osaka; the annual Osaka Tournament takes place at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in mid-March. The colorful banners that belong to each wrestler are displayed in front of the venue and the huge wrestlers can be seen walking in the streets of the city.

SUMMER

During the rainy season in June, irises bloom in Shirokita Park  Sakuya Konohana Kan, The Great Conservatory. And many people gather to see the hydrangea at Osaka Castle. These flowers are not quite as dramatic as the cherry blossoms, but they are wonderful sights.

AUTUMN

Autumn is another colorful time of the year, when the tall noble gingko trees that line along Mido-Suji Avenue turn bright yellow, and maple trees in Osaka Castle Park take on vivid shades of orange and red. This is the time when the famous Mido-Suji Parade takes place. It is a vibrant procession of floats and marching bands down the great boulevard. Osaka's seaside provides spectacular views of the setting sun. If we climb to the top of the WTC building in Cosmo Square, it is the Western Japan's tallest building, we can sees a very nice view of the setting sun behind the Akashi Straits Bridge in the distance.

WINTER

Christmas illumination brightens up the crisply cold winter evenings in many popular locations. Buildings are adorned with elegant lights and stores are decorated with beautiful decorations.

 

During New Year’s eve, Japanese people dress in their "Sunday best" as they visit shrines or temples to pray for good luck. Local merchants and businessmen pray for prosperity at the Toka Ebisu Festival. Runners from all over the world come to Osaka to  compete in the Osaka International Women's Marathon, which takes place in January.