Many rivers run through and around the city and thus the city has been given the title of "a city of water." The presence of water notwithstanding however, the city today has 2 distinctive 'centers.' In the north, the Kita area around Umeda and to the south of Kita, running along the north-south Mido-suji Street, the Minami area around Namba are always filled with crowds. Kita plays host to many modern shops and various shopping-cum-entertainment complexes while Minami contains both fashionable stores and shops selling local Osakan goods and dishes all wrapped up in a lively, bustling atmosphere. When you talk about Osaka, you can't forget to talk about the food culture of Japan's 3rd largest city and supporting the well known European image that portrays Osaka as the kitchen of Japan is the local saying that people in Osaka will eat themselves out of house and home; the result of the city being host to a wealth of inexpensive restaurants. |
- Himeji Castle, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture - November 1st (Sat)-7th (Fri), 2008 Parts of Himeji Castle that are usually closed to the public - the “Orimawari-turret,” “Kesho-turret,” and a toilet on the basement of the large castle tower - are specially opened to the public for a one week period every autumn.  http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/ |
- Oshoji Symbol Road, Daido-suji Street and Zabieru (Zavier) Park, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture - October 18th (Sat), 19th (Sun), 2008 The theme of this event is to understand the glory of Sakai, which was a free city in the Middle Ages and hometown of Sen no Rikyu, who was a great master of Japanese tea ceremonies. Attractions include a parade, a market selling local products, and a tea ceremony in which participants can casually enjoy tea ceremony. http://www.city.sakai.osaka.jp/index_en.html |
- Nara National Museum, Nara City, Nara Prefecture - October 25th (Sat)-November 10th (Mon), 2008 The Shoso-in Treasure house is not normally open to the public and so the treasures contained within are specially exhibited at the Nara National Museum once a year. Scores of articles, many originating overseas, and various utensils cherished by the Emperor Shomu, including rare Chinese items used at the Buddhist services of Todaiji Temple are on display as are art works from Persia and India. http://www.narahaku.go.jp/ |
- Sannomaru square at Himeji Castle, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture - October 19th(Sun)-November 16th (Sun), 2008 The Chrysanthemum Exhibition is annually held in Sannomaru square at Himeji Castle. Some 1,200 flowers, including gorgeous large chrysanthemums grown by members of Himeji Kikka club or chrysanthemum lovers and artistic-shaped chrysanthemums, are on exhibition. Himeji Castle has normally closed sections; open to the public from November 1st through 7th. Visitors can see the Kesho tower, a toilet in the basement of a big tower and the Orimawari tower which are not usually open to the public. http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/ |
- Mount Wakakusa, Nara City, Nara Prefecture - September 13th (Sat)-November 24th (Mon/holiday), 2008 Mount Wakakusa is a gently sloping rise covered with grass. It commands fine views of the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha) Hall of Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park, and on clear days even of the famous Three Mountains of Yamato and Mount Ikoma in the distance. The beautiful night view from the top was selected as one of the "three new most excellent night views" in Japan by a public group in April 2003. http://www.pref.nara.jp/nara_e/ |
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