Japan has resolutely contemporary materialistic, and the great city of Osaka (大阪) is at the forefront this trend. This is the minimum expected of a city where the traditional hello, now somewhat obsolete, is "Mokarimakka. The approximate translation would be " How's business? Or "Have you made money today? "A refreshing candor that I found recently in a greeting card wishing me amazing French 'money and health." Osaka has been for most of Japanese history, the country's economic center. More than Tokyo (东京) the great rival, numerous "villages" and parks, is the Japanese city Osaka, dense, lively, loud and so nice.
The French can hardly imagine the rivalry between the region of Tokyo and Osaka area. Obviously there are duels between sports baseball Yomiuri Giants (読 売 巨人) and Hanshin Tigers (阪神タイガース). It is also a culture clash between their Tokyoites as to itself and the people of Osaka exuberant and adoring public speaking. The show Tantei Knight Scoop (探偵 ナイト スクープ) produced in the Kansai shows the open nature of the premises who are willing Directed, like the absurd and do not take themselves too seriously. The region is also distinguished with the Kansai-Ben, different dialect Edo became the talk of the Japanese standard. It will treat you so "Aho" in Osaka, so you'd rather "Baka" in Tokyo, both terms meaning "fool". There are distinct enough vocabulary to be recognized immediately, in addition to the accent, the native of Osaka.
importantly, Osaka is the heart of the Osaka-Kobe -Kyoto (Keihanshin, 京 阪神) which has 18 million inhabitants over an area equivalent to that of the Paris region, for 2.6 million inhabitants in the city. Formerly called Yamato ', this plain has been the heart of Japanese history until the establishment of the shogunate in Tokyo in the 17th century. Osaka, formerly known as Naniwa (难 波) was even capital. The giant tomb of Emperor Nintoku (仁 徳 天皇, 4th century) in the form of 'keyhole' in Sakai is an impressive vestige of the past. If the court culture comes from Kyoto, Osaka is not only a giant warehouse, it is the birthplace of the Bunraku puppet (文 楽), and played an important role in the development of Kabuki, a form of theater traditional. As Lyon in France, Kansai has the "birthright" in Japan.
More recently, the economic rivalry is reflected in that between Matsushita (松下, which owns the Panasonic and National brands) lives in Osaka and Sony, which has its headquarters in the south of Tokyo. Osaka is also the city of Sanyo, Sharp, Suntory, Daijin, Mizuno, and Zojirushi. The list is impressive but the city, very industrial, has suffered greatly from the crisis of the 90s. It has kept its reputation cons of place where people like good food: Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) Takoyaki (たこ 焼) and Udon (うどん) are among the best known local specialties. Conclude by noting that the Kansai, unlike the Tokyo area, was built mainly by private train companies , with a final result as convenient as that of the capital.
A visit to the center of Osaka Umeda may begin, the modern area surrounding the Osaka station. North of the station is the commercial center, with Japanese department stores. To the south lies the business district with its modern buildings. We can walk to downtown, Namba (难 波), noting in passing a few buildings in the first half of the 20th century that have survived major disasters. The Bank of Japan has the neoclassical buildings of the official beginning of the century, and the siege of Osaka Gas Company (大阪ガス), a little further south is a fine example of architecture of the 30s. The area west of the Midosuji (御堂 筋), the great north-south artery nicely planted, is the most interesting place.
Nanba The district is the center of Osaka. It spreads on the banks the 'Dotonbori' (道 顿 堀). With its original sign, including the famous mechanical crab, is a materialist metaphor of Japan, and also a nice shopping area. Its covered galleries give a small-town air. This is historically the entertainment district, and he had many Kabuki theaters.
Around the city center can be completed in Tsutenkaku (通天 阁), an advertising tower built in 1956 and sponsored by Hitachi on the site of an older replica of the Eiffel Tower, destroyed during the war. Close station metro Ebisucho mae (恵 美 须 町 駅) is a very good example of this architecture style "Showa" , named after the reign of the emperor after the war. It mixes the concrete to the metal. After a stay in Japan long enough, you come to enjoy its old world charm.
A trip to Osaka can complement nicely with a visit to the amusement park at Universal Studio Japan, the castle of the city, postwar reconstruction with beautiful views over the city, and especially the superb aquarium (Kaiyukan, 海 游 馆). Conclude by pointing out that Osaka may be a basis very convenient to visit the neighboring cities of Kyoto and Nara (奈良), especially during periods of Obon, or Golden Week, where it is impossible to find accommodation Kyoto.Les "business hotels" in Osaka will be almost empty by contrast.
Practical information
Access to Osaka: direct flights from Paris Airfrance (1 daily flight); Tickets can "open jaws" (eg trip to Osaka from Tokyo return) at the same price as a roundtrip.
Access from Tokyo Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi : 2h36min, 14.050 yen, Hikari 3:07, 13,750 yen. Arrive at Shin-Osaka (新 大阪) Quick access to Umeda, Honcho, and by the Namba subway Midosuji-sen (御堂 筋 线).
Access to Kyoto: Keihan line (京阪 线) of Yodoyabashi (淀 屋 桥) to Sanjo Keihan (京阪 三条) in the city center (51 minutes, 400 yen), or JR from Osaka to Kyoto (less practice).
access to the aquarium: Subway Chuo-sen, 7 minutes from the station until OsakaKo Honcho (大阪 港), correspondence between the JR Loop Line and the Chuo line to the station Bentencho (弁 天 町) or Morinomiya (森ノ宮). Open from 10:00 to 8:00, entry Y2000 for adults. Detailed schedules and activities on the site ( http://www.kaiyukan.com/eng/info/index.htm ).
Access to Universal Studio Japan Line: JR Yumesaki (ゆめ 咲 線), exit "JR Universal City, 5 minutes from the station Nishikujo (西 九 条) line Osaka Kanjo (大阪 环状 线). Schedules and details on the website ( http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ ).
Access to Osaka: direct flights from Paris Airfrance (1 daily flight); Tickets can "open jaws" (eg trip to Osaka from Tokyo return) at the same price as a roundtrip.
Access from Tokyo Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi : 2h36min, 14.050 yen, Hikari 3:07, 13,750 yen. Arrive at Shin-Osaka (新 大阪) Quick access to Umeda, Honcho, and by the Namba subway Midosuji-sen (御堂 筋 线).
Access to Kyoto: Keihan line (京阪 线) of Yodoyabashi (淀 屋 桥) to Sanjo Keihan (京阪 三条) in the city center (51 minutes, 400 yen), or JR from Osaka to Kyoto (less practice).
access to the aquarium: Subway Chuo-sen, 7 minutes from the station until OsakaKo Honcho (大阪 港), correspondence between the JR Loop Line and the Chuo line to the station Bentencho (弁 天 町) or Morinomiya (森ノ宮). Open from 10:00 to 8:00, entry Y2000 for adults. Detailed schedules and activities on the site ( http://www.kaiyukan.com/eng/info/index.htm ).
Access to Universal Studio Japan Line: JR Yumesaki (ゆめ 咲 線), exit "JR Universal City, 5 minutes from the station Nishikujo (西 九 条) line Osaka Kanjo (大阪 环状 线). Schedules and details on the website ( http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ ).
