Optica Laser Congress and Exhibition

Welcome to Osaka — Japan's Second City

Osaka, the central business hub in western Japan, has been at the heart of the country's cultural and economic development for hundreds of years. With relics from the city's past still standing, Osaka is where you can genuinely feel Japan's history. 

Things to Do

Museums & Attractions

Osaka Castle Museum
The Osaka Castle Tenshu Tower stands majestically against the blue sky. Construction of Osaka Castle began in 1583 on the site of the Ishiyama Hongan-ji temple by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was aiming to unify the whole country. The castle tower, which was one of the most central buildings of the main castle, was built two years later but was destroyed by fire in 1615 during the summer campaign of the Siege of Osaka. Osaka can be viewed in its entirety from the observation deck on the eighth floor.

Kobayashi Museum of Art
The collection includes:

• About 400 works of art.
• Starting with Japanese paintings by recipients of the Order of Culture.
• Famous Japanese painters of modern and contemporary art.
• Western-style images and prints by Ryohei Koiso.

Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum
The memorial opened in 2001 to convey the spirit of the writer Shiba Ryotaro, who sent many of his works to the world, such as "Gaido wo yuku" and "Komyo ga Tsuji," and died suddenly in 1996. The site is about 2,600 square meters, adjacent to Shiba's home, and a memorial of Ando Tadao's design.

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Historical Museum
For over 300 years since then, they have been contributing to the healthier lives of people worldwide through the creation of pharmaceuticals. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Historical Museum collects information about the corporate activities of providing medications to benefit communities and historically valuable materials, revealing the frontier spirit by which they have overcome many hardships.

Kurashi Museum (Ganko Hirono-go Yashiki)
The Kurashi Museum exhibits a variety of everyday items that evoke the culture of the Kawachi region, including traditional kimono, pottery, and hanging scrolls.

Tsutenkaku Tower
The "Tsutenkaku Tower" is a landmark Osaka tower registered as a national tangible cultural property. If you go to the golden observation platform, where you can have a full view of the hustle and bustle of Osaka, you will meet the "Billiken" statue that is said to bring good fortune to those who touched the soles of his feet.

Outdoor Activities

David Austin English Rose Garden and Plant Center
Situated on the Hanasaki Farm in Sennan City, Osaka Prefecture, David Austin's English Rose Garden takes pride in being one of the largest in the world, featuring gardens with the latest in English rose collections. Each park is set apart from the others with its unique theme, decorated with arches and obelisks trellised with vine roses. 

Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden
A lush garden offering a view of the castle tower across the moat. As many as 600 cherry trees in full bloom attract many viewers.

Osaka Castle Park
The park includes Osaka Castle Tower (Osaka Castle Museum), the Nishinomaru Garden, an ume (plum) orchard, the Osaka-jo Hall, and a Japanese archery ground. Seasonal flowers, such as ume, cherry blossoms, and azaleas, can be observed.

Find a list of similar activities and attractions. >

Shopping and Dining

Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street, which runs east to Mido-Suji Avenue, is the best-known shopping area in Osaka and an enduring symbol of the city. With a history of 380 years, it was already an established shopping area in the Edo Period. Shops of all kinds and for all ages line the street, a roofed arcade 600 meters long. There are traditional kimono tailors, western clothing and footwear retailers, restaurants and fast food outlets, jewelers, and boutiques featuring the latest fashions.

A plethora of well-loved ramen restaurants are to be found in Osaka, including longstanding shops in the Minami district that see never-ending queues of customers and additional popular establishments to which ramen lovers travel from all corners of the country.