Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [295]
To the south of the Minami area you’ll find another group of sights clustered around Tennō-ji Station. These include Shitennō-ji, Tennō-ji-kōen, Den-den Town (the electronics neighbourhood) and the retro entertainment district of Shin-Sekai.
The bay area, to the west of the city centre, is home to another set of attractions including the excellent Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan theme park.
Keep in mind that, while JR Osaka Station is centrally located in the Kita area, if you’re coming from Tokyo by shinkansen you will arrive at Shin-Osaka Station, which is three stops (about five minutes) north of Osaka Station on the Midō-suji subway line.
Maps
At the visitor information offices (see right), pick up a free copy of the first-rate Osaka City Map, which has insets of the city’s most important areas and a map of the excellent subway/tram/train system. You’ll find detailed route maps at every subway station, and this book contains a full Osaka subway/tram map; Click here.
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INFORMATION
Bookshops
Athens (Map; 6253-0185; 10am-10pm; Midō-suji subway line to Shinsaibashi) This Minami bookshop has a good selection of English books and magazines on its 4th floor.
Junkudō (Map; 4799-1090; 10am-9pm; JR line to Osaka) This giant bookstore has the best selection of foreign and Japanese-language books in Osaka. It’s inside the Dōjima Avanza Building in Kita, about 10 minutes’ walk from Osaka Station. Most English-language books are on the 3rd floor along with a cafe, and English travel guides, including a good selection of Lonely Planet guides, are on the 2nd floor.
Kinokuniya (Map; 6372-5821; 10am-10pm; Hankyū line to Umeda) Also in Kita, inside Hankyū Umeda Station, this shop has a decent selection of foreign books and magazines.
Immigration Offices
Osaka Immigration Office (Map; 6941-0771; www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/soshiki/kikou/osaka.html; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; Tanimachi subway line to Temmabashi) The main office for the Kansai region is a three-minute walk from exit 3 of Temmabashi Station on the Keihan main line.
Internet Access
Aprecio (Map; 6634-0199; www.aprecio.co.jp/namba/index.php, in Japanese; Minami; per 30min from ¥360; 24hr; Midō-suji subway line to Namba)
Kinko’s (off Map; 6266-0565; per 10min from ¥262; 24hr; Midō-suji subway line to Honmachi)
Media Café Popeye (Map; 6292-3800; www2.media-cafe.ne.jp/branch/Umedadd/index.html, in Japanese; B1 fl, DD House Bldg, Kita; per 60min from ¥400; 24hr; Hankyū line to Umeda)
Money
Citibank Osaka Ekimae (Map; 6344-8608; www.citibank.co.jp/en/bankingservice/branch_atm/kansai/br_osakaekimae.html; 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, ATM 24hr; Hankyū line to Umeda or JR line to Osaka); Shinsaibashi (Map; 6213-2731; www.citibank.co.jp/en/bankingservice/branch_atm/kansai/br_shinsaibashi.html; 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, ATM 24hr; Midō-suji subway line to Shinsaibashi); Umeda (Map; 4802-0277; www.citibank.co.jp/en/bankingservice/branch_atm/kansai/br_umeda.html; 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, ATM 8am-10pm; Hankyū line to Umeda or JR line to Osaka)
Post
Osaka Central Post Office (Map; 6347-8097; JR line to Osaka) Next to JR Osaka Station. Has a 24-hour service window.
Tourist Information
All the offices listed here can help book accommodation if you visit in person. For information on upcoming events, pick up a copy of Kansai Time Out magazine at any of the bookstores listed earlier (see left).
Umeda Visitors Information Office (Map; 6345-2189; Kita; 8am-8pm, closed 31 Dec-3 Jan) is the main tourist information office in Osaka. It’s a little tricky to find: from JR Osaka Station, exit the Midō-suji ticket gate/exit, turn right, and walk about 50m. The office is just outside the station, beneath a pedestrian overpass. From the subway, go out exit 9, and look for it outside the station, beside the bus terminal. Note that the station is presently under construction and there is word that this office might move again.