Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [300]
The aquarium is at the west end of the Tempōzan complex, just past Tempōzan Marketplace (see left).
SUNTORY MUSEUM
On the south side of Osaka Aquarium is the Suntory Museum complex (off Map; 6577-0001; www.suntory.com/culture-sports/smt; 1-5-10 Kaigan-dōri, Minato-ku; admission average ¥1000; 10.30am-7.30pm, closed Mon), which holds an IMAX 3-D theatre and an art gallery with a collection of modern art posters and glass artwork. The building itself, designed by Andō Tadao, is at least as impressive as any of the displays. Last entry by 7pm. The IMAX theatre (6577-0001; www.suntory.com/culture-sports/smt; 1-5-10 Kaigan-dōri, Minato-ku; admission ¥1000; 10.30am-8pm, closed Mon) usually has screenings on the hour; check the Meet Osaka guide to see what’s showing.
Other Areas
OPEN-AIR MUSEUM OF OLD JAPANESE FARMHOUSES
In Ryokuchi-kōen, this fine open-air museum (off Map; 6862-3137; 1-2 Hattori Ryokuchi, Toyonaka-shi; admission ¥500; 9.30am-5pm, closed Mon; Midō-suji subway line to Ryokuchi-kōen, west exit) features 11 traditional Japanese country houses and other structures brought here from all over Japan. All have been painstakingly reconstructed and filled with period-era tools and other displays. Most impressive is the giant gasshō-zukuri (thatch-roofed) farmhouse from Gifu-ken.
The parklike setting, with plenty of trees and bamboo, gives the whole museum a pleasantly rustic air – and the whole place comes alive with fiery red maple leaves during the November foliage season. For anyone even remotely interested in traditional Japanese architecture, we highly recommend this excellent attraction. An English-language pamphlet is available. Last entry by 4.30pm.
To get there, walk northwest from the station into the park.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
Universal Studios Japan (off Map; 6465-3000; Universal City; adult/child ¥5800/3900; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat, Sun & holidays, with seasonal variations; JR Osaka Loop line to Universal City) is Osaka’s answer to Tokyo Disneyland. Closely based on its two sister parks in the USA, the park features a wide variety of rides, shows, restaurants and other attractions.
To get there, take the JR Loop line to Nishi-kujō Station, switch to one of the distinctively painted Universal Studio shuttle trains and get off at Universal City Station. From Osaka Station the trip costs ¥170 and takes about 20 minutes. There are also some direct trains from Osaka Station (ask at the tourist office for times; the price is the same).
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY
Located in Osaka Banpaku-kōen (World Expo Park), this museum (off Map; 6876-2151; 10-1 Senri Expo Park, Suita; admission ¥420; 10am-5pm, closed Wed, closed Thu if the preceding Wed is a national holiday; Midō-suji subway line to Senri-chūō, then east on Osaka Monorail to Banpaku-kinen-kōen) is arguably Osaka’s best, and it’s worth the trip from downtown Osaka or Kyoto, especially if there’s a good special exhibit on (check the Kansai Time Out for upcoming exhibits).
The museum provides a whirlwind tour through the cultural artefacts of many of the world’s cultures. Exhibits range from Bollywood movie posters to Thai túk-túk (motorised transport), with Ainu textiles, Bhutanese mandalas and Japanese festival floats in between. There is little English signage, but most of the materials are self-explanatory. You can also borrow a sheet of English explanations from the reception desk. Last entry by 4.30pm.
From the station, go left, cross the bridge over the highway, buy a ticket from the machines, go through the turnstile and walk towards the huge Tower of the Sun statue. Once past the statue, you will see the museum about 250m in front of you to the northwest (it’s got several towers on its roof that resemble cooling towers). From Kyoto, you can take the Hankyū line to Minami Ibaraki Station and change there to the Osaka Monorail.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Tōka Ebisu Huge crowds of more than a million people flock to the Imamiya Ebisu-jinja (Map) to receive bamboo branches hung with auspicious tokens