Page 209 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

OSAK A  207

date from 1965. As exact copies
of the originals, however, they
are of interest to visitors wishing
to know more about early
Buddhist architecture. An
excellent flea market is held
on the 21st of every month.
 Tempozan Harbor Village
 Osaka-ko stn, Chuo line. Open
Tue–Sun. & Aquarium: Open daily.
& ∑ kaiyukan.com Aerial view of the Aqua Metropolis area, Osaka
Begun as a reclamation program
in the 1830s, this water front linked by an underwater tun nel, Airport (KIX) sits on a man-
project in Osaka Port is the new is Cosmo Square, with an made island 2 km (1 mile)
face of an older, Edo-period observatory, and the Nanko offshore in Osaka Bay.
landfill. The enormous Tempozan Bird Sanctuary. Connected to the mainland
Ferris Wheel, once the world’s by a bridge, the airport is
tallest at 113 m (371 ft), offers P Liberty Osaka (Osaka a long, thin, futuristic
passengers panoramic views Human Rights Museum) compression of glass and steel.
of the entire city of Osaka, the 3-6-36 Naniwanishi Naniwaku-ku. Osaka is also at the cutting
ocean, and moun tains. The £ Ashiharabashi or Imamiya stns, edge of research into high-
ferris wheel can hold up to JR Kanjo line. Tel (06) 6561-5891. speed train technology in
480 passengers in its 60 cars. Open 10am–4pm Wed–Fri, 1–5pm the form of magnetic-levitated
At night the grandly illuminated Sat. Closed 4th Fri of month. & trains (Maglevs). A prototype
wheel is a popu lar date venue The Liberty, also known as the runs between Kadoma-minami
for the locals. Osaka Human Rights Museum, and Taisho stations. Experi-
Nearby Osaka Aquarium provides a sober ing insight into ments with more advanced
Kaiyukan is set apart by its the dark side of Japan. Exhibits Maglevs have reached speeds
innovative and challenging take a critical look at subjects of 580 kph (360 mph).
design. Built around the rarely discussed by Japanese. Takarazuka lies northwest
concept of the Pacific “Ring of Topics include the Burakumin of Osaka, in Hyogo prefecture.
Fire,” the aquar ium holds almost section of society – descendants The town is closely associated
13.5 million liters (3 million of leather-workers, who disposed with the enormously popular
gallons) of water. Visitors of the dead and did other jobs all-female Takarazuka Troupe,
descend through 14 levels considered polluted. Discrimin- which was founded in 1914.
representing 35,000 fish and ation against ethnic minorities Their revues can be classified
mammal habitats found within and foreigners, and environ- as adaptations of heroic
the Pacific Ocean belt, including mental issues are also covered. rom ances. Performances at
manta rays and whale sharks. the Takarazuka Grand Theater
Tempozan Marketplace is a Environs are held once or twice a day
large center for restaurants and Situated 35 km (22 miles) south except Wednesday.
shopping. Across the bay, and of Osaka, Kansai Inter national
F Takarazuka Grand Theater
£ Hankyu & JR lines. Tel (0570)
The Yakuza 00-5100.
The word yakuza was originally used
to describe the classless groups of O Aqua Metropolis
thieves, gamblers, and outlaws who £ Ashiharabashi or Imamiya stns,
floated around large cities and ports JR Kanjo line.
during the Edo period. Osaka is the This area of Osaka city, known
center of the modern yakuza and as the Aqua Metropolis,
many of the country’s largest and was once Japan’s most
most influ ential crime syndicates. important economic center.
Yakuza are involved in a wide range During the Edo period (1603–
of illegal activities that run from 1868), the canals flowing
prostitution, drug- and light-arms- through the city were filled
smuggling to loan-sharking. Gangs
A large tattoo, often the sign of a are also adept at corporate extortion, with boats carrying products
yakuza member preventing, for a suitable fee, from all over the country. Today,
embarrassing questions being asked the Aqua Metropolis is still
at stockholder meetings. Irezumi (tattoos), though traditionally an thriving, with various attractions
art form, are considered anti-social in Japan and are strongly and cafés lining the riverfront
associated with the yakuza. of this “Water Corridor.” River
cruises are available all year.

206-207_EW_Japan.indd 207 08/08/16 2:54 pm