Kishiwada Castle

Kishiwada Castle's (Kishiwada-jo) predecessor was built by the great general Kusunoki Masashige, who held this region in the 14th century. Koide Hidemasa built the new castle in 1582. He served under the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century. The moat and stone walls remain as part of the ruins of the castle. The original donjon was destroyed by a fire caused by lightning in 1827, but a three-tiered ferroconcrete donjon was reconstructed in 1954. The castle gates have also been reconstructed.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo) was built by the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century, on the site of a temple called Ishiyama Hongan-ji. The construction work began in 1583 and most buildings such as the castle tower were completed in 1585. Its gross area is over 3,300,000 sq m and tens of thousands of people were daily mobilized in its construction. The donjon is five-tiered and nine-storied, and has large golden sea creature ornaments shining on the rooftop. It is claimed that pure gold chasings were set in the corridors. One of the charms of this castle is the beauty of its stone wall. Reportedly, there are 40,000 rocks in the wall. Legend has it that powerful daimyo from all parts of Japan competed in carrying the large rocks to display their loyalty to the Toyotomi hegemon. The existing castle tower was built in 1931. It has five tiers and is approximately 40 m high. It is the symbol of Osaka.

Kokuritsu Minzokugaku Hakubutsukan (National Ethnology Museum)

Kokuritsu Minzokugaku Hakubutsukan (The National Ethnology Museum) opened in November 1977 on the site of the 1970 Japan World's Fair. The museum works with universities to collect information on the world's different ethnic groups and conduct research, and presents this information to the public. The regular display consists of the regional display covering the world in major regional exhibits, and the thematic display providing information on the world's linguistic cultures, folk music and other topics. The museum has developed a system for providing information via sound and images, which is used for audio and visual presentations of colorful ethnic customs associated with everyday life and of a variety of languages and music from different countries.

Osaka Furitsu Kokusai Jido Bungakukan (Osaka Prefectural International Children's Literature Hall)

Osaka Furitsu Kokusai Jido Bungakukan (The Osaka Prefectural International Children's Literature Hall) collects and houses information related to children's literature in Japan and other countries. The collection includes books, magazines, manuscripts, original pictures, literary magazines, picture cards, posters and leaflets. Individuals, organizations and institutions including publishing companies have donated much of this material. At the hall, visitors wishing to study children's literature can view reference books and microfilms. The children's room has a unique Island of Books, areas of tatami matting, and tables and chairs to allow visitors to enjoy reading in an informal atmosphere. On warm days, reading and picture card plays can be enjoyed on the lawn outside.

Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan (Art Museum)

An international exposition was held in Japan in 1970 in the city of Suita, in Osaka. Banpaku Kinen Koen, a park full of greenery, is a legacy of this exposition, and at its center lies Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan. The Bankokuhaku Bijutsukan was used to exhibit famous works of art from around the world at Expo 70. In 1977, this facility was renamed Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan. What first grabs the visitor's eye as he or she enters this art museum is Miro's large ceramic wall picture Innocent Laughter, which is displayed in the entrance hall. Five meters in height and twelve meters across, it was created by Miro in collaboration with the Spanish ceramicist Artigas. This art museum focuses on modern art from around the world.

Osaka Furitsu Gendai Bijutsu (Modern Art) Center

Osaka Furitsu Gendai Bijutsu Center aims to forge interactive connections between artists and visitors, with a collection that focuses on people rather than objects. The Center houses and exhibits some 900 items, consisting mainly of modern woodblock prints. It also shows works by noted artists selected by modern art galleries for their unique perspectives. These diverse pieces, including paintings, plastic arts, photographs and installations, highlight the multifaceted nature of modern art. At the museum's information corner, posters and promotional materials for exhibitions and art contests all over Japan take up an entire wall.

Imamiya Ebisu-jinja Shrine

Imamiya Ebisu-jinja, located in Naniwa-ku, Osaka, is known affectionately by the local people as "Ebessan." Tradition has it that when the prince and statesman Shotoku-taishi built Shitenno-ji in present day Osaka-shi, this shrine was also built for the purpose of warding off evil spirits believed to come from the west of the temple. The shrine is sacred to deities such as Amaterasu-O-mikami (the sun goddess) and Kotoshironushi-no-mikoto. It was once venerated as the home to the god of fisheries, but with changing times came to be considered as the home of the god of commerce. The To-ka Ebisu Festival, which takes place for three days around 10 January, bustles with up to a million spectators.

Shitenno-ji Temple

Shitenno-ji, located in Tennoji-ku, Osaka, is the oldest temple in Japan. Prince Shotoku-taishi, a regent and statesman known for his activities from the latter half of the 6th century into early in the 7th century, is said to have built this temple. He is also known for his profound Buddhist faith when Buddhism was still not widespread in Japan. In earlier times the temple was known variously as Arahaka-ji, Nanba-ji, or Mitsu-ji. It was built in the Shitenno-ji-style, with the Chu-mon (inner gate), pagoda, main hall, and Ko-do (hall for sermons and lectures) all in a line. The remains of the Shitenno-ji buildings still retain vestiges of the style of these times. The present buildings are those restored after the end of World War II.

Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine

Sumiyoshi-taisha is the main shrine of all the Sumiyoshi Shrines in Japan, of which there are some 200. Sumiyoshi-taisha is said to have been built around the 4th or 5th century. The present main shrine was built in 1810. The main shrine, which consists of four buildings facing the ocean towards the west, is one of the oldest historical architectural styles of shrines and is called Sumiyoshi-zukuri. The structure is designated as a National Treasure. The exterior, built in a rectilinear design, is made with red lead and gold metal fittings of black and white coloring, producing a brilliant effect. The interior is noted for being divided into two rooms, at the back and the front.Enshrined here are four deities: Uwatsutsuo-no-mikoto, Nakatsutsuo-no-mikoto, Sokotsutsuo-no-omikoto and Jingu-Kogo. Uwatsutsuo-no-mikoto, Nakatsutsuo-no-mikoto and Sokotsutsu-onomikoto are gods of the sea, and protect vessels at sea. They are fervently worshipped by people in the fishing and maritime industries.