Khu Kita

Kita, which means "north" in Japanese, is one of the two central centers of the city (the other being Minami, or the "southern" district). Kita is also known as Umeda, which is the name of one of the main train stations here. You will probably spend a lot of time in this part of the city. It is just three stops south of Shin-Osaka Station on the Midosuji subway line. And, if you're coming from Kyoto on the regular JR Line or one of the two private lines that connect the cities, you'll be here. The heart of the district is the newly rebuilt JR Osaka Station. It is surrounded by all the shopping malls, the main busy shops of the city and many of the city's biggest businesses. The area is packed with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. For visitors, there is the pleasant green Nakanoshim-koen Park, the Hep Five shopping and entertainment complex, and the Umeda Sky Building.

Popular spots in the Kita area include:

Umeda Sky Building (skyscraper / observatory) Umeda Sky Building is one of the tallest and most impressive buildings in Osaka. It's like two buildings connected by a bridge at the top. There is a great observatory at the top called the Kuchu Teien Observatory. From here, the panoramic view of Osaka in the evening is amazing.

Osaka Museum of Housing and Life Visiting this museum, you'll see a full re-enactment of the 1830s Edo Period shopping street. It's a fascinating glimpse of what the city looked like. before there was electricity and it is highly recommended for those interested in history. Not only is it informative about Japanese life in the Edo period, the museum also features representations of the housing and life of Osaka in the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods, providing insights into how the city developed during the Edo period. throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Tenjimbashi-suji Shopping Street This 2.6 km covered shopping street is the longest in Osaka, and that says a lot because Osaka is famous for them. It's an almost endless stretch of vintage shops, restaurants and cafes.

Kids Plaza Osaka (children's play area and science museum) For those with kids, this huge play area and science museum is probably Osaka's top attraction. The top floor has an amazing interactive science museum where kids can have fun while learning about science and then a huge three-story castle that kids can explore while their parents they rest on benches nearby.

Hep Five (entertainment/shopping complex/Ferris Wheel) Hep Five is a huge shopping and dining complex and is covered by a ferris wheel that offers a great view of Osaka city. This 106 meter high ferris wheel offers an incredible view, especially at night.

Nakanoshima-koen Park is a lovely and semi-green island in the middle of the Yodo-gawa River. This is a great place to go for a walk and get away from the hustle of the city. You'll also find two museums here: the Museum of Oriental Ceramics & the National Museum of Art Osaka. If you are a lover of oriental ceramics, then this museum is a must-visit. The collection includes Japanese, Korean and Chinese works. The Osaka National Museum of Art is another small museum on Nakanoshima, a short walk from the ceramics museum. The museum itself is a dynamic modern structure.

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine If you feel overwhelmed by shopping too much in Tenjinbashisuji? Head to Osaka Temmangu Shrine in the nearby Kita district - it's an oasis of calm in the midst of a bustling, busy city. If you can, time your visit to coincide with the wonderful Tenjin Matsuri.