whale shark

At Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, located in Osaka Prefecture, whale sharks are the only ones kept in the Kansai region. At Kaiyukan, the whale shark also serves as a symbol. With their massive bodies and gentle swimming, whale sharks are very popular among many visitors.

sole of the foot

Billiken is known as the God of Happiness. It’s said that if you touch the soles of the statue’s feet at Tsutenkaku, your wish will come true, so many visitors come and touch them. Billiken is one of Osaka’s symbols, and you can spot it not only at Tsutenkaku but also throughout the area, especially in Shinsekai.

instant ramen

Instant ramen was invented in Osaka in 1958 by Momofuku Ando. The product invented at that time was Chicken Ramen, which is still loved today as a popular item.

Double-dipping prohibited

At Osaka’s kushikatsu restaurants, there’s a rule: no double-dipping in the sauce. This means that after you dip your skewer in the sauce once, you must not dip it back in after taking a bite. Since the sauce is kept in a shared container, this rule helps maintain hygiene—so please follow it to ensure everyone can enjoy their kushikatsu.

2nd place

As of 2024, Abeno Harukas boasts a height of 300 meters, making it the second-tallest building in Japan. The tallest is the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, which opened in November 2023 and stands at 325 meters. Incidentally, construction began in September 2023 on the Torch Tower, which is planned to reach approximately 385 meters.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Construction began in 1583, and it became a symbol of Hideyoshi’s power during the Sengoku period. The current main keep was reconstructed in 1931 based on the few surviving records.

Parking lot

In Osaka dialect, “motor pool” refers to a parking lot. It’s an expression not commonly used in other regions, and its origin is said to date back to the postwar period. The term “motor pool” was used for places where U.S. military vehicles were parked, and it eventually spread to the general public.

Taro Okamoto

The Tower of the Sun was designed by Taro Okamoto. Okamoto created three-dimensional works such as sculptures, as well as paintings, and even took on the design of buildings and vehicles. The Tower of the Sun still stands today in Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka and is loved by many people.

Aizuya

The first shop to sell takoyaki was Aizuya. Tomokichi Endo, the founder of Aizuya, developed a dish made by wrapping meat and konnyaku in a wheat flour batter and grilling it. This was the beginning of takoyaki. Today, as a local specialty that represents Osaka, it is loved by many people.

Eiffel Tower

The design of Tsutenkaku was inspired by France’s Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. This combination gave rise to an architectural structure with a unique and captivating appearance.