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Osaka Castle Area

Osaka Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan. Although actually a reconstruction of the original, it is well worth seeing; the museum housed inside does an excellent job of making history come alive. A moat and park surround the castle complex, which is home to more than a thousand plum trees and 4,000 cherry trees that bloom in late February and late March, respectively. The grounds are practically deserted at night, perfect for a romantic stroll around the illuminated castle.

Osaka Park is also home to Peace Osaka, a museum that documents the horrors of World War II. The nearby Osaka Castle Hall is one of the city's biggest concert venues and regularly holds performances by popular recording artists from all over the world.

North of the castle, across the Neyagawa River, is Osaka Business Park [OBP], a 64-acre site with 11 modern high-rise buildings that make for an attractive backdrop to the castle. OBP is not just for businesspeople: tourists and shoppers will want to visit the Twin 21 skyscrapers and Matsushita's IMP Building. Panasonic Square, in the National Tower [one half of Twin 21] and the nearby Matsushita Showroom, will let you see the latest home electronics from Japan's largest conglomerate. The IMP Building is a shopping mall where you'll find clothes, food and interior goods from 13 different countries. It is also home to an unusual cafe to which you can bring your pet dog, should you so desire.

If you get hungry while in the area, try Garb Dressing, a European restaurant with tasty lunches starting at ¥750, as well as excellent meals in the evening. Torihime, near Kyobashi Station, is a Japanese restaurant and bar specializing in chicken dishes. Trader Vics is a popular ex-pat hangout, located in the New Otani hotel.

Business Inn Tanimachi offers reasonably priced rooms near Temmabashi Station, and the New Otani, a luxury hotel, provides convenient accommodation for visitors to Osaka Business Park and the castle.