Osaka is Japan’s third largest city with a population of 2.7 million.  Osaka, formerly known as Naniwa, was Japan’s first capital city.  In the 16th century Osaka was chosen as the location for the castle of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.  Central Osaka is divided into two sections – north (kita) and south (minami).  The retail district is located in the north, while the entertainment district is in the south.  Osaka is famous in Japan for bunraku (traditional puppet theater) and kabuki theater.  Osaka celebrates several major festivals.
Peace Osaka (also known as Osaka International Peace Center) is a museum that documents World War II.  The permanent exhibition rooms display photographs and other documents related to the war, including the US invasion of Okinawa, the atomic bombings, the Osaka Air Raids and the horror caused by Japan’s aggressions in China, Korea and South East Asia.  Peace Osaka is located in the southern region of Osaka Castle Park, near Morinomiya Station on the Subway Chuo and Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Lines.	Umeda Sky Building is a breath-taking high rise building in the Kita (north) district of Osaka.  The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers that are connected by the “floating garden observatory” on the 39th floor.  The observatory offers a great view of the city.  The Takimikoji restaurant mall is located on the first basement floor.  Most of the other floors are occupied by offices.  The Umeda Sky Building is a 15 minute walk from Osaka and Umeda Stations.
Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japan’s oldest shrines, founded in the third century.  It is the most famous of the Japanese Sumiyoshi shrines.  It is located near Sumiyoshi Taisha Station on the Nankai Main Line.	National Bunraku Theater (traditional puppet theater) is one of the few places to watch the fascinating theater today.  Performances are held six times a year for two weeks each and English programs and earphones are available.
Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) is considered Japan’s best aquarium.  Marine life is displayed in 15 tanks, each one representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim, with the center tank representing the Pacific Ocean and boasting a whale shark, the aquarium’s main attraction.  Visitors begin their tour on the 8th floor and spiral down around the central tank.  Osaka Aquarium is located in the Tempozan Harbour Village of Osaka’s port area – take the Chuo Subway line to Osakako Station, then it’s a five minute walk.
Osaka Castle was built for Toyotomi Hideyoshi.  Construction of the castle began in 1583; however the building was destroyed following Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s death in 1615.  The current structure was built in 1931, with repair works taking place in 1997.  Inside the castle is a museum dedicated to the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the history of the castle.	South (Minami) Osaka is one of the main city centers in Osaka.  Minami is Osaka’s most popular entertainment and shopping district.