ARTS & CULTURE

✤ The NaTioNal MuseuM of arT, osaka

The underground art gallery was created to introduce visitors to a variety of vibrant, vital works of art. Originally used as the Expo Art Museum during Expo 1970, it collected, preserved, and exhibited domestic and international works of art for three decades. However, increasing wear on the facilities prompted the construction of its current structure. The new style of an "underground" art museum with three stories underground (a portion of the top floor extends above ground) now not only houses works by artists like Cezanne, Picasso, Ernst, Tsuguharu Foujita, and Yasuo Kuniyoshi, but a great number of post-war pieces of contemporary art, as well. In addition to a variety of monthly exhibitions, the museum also hosts lectures, symposiums, and gallery talks regularly. The structure visible above ground was inspired by the vitality of bamboo and the development and growth of contemporary art.

✤ Nagai BoTaNical gardeN

Nagai Botanical Garden is an outdoor botanical garden in Osaka that opened in 1974. The garden is situated inside Nagai Park and was opened in 1944 as an urban park that includes facilities such as a baseball stadium. Nagai Botanical Garden stretches over an area of 240,000 sqm with a large lake in the centre, and its flora changes with the seasons throughout the year. The garden is now home to many wild birds, such as Northern goshawks and owls, which are placed at the top of the food chain and thus dependent on a healthy ecosystem to exist. Also, located inside the garden is the vibrant teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka.

✤ suMiyoshi Taisha

Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines, was founded in the third century before the introduction of Buddhism. The shrine displays a unique style of shrine architecture, called Sumiyoshi-zukuri, that is free of influence from the Asian mainland. Among the annual events, the "Otaueshinji" is usually held in June, which is the Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Japan. "Taue" means rice planting in Japanese. Although this kind of event is held in many parts of Japan, the Sumiyoshi Shrine is large in scale and does not omit any of the rituals, but maintains the prestige of the ceremony, making it spectacular and grand. Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travellers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbours.

✤ NaTioNal BuNraku TheaTre

A theatre where Bunraku, a traditional art form of Japan can be enjoyed is a mustvisit cultural attraction to experience a unique form of the arts. The National Bunraku Theatre opened in April 1984 as a base to preserve, develop and pass on the traditional art forms of the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto) area, especially the art of ningyo joruri Bunraku, or puppet drama. The theatre houses many facilities, including the main theatre, a training institution and archives for historical materials. The building was constructed with a mix of tradition and modernity, with key elements from traditional Edo Era architecture incorporated abstractly throughout the design. Each of the plays performed here usually has about a twoweek run, and only a few plays are staged each year.

Where To Stay

✤ ConRad osaka

Conrad Osaka offers guests personalised experiences and features 164 spacious rooms and suites. The hotel is renowned for its intuitive service which is delivered whether ordering room service or a wakeup call to customising the room’s pillow options or arranging reservations at locally inspired cuisine and spa offerings. Conrad Osaka is located in the West Tower of the Nakanoshima Festival complex which also houses an art museum, a concert hall and a plethora of shopping and dining options. The hotel features five world-class F&B outlets, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 20 metres-heated indoor pool. hilton.com

✤ impeRial hoTel, osaka

Imperial Hotel, Osaka, features luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, along with a wide range of restaurants and bars. The hotel is the site of phenomenal views of the captivating Osaka city skyline and provides stately banquet and conference facilities. Furthermore, the iconic Osaka Castle is just a 10-minute drive away. The hotel succeeds in balancing modern luxury and captures the essence of Japanese style and design. Guests have plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind at the property. The hotel’s annexe building is home to an extremely elegant fitness club. It is designed to immerse guests in the club's open, airy interior with large glass walls letting in natural light. The club is one of the largest in western Japan, and it offers advanced equipment for its members. imperialhotel.co.jp

✤ The sT. Regis osaka

The St. Regis Osaka is located in close proximity to popular destinations such as Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and the city's most exclusive shopping districts. Guests can explore the city centre and the neighbouring cities of Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. One can indulge in an exclusive culinary experience at Rue d'Or, La Veduta or at Teppanyaki WAJO. Discover the epitome of luxurious pampering at the hotel's exclusive Iridium featuring Sothys Spa. Take in magnificent vistas of the Osaka skyline from the tranquillity of the 12th-floor terrace. marriott.com

✤ The RiTz-CaRlTon osaka

Exuding the grace of an English manor house and the subtle displaying beauty of Japanese details, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka is a culmination of both. Set within Japan’s Water Capital, the hotel’s redesigned accommodations infuse the city-inspired design with 18th-century British style, and its updated Club Lounge features local experiences in a natureinspired setting. Dining spans the globe and includes the Michelin-starred French restaurant, La Baie and Tempura by Hanagatami. The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka brings modern elegance to a city with more than 15 centuries of history. The five-star hotel, set within the city centre’s prestigious Umeda district, features many interesting elements. Enjoy a personal tour of the private art and antiques collection. Or explore the more than 100 malt whiskies available at The Bar. ritzcarlton.com

✤ osaka ComiC Con 2023

Following the popularity of Tokyo Comic Con, Osaka Comic Con was announced for the comic and celebrity fans of West Japan. While the Tokyo event happens in early Winter, the Osaka version was announced at the end of Tokyo Comic Con 2022 for spring 2023 at Intex Osaka. Osaka Comic Con will take place from May 5-7, 2023. Comic-Con has not only been held in Japan but also in the U.S., France, the U.K., India and Taiwan, and has become a worldwide phenomenon.

✤ aizEn FEstival

The Aizen Festival is known to be the first major summer festival in Osaka of the year. Along with the Tenjin Festival and the Sumiyoshi Festival, it’s also known as one of the three big Osaka festivals. Known colloquially as “Aizen-san” (the other two big festivals get the same treatment) Aizen festival takes place in and around the temple, Aizendo. One of the big draws of the festival is the Hoekago Parade in which a “geisha” is carried aloft in a basket. “Hoekago” literally means “blessed treasure basket.” Parade participants chant “ho-e-ka-go” while carrying the young woman aloft. The parade will be held on the first day of the festival. The festival dates this year are June 30-July 2,2023.