OSAKA – Hit the Road
If you wish to really see Japan, get behind the wheel. Notable places and interesting people are waiting just off the beaten path. This time we’re in Japan’s second largest metropolis, Osaka Prefecture. The journey begins from Kansai International Airport with our destination set for Umeishima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay. It’s the site of Expo 2025 running through October. [Music] Osaka is attracting attention from around the world as a forwardlooking city where cutting edge technology comes together. But this bustling urban landscape offers so much more to discover. Local flavors, timehonored traditions, and hidden gems. Come along as we uncover the deeper, often overlooked charms of Osaka. Let’s hit the road. [Music] Welcome. I’m your navigation system. Buckle up for another great drive with sites that most tourists usually miss. Kai International Airport opened in 1994. It’s a fully offshore airport built entirely on an artificial island. Spreading out before us is Osaka Bay. Thanks to this sea and its many rivers, Osaka has long thrived as the city of water. But before we head to our main destination, let’s take a little detour. The charming seaside town of Misaki. Just 35 minutes from the airport. You’ll be surprised by how quickly the scenery turns lush and natural. Up ahead is Tan Noah Fishing Port. Here you’ll find a variety of fish brought in fresh each season. And just a little further is a Michinoi where you can enjoy that same fresh catch straight from the port. [Music] Great views and great food. What more could you ask for? [Music] Fore! [Music] Foreign! Foreign! [Music] Bye-bye. [Music] mech. Hi [Music] She’s saying it. [Music] [Music] Foreign [Music] [Music] speech. Foreign speech. [Music] Did you get a taste of what makes this seaside town so special? [Music] Let’s point the car north and get back on the road. In about an hour, we’ll arrive in the port city of Sakai. Long supporting Japan’s commercial growth as an international trading hub, Sakai is a true merchant city. It’s also the second largest city in Osaka Prefecture after Osaka City itself. [Music] That white structure you see is one of Japan’s oldest wooden westernstyle lighouses. Beyond it, a mural shows ships and merchants capturing the bustle of Sakai in its heyday. [Music] Back in the 16th century, during Japan’s age of waring states, Sakai was a self-governed free city run by its towns people. [Music] In this place where knowledge and commerce thrived, craftsmanship flourished in many forms. Here’s an old residence tucked into a quiet corner of town. It was once a gunsmith house. Today, it’s been carefully preserved and is open to visitors. When matchlock guns arrived from the west, Sakai became home to artisans who crafted every part of these weapons. From the 1600s, many gunsmiths were active here. The city is still home to blacksmiths who have carried on Sakai’s legacy of craftsmanship. [Music] Fore! Foreign! Foreign! [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Turu. Fore speech. [Music] [Music] How was that glimpse into Sakai’s masterful craftsmanship? Now we’ve made our way to the area around Sakai Station. Suddenly, a vast expanse of greenery catches your eye. It looks like a forest, but it’s actually an ancient burial mount. Daisen Kofun, believed to have been built in the fifth century, is the biggest burial mound in all of Japan. You can’t go inside, but the surrounding paths are beautifully maintained, perfect for a stroll. [Music] Altogether, this area is home to around 50 burial mounds of various sizes. It’s even been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. After immersing yourselves in history and culture, how about a break at a nearby Michinoi? It’s a lively spot that draws crowds every day. Go find out what makes it so special. [Music] Fore. [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Welcome Welcome back. How was the taste of Habikino’s local specialties? We are nearly at our destination. Let’s cruise through the heart of Osaka on our way to Yumishima, the site of the expo. Osaka Castle, built in the late 16th century by legendary warlord Toyotomy Hideoshi, stands as a symbol of the city. Today, the main keep is open to the public as a museum. The sun is starting to dip toward the west, and the city’s iconic tower, Tsu Tenkaku, is already lit up for the evening. Shins Saiibashi is one of Osaka’s liveliest districts, perfect for shopping, dining, and soaking up the city’s vibrant energy. This cityscape, with its bridges spanning the rivers, is a living reminder of how closely Osaka’s economy has always been tied to its waterways. [Music] Glistening along the water’s edge is the Osaka City Central Public Hall, a hub for community life. through the undersea tunnel and we arrive at Umeshima. Across the water, you can see the grounds of Expo 2025 stretching into the distance. The expo, currently underway, stays open until 1000 p.m. My guidance comes to an end here. Have a great time exploring. [Music]
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Cruise along the coast of Osaka Bay, passing ports full of fresh fish, traditional artisan towns and historic landmarks.