Cheap Car Rentals in Osaka (OSA)

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is a 16th century castle in Osaka, Japan. It was built by a famous Japanese samurai warrior Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was then the largest castle in the country. It was destroyed and rebuilt twice in early parts of 17th century and 20th century. During the Second World War, the castle used to hold the weapons for Imperial Japanese Army and was then one of the largest military armories in the world. The five-storied Osaka Castle’s is built atop a tall stone foundation and contains 13 structures. The walls of the castle were built of the stones brought from rock quarries near the Seto Inland Sea. Osaka Castle hosts some of the major Japanese festivals, none more famous than the nearly 1300-year old festival of Cherry Blossom Bloom in March.

Shitenno-ji Temple

Shitenno-ji is often considered the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan. Built in 593 AD, it is a holy place to revere the four Heavenly Kings. Some other highlights at the temple include a five-story pagoda in the temple premises, some ornately designed buildings (like the Golden Pavilion here that contains an image of Bodhisattva Kannon or the goddess of Mercy), classic statues and paintings, an old teaching area and a pleasant garden.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the world’s largest public aquariums. It is located near Osaka Bay in Osaka, Japan. This grand aquarium showcases several important aspects of marine life and habitats, and includes 16 main exhibits in 10941 tons of water. Some notable displays in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan include Japanese Forests, Monterey Bay, Ecuadorian Jungle, Great Barrier Reef and The Pacific Ocean.

Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Located near Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Osaka, Tempozan Ferris Wheel is one of the largest Ferris Wheels in Asia. It is 369 feet high and measures 330 feet across in diameter, and thus offers a superb 360-degree view of the city extending to Osaka Bay and its nearby highlights like Mount Ikoma and the Rokko Mountains. Visitors can enjoy a nearly 20-mniutes ride that becomes all the more exciting in the night as the wheel is lit up in a variety of colored lights indicating the next day’s weather. For example, orange lights indicate a sunny day while green lights foretell a cloudy day and blue lights indicate rain.