A Water Tour of Kansai-Symbol of the City-

A Water Tour of Kansai Symbol of the City Osaka City
The historic name of the city of Osaka was Naniwa, which can mean either "flower of waves" or "fast waves." This prosperous city, situated on the water's edge, has developed together with water and enjoys a multitude of coastal and riverside sceneries.

Scenes of modern Osaka.
The tall buildings appear to float on the water.

With the Yodo and other rivers large and small formerly interconnected in a network of water courses, the city of Osaka has been called the City of Water since the Edo period. In fact, 60 of the 100 works included in the famous collection of woodblock prints known as Naniwa-hyakkei (100 Scenes of Naniwa), contain water views. Nakanoshima Island and its neighboring area were developed and the bridges constructed based on a plan that relates the area to Venice; the Dojima and Tosabori rivers, which run on the north and south sides of the island, to the Seine in Paris; and Nakanoshima Island to City Island.

City of Happyakuya-bashi (808 Bridges).
The Aqua Liner passes under ten bridges on its trip.

The Aqua Liner's approximately one-hour round-trip boat ride from Osaka Castle past Tenmabashi, Yodoyabashi, and Osaka Amenity Park (OAP) introduces visitors to the scenic beauties of the City of Water. Passing under many bridges along the route, the boat features rather low seating, which gives passengers a near-water-level view and an unusual sense of oneness with the river.

Outside the boat iso-8859-1 slowly pass modern skyscrapers, nostalgic old-fashioned buildings, rows of cherry trees on the river bank, strollers on the promenade, and oyster birds gathered for treats tossed by people at the riverside fence. With such a variety of scenes, it is as though one is watching several movies at once. Boating Osaka's rivers is a splendid experience in which both traditional and modern Japan, as represented by Osaka Castle and the OAP, can be observed closely on a single trip.

The cruise, though short in time, is full of scenic attractions. One way to enjoy the beauty of this City of Water, perhaps, is to appreciate it as if it were a lyric poem. Viewed together with the sight of water, the forest of modern concrete buildings takes on a poetic sentiment; otherwise they are nothing but a collection of cold, inorganic objects. Shadows on the river surface, reflections of city lights shimmering on the waves, with these one can discover anew the fascinations of the modern city.

Tempozan Harbor Village with the Kaiyukan Aquarium and Suntory Museum is a popular weekend spot overlooking Osaka Bay.

The coastal area overlooking Osaka Bay has yet other waterfront attractions. Tempozan Harbor Village is a popular sightseeing spot, and nearby are three artificial islands, namely Maishima, Sakishima, and Yumeshima, "shima" meaning island. With an arena and baseball stadium already complete, Maishima is being presented as the main venue in the city's bid to host the 2008 Olympics.

If the Olympics do come to Osaka, the artificial island would play the leading role in the hosting of an unprecedented "marine olympics", impressing the rest of the world with the charms of Osaka as the City of Water.

Economic Affairs Bureau, Tourism Department, City of Osaka TEL 06-6208-8965

Osaka World Trade Center & Asia Pacific Trade Center in Sakishima.

Maishima, an artificial island, is the main venue in Osaka's bid for the 2008 Olympics.

Seaside promenade in Maishima.

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