Osaka

Osaka is to Tokyo, what Chicago is to New York; a major international city only with a more open, warm, down to earth attitude.

Japan’s second largest metropolitan centre, Osaka is an important port city and commercial center. It serves as the headquarters of several major international brands including Panasonic, Sharp, and Sanyo.

Locations of note include:

• Osaka Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful park that sees cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, offering photographers impressive hanami options.
• The city has an extensive subway system available for filming. Osaka station is an impressive modern complex with stores, restaurants and rooftop gardens.
• Umeda Sky Building offers panoramic shots of the modern city skyline. As does the Abeno Harukas building.
• Dōtonbori is a popular entertainment district known for its neon lights, canal and dining options.
• Shinsekai is a pre-WWII entertainment and restaurant district known for Tsūtenkaku tower.
• Den Den Town is the electronics district.
• Amemura is Osaka’s answer to Harajuku.
• The working-class district of Tsuruhashi is home to Korea Town.
• The Aquarium Kaiyukan has a fully grown whale shark.
• The Tempozan Ferris Wheel spans over 100 metres.
• Universal Studios Japan is a major tourist attraction.
• Hattori Ryokuchi Park has 11 authentic Edo period farmhouses.
• The Maritime Museum has an abandoned giant glass dome.
• Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan was designed by Tadao Ando.
• Mozu Tombs in Sakai city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Hanshin Expressway passes through the 5-7 floors of the Gate Tower Building.
• Kansai International Airport was designed by Renzo Piano.
• Yanmar Stadium Nagai hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics, 2007 World Championships in Athletics, and 2001 East Asian Games.

Cuisine

For food and tourism related shoots, local cuisine of note includes okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, kitsune udon, butaman, negiyaki, hakozushi, yakiniku, takoyaki, and tessa.

Culture

Osaka is the birthplace of Bunraku, the centuries-old art of Japanese puppet theater. The city is home to several important museums and galleries including the National Museum of Art, Science Museum, National Bunraku Theater, and Shochikuza Theater.

Osaka Fixers, Producers & Shooting Crew

Contact us if you are looking for an Osaka fixer or production service producer. We are also able to recommend an Osaka based videographer, stills photographer, cameraman, director of photography, or director.