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KYOTO
Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji's Kuri building

Tenryuji (, Tenryji) is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked
first among the city's five great Zen temples, and is now registered as a world heritage site. Tenryuji is
the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Tenryuji was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. Takauji dedicated the temple to
Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. The two important historic figures used to be allies
until Takauji turned against the emperor in a struggle for supremacy over Japan. By building the
temple, Takauji intended to appease the former emperor's spirits.

Inside the Drawing Hall (Shoin)

Tenryuji's buildings, were repeatedly lost in fires and wars over the centuries, and most of the
current halls, including the main hall (Hojo), drawing hall (Shoin) and temple kitchen (Kuri) with its
distinctive small tower, date from the relatively recent Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Unlike the temple buildings, Tenryuji's garden survived the centuries in its original form. Created by
the famous garden designer Muso Soseki, who also designed the gardens of Kokedera and other
important temples, the beautiful landscape garden features a central pond surrounded by rocks, pine

trees and the forested Arashiyama mountains. Muso Soseki also served as Tenryuji's first head
priest.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyotos top sights and for good reason: standing amid
these soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world.

If youve been planning a trip to Kyoto, youve probably seen pictures of the Arashiyama Bamboo
Grove along with the torii tunnels of Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine and Kinkaku-ji Temple, its one of
the most photographed sights in the city. But no picture can capture the feeling of standing in the
midst of this sprawling bamboo grove the whole thing has a palpable sense of otherness that is
quite unlike that of any normal forest we know of.
You can access it directly from the main street of Arashiyama, a little to the north of the entrance to
Tenryu-ji Temple, but its best paired with a visit to that temple (exit the north gate, take a left and
youll be in the grove in no time). Theres just one main path through the grove, which leads slowly
uphill. Once you get to the top of the hill, the entrance to the sublime Okochi-Sanso Villa is right in
front of you (go in, you wont regret it).

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkakuji (, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are
completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of
the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect
after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver
Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few
decades later.
Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of
Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history
including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more
recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.

The interior of the first floor of the Golden Pavilion Each floor has a different architectural style
Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic
circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times. Each floor represents a different style of architecture.
The first floor is built in the Shinden style used for palace buildings during the Heian Period, and with
its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls contrasts yet complements the gilded upper stories of
the pavilion. Statues of the Shaka Buddha (historical Buddha) and Yoshimitsu are stored in the first
floor. Although it is not possible to enter the pavilion, the statues can be viewed from across the pond
if you look closely, as the front windows of the first floor are usually kept open.

The second floor is built in the Bukke style used in samurai residences, and has its exterior
completely covered in gold leaf. Inside is a seated Kannon Bodhisattva surrounded by statues of the
Four Heavenly Kings; however, the statues are not shown to the public. Finally, the third and
uppermost floor is built in the style of a Chinese Zen Hall, is gilded inside and out, and is capped with
a golden phoenix.

The head priest's former living quarters (hojo) Coin Toss

After viewing Kinkakuji from across the pond, visitors pass by the head priest's former living quarters
(hojo) which are known for their painted sliding doors (fusuma), but are not open to the public. The
path once again passes by Kinkakuji from behind then leads through the temple's gardens which
have retained their original design from Yoshimitsu's days. The gardens hold a few other spots of
interest including Anmintaku Pond that is said to never dry up, and statues that people throw coins at
for luck.
Continuing through the garden takes you to the Sekkatei Teahouse, added to Kinkakuji during the
Edo Period, before you exit the paid temple area. Outside the exit are souvenir shops, a small tea
garden where you can have matcha tea and sweets (500 yen) and Fudo Hall, a small temple hall
which houses a statue of Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings and protector of Buddhism. The
statue is said to be carved by Kobo Daishi, one of the most important figures in Japanese religious
history.

Tea Garden

Fudo Hall

Gion

Gion () is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka
Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya
(teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
Gion attracts tourists with its high concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. Due
to the fact that property taxes were formerly based upon street frontage, the houses were built with
narrow facades only five to six meters wide, but extend up to twenty meters in from the street.
The most popular area of Gion is Hanami-koji Street from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple. A nice
(and expensive) place to dine, the street and its side alleys are lined with preserved machiya houses
many of which now function as restaurants, serving Kyoto style kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine)
and other types of local and international meals.
Interspersed among the restaurants are a number of ochaya (teahouses), the most exclusive and
expensive of Kyoto's dining establishments, where guests are entertained by maiko and geiko.

Hanami-koji
Another scenic part of Gion is the Shirakawa Area which runs along the Shirakawa Canal parallel to
Shijo Avenue. The canal is lined by willow trees, high class restaurants and ochaya, many of which
have rooms overlooking the canal. As it is a little off the beaten path, the Shirakawa Area is typically
somewhat quieter than Hanami-koji Street.

Many tourists visit Gion hoping to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko on their way to or from an
engagement at an ochaya in the evenings or while running errands during the day. However, if you
spot a geiko or maiko, act respectfully. Complaints about tourists behaving like ruthless paparazzi are
on the increase in recent years.

Gion Shirakawa
The ultimate experience is being entertained by a maiko or geiko while dining at an ochaya. As expert
hostesses, maiko and geiko ensure everyone's enjoyment by engaging in light conversation, serving
drinks, leading drinking games and performing traditional music and dance.
The services of geiko are expensive and exclusive, traditionally requiring an introduction from an
existing customer. In recent years, however, some travel agencies and hotels have started to offer
lunch or dinner packages with a maiko to any tourist with a sufficient budget. There are even a few
companies which target foreign tourists without Japanese language skills.

A maiko hosted dinner

A more accessible experience is the cultural show held everyday at Gion Corner at the end of
Hanami-koji. Aimed at foreign tourists, the show is a highly concentrated introduction to several
traditional Japanese arts and include short performances of a tea ceremony, ikebana, bunraku,
Kyogen comic plays and dances performed by real maiko. If you are in Kyoto in April, check out the
Miyako Odori with daily dance performances by maiko.
Shijo Avenue, which bisects the Gion district, is a popular shopping area with stores selling local
products including sweets, pickles and crafts. Gion is also known for the Gion Matsuri, the most

famous festival in Japan. Ironically, the most spectacular events of the festival are held outside of
Gion on the opposite side of the Kamo River.
A visit to Gion is best combined with a stroll through the nearby Higashiyama District between Yasaka
Shrine and Kiyomizudera. This area has more preserved streets and traditional shops selling all kinds
of local foods, crafts and souvenirs.

Gion Corner
Yasaka Shrine

The main hall (right) and dance stage (left)

Yasaka Shrine (, Yasaka Jinja), also known as Gion Shrine, is one of the most famous
shrines in Kyoto. Founded over 1350 years ago, the shrine is located between the popular Gion
District and Higashiyama District, and is often visited by tourists walking between the two districts.
The shrine's main hall combines the honden (inner sanctuary) and haiden (offering hall) into a single
building. In front of it stands a dance stage with hundreds of lanterns that get lit in the evenings. Each
lantern bears the name of a local business in return for a donation.
Yasaka Shrine is well known for its summer festival, the Gion Matsuri, which is celebrated every July.
Arguably the most famous festival in the whole country, the Gion Matsuri dates back over a thousand
years and involves a procession with massive floats and hundreds of participants. The shrine also
becomes busy during the cherry blossom season around early April, as the adjacent Maruyama Park
is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.

One of the entrances to the shrine grounds

Fushimi Inari Shrine

A walking path leads through a tunnel of torii gates

Fushimi Inari Shrine (, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern
Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind
its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at
233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god
of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine
grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794.

A giant torii gate in front of the Romon Gate at the shrine's entrance

While the primary reason most foreign visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine is to explore the
mountain trails, the shrine buildings themselves are also attractive and worth a visit. At the shrine's
entrance stands the Romon Gate, which was donated in 1589 by the famous leader Toyotomi
Hideyoshi. Behind stands the shrine's main building (Honden) and various auxiliary buildings.
At the very back of the shrine's main grounds is the entrance to the torii gate covered hiking trail,
which starts with two dense, parallel rows of gates called Senbon Torii ("thousands of torii gates").
The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the
donator's name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate. The cost starts
around 400,000 yen for a small sized gate and increases to over one million yen for a large gate.

The two dense rows of torii gates of Senbon Torii

The hike to the summit of the mountain and back takes about 2-3 hours, however, visitors are free to
walk just as far as they wish before turning back. Along the way, there are multiple smaller shrines
with stacks of miniature torii gates that were donated by visitors with smaller budgets. There are also
a few restaurants along the way, which offer locally themed dishes such as Inari Sushi and Kitsune
Udon ("Fox Udon"), both featuring pieces of aburaage (fried tofu), said to be a favorite food of foxes.
After about a 30-45 minute ascent and a gradual decrease in the density of torii gates, visitors will
reach the Yotsutsuji intersection roughly half way up the mountain, where some nice views over
Kyoto can be enjoyed, and the trail splits into a circular route to the summit. Many hikers only venture
as far as here, as the trails do not offer much variation beyond this point and the gate density
decreases further.

The view from the Yotsutsuji intersection

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NARA
Todaiji Temple

Todaiji (, Tdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically
significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of
all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara
to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs.
Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) is the world's largest wooden building, despite
the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The
massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters
tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.

Big Buddha (Daibutsu) - his open hand alone is as tall as a human being
Several smaller Buddhist statues and models of the former and current buildings are also on display
in the Daibutsuden Hall. Another popular attraction is a pillar with a hole in its base that is the same
size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through this opening will be
granted enlightenment in their next life.
Along the approach to Todaiji stands the Nandaimon Gate, a large wooden gate watched over by
two fierce looking statues. Representing the Nio Guardian Kings, the statues are designated national
treasures together with the gate itself. Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the
adjacent Nara Park, begging for shika senbei, special crackers for deer that are sold for around 150
yen.

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Deer in front of the Nandaimon Gate

A new addition to the temple is the Todaiji Museum, which was opened to the public in 2011 just
next to the Nandaimon Gate. Rotating exhibitions from the temple's large collection of religious art
and cultural treasures, including large Buddhist statues, are held at the museum.
Todaiji's grounds are spacious and cover most of northern Nara Park, including a number of smaller
buildings in the hills to the east of the main hall. These include Hokkedo (also known as Sangatsudo)
and Nigatsudo. The Nigatsudo Hall offers nice views of the city from its balcony, and is the site of the
spectacular Omizutori ceremonies, which are held annually March 1 through 14.

Todaiji Museum

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Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine)

The main sanctuary of Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha () is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as
the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was
also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara
and Heian Periods. Like the Ise Shrines, Kasuga Taisha had been periodically rebuilt every 20 years
for many centuries. In the case of Kasuga Taisha, however, the custom was discontinued at the end
of the Edo Period.
Beyond the shrine's offering hall, which can be visited free of charge, there is a paid inner area
which provides a closer view of the shrine's inner buildings. Furthest in is the main sanctuary,
containing multiple shrine buildings that display the distinctive Kasuga style of shrine architecture,
characterized by a sloping roof extending over the front of the building.

Various types of lanterns at Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha is famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. Hundreds of
bronze lanterns can be found hanging from the buildings, while as many stone lanterns line its
approaches. The lanterns are only lit twice a year during two Lantern Festivals, one in early February
and one in mid August.

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There are many smaller auxiliary shrines in the woods around Kasuga Taisha, twelve of which are
located along a path past the main shrine complex and are dedicated to the twelve lucky gods.
Among them are Wakamiya Shrine, an important cultural property known for its dance festival, and
Meoto Daikokusha, which enshrines married deities and is said to be fortuitous to matchmaking and
marriage.

Kasuga Taisha Shinen Manyo Botanical Garden

Located a short walk from the Kasuga Shrine main complex is the Kasuga Taisha Shinen Manyo
Botanical Garden. This garden displays about 250 kinds of plants described in the Manyoshu,
Japan's oldest collection of poems which dates to the Nara Period. A large part of the garden is
dedicated to wisteria flowers which usually bloom from late April to early May.
The shrine grounds also contain a Treasure House near the main complex which displays the
shrine's relics. These include two sets of large ornate drums. Additionally, the Kasuga Primeval
Forest, a sacred old-growth forest belonging to the shrine, covers the mountain behind Kasuga
Taisha, however, it is closed to the public.

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Kofukuji Temple

The Eastern Golden Hall and Five Story Pagoda

Kofukuji (, Kfukuji) used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful family clan
during much of the Nara and Heian Periods. The temple was established in Nara at the same time as
the capital in 710. At the height of Fujiwara power, the temple consisted of over 150 buildings.
Today a couple of buildings of great historic value remain, including a five story pagoda and a three
story pagoda. At 50 meters, the five story pagoda is Japan's second tallest, just seven meters
shorter than the five story pagoda at Kyoto's Toji Temple. Kofukuji's pagoda is both a landmark and
symbol of Nara. It was first built in 730, and was most recently rebuilt in 1426.
While entrance to Kofukuji's temple grounds is free and possible around the clock, there are two
areas that require paying an entrance fee: Kofukuji's National Treasure Museum and the Eastern
Golden Hall. The recently renovated National Treasure Museum exhibits part of the temple's great
art collection and is an absolute must-see for lovers of Buddhist art. Among the many outstanding
exhibits is the three-faced, six-armed Ashura Statue, one of the most celebrated Buddhist statues in
all of Japan.

The Southern Octagonal Hall in the evening

The Eastern Golden Hall, located not far from the national treasure museum, features a large
wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha. Another pair of interesting buildings are the Northern and

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Southern Octagonal Halls. They both originally date back over a thousand years, and their present
reconstructions were completed in 1789 and 1210 respectively. The buildings also house some of the
temple's treasured artifacts, but are only open to the public a few days a year.
Kofukuji's main building, the Central Golden Hall, was destroyed in a fire in 1717 and - although a
replacement hall was built on a smaller scale in the 1800s - the original Central Golden Hall was not
reconstructed. In recent years, however, it was decided to rebuild the hall in its full former glory.
Reconstruction works are currently ongoing and are scheduled to be completed in the year 2018.

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OSAKA
Shinsaibashi

A shoppers paradise to meet any taste - Mido-suji street the Champs-lyses of the East. Americamura to discover the latest of young and pop trends. Shinsaibashi shopping street for virtually
everything else.
The Shinsaibashi is the largest shopping area in Osaka where many boutiques and specialty shops
are gathered, attracting local people and visitors. The Shisaibashi has developed from the arcaded
streets Shinsaibashi Shopping Street which runs east to Mido-Suji Avenue, is the best-known
shopping area in Osaka, and an enduring symbol of the city. With a history of 380 years, it was
already an established shopping area in the Edo Period. Shops of all kinds and for all ages line the
street, a roofed arcade 600 meters long.
The western area of the Shinsaibashi is nicknamed as the American-mura Village, and its symbol is
the walls painted with unique illustrations. This area continues to lead the Kansai teen culture in the
Minami Area of Osaka. This neighborhood is popular amongst the young crowd for the stores that
have been here since the 1970s, selling second-hand clothes, jeans, used records, and
miscellaneous goods from the US west coast. There are also many other places to enjoy including
Big Step, a large commercial complex, Tiger Copenhagen, dispaying miscellaneous goods at a very
reasonable price from Northern Europe, Sankaku Park, etc.
Mido-suji Street that runs the center of the Shinsaibashi is the main street of Osaka that links the
downtown Kita (north) around Umeda and the downtown Minami (south) around the Shisaibashi and
Namba districts. Often, described as Champs-lyses of the East, the street is lined with uncountable
luxury brands stores from around the grove.

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Dotonbori

A town with a canal loved by the locals. Masses of neon lights and the atmosphere of the 17th
century coexist in the area.
Dotonbori is a large scale downtown along the south bank of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal. Osaka is
known as the gastronomists' town, and thus the entire area of Dotonbori is thronged with an
unbelievable number of restaurants and amusement facilities, and is dearly loved by the Osakaites.
There are theaters that play traditional puppet shows Bunraku, storytellers' halls and other popular
entertainment as well as a number of movie theaters.
Dotonbori is often selected as a scene in the Japanese and foreign movies as the symbol of Osaka.
There are promenades on both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal to offer better environment for a
downtown, which are always attracting visitors and residents. On both sides of the Dotonbori-gawa
Canal are lined with advertisements and neon signs. The entire sides of buildings are decorated with
neon lamps. The illuminated signboards and neon lamps reflect on the Dotonbori-gawa Canal at
night, making Dotonbori even merrier.
There is the Hozen-ji Temple built in the 17th century on the first street to the south of street along the
Dotonbori Canal. A paper lantern hangs at the front of the temple, which gives off pale orange light at
sunset. The stone paved street in front of the Hozen-ji Temple is called the Hozen-ji Yokocho Lane.
Shops with a beautiful latticework stand side by side as a reminiscence of the Edo Period in the 17th
century and they give off peaceful atmosphere.

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Namba

Downtown Minami never sleeps, with bustling entertainment and hiddern away alleys with specialized
stores, food joints and more! One of the hottest area at the moment, to have fun amongest the locals.
Namba is also a southern gateway for Osaka. The Namba City at the Nankai Namba Station is
shopping zone with convinient access and 300 shops and restraunts that serve popular, reasonably
priced foods of Osaka
Namba is also known as the town of entertainment. There is Shin-Kabuki-za, a theater exclusively
devoted to Kabuki and Namba Grand Kagetsu, a theater of Yoshino Kogyo which is company
employing many comedians.
The Ura-Namba district has gained attetion as a trendy spot where you can find small, tasteful
restraunts and bars. You can enjoy delicious foods at a resonable price in a hideway atmosphere.
Sennichimae Doguyasuji shopping street contains an array of specailty stores selling profeesional
cooking implements and kitchen tools. Here you'll find authentic-looking food models and many other
unexpectedly appealing products. There are demonstration sales of Takoyaki as well as food
samples making lessons.
The Nipponbashi district located of few minutes North West, houses Kuromon Ichiba (marketplace)
known as the kitchen for "Minami". The market has a total length of close to 600 meters with 170
shops, the vast majority of which specialize in the freshest and best quality meat, vegetable eggs,
and other ingredients from around the country and abroad. Although well over half of total sales are
for business (professional chef) market, Kuromon Ichiba caters alos to the general public. For more
than 170 years, everyone from restraunt chefs to housewives have come here, drawn by the taste,
freshness and variety of its products.
If you get off at Nipponbashi Station of Sakai-Suji Subway Line and go south down the Sakai-Suji
Avenue, you will find "Den-den Town" (electric town), also called "Akihabara of Osaka", clustered with

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electric appliance wholesalers' shops standing side by side on Nipponbashi 3-chome through 6chome. Many shops give an in-house advertising broadcast in Korean or Chinese. The advent of an
increasing number of computer shops is a recent phenomenon.
Osaka Castle (Osakajo)

The construction of Osaka Castle (, sakaj) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama
Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi
Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It
was the largest castle at the time.
However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle
and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the
1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665 and burnt down.
It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built.
During the war it miraculously survived the city wide air raids. Major repair works gave the castle new
glamor in 1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator
for easier accessibility. It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi
Hideyoshi.

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The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and
moats. The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former "western citadel", is a lawn garden with
600 cherry trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House and nice views of the castle tower from
below. Unlike most of the rest of the castle grounds, the garden requires an admission fee.
The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport
facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The
park is one of Osaka's most popular hanami spot during the cherry blossom season, which usually
takes place in early April.
HEP (Hankyu Entertainment Park)

Shops: Daily 11:00 to 21:00

Ferris wheel and restaurants: until 23:00
HEP is a large shopping and entertainment complex consisting of the HEP FIVE and HEP Navio
buildings, east of the Hankyu department store. HEP FIVE features a red Ferris wheel emerging from
its roof, while the entire complex houses over 300 shops and restaurants.

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built
in Asia. Opened in March 2001 in the Osaka Bay Area, the theme park occupies an area of 39
hectares and is the most visited amusement park in Japan after Tokyo Disney Resort.

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Universal Studios Japan currently has eight sections: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic
Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Visitors are able to enjoy many amusement rides, ranging from child-friendly carousels to thrilling
roller coasters and simulators based on popular movies such as Spiderman, Back to the Future,
Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park.

In addition to rides, the theme park offers many opportunities to take pictures with popular characters'
mascots such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty and the puppets of Sesame Street. There are also various
shows put on every day, including a night parade featuring illuminated floats that are paraded through
the streets.
Just outside the park's gates is Universal Citywalk Osaka, a shopping mall with multiple official
Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios
merchandise and Osaka souvenirs. Furthermore, the Osaka Takoyaki Museum, which is essentially a
collection of several popular vendors of the local dish gathered under one roof, is located on the
mall's fourth floor.