Special feature Party till you drop! OSAKA The biggest festival of the year “Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2009”

“Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2009”, is an event to symbolize Osaka as a water town, lining up over 100 artists from all over Japan. OFC introduces you to part of the fascinating program before anybody else!

Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2009

August 22 (Sat), 2009 – October 12 (Mon, holiday)
10:00-21:00
※Varies depending on the program
(final day until 20:00)

Held in 5 areas

Nakanoshima is literally an “Island of Dreams and Lamplight” where artistic light design blends together with lanterns adorned with citizens’ pictures and mirror chip illumination. General participation is encouraged, so we urge you all to join in and help to make Osaka sparkle.

A different light project to be displayed every weekend. Come to Nakanoshima Park every weekend!

A water curtain drapes an object in the image of a bridge. Maintaining harmony with the images projected there, mist and fountains dance, light glistens, and music plays. A fantastic show, just as if a picture book were floating in the night sky.

On the waterfront are markets and cafés, etc, at the “Aqua Metropolis Morning Market River Café”. There are also morning market boats with vegetables and fruit on sale from Central Wholesale Market. Another attraction is the Osaka river terrace “Kitahama Terrace” where elegant meals can be enjoyed while watching the boats plying their routes up and down the river.

“Aqua Metropolis Morning Market River Café”

“Kitahama Terrace”


Aqua Metropolis Morning Market River Cafe	Kitahama Terrace

◎Boat Landing Program
(Gallery of Water)
◎Bridge Light Up
(Nakanoshima waterfront)
◎Aqua Metropolis Art Gallery
(City center)

Bridge Light Up
(Nishikibashi,
Photo shows
lighting ceremony)

Mr. Yasuhiro Suchi, NPO Osaka Mizukaido 808 Representative

Serial Column vol.1
Unknown Osaka spots recommended by spirited Osaka natives
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Osaka cannot exist without “Water” and “Lord Taiko”

Mr. Suchi has been very active in reviving water town Osaka such as Operation Dotombori Pearl and introducing the first amphibious bus to Japan. His motto is “Entrance is play, Exit is culture”. He brings energy to Osaka involving industries, administration, business and academics.
Osaka Duck Tour　

My top recommendation goes to the Taiko sewer system which opened in 1583 along with road development when Osaka Castle was built. Famous sewer systems can also be seen in Paris and Vienna. However they were not fully developed until the post 19th century period, whereas Hideyoshi Toyotomi built ours in the 16th century. It is truly amazing. Currently approx. 20km of it is still in use. You can see the stone-built river dike from an inspection window beside Minami Oe Elementary School in Chuo Ward. Another point is Sakuranomiya Park, famous for the cherry blossoms in Miyakojima Ward. There is a splash point where the amphibious bus takes to the river. You can see a spectacular launching scene if you are lucky. Of course riding the bus is the best! Going by land and by river in Osaka will be a good memory for you.

“Osaka Municipal Central Wholesale Market” tour course

Osaka has long been called the “Kitchen of the Country”, and it is the food capital of Japan. “Osaka Municipal Central Wholesale Market” supports the food of Osaka, and its tour course is attracting popularity. Observe the appeal of food ingredients drawn from all over Japan and overseas, and savor them!