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Best location close to sightseeing spots and historical sites, as well as downtown

The Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka can be used as a convenient base for sightseeing in NARA or KYOTO as well. Located next to KINTETSU Department Store, the hotel is also convenient for shopping.

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KINTETSU RAIL PASS 1day / 2day(OSAKA-NARA-KYOTO)

Convenient and beneficial for travelers in Nara from Osaka and Kyoto!

With this pass, you can get unlimited rides on the KINTETSU Railway and the Nara Kotsu Bus Line within designated zones for one or two days, perfect for visiting World Heritage sites and other shrines and temples in Nara! The pass is on sale at the front desk or the concierge desk (for hotel guests only).
– 1day Pass: Adult 1,500 yen / Child 750 yen
– 2day Pass: Adult 2,500 yen / Child 1,250 yen

NARAmachi (NARA Town)

Townscape with a traditional Japanese atmosphere

Both sides of the street that spread south from Sarusawa-ike Pond near Kofuku-ji Temple, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, are lined with town houses preserving the appearance of the Edo and Meiji Eras. In NARAmachi, you can enjoy not only historical buildings such as the Imanishi-ke Shoin Residence, Fujioka Family Residence (important cultural property) or townscapes, but also townhouses that have been converted into museums, including Tokino Shiryokan (Museum of Time), NARA Orient-kan (NARA City FM Communications Satellite Studio), or the NARA Craft Museum, as well as variety stores and izakaya pubs. As NARAmachi is dotted with many spots to see, you will have so much fun and even lose track of time strolling around this town!

NARA Park

A treasure house of World Heritage Sites

NARA Park is a vast treasure trove of national treasures and World Heritage Sites. Among these, the Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple and the 1,000 plus deer that roam the park have been adopted as the icons of NARA itself.
Befitting the city’s history as the ancient capital of Japan, the park also hosts a range of cultural events and exhibitions, including the Omizutori ceremony at Todai-ji Temple, the Mantoro Lantern Festival at Kasuga-taisha Shrine, the Tokae Candle Festival, the Shoso-in Exhibition, and the Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri festival. The grassy park is dotted with flowering plants and trees that make for an enjoyable visit at any time of year.

Stroll around the towns of NARA

Enjoy the moment and place while spending time in a relaxed frame of mind

Flowers and trees that change appearance in each season, and townscapes that show different expressions throughout the day – this page introduces the spots for taking strolls, which are filled with traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Shohaku Art Museum

Exhibiting artworks of three generations of artists - Shoen Uemura, Shoko Uemura, and Atsushi Uemura

The Shohaku Museum was founded in March 1994. The museum collects, conserves, and exhibits the work of Shoen Uemura, Shoko Uemura, and Atsushi Uemura. In addition, it also works to disperse Japanese-style paintings and nurture young artists through special exhibitions and publicly sponsored exhibitions.

The Museum of Japanese Art Yamato Bunkakan

Enjoy Oriental art as much as you want in a tranquil environment surrounded by pine groves

Rest your eyes by looking at seasonal flowers in the Bunkaen garden, inhale fresh air, and then appreciate artwork\ inside the museum – this is one way of enjoying this museum. In the Yamato Bunkakan designed by Isoya Yoshida, you can discover new faces of Oriental art in harmony with the sounds and colors of nature, which you cannot find in any other art museums.

NARA National Museum

An extensive collection of masterpieces of Buddhist art

The NARA National Museum is famous for its Shoso-in Exhibition, which is held during the fall every year. In addition to the permanent collection, which includes Buddhist statues, paintings, scrolls, and ceremonial objects, the museum often holds special exhibitions that are usually well worth checking out.

Appreciate NARA's culture and arts

Touch the essence of Japanese culture and Buddhist culture

Including the NARA National Museum that exhibits various forms of Buddhist culture after the arrival of Buddhism in Japan or Japanese and Eastern culture, NARA has many art museums and a museum that contains Japanese paintings and photos. Appreciate the world of beauty in the birthplace of Japanese culture. The beauty and sensitivity of the old times will soothe your heart.

Toshodai-ji Temple

A temple established by Jianzhen, a Chinese monk

It is the head temple of the Ritsu sect, one of the six sects of Buddhism which flourished in ancient NARA. Jianzhen, who became widely known through a novel entitled “Tempyo no Iraka” (Roof Tiles of the Tempyo Period) written by Yasushi Inoue, spent his later years in this temple.

Yakushi-ji Temple

Temple complex in the unique Hakuho architectural style

Yakushi-ji Temple is the head temple of the Hosso sect and is home to many national treasures including Toto (the East Pagoda), Toin-do (the shrine hall), and Yakushinyorai-oyobi-ryokyojizo (an image of the Buddha of Healing with two Buddhist saint attendants). The temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. The East Pagoda looks to be six-storied at first glance, but is actually three-storied. This unusual effect is achieved by the addition of a small roof known as a mokoshi to each story. The technique of employing alternating layers of large and small roofs is familiarly known as “”Frozen Music”” because of its rhythmical beauty.
* Please note that East Pagoda is under renovation until 2018.

Kasuga-taisha Shrine

Mystical beauty of the Mantoro Lantern Festival

Famous for wisteria blooms from ancient days, the precincts of Kasuga Grand Shrine are dotted with brightly painted vermilion halls. The shrine’s treasure hall, known as the Homotsuden, houses an array of national treasures. There is also is the Kasuga Taisha Manyo Botanical Garden in the shrine’s precinct, which houses around 300 kinds of plants described in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of poetry. At the Mantoro Lantern Festival held on the day before the beginning of Spring and the middle of the year according to the lunar calendar, thousands of lanterns are lit on the grounds. Their light softly illuminates the shrine’s covered passageways, creating a mystical and profound beauty.

Todai-ji Temple - Head temple of Kegon Buddhism

The temple that represents the NARA period renowned for the statue of Great Buddha

Todai-ji, which is famous for the statue of the Great Buddha, is the best example of a NARA period temple.The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Registered as a World Heritage Site, Todai-ji attracts many visitors with its numerous national treasures, not to mention the Omizutori ceremony and the Autumn Festival of the Great Buddha.

Explore the history of NARA

Must-see beauty spots, famous historic places, shrines, and temples in NARA

In NARA, which has over 1,300 years of history, there are many various buildings and places that served as anchorages for the Japanese people. This page introduces some of the spots that we recommend you to visit and experience.

Korea Town (Miyuki-dori Street)

A Korea town lined with Korean grocery stores, BBQ, and Korean restaurants, and traditional Korean clothing stores

The Korea Town is an approximately 500 m-long shopping street located between Tsuruhashi and Momodani Streets, lined with some 120 stores including Korean grocery stores, BBQ, and Korean restaurants, and traditional Korean clothing stores.
Nowadays, services are offered to students visiting on school trips or group travelers including field work (walking around the town) and experience classes for making Kimchi (Korean pickle), playing janggo (a traditional musical instrument), or learning the Korean alphabet.
In addition, the area around Tsuruhashi Station is know as a mecca of BBQ.
It is located within walking distance from the hotel.

Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku

The Shinsekai area, a typical downtown OSAKA, is known for Tsutenkaku, Jan-jan Yokocho Lane, a giant blowfish lantern sign, and kushikatsu restaurants

The popular music theater in the basement of Tsutenkaku Tower holds a weekend music show every Saturday and Sunday, in which singers come from all over Japan to sing popular traditional-style songs. Jan-jan Yokocho Lane, which is lined with kushikatsu restaurants, doteyaki (simmered beef sinew) restaurants, and go and shogi (Japanese board games) clubs, is a symbol of OSAKA’s vibrant nature.
Shinsekai’s Billiken figure and giant blowfish lantern sign are popular picture-postcard images of the city.
It is also known as a stage of “”Osho (Chess Master),”” a play based on the true story of a chess grandmaster.

Hozenji-Yokocho Alley

A quiet corner of town that radiates the atmosphere of old OSAKA in the heart of the bustling Minami district

Well known as the setting of Sakunosuke Oda’s novel ”Meoto Zenzai” (Sweet Bean Broth for Two), the alley has two gates with signs saying “”Hozenji-Yokocho”” at either end. The sign at the western end was written by Kanbi Fujiyama, the 20th-century comic actor, while that sign at the eastern end was written by Harudanji Katsura III, a traditional comic storytelling artist.
The stone-paved alley, which retains a distinctly OSAKA flavor, is lined with a variety of eating and drinking establishments including traditional Japanese restaurants and bars as well as okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pizza) and kushikatsu (deep fried vegetables and meat on skewers) eateries. Much of the area was burnt down in two separate fires, but the district has somehow survived these tragedies, and preserves the character and vigor of old OSAKA.

Dotonbori

A lively entertainment and shopping district that has been an icon of downtown OSAKA since the Edo period

With famous landmarks such as the Shochikuza Theater, the Kani Doraku restaurant, and the neon lights of the Glico Running Man, Dotonbori is a vibrant shopping and entertainment district in the heart of Minami, OSAKA.
Dotonbori derives its name from Doton Yasui, a local merchant who expanded the river that runs through the district at his own expense in 1612.

Stroll around the towns of OSAKA

Walking courses to experience authentic OSAKA

This page introduces the towns filled with a friendly atmosphere and gourmet spots, such as “Dotonbori,” a lively district in the Minami (south) area, and “Shinsekai,” a typical downtown area of OSAKA.

OSAKA Aquarium Kaiyukan

One of world's largest aquariums recreating the natural environments surrounding the Pacific Ocean

Inside Kaiyukan, which recreates the marine habitats of the Pacific Rim, elaborately designed tanks attract the attention of visitors. In the Pacific Ocean tank you will find the popular whale sharks and manta rays, while the tunnel-shaped Aquagate tank is home to a plethora of tropical fish, and penguins await in the Antarctic zone. The aquarium also holds special night viewing events. The surrounding area is home to a range of attractions including the diminutive Tempozan (Japan’s lowest “mountain” at only 4.5 meters in height), a giant Ferris wheel, and sightseeing cruises of OSAKA Bay. There is also a free ferry service that connects Tempozan with Sakurajima, which is convenient for those heading to Universal City.

OSAKA Museum of History

A museum established in the remains of Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace with over 1350 years of history

The OSAKA Museum of History was built in 2001, in succession to the OSAKA City Museum, which was located in the castle keep of OSAKA Castle, with the aim of studying and introducing the history of OSAKA. The museum has the remains of Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace in its basement, and is adjacent to Naniwanomiya Park. The surrounding area of the museum is full of sights to see, including NHK OSAKA Broadcasting Station, the OSAKA prefectural government office, and the Main Keep of OSAKA Castle. It is located within walking distance of the hotel.

Kyocera Dome OSAKA

A unique UFO-shaped dome Popular venue for baseball games, concerts, and events

The Kyocera Dome OSAKA opened in March 1997 and has become a unique OSAKA landmark. It serves as the home grounds of the Orix Buffaloes and is also used to host events, concerts, and sports games. The dome has a range of facilities including restaurants and shops. Located close to the hotel, Kyocera Dome OSAKA can be reached in 10 minutes by train with no transfers.

OSAKA Shinkabukiza Theater

A new theater featuring a close distance between the audience and the performers that immerses the audience in the world on stage

In the adjacent YUFURA shopping zone in Uehommachi, the OSAKA Shin Kabukiza Theater has opened. This popular theater presents seasonal Kabuki performances, costume and modern dramas, popular music shows, and variety shows featuring top artists of the country.

The National Bunraku Theater

Experience traditional Bunraku puppet theater, a unique Japanese art form designated as a UNESCO intangible Cultural Heritage

With the appearance of two genius creators, Gidayu Takemoto and Monzaemon Chikamatsu, “Bunraku” Puppet Theater attracted enormous popularity in OSAKA during the Edo period. Bunraku is a unique form of puppet theater involving three performers specializing in their own fields, namely reciting or chanting, puppet control, and music, coming together as one, which is rare anywhere else in the world of performing arts. The National Bunraku Theater is also used for dance performances and Japanese music and entertainment shows. The theater library open to the public offers an extensive collection of bunraku literature. The theater neighborhood is dotted with many sites related to the lives of Monzaemon Chikamatsu and Saikaku Ihara, giants of OSAKA’s literary world.

Appreciate OSAKA's culture and arts

Soak up traditional OSAKA culture

OSAKA boasts a rich history of literature and the arts. The city has a number of museums and art museums that showcase its history, and theaters showing bunraku, a type of puppet theater that has been designated by UNESCO as an intangible world heritage. This page introduces a selection of cultural sites in and around Uehommachi such as the OSAKA Dome, a well known baseball stadium and event venue.

Shitenno-ji Temple - Head Temple of Washu Buddhism

Japan's first Buddhist temple officially administered by the state was built by Prince Shotoku 1,400 years ago.

Set on huge grounds three times the size of the Koshien baseball stadium, Shitenno-ji features many sights to see including the Taishi-den Hall where Prince Shotoku is worshiped and the beautiful Gokuraku-jodo Garden. The unique layout of the temple complex, called the “Shitenno-ji-temple-style garan layout,” was greatly influenced by China and represents one of the oldest styles of Japanese architecture.

Main Keep of OSAKA Castle (OSAKA Castle Park)

The symbol of OSAKA

The current main keep of OSAKA Castle is the second complete reconstruction and dates from 1931. It was originally built during the reign of the Toyotomi clan and was later reconstructed under the Tokugawa shogunate. Its gorgeous decorations make lavish use of gold leaf, which include the golden orca statues on the roof and reliefs of crouching tigers. OSAKA Castle Park encompasses an array of historic buildings and ruins and is also home to the Nishinomaru Garden. This expansive green space boasts some 600 cherry trees and a plum grove with 1,270 plum trees of 100 different varieties. These trees and flowers soothe the hearts of visitors in each season.

Explore the history of OSAKA

Historic buildings of OSAKA

In OSAKA, there are many sites to see including famous historic spots, ruins from the era when OSAKA, then called “Naniwa,” prospered as a starting point to China, places associated with historical events, and retro-flavored buildings. The following are the shrines, temples, castles, and building that we recommend you to visit.