The World’s Top Artists
In fine arts, Yuzo Saeki is acclaimed for his portrayal of scenes from pre-war Paris. The contemporary artist Yasumasa Morimura, famous for making appearances in his own artistic works, is known for his unique touch. The talents of Osakan artists vary from the traditional to the progressive. In architecture, the self-taught Tadao Ando is regarded as being at the forefront of the architectural world. In the field of fashion, the three Koshino sisters, Hiroko, Junko, and Michiko, whose mother was also a designer, support the Osaka Collection and the vitality of Osaka’s fashion scene, and are all esteemed for their work.
In sports we can site Kenichi Horie, who sailed across the Atlantic alone on numerous occasions; Hideo Nomo of the American Major Leagues; Junichi Inamoto, a soccer player now in Britain; and marathon runner Naoko Takahashi, who are all Osakans for whom the world is a stage.
Amusement is Osaka’s Specialty Currently, movies can be considered to be the most popular form of entertainment. The first film showing in Japan was at Namba’s Nangai Kaikan Theater in Osaka, which continues to show films today. In the busy streets of Kita (Umeda area) and Minami (Namba area), many people, both young and old, crowd the movie theatres.
Osamu Tezuka, known for his cartoon “Tetsuwan Atom”, or “Astro Boy”, was a medical student in Osaka. April 7, 2003, marks the birthday of Tetsuwan Atom.
Osaka’s Unique Shopping Areas
America-Mura(American Village)
This area grew as young people opened up stores catering to their taste for American fashion. It is now a mecca of young casual fashion. The town expands to the north of America-Mura, to Minami Semba, and to the west to Kita and Minami Horie.
A Town of High-Class Brands
The area around the intersection of Midosuji Boulevard and Nagahoridori is called Shinsaibashi, which in earlier days, used to have a real bridge over the river. Presently, the Nagahori area has been transformed into a gigantic underground shopping center, Crysta Nagahori, with a river running over the ceiling. The sidewalks are lined with old style streetlights that are reminiscent of past days. This area has a concentration of high-class brand shops. People of various ages are seen enjoying window-shopping along the wide sidewalks. Many restaurants and cafes offer a break to weary shoppers and make the Shinsaibashi area a wonderful place for a fun walk.
Unique Shopping Area
To the east of Namba is Sennichimae Doguyasuji (literally, the utensils street). Here, one can find numerous items for the professional cook. One off the appeals of this district is that you can find anything from knives to pots, tableware to signboards and interior goods. The various food samples made of wax are well known and popular, including miniature sushi – key holders.
Just south east of Doguyasuji is Nippombashi Den Den Town, a district specializing in the retail sale of electrical appliances. Here the determined shopper can find a variety of products, from home to electrical appliances, lights and batteries, and even the smallest screws.
Osaka: A Labyrinth of Shopping
In the vicinity of Umeda, there are different underground shopping areas such as Whity Umeda, Dojima Chika Center, Diamor, and Hankyu Sanbangai, all connected so as to form a large-scale underground shopping area. The older areas date back some 30 years.
In Shinsaibashi, Crysta Nagahori holds the premier floor space in Western Japan. In Namba, Namba Walk, Nan Nan Town, and Namba City have gained popularity as a fantastic underground shopping area tying train stations and shopping areas together.