No Basho? No Big Deal

20th Februrary 2011

No Basho? No big deal

Sumo might be off the Osaka schedule, but there’s still samurai sword-fighting, a shukubo stay, Spa World and cherry blossom bliss to be getting on with....

With Sumo recently shamed and the Osaka Sumo Spring Basho (13-27 March) controversially cancelled amid a match fixing scandal that has tarnished Japan’s most traditional sport, you may have been left disappointed, match tickets in hand. But don’t worry: InsideJapan Tours has alternative plans.

Osaka - capital of Japan’s Kansai region with a population of almost three million - is much more than just Sumo. It is the archrival of the Kanto capital city of Tokyo and the down-to-earth brother of the nearby cultured city of Kyoto. In general, Osaka is a great place to be and, although there aren’t so many ‘tourist sights’ as such, this is a city that needs to be experienced in its entirety rather than via structured sightseeing tours.

NAMBA
The Dotonburi area of the downtown Namba district is the neon-lit foodie heaven of Osaka, sitting on the Dontonburi canal. Whether you want noodles, sushi, tempura or more, you can get it all on Dotonburi, but the local favourite is takoyaki (squid, onion and ginger in batter), sold on every corner. Shinsaibashi has a huge array of shops selling everything from designer gear to ceramics and everything else in between. The area is full of bars, clubs and restaurants, but Honzenji shrine sits quietly tucked away in the backstreets with local vendors attending to pray for good luck. Namba is a taste of Osaka and the excitement that the city has to offer, day and night.

NANIWA
Naniwa is the former name of Osaka when it was the capital of Japan in the 8th Century. It’s now the name of a down-to-earth district beneath the neon glow of the Tsutenkaku Tower. The area is renowned for its traditional kushiage restaurants (deep fried food on skewers), old-fashioned pachinko parlours (casinos - quieter than the modern day equivalent) and cheap traditional bars. The area called Shin-sekai is a glimpse into post-war Osaka.

SUMIYOSHI KOEN
For a quieter alternative, Osaka’s Sumiyoshi Koen is home to Sumiyoshi Taisha, an important Shinto shrine dating back to 202AD. The current building heralds from the 1800s and is one of the few structures that survived the bombing of World War Two.

OSAKA CHERRY BLOSSOM
The last week of March and early April will see bright shades of pink beginning to carpet mountainsides, temple grounds and parks across Osaka. Some of the best places to enjoy the cherry blossom and hanami (literally, ‘flower looking’) are Kema Sakuranomiya Park and Osaka Castle grounds. Join hundreds of people enjoying picnics and barbeques with families, friends and colleagues under thousands of cherry blossom. Alternatively, enjoy the spectacle from a different perspective on a boat cruise along the Okawa River. Early predictions suggest that cherry blossom (sakura) is due to bloom on approximately March 26th in Osaka.

TRADITIONAL THEATRE
Sample some of the traditional arts such as the ancient Noh or Kabuki theatre. Osaka’s Nohgaku Kaikan Theatre has a full Noh programme in March and there are Kabuki performances showing at the historic Sochikuza Theatre in Namba. Noh is the oldest form of theatre in the world and Kabuki is the more popular form of theatre dating back to the 17th century, although still influencing Japanese theatre today. Alternatively, experience the all-female theatre concept of Takarazuka held in the Osaka district of the same name. Women play all the roles in this almost cult form of theatre.

TATE-DO SWORD FIGHTING
Learn the art of samurai sword fighting, practicing Japanese samurai drama-style moves with Katana swords, samurai stances and relevant facial expressions. Do all this in the shadow of Osaka Castle for extra effect.

HOT SPRING BATHS
For lovers of the traditional onsen (hot spring), Spa World is something a bit different. There are several floors of spa-themed baths from around the world; Roman, Greek, Hammam, of course Japanese, and many more. There are roof spas, swimming pools and slides to add to the fun. Or, take the two-and-a-half-hour express train to the small, traditional hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen on the coast.

LEARN SOME KANSAI-BEN
Kansai-ben is the local dialect of Osaka people and is the Japanese equivalent of Cockney. Kansai-ben is rough sounding, has its own amusing words and is often the dialect of choice for Japanese comedians. Learn a bit of Kansai-ben and make friends at an izakaya (Japanese pub).

MT.KOYA
Less than two hours away, by train and cable car, is the top of Mt. Koya on the Kii Peninsula. Koya-san is the sacred home of the Shingon Buddhist sect. Koya has a number of important temples as well as the ambient Okunoin graveyard set in the mountain forests. InsideJapan recommends staying in a temple lodging (shukubo) and experiencing the morning prayers and fantastic shojin ryori (vegetarian) Buddhist meals.

KYOTO
Japan’s cultural capital of Kyoto is only a thirty-minute local train ride from the heart of Osaka. The ancient capital of Kyoto - home to a myriad of shrines and temples, old districts such as Gion and the mysterious geisha - is a must for anyone visiting Japan and is a peaceful contrast to its livelier, grittier neighbour.

Osaka is a fantastic city which has seen its days of being an industrial powerhouse dwindle, and yet its character and its people remain strong. As illustrated above, there are so many different aspects to this city...not to mention Osaka Aquarium, Hep Five (Osaka’s famous shopping mall/entertainment centre) or the Floating Garden.

InsideJapan Tours features Osaka in its new 14-night ‘Best of Japan’ self-guided adventure at Ł2,100 pp* and classic 14-night ‘Essential Honshu’ small group tour at Ł2,200 pp*. InsideJapan can also tailor the great city of Osaka into any itinerary designed to suit a client, their time frame and budget.

For more information, contact InsideJapan Tours on 0117 314 4620; www.insidejapantours.com.