Travel to Japan

Suntory Museum

The Suntory Museum, which you can tour in about 30 minutes, is that fantastically modern-looking structure you see near the aquarium, designed by well-known architect Tadao Ando. It stages changing exhibitions in airy rooms against a dramatic background of the sea beyond its glass walls. Past exhibits have included posters by Toulouse-Lautrec, paintings by German expressionists, and glass by Emile Gallé; call or check the Meet Osaka quarterly for current information. There's also a 3-D IMAX theater with scenes so real you'll swear those fish on the screen are about to swim into your lap, a good museum shop, the Sky Lounge (perfect for taking a break), and a restaurant, Café Solare.

World SPA

This is the most luxurious and ambitious bathhouse I've ever seen. It can accommodate up to 5,000 people and draws upon hot springs brought up from 891m (2,970 ft.) below the earth's surface. On its roof, in a large hangarlike room, is a covered swimming complex that includes a pool, a slide, a wave pool, a sunning terrace, and a wading pool (rental bathing suits available). The rest of the large complex is divided into themed, geographical bathing zones, which are rotated between the sexes and include luxurious locker rooms. At the Asian Zone, for example, Middle Eastern music and tiled mosaics set the tone for the Turkish bath, while China is represented by a medicinal bath. Massage is also available. If you're timid about going to a public bath, this one will convert you. If you're already a fan, you'll want to move in -- note, however, that at 5am you're charged for a new day. And sorry, people with tattoos are not allowed.

Sega Amusement Theme Park

I suppose it could be argued that you haven't experienced today's Japan unless you've visited at least one Joypolis, the reigning king of amusement arcades. This one, on the eighth and ninth floors of a shopping arcade complete with a Ferris wheel on top, overloads the senses with lots of flashing lights, bells and whistles, and throngs of squealing kids and teenagers. In addition to arcade games, virtual rides simulate gliding through the air or shooting the rapids of a wild river. Note: Children under the age of 16 aren't allowed here after 7pm and that some "rides" carry height restrictions, with rules enforced by what -- the joy police?

Shitennoji Temple

Founded 1,400 years ago as the first officially established temple in Japan, Shitennoji Temple is the spiritual heart of Osaka. It was constructed in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Japan. However, like most wooden structures in Japan, its buildings have been destroyed repeatedly through the centuries by fire and war, including the 1615 Tokugawa raid on Osaka Castle, and World War II. And through the centuries, the buildings have been faithfully reconstructed exactly as they were in the 6th century, with the Main Gate, the five-story Buddhist Pagoda, the Main Golden Hall, and the Lecture Hall all on a north-south axis. Japanese flock to Shitennoji to pay respects to Prince Shotoku, who remains a revered, popular figure even today. There's also a turtle sanctuary. But the best thing to do here is wander the temple's newly restored Japanese landscape garden, first laid out during the Tokugawa regime and a lovely oasis with its manicured bushes, meandering streams, and waterfall.

Sam & Dave Four

With exposed, wrapped pipes and fluorescent lighting, this bar with a dance floor and pool table stages events several times a month, including salsa lessons every Tuesday. Happy hour is until 9pm. It attracts both a Japanese and gaijin crowd. Attracting a larger foreign clientele is Sam & Dave Five in Nagahoribashi, across from the post office (tel. 06/6251-5333), which has an even bigger dance floor and holds salsa nights on Thursdays; upscale Sam & Dave Two Shinsaibashi, 1 block east of Midosuji St. next to McDonald's (tel. 06/6243-6848), is the hot spot for hip hop, soul, and R&B. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 7pm to 4am, Friday to Saturday 7pm to 5:30am.

Pig and Whistle

This is probably the best-known and one of the oldest ex-patriate bars in Osaka, as well as one of the easiest to find. Through the years, the number of foreign customers has fallen to less than 30% (I remember when it was almost exclusively foreign), but remaining are its friendly atmosphere, dartboards for entertainment, happy hour until 7:30pm, and munchies that include, of course, fish and chips. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 5pm to midnight, Friday to Saturday 5pm to 1am. There's also a branch in Umeda south of Osaka Station at 2-5 Sonezaki (tel. 06/6361-3198; open daily 5pm-midnight).

Osaka International Peace Center

Located on the southern edge of Osaka Castle Park, this museum strives for global peace by educating present and future generations about the horrors of war, related by those who survived it. Unlike other museums in Japan dedicated to peace -- including those in Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- this one does not shy away from Japan's role in the Asian conflict, including its war campaign in China, the abduction of Koreans to work in dangerous areas, and massacres committed by Japanese in Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere. But its main focus is on wartime death and destruction, with personal testimonies of air raid survivors (15,000 people died during World War II air raids on Osaka), displays centering on the suicide attacks by kamikaze pilots at the end of the war, graphic photographs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the atomic bombs were dropped, and a section devoted to the horrors of the Auschwitz concentration camp. You'll probably spend 45 sobering minutes here.

oSAKA AQUARIUM

One of the world's largest aquariums it's constructed around the theme "Ring of Fire," which refers to the volcanic perimeter encircling the Pacific Ocean. Tours begin with a video of erupting volcanoes followed by an escalator ride to the eighth floor; from there, you'll pass through 14 different habitats ranging from arctic to tropical as you follow a spiraling corridor back to the ground floor, starting with the daylight world above the ocean's surface and proceeding past Antarctica, Monterey Bay, the Great Barrier Reef, and other ecosystems as you travel to the depths of the ocean floor. The walls of the aquarium tank are constructed of huge acrylic glass sheets, making you feel like you're immersed in the ocean. You'll see 35,000 specimens representing 380 species; stars of the show include whale sharks (the largest fish in captivity), Antarctic penguins, the odd-looking ocean sunfish (which has the circumference of a truck tire but is as flat as a pancake), and the Japan giant spider crab with its incredible 3m (9.8-ft.) span. Allow about 1 1/2 hours to tour the aquarium, avoiding weekends.

Museum of Oriental Ceramics

This modern facility, about a 15-minute walk south of Osaka Station on Nakanoshima Island in the Dojima River, is my favorite museum in Osaka. Indeed, its 2,700-piece collection of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese ceramics -- of which 300 are on display at any one time on a rotating basis -- ranks as one of the finest in the world. Built specifically for the collection, the museum does a superb job showcasing the exquisite pieces as the masterpieces they truly are, in darkened rooms that utilize natural light and computerized natural-light simulation. Korean celadon, Chinese ceramics from the Song and Ming dynasties, Arita ware from the Edo Period, and much more are on display. Even if you've never given ceramics more than a passing glance, you're likely to come away with a heightened sense of appreciation. You'll want to spend 30 minutes or more here.

Relaxing time!

Relaxing in onsen (spa) is a popular way to spend holidays in Japan. There are a lot of onsen all over Japan, so you may wonder which onsen to go. I posted 3 of the most popular onsen destinations for you. 1: The most popular spa resort in Hokkaido. Jigokudani (a volcanic crater) is located nearby. Access: JR Chitose line from Shin-chitose Airport to Minami-chitose station. JR Muroran line to Noboribetsu station. 2:One of the largest hot springs in Japan. Access: JR Agatsuma line Naganohara Kusatsu station. Take a bus to Kusatsu onsen stop. 3:Yuzawa is a famous ski resort in Japan. Access: JR Niigata shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-yuzawa station.