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The Glossary
"Moukarimakka (Are you making money)?" may be the first thing a visitor hears the moment he sets foot on Osaka. While the greeting may seem irritating to some, the locals can't be blamed: this salutation dates back to the city's centuries-old background as feudal Japan's trade and commercial powerhouse. The second most vital nerve center next to Tokyo, Osaka exudes the majesty and opulence its most popular shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu would have dreamt about.
Prosperous, booming, and undeniably eye-catching, are adjectives that befit this densely populated metropolis, as evident in its impressive collection of sky-soaring buildings, vehicle-congested streets, integrated networks of transport, and a generous helping of well-preserved historic architecture. The port town has also earned accolades as the Japanese Mecca of gourmet food. As striking as it is, even first-time visitors might find themselves feeling at ease in Osaka with the pleasant locals and tourist-friendly amenities.
No doubt the city's prime attraction is the towering Osaka Castle. Rebuilt several times by some of the country's most influential leaders, this titan was most recently reconstructed in 1931, almost three hundred years after it was struck by lightning and burned down. Barricaded by thousands of cherry trees, the palace complex encompasses turrets, courtyards, and shrines. A notable worship-house to visit is the Hokoku Shrine, dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Those who still feel claustrophobic in the extensive compound may want to visit the more scattered historic attractions in the city. One that might pique the interest of design enthusiasts and Shinto devotees is the Sumiyoshi Taisha, whose history dates back 1800 years into the past. It is perhaps the most important of the harbor-perched Sumiyoshi shrines. Another religious haven worth a visit is the Shitennoji Temple, one of the oldest in Japan and founded by the legendary Prince Shotoku. Just outside is a representation of Buddhist paradise, Gokuraku-jodo garden.
Nighttime in Osaka displays neon signs to light up and beckon locals and visitors to enter the world of great food and company. The city's most vivacious nightlife district Dotombori is a strip of pachinko arcades and seafood restaurants, ready to cater to several hundred customers a night.
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An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
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