Osaka 大阪

[Vapour]

Again, amazing pics by Nori, his site is full of breath-taking shots. I've selected, downsized and uploaded the best ones for you guys :cheers: All pics by Nori 2003 (c)

Osaka - Part 1

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-6.jpg

You've got to love this one: OAP building, kid and cat :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-7.jpg

Skyline Pictures

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-10.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-11.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-14.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-15.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-17.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mk-18.jpg

To be continued

[TYW]

i like the buildings, very modern. and the skyline looks HUGE :eek:

[De Snor]

Ladies and Gentlemen , finally it has arrived .
I've waited months for this and I enjoy this very much :okay:

btw : I am looking forward for the to be continued :D

[Vapour]

Originally posted by De Snor

Ladies and Gentlemen , finally it has arrived .
I've waited months for this and I enjoy this very much :okay:

btw : I am looking forward for the to be continued :D

You're welcome :D

Well, I'll post new pics soon. I'd like to reach enough replies to this thread to have a page 2 and post the pics then; otherwise it'd be too many pictures to load at once, poor 56kers :D

[alex92]

Originally posted by Vapour
poor 56kers :D

They still exist ? :D I thought they all have disappeared. Please, Save the 56kers, STOP POACHING, Save them :lol:


***No, this post is not useless, it contributes to the creation of the next page***

[Vapour]

Originally posted by alex92

They still exist ? :D I thought they all have disappeared. Please, Save the 56kers, STOP POACHING, Save them :lol:


***No, this post is not useless, it contributes to the creation of the next page***

:D

[Vapour]

Ok ok, 56kers please forgive me :D Next installment comes below:

Osaka - Part 2
Mizuno tower (157m) & Osaka World Trade Center (256m)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mizuno1.jpg

Mizuno from WTC

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mizuno2.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka-wtc21.jpg

Night view

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mizuno9.jpg

Stunning towers

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mizuno7.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_mizuno8.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_hi4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_wtc5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_wtc8.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_wtc10.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_wtc13.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_wtc16.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka-wtc22.jpg

:bow:

[waterloo]

Great pictures of osaka vapour! v^^

I dont think this was posted.
÷×ô¸ÊÈ Tsutenkaku???
http://dc2.donga.com/zero/data/travel_japan/PICT0079.jpg
http://dc2.donga.com/zero/data/travel_japan/Rotation_of_DSC00009.jpg

[TYW]

wow! i like the scrapers!

[dom]

i live in osaka, and i can tell you, its one hell of a city!

love the photos of the cosmotower - i have about 400 or so hi res photos of osaka but havent worked out the posting thang or how to do it yet.

[De Snor]

Originally posted by dom

i live in osaka, and i can tell you, its one hell of a city!

love the photos of the cosmotower - i have about 400 or so hi res photos of osaka but havent worked out the posting thang or how to do it yet.

You would do me a great favour when I could see those photos !!!!

@ Vapour , post some of those Osaka pics in the ROS section thread plz . This city needs much more attention imo !

[Vapour]

Part 3

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_feni1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_feni2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_feni4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_habisu2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_habisu5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_kanden2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_kanden3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_cha2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_city_t1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_city_t2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_dt1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_key3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_maru1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_maru4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_oap1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_oap_c5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_oap_c7.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_obp01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_orc2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_orc3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_orc4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_twin3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_umeda1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_umeda4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_usb_01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13osaka_usb_03.jpg

[De Snor]

Strange , since the forum underwent its changes the pictures are no longer visual !
I guess the former photogallery isn't uploaded yet.
Love to see part 3 tough ;)

[Puffdaddy]

so sad, no pictures... i wanted to see it too...

[alex92]

allo houston we have a 404 problem ^^

[Nick]

Vapour.

All im getting is Red Sqares from you.

Waterloo.Nice pictures of Osaka Tower mate.At the moment im working in Kawachi Nagano.I see that thing everday while I wait for my train at Shin Imamiya Station for Kyobashi.

Sorry guys I havent been online much lately.I now have Suzuki Skywave 250.Its keeping me busy.I will send you all lots of photos from my adventures around Kansai and beyond.

[Vapour]

Till the photopost gets fixed, we'll keep getting red crosses :cry:

[Vapour]

Hey wait a minute, no more red crosses, I'm seeing the stuff now :cool:

[Nick]

Nice pictures

Good to see such familar places on the forum

[HirakataShi]

It was cold today, I was surprised the weather had been so good during the week. Today I had to wear a coat when I rode into the city. Anyway, good pictures Vapour! Have you travelled to all these cities in Japan?

[Vapour]

Hirakatashi-san, I didn't take those pictures. I visited Osaka, Tokyo and Yokohama, but missed Kobe and Nagoya :cry:

[TYW]

one question, why are japan's skyscrapers so beautiful??

[Vapour]

:d :)

[De Snor]

I visited Osaka, Tokyo and Yokohama

When was that you lucky bird ?

This should have been there in the near future...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3020/33osaka_2008.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3020/3c2_1_b.jpg

That banner is huge , 200cm X 50cm :eek:

[Draff]

Here are some pics of the NHK building near Osaka-jo.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsong/misc/nhk.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsong/misc/3.jpg

[dom]

Japan does seem to have quite a few skyscrapers which are poorly designed but recently the quality has been improving....

In Osaka all of these are worthy of mention -

Rinku Gate Tower
WTC Cosmotower
Mizuno Tower
Swissotel
Umeda Sky Building
Namba Parks Tower
Tsutentaku Tower
Crystal Tower (in Kyobashi)
Canon Hq (Umeda)

All of these towers are good quality. If only Osaka city council had ensured that they were all clustered together in Umeda (apart from the ancient Tsutentaku tower) then this city would have one hell of a skyline. Even though Umeda isn't too shabby, it would have helped if the WTC Cosmotower, Mizuno Tower and Rinku Gate tower were located there.

Imagine Umeda with all of these....it would probably rival Singapore in the skyline stakes....

[Nick]

the NHK building is just awesome.I jog past it most days before work.Very nice structure.

I do believe there is a museum on Osaka's 2000 year old history in the lower part of the building.Has anyone been there?

[maxxam80]

i heard that they were planning to build a new city near osaka's new airport, and that the city was going to be divided up into special regions e.g all the residenbtial together and all the commerical together and all the induatrial together anyone else heard abut this??

[De Snor]

Check out the Rate-Our-Skyline section :
I've added some stunning pictures from Osaka

:dance2:

[chaos83]

The NHK building looks nice.

[Rail Claimore]

AWESOME! I love Osaka! My favorite city in Asia. I was there just 3 weeks ago and recognize where many of those pics were taken! I got friends who live in Kansai in Ikeda-shi and in the Sannomiya area of Kobe.

[aagos]

Vapour, the pictures are really breathtaking! Osaka looks a great city. Don't you have pictures of the Osaka Aquarium? I am searching for images of aquariums around the world, because I am doing a college paper...

[Nick]

Im not Vapour.But i live in Osaka.

If im down that way I will take some pictures for you and post them here on the forum

[aagos]

Im not Vapour.But i live in Osaka.

If im down that way I will take some pictures for you and post them here on the forum

Very kind of you to do it, Nick! But I am in a hurry, because I need to pass on my paper to my teacher urgently. I've read some subjects on Osaka on the web and found it stunning! I really like the eastern culture and I might study either Chinese or Japanese in the near future. Thanks!

P.S.: Let me know when you have the pictures in your hands, please!

[badar alhadabi]

i can not imagine city with this high fancy architectural plans. it reminds me with the carton movies that i saw when i was littel kid.

[Nick]

It is

All the cities in Japan remind me of Gajaman(G-Force),Atom Boy(Astro boy) and Star Blazzers(Yamato)

[aagos]

Nick, you didn't reply me anymore. Did you take the pictures of the Osaka Aquarium?...

[weirdo]

nice. i love the pics.

[Nick]

Nick, you didn't reply me anymore. Did you take the pictures of the Osaka Aquarium?...

No.I dont think I did

[dom]

I will post photos and information about the OCAT Namba redevelopment that is being built at the moment. There are 3 towers going up, one 15 storeys and the other two are 38 storey residential blocks.

[Nick]

I will post photos and information about the OCAT Namba redevelopment that is being built at the moment. There are 3 towers going up, one 15 storeys and the other two are 38 storey residential blocks.

Wow.That is just awesome.Namba needs more tall towers

[dom]

PRESENT NAMBA TOWERS

These are the completed towers in the Namba area.

1. Namba Parks Tower
Height 149 m 489 ft Floors 30 Construction 2003

2. Swisshotel Nankai
Height 147 m 482 ft Floors 35 Construction 1990

3. Laurel Court Namba
Height 99 m 325 ft Floors 28 Construction 2001

4. Kintetsu Shin-Namba Building (my workplace!)
Height 92 m 301 ft Floors 20 Construction 2001

New Buildings in Namba:

1. Renaissa Namba Tower
Height 138 m 451 ft (inc. helipad) (under construction) - around 15 floors now

2. Laurel Tower Namba
Height 133 m 435 ft (under construction) - around 17 floors now

3. Shinsaibashi Sogo Department Replacement Project
(under construction) 87m 287 ft - frame topped out at 14 floors now

4. Namba Marui Department Store - details are sketchy on this store. But they are building it at the moment opposite Takashimaya. Expect around 10 floors/200 feet at least however.

5. New OCAT office building - 15 floors, around 280 feet. (under construction - topped out, external cladding)

Here's some more Osaka news......

A new 14-story building with two basement floors will be constructed to house a commercial complex with specialty shops along with the Sogo outlet. Sogo's store space will be about 40,000 sq. meters, some 10,000 sq. meters larger than that of the old building.

Tokyo-based Marui Co. intends to open a 17,000-sq.-meter outlet in the southern Nanba district in autumn 2006.

Osaka Station redevelopment will probably have 2 50 storey towers and a giant Mitsukoshi store. This giant project will be completed by 2011.


UMEDA AREA UPDATE

1. Shin Kanden Building (KEP Company HQ) (Under Construction) 41F 195m (topped out, external cladding done, undergoing internal fit-out). This building is huge.

2. HERBIS Annex Office Tower (Under Construction) 28F 150m (topped out)

3. The UMEDA TOWER (Under Construction) 43F 148m

4. Sumitomo Seimei Nakanoshima Building (Under Construction) 28F 142m (5th floor)

5. Park Tower Osaka Nakanoshima Front (Under Construction) 32F *110m

6. Hilton Plaza West (Under Construction) 20F 100m (topped out)

7. Grand Suite Nakanoshima Tower (Under Construction) 27F 89m

KYOBASHI, OSAKA-JO AREA UPDATE

1. City Tower Osaka 50F 170m (undergoing internal fitout)

2. VIEQU TOWER Osaka(Under Construction) 35F 124m

3. Lions Mansion Osaka Sky Tower(Under Construction) 35F 123m

4. PLANE RENAI SPRINGS TOWER OSAKA (Under Construction) 35F 122m

5. Osaka Stock Exchange Building(Under Construction) 24F 117m

6. City Tower Horie(Under Construction) 32F *101m

7. APA Towers Osaka Tanimachi(Under Construction) 32F *101m

8. Kashima OBP Building(Under Construction) 22F *88m

9. Grand Maison Otemae Tower(Under Construction) 25F *84m

10. SuiteMark Kitahama(Under Construction) 24F *80m

OSAKA BAY AREA

1. X-Tower Osaka Bay (Under Construction) 54F 200m (next to the ORC towers)


TEMMABASHI AREA

1. Ikedacho Project (Under Construction) 28F *105m

2. Soars Tower(Under Construction) 24F 84m


TENNOJI

1. Abeno Grand Tour(Under Construction) 40F 144m (topped out, fit-out)

Miyakojima & Joto & Tsurumi Area

1. Royal Ark Grand Air Tower(Under Construction) 31F 107m

2. Maison D'or Miyakojima Sunlight Tower(Under Construction) 26F *85m

As you can see, there is shed loads of construction going on in Osaka. The source of most of my info is from;

http://osakanight.xrea.jp/index.htm

[Nick]

Holy sh%t man

That is so impressive.

Its so nice to get all this infomation from these areas I know so well and have lived in for over 5 years now.Great stuff dom!

Where in Umeda is the Shin Kanden Building ? .That's a big buliding mate.Its not the new constuction going on next to the Post Office and the Hilton Hotel?

[dom]

The Shin Kanden building is massive, brown, about 50 storeys, looks rather like the Namba Parks tower but way taller.

You can't miss it. It's right on the river opposite the Sumitomo HQ.

[Tnop]

man, i miss Osaka.

[Draff]

Wow, that's quite a lot of development. I'm surprised at the new Mitsukoshi being built considering that spending was down at the department stores.

[Draff]

oops nm

[AlexLinares]

Hello, very nice buildings! I like Japanese Skyline!

[skyperu34]

Wow, those Osaka pics are really amazing!!!!!!!!! good job.......besides, they're good quality!!!

[AlexLinares]

nice comments jhon!

[skyperu34]

nice comments jhon!


thanks brother !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marco Bruno]

:master:

[GUTO4EVER]

Huge city... Very modern... Buildings looks so great...

[dom]

Newsflash!

Marui's new deparment store in front of Takashimaya will be open in Autumn 2006 and looking from the render on the pdf file in the company report, it will be around 10 storeys high, and top out at around 200 feet tall.

The Laurel and Rennaisa Namba towers are now on about 24 and 20 storeys high respectively....they are adding about 1 floor every 7-10 days.

I expect them to top out early next year.

I will post some renders and photos of the towers u/c asap.

[dom]

Here's a run down of all the towers in Osaka over 100 metres which are under construction or very recently completed, with photos. Data courtesy of Skyscraperpage.com and http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/oosaka. The latter website has all the skyscraper projects in Japan which are under construction. An invaluable resource for the Japan forum!!!!

:cheers: :)

All the other photos are taken off the respective tower's publicity websites or scoured from the nether regions of the internet.

OSAKA'S New Towers over 100 metres.

In height order.

========================================================

1. X-Tower Osaka Bay クロスタワー大阪ベイ
1-3-1 Bentencho, Minato-ku
Osaka KK Japan

I haven't been to the site yet and I haven't seen this starting construction yet. However a website I have found shows it under construction. This is a very tall tower and will look good with the ORC 200 and ORC 160 towers, creating a cluster at Bentencho. I guess from the photo ground work is underway for this one, should see some real activity by the end of the year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/X-Tower.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/X-TowerOsaka.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/X-towerroughrender.bmp

Started: 2004
Finished: 2006
Floor Count: 54
Floor Area: 81,026 m²
Height - 200.4m/657ft

========================================================

2. KEPCO Headquarters 新関電ビル
3-1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku
Osaka KK Japan

A brand spanking new hq for the Kansai Electric Power Company. This building is topped out and practically complete. They are doing the internal fittings at the moment. It is lit up almost all the way to the top. A whopper of a skyscraper. Set to be a very impressive addition to the Osaka Umeda skyline when it is fully lit. The finish is brown marble, they haven't spared any expense with this one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/KEPCOTowerFinished.bmp

Started: 2000
Finished: Oct 2004
Floor Count: 41
Height - 195.0m/640ft

========================================================

3. City Tower Osaka シティタワー大阪
1 Kawaramachi, Chuo-ku
Osaka KK Japan

This is a very tall and slender residential tower which has just been completed near Honmatchi-Sakaisuji. It is currently the tallest residential tower in west Japan. It fits in nicely with the cluster, which includes the Resona Bank headquarters and the Kinokuniya Tower. It is lit up tastefully at night and is an asset to the skyline of Osaka with its identifiable green and white alternate horizontal striping.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/CityTowerOsaka.bmp

Finished: June 2004
Floor Count: 50
Height - 170.0m/558ft

=======================================================

4. HERBIS ENT Tower ハービス・エント・オフィスタワー
2-2-22 Umeda, Kita-ku
Osaka KK Japan

This tower has taken an age to build, but has been worth the wait. It opens next month. An extension to the HERBIS complex in Umeda, it is supposed to resemble the design of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. It succeeds admirably with its 'hat'-like stainless steel curving roof, complimenting the 3 'hats' on the top of the Ritz Carlton.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/HerbisPlazaUmeda.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/HERBISCOMPLEX.bmp

Started: 2001
Finished: Nov 2004
Floor Count: 28
Basement Floors: 4
Height - 155.8m/511ft

========================================================

5. The Umeda Tower 田駅 ィタワ
Tsurunocho, Kita-ku
Osaka KK Japan

Currently under construction, the last time I saw it the other week the builders had reached about 25 floors. I am not completely sure about the colour scheme on this one but I am keeping my fingers crossed. It should be topped out early next year. It is located to the East of the Umeda main cluster of buildings.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/TheUmedaTower.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/TheUmedaTowerperspective.bmp

Status: Under Construction. About 25 floors up.
Started: 2003
Finished: 2005
Floor Count: 43
Basement Floors: 1
Floor Area: 52,903 m²
Height - 148.4m/487ft

========================================================

6. Sumitomo Seimei Nakanoshima Building 住友生命中之島ビル
2-2 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku
Osaka KK Japan

This will be the new headquarters of Sumitomo Life Insurance. Part of the still mighty Sumitomo keiretsu; a trading house from Osaka, this will join the other Sumitomo offices on the Nakanoshima waterfront. They are taking their time over this one. Don't be fooled by the render, this is a heavyweight tower and is far bigger than it appears on it. The area around here is starting to feel a bit like Chicago with all the tall buildings and the rivers transversing them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/SumitomoSeinmie.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/SumitomoBldg.bmp

Status: Under Construction. About 20 floors up.
Started: 2002
Finished: Sept 2005
Floor Count: 28
Basement Floors: 2
Floor Area: 73,865 m²
Height - 141.6m/465ft

========================================================

7. Abeno Grand Tour Earth Tower

Another ridiculous, but hilarious name! I love Japlish...it keeps me going through any dark times during my stay here in Japan.

This was recently finished, in the up and coming area of Tennoji. It is quite uninspiring residential tower but significantly bulks up this seemingly continuously growing cluster. Tennoji is about a mile south of Namba and a big railway/office hub. It is the heart of working class Osaka, and all the more interesting for it. I have been up an adjacent tower to this and these are the best views to be had of Osaka in my opinion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/TennojiTower.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/ViewfromAbenoGrandTour.bmp

Floor count: 40
Height: 144.07m/472ft

========================================================

8. Renaissa Namba Tower ルネッサなんばタワー
2-2 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku
Osaka KK Japan

Serious Japanese efficiency going on here. The rate that this tower has been rising is phenomenal. Japan Inc. at its best. It is on floor 22 presently and has 2 massive red cranes attached to it. It already looks huge and will look more so when it is complete. This is part of the JR Namba redevelopment which will quickly transform the this area from a neglected backwater to an integral part of the Namba scene. This looks better in the renders than the Laurel Tower and is highly promising.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/RNToutline.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/RNTFlooruses.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/RNTday.bmp
Here is a render of the Renaissa tower on the immediate left, OCAT straight ahead and the rest of the build area in the JR Namba redevelopment.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/JRNambaredevelopmentday.bmp

Status: Under Construction. At the 22nd floor.
Started: Jan 2004
Finished: 2006
Floor Count: 38
Basement Floors: 1
Floor Area: 38,104 m²
Height - 138.2 m

=======================================================

9. Laurel Tower Namba ローレルタワー難波
1-2 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku
Osaka KK Japan

Another Japan Inc. job. This one has been rising even faster than the Rennaissa Tower. Close to a floor a week. Phenomenal. The floorplates on this tower are huge, it is very wide and gives a real feeling of being a true skyscraper when you look up at it. It is currently 25 floors high and will look awesome at full height.

I am a little worried about the finish on this one. That said the Lions Mansion Tower which was built recently looked awful until just before the end when they put the cladding on. And that was built by Kajima too. How the glass and stainless steel balconies are executed on this tower will determine whether it is an aesthetic success or not. It could be very impressive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/LaurelTowerNambarendering.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/LaurelTowerNamba.bmp
View from the top!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/LaurelTowerNambaskylinenight.bmp
A overview of the JR Namba development. From the air.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/JRNambaRedevelopment.bmp

Status: Under Construction
Start; Jan 2004
Finished: 2006
Floor Count: 39
Basement Floors: 1
Floor Area: 50,731 m²
Height - 133.4m/437ft

=========================================================

10. VIEQU Osaka - Sky Walker

Great name again! The Japanese outdo even themselves, they really do! You have just gotta love the name 'Sky Walker.'

'Where do you live?'
'Oh, the Sky Walker...'
'But of course!'

This tower, another luxury residential has just been started. It looks okay, nothing special, but further bulks up the Umeda/Nakanoshima area. The views from the apartments will be spectacular when it is completed, in 2006.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/VIEQUTOWER.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/V-Osakaresidentialtower.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/VIEQUTOWERSUNSET.bmp

Start Construction: Sept 2004
Finish Construction: Aug 2006
Floor Count: 35
Height: 124.4m/408ft

=======================================================

11. Super Inn Osaka.

A New Tower near Kyobashi. Looks good. I tried to translate the katakana and this is the name I came up with! I like the orange colour. I hope that they don't place it too near to Osaka-Jo however as it could seriously clash. This will bulk up the impressive cluster in Osaka Business Park.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/SuperInnsosaka.bmp

Start Construction: May 2004
Finish Construction: Jan 2006

=======================================================

12. Osaka Park Tower

There aren't any Parks which are worthy of the name near this new residential block but the name sticks. This is a new 35 floor residential tower that is u/c about 400 metres South East of the new KEPCO building.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/ParkTower.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/ParkTowerOsaka35floorsLarge.jpg


Start Construction:
Finish Construction: 2008
Floor Count: 35
Height: 122.44m/402ft

=========================================================

13. Osaka Mercantile Exchange Tower - New Building

Here is the rather nice design of the new Osaka Mercantile Exchange. This is currently battling it out with the Tokyo International Financial Futures Exchange (TIFFE) for supremacy. Well if you go by buildings, this one knocks the Tokyo Stock Exchange for six. It is very impressive and the building has been finished to a high standard.

The Osaka Mercantile Exchange itself was established on October 1,1997, after a merger of Osaka Textile Exchange and The Kobe Rubber Exchange.

The origins of the OME date to 1893 when the Osaka Yarn & Cotton Exchange was established, being followed by the birth of The Kobe Rubber Exchange in 1951.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/OsakaMercantileExchangerenderLarge.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/OsakaMercantileExchange.bmp

Start Construction: May 2002
Finish Construction: Dec 2004
Floor Count: 24
Floor space: 53,932㎡/500,000 sq ft.
Height: 116.79m/383ft


=========================================================

14. Fresh Temmachi Tower

This is nearly topped out and is being built near Uenohommachi. In a very good location. I'll reserve judgement on the finish until the tower is fully completed however. It looks pretty nondescript at the mo.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/FreshTemmachiTower.bmp

Start Construction: May 2002
Finish Construction: Mar 2005
Floor Count: 28
Height: 106m/347ft

=======================================================

15. Sanctus Grande Tower Shinsaibashi

This is being constructed right next to the Lions Mansion residential Tower which was only just completed a few months ago. Its multicoloured, which I am all in favour of....Osaka certainly needs more colour...any is welcomed with open arms.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/SanctusTowerShinsaibashi.bmp

Start Construction: June 2004
Finish Construction: June 2006
Floor Count: 33
Height: 105.5m/346ft

=======================================================

16. ISIZE Tower, Shinsaibashi

Yet another tower being built in Shinsaibashi. This one looks as though it could really be quite attractive if it is finished well. This again, is very close to the Lions Mansion Tower and the Sanctus Tower. This area of Osaka will be quite built up in the coming years and has a lot of potential.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/BWtowerShinsaibashi.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/ISIZETower.bmp


Start Construction: April 2004
Finish Construction: Jan 2006
Floor Count: 32
Height: 101m/331ft

========================================================

17. Hilton Annexe

This is a very classy piece of work and one of my favourite new buildings in Osaka. It took an age to build, it was topped out last November! But you can see why. It opens next month and the only downer is that it has a huge new Louis Vuitton store (groan). The whole building however (including the LV store) is beautifully built however and is stunning at night. A great tower.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/HiltonAnnexe.bmp

Start Construction: July 2002
Finish Construction: Nov 2004
Floor space: 44,000m2
Floor Count: 20
Height: 100m/330ft

=========================================================

PROJECTS

1. Nakanoshima Development Project 阪大病院跡地Ｂ街区

Details are a quite comprehensive for this new tower...just no design or architect yet... this is what I've dug up so far....it looks like being a biggie however :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/EmptysiteforNakanoshimascraper.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/Nakanoshimaemptysitefor185m.bmp

Start Construction: June 2005
Finish Construction: May 2008
Floor count: 52
Floor Area: 69,784m2/700,000 sq ft
Height: 185m/606ft

========================================================

2. Osaka Sankei Building

A tasty looking tower this one. As tall as the Umeda Sky Building and nearly as good looking. It will be located near the Ritz-Carlton, the Hilton Annexe and the Hilton Hotel in Umeda.

This is a lovely design and should spruce up the area well, complimenting the Hilton Annexe glass tower and contrasting against the stone finishes of the HERBIS towers. It will also have a concert hall...just what Umeda needs...it is far too much work and no play at the moment. This building will really improve the city.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/sankeiumedaskyscraper.jpg
This model gives you an idea of where this new cultural complex will be located...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/san-umeda03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/sanumeda-02.jpg

Start Construction: Aug 2005
Finish Construction: 2008
Floor Count: 30-32, can't tell from render.
Cost: 200 billion yen
Height: 170m/558ft


=========================================================

3. GATE Tower mk II.

The other 'Gate Tower' in Izumisano...opposite Kansai International Airport that was planned in 1993. I don't care if skyscrapers.com say that Izumisano is not Osaka.....this tower is in Osaka suburbia...no doubt about that. I wonder when it will get its twin?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/GateTowersDrawing.bmp

Start Construction: ????
Finish Construction: ????
Floor Count: 50+
Height: 245m+/840ft+

========================================================

I hope you enjoyed my post on Osaka's New Towers. After collating all these towers I am far more optimistic about my city's future than I was before. The real biggy for Osaka is the redevelopment of Osaka Station in Umeda. If this is done superbly, Osaka could be put on the international tourist map. I hope they pick something inspired for this.....they will only get one chance to make it good. I feel as though the city needs to focus development on Umeda and Namba....the impact of the business agglomerations shouldn't be diluted at all.

I will do another one on Osaka department stores in the next week or so. :)

Here's a couple of Nakanoshima and Umeda skylines along the river to finish.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/UMEDAWATERFRONT.bmphttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/Umedariver.bmp

[Vapour]

Great compilation dom! Indeed Japan is experiencing a building boom, Tokyo is a huge construction site right now.

[Jeeeb]

kool pics

[Jose Luis]

amazing projects, congratulations

[jimm]

Nice Osaka, as always :)

[Kaneda]

Amazing, there are some really cool towers among! :okay:

[lostgaijin]

i love this site and the pics...ah.. I miss the big city. Im stuck in wakayama now and all i do is use the net and dreams of other places in japan i would be better off spending my time. tallest building ive seen is a love hotel...lol :bash: i did make a site about life in japan lostgaijin (http://www.lostgaijin.com) and was glad to come across another site that wasnt looser vill like so many of the other forums...more power to ya.

[Nick]

Nice work Dom.

I didnt realise Rinku tower was originally planned to be two towers.Very cool gateway to Kansai if it ever gets finished

[RafflesCity]

wow great job dom!

now that there are 3, a cluster is forming
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/X-TowerOsaka.bmp

[dom]

Yeah that should be a nice cluster in Bentencho. I wish they'd just group all the towers in Umeda however.

Imagine if Umeda had the Gate tower, those 3 and the WTC Cosmotower - It'd be a world class skyline if it had those 3 as well. A missed opportunity in my view.

[gma]

North yard
http://www.geocities.jp/kyotokyo100/northyard.jpg

[Fragmentor]

wow, another STUNNING Japanese city!

[The Urban Politician]

Osaka and Chicago are sister cities!

Hi, my friends from Osaka!

Your city looks beautiful!

[Nick]

Yeah that should be a nice cluster in Bentencho. I wish they'd just group all the towers in Umeda however.

Imagine if Umeda had the Gate tower, those 3 and the WTC Cosmotower - It'd be a world class skyline if it had those 3 as well. A missed opportunity in my view.

THey should go much taller in Umeda.And build more behind Namba station,towards Den Den town

[Puffdaddy]

Appearently.. Hankyu rail company annouce to rebuild the Hankyu Hyakaten (department).. the one in front of Umeda station to a 185m office tower, second to a Harbi Osaka (190m). Planning to complete in year 2007... Keep it coming Osaka~

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~jj8k-nkmc/top-04.11.26.htm

sorry, only in Japanese...

[dom]

Re Osaka being twinned with Chicago.

In Namba Walk the city of Chicago has kindly donated about 30 high quality copies of the most famous paintings at the Chicago Museum of Art. A nice present, I see these high quality prints every day. :)

Great news about those 2 towers by the way. In the article I spotted another tower which would be 127 metres tall

This means Umeda will have close to the station....

KEPCO Headquarters [Nakanoshima 3-chome Pr..] 640 ft 41 2004

HERBIS Osaka [Nishi-Umeda Development..] 622 ft 40 1997

Umeda Sky Building [Shin-Umeda City] 568 ft 40 1993

Hankyu #1 190m/623ft (to structural top I think) and 186m/610ft to roof. 2007

Hankyu #2 127m/413ft

-----------------------------


To put Umeda really on the global map the city really needs to go big and original. It needs something that will really show Osaka off to the world. Twin or triple 1000 towers interlocking or something like that would be cool. Something original, which hasn't done before is key. They also need to be interlinked effectively with the station. I hope they come up with something great as this city deserves it!

[popo]

http://mary2003.web.infoseek.co.jp/osaka-other04-7.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/chayamatiyukei.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/sinumedan.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/osakaekimaeyukei.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/wumedan3.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/osakaekimaen.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/obpyukei.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/kitahama2.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osaka/orcs2.jpg

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osaka/miyakojimayukei.jpg

http://mary2003.web.infoseek.co.jp/osaka-other04-44.jpg

[popo]

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/nakanosiman.jpg

http://osakawalker.com/Images/city107/040813328.jpg

http://osakawalker.com/Images/city107/040813329.jpg

http://osakawalker.com/Images/city103/040704657.jpg

http://osakawalker.com/Images/city103/040710693.jpg

http://osakawalker.com/Images/city103/040710720.jpg

[pegasso]

hello from chicago

[pegasso]

japan is beutifull

[DamienK]

Wow, those last lot of pics are beautiful!

Anyone got pics of the Gate Tower, Japan's second tallest building?

[dom]

Gate Tower is pretty ugly to be honest. The WTC Cosmotower is stunning.

Hi from Osaka, I'm actually a Brit but when you live in Osaka it really feels like home! :)

PS. Chicago is a lovely city, I went there for 3 days in August 2001 and absolutely loved it. The Windy City definitely has the best modern architecture in the world. The Chicago River, Wrigley Building, Marina City, Big John, CBOT/CME and Sears are all amazing! Venice of the 21st Century.

[SUNNI]

it looks great at night :)

[roadtomadrid]

como mola¡¡¡¡ q suerte tienes de estar por alli ¡¡¡

[Tom_Green]

Osaka *g*
My next target.


Because i need a credit card to book a hotelroom i have to wait 2 weeks until my card arrives.

I will fly on the april 4th from Frankfurt via Dubai to Osaka. I spent 8 night in this exiting city. I want to visit Nara, Kyoto and Kobe.

I have some questions for the experts and locals. How is the weather in april in Osaka? Will i be abel to enjoy sakura?

I hope there are still enough seats in the plane and the hotel have some room left. I hate it to wait for a credit card >_<

[icy]

Very nice pics...

[elfreako]

Just wondering, does it ever snow in Osaka?

[mrgazpacho]

How is the weather in april in Osaka? Will i be abel to enjoy sakura?

In 2004 I was in Osaka on holiday at the end of March / beginning of April and there were still some sakura around. It depends on the weather of course. There was a bit of a cold front so the flowers stayed for a week longer than we thought - which was very lucky. Hopefully you will be lucky too. The plum garden at Osaka Castle was totally bare, however!

[Tom_Green]

In 2004 I was in Osaka on holiday at the end of March / beginning of April and there were still some sakura around. It depends on the weather of course. There was a bit of a cold front so the flowers stayed for a week longer than we thought - which was very lucky. Hopefully you will be lucky too. The plum garden at Osaka Castle was totally bare, however!

How long did you stay ?
How often did it rain ?
How high was the day temperature ?
How low was the night temperature ?
How was the view ?

[mrgazpacho]

How long did you stay ?
How often did it rain ?
How high was the day temperature ?
How low was the night temperature ?
How was the view ?

I was in Tokyo for 6 nights (March 25-30) , and Osaka for another 6 nights . The weather was very pleasant in general. Daytime temperatures could reach over 20 degrees Celsius on a sunny day. It was a bit overcast for one or two days, and it rained lightly for almost one whole day in Osaka (so I spent the day going from shop to shop in Den-Den town, looking at the gadgets), and one evening in Tokyo.

Night temperature was not too bad - the night it was raining, I walked the several blocks throug Shinjuku from The Part Hyatt Hotel (featured in the movie Lost In Translation) to the Keio Plaza Intercontinental in a howling gale (the rain was almost falling sideways), and I didn't feel frozen. I think that for a European, the temperatures would be fairly mild.

The sakura in Ueno park were very nice in that last week of March, and also along the moat of the Osaka Castle about one week later - although on my day trip to Kyoto on the last day, most of the flowers were already gone. I also suggest taking a day trip from Osaka to Himeji, which is the most authentic castle remaining in all Japan. If you are lucky, the sakura in the grounds will also be blooming then and form a very scenic frame for the castle.

[Tom_Green]

I have booked and this are the dates :

I will stay at the Namba Oriental Hotel from 8 - 16 April
The address of the hotel is 2 8 17 Sennichimae Chuo Ku


Does someone know the hotel or the street?

[mrgazpacho]

Sorry, mate, I've only stayed in the Kita (north) area of Osaka.

But I did find a travel site with a bit of information (including a rough map) here:

http://web.mytrip.net/portal/my/info_page_e.Eng?f_no=554

[skyscraper03]

http://dc1.donga.com/zero/data/city/osaka2.jpg http://dc1.donga.com/zero/data/city/osaka1.jpg

[-(･∀･)-(^｡^)-]

http://dc1.donga.com/zero/data/city/osaka1.jpg
／( ^｡^)／i want to see this large house in person＼(^｡^)＼

[Nick]

I love that one with the castle in it.My home is just behind it.

[Ekumenopolis]

Ah, what a great sight. I need to see it live, too.

[jap]

I wish the building of 500m to be built in Osaka.

[Vapour]

ようこそ jap!

500m for Osaka... mmmm your wishes sound really tall :D

[Alitamunich]

Hello everybody!

I did not post for a long time, now I see a lot of amazing new pics, thanx! Osaka looks much better than I thought!

I have a dilemma: my parents will visit my in 2 weeks :runaway: and we will make a domestic tour to Kyoto for 5 days. But we arrive in Kyoto at 13:45 and after we take a rest for lunch, the temples in Kyoto will be closed... so I decided to make a short half-day trip to Osaka.

I've never been there before, but I love skyscrapers, so I would like to get some advice on what to see in just half-day in the afternoon. Of course my parents would like to see Osaka castle, so Osaka business park and NHK Hall are all in the same area, right?

The pictures I like best are the very first ones in this thread, where are those buildings?

I guess the WTC is a little bit apart of Osaka castle and Dotombori, where I planned to have dinner.

What about Umeda Sky? I think it is well worth visiting, and it has a 1920's Osaka shopping mall in the basement, so it will make fun. But, are there any other attractions next to it? (I am not interested in temples, because Kyoto beats Osaka in that, ne?)

Sorry for the lot of questions, all suggestions will be wellcome.

Peace.

[Vapour]

Osaka-jo, OBP and the NHK hall will take that half-day ensoku you are planning, I don't think you'll have time for much else.

Si me mandas un privao te cuento algo más Alita :) Ta luego.

[Alitamunich]

Thanks, Vapour!
Well, I was not thinking of entering Osaka-jo, because I've heard it is kind of a futuristic museum inside and I prefer visiting original old castles ;)
Just take a walk aroud OBP, see the castle from outside and take a train to Umeda, about 18:00
In Umeda, visit the 1920's Osaka shopping mall and the observatory (if the sky is clear).
Finally, eat something in Dotombori about 20:00 and take a look around.
For me it is OK, maybe for my parents it is too much...
What would you people skip, Umeda or OBP? What do you like best? If it is raining, of course I would skip the Umeda observatory :(

Thanks for your advices!

[Jose Luis]

OSAKA LOOKS AWESOME!!

[popo]

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda3.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda4.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda5.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda6.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda7.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda8.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda9.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda11.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda12.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/umeda17.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima1.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima2.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima3.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima7.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima8.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima9.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nakanoshima10.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami1.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami2.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami4.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami5.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami13.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami17.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami18.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami25.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami26.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami27.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami29.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami31.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami36.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami42.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami43.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami44.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami47.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/minami48.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi1.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi4.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi10.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi9.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi14.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi16.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/kyobashi15.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nipponbashi2.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nipponbashi6.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/nipponbashi7.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/juso3.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/juso4.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/osaka/juso12.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka1.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka2.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka3.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka10.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka5.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka7.jpg

http://tamagazou.machinami.net/imege/suita/esaka8.jpg

[maxxam80]

wow nice pics

I hope you post more on these forums

[De Snor]

I wish the building of 500m to be built in Osaka.

give me 2 X 250m with a daring design instead :)

[Kanji]

名画。 ありがとうございます Vapour。

[De Snor]

Is there an organisation who gives information about a kind of masterplan for the city ?
I wanna know more of this place :yes:

Are there metrolines to be extended too ?

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/4092/img61020iv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/5465/img61174pq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/2114/img61333rn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/4294/img61433jz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/2104/img61777rh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/1103/img62805xe.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/1663/img62561bp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KENDO]

my trip in OSAKA*

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/7786/img62233ec.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/3650/img62098nf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/4092/img62127bg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Monkey]

^ Ooh... the view from the Umeda Sky Building at night. That's how I remember it. I went up there the same evening that I arrived. :)

[Mosaic]

Is Osaka the second biggest city in Japan?

[DoubleR]

^ Ooh... the view from the Umeda Sky Building at night. That's how I remember it. I went up there the same evening that I arrived. :)
Hey hey, when you come around to Tokyo again, do you wanna have a pint with me in the English pubs in Tokyo?

[DoubleR]

Curse of the Colonel - Osaka's Hanshin Baseball Hooligans

As with many other underachieving baseball teams, a curse is believed to lurk over the Tigers. After their 1985 Japan Series win, fans celebrated by having people who looked like Tigers players jump into the Dotonbori Canal. According to legend, because none of the fans resembled first baseman Randy Bass, fans grabbed a life-sized statue of Kentucky Fried Chicken mascot Colonel Sanders and threw it into the river (like Bass, the Colonel had a beard and was not Japanese). The statue was never recovered. The Tigers are therefore doomed to never win again until the Colonel is rescued from the river.

In 2003, when the Tigers returned to the Japan Series after 18 years with one of the worst records in the Central League, many KFC outlets in Kōbe and Ōsaka moved their Colonel Sanders statues inside until the series was over to protect them from rabid Tigers fans


And this year, when Hanshin won the game the fans all got naked in the town and assaulted the taxies and smashed them down. This is a tyical Osaka quality. :)

[_Vega_]

amazing !, it looks really modern

[Inabowl]

I like the design of the glass staircase in Shinsaibashi's Apple Store.
http://nikkeibp.jp/jp/pc/shared/20040827mitsui4.jpg

[Wagahai]

Umeda Skyline from Shinkansen
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3333626661663466.jpg

From Yodogawa-River-Area
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3639353732646138.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6164316631313833.jpg

From Apollo Bldg. in Tennoji, towards Bentencho (left) and Osaka Dome (right)
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3637663137323937.jpg
Nanba (left), Umeda in the background
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3965313264623063.jpg

From Osaka Ekimae Bldg. No.3, towrads Nishi-Umeda
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3035663766386464.jpg
towards Osaka Business Park (right)
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6464316233306536.jpg

From Hankyu Grand Bldg., towards Nishi-Umeda
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6165356661326438.jpg

From Bentencho, towards WTC
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3738393161663465.jpg

From WTC, towards Kobe
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3831363365636438.jpg
Umeda
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3036616135393734.jpg
Osaka City Skyline
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6631323235323436.jpg

[popo]

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/7/a/7a05532b.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/c/d/cd1efe50.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/9/8/9881de09.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/9/6/96fce9e3.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/d/1/d1697a1f.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/a/4/a44109f6.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/b/5/b5bac569.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/3/6/3659c090.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/5/5/554315b8.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/c/3/c33a32a8.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/3/8/38e166ed.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/f/e/fe9a978c.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/1/1/1123b41c.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/f/8/f8828a68.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/e/5/e5c4ab43.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/6/9/69101358.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/e/0/e0ae6b10.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/0/c/0cc1bf1d.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/9/0/9070befb.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/8/9/89bf48d2.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/d/c/dc7a4fe1.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/7/e/7e5461e6.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/c/9/c934097d.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/5/7/57044b60.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/1/e/1e5ba5ca.JPG

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/masatowakamatu/imgs/6/a/6a641f1c.JPG

[Ookido]

@Popo: Those pictures are amazing! Thanks a lot and happy new year!

[Rail Claimore]

I know where EVERY single picture in that Umeda post was taken from. :)

[boybleauXx]

Osaka's skyline is as magnificent as that of other Japanese cities

[hsark]

man osaka looks cool looks different from tokyo which is the best bit

[Skyman]

Ohhh, it's one of the stunning and booming city of Japan

[Mosaic]

Osaka's skyline is really stunning and massive.

[Mr. Osaka]

Awesome thread. Nice pictures (though some don't show up).

[coldstar]

Osaka to rebuild the prefectural government building at last!

architect: Kisho Kurokawa (famous for his Kuala Lumpur Intl' Airport, National Art Center Tokyo, Oita Dome, Toyota Stadium, etc)
height: 220m (45 floors)
commencement of work: 2008


FYI
Tokyo's government building
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/tokyo/to-243tokyo.JPG
(architect: Kenzo Tange, master of Kurokawa)

[Vapour]

^That's what I call GREAT news Coldstar :okay:

[dom]

Where will the government building be located? Umeda? Nakanoshima?

[vipermkk]

I love this kind of Japanese cities,comeliness,prosperity,neatness, and much more convenient than U.S. cities cause of the advanced public transportaion system.

[sushiElement]

found these... pretty nice :>

http://static.flickr.com/53/126302836_02e11ad429_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/9/134564798_184eb04bcb_b.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/45/121432022_25052b2de7_b.jpg

[Vapour]

Great news for Osaka:

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/oosaka/oo-179na.JPG

That beauty (179m) is the first tower unveiled for the Osaka freight station redevelopment.

http://www.ur-net.go.jp/west/osaka-ekikita/pdf/ur2006oek0015.pdf

[Tk101]

thats looks like the Blue rise tower from SC3 unlimited..
the one on the game was alot taller...

great building though

[JP_Neptune]

On pic #17 of popo's post - December 30th - I noticed on the ground floor of a building "Namco City", what is this exactly? A Namco megastore?

[juan camilo]

Excelentes fotografías, Japón es un país muy bonito, y su gente calida y amable. Un saludo muy especial desde Colombia para todos ustedes, recuerden que esta también es su casa.

[Vapour]

Muy amable, Juan Camilo.

[Blackraven]

On pic #17 of popo's post - December 30th - I noticed on the ground floor of a building "Namco City", what is this exactly? A Namco megastore?

Could most likely be a video arcade/game center.

--------------------------------

http://static.flickr.com/45/121432022_25052b2de7_b.jpg

Sweet Jesus!

Look at the effects on that building.

[De Snor]

Great news for Osaka:

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/oosaka/oo-179na.JPG

That beauty (179m) is the first tower unveiled for the Osaka freight station redevelopment.

http://www.ur-net.go.jp/west/osaka-ekikita/pdf/ur2006oek0015.pdf


Great news!
Is there a website about this freight station project ?

The PHOENIX TOWER :

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Phoenix_tower01_2816.jpg

[Mosaic]

Osaka is really much developed city.I'd love to visit there some day.

[dom]

Here's an article from the Mainichi Shimbun on the X-Tower, Japan's new tallest residential tower block which is nearly complete in Bentencho.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nation's tallest condo nears completion in Osaka

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The nation's tallest condominium is near completion in Minato Ward, Osaka.

Commanding a panoramic view of the city, the 200-meter-tall X-Tower Osaka Bay has 54 stories and surpasses the 185-meter-tall Elsa Tower 55 in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture. The building is scheduled to be completed in August.

Many firms have recently sold their unused plots of land in urban areas across the country, sending prices downward and creating a condominium construction boom.

A wide range of people, including seniors and those in their 30s and 40s, have been interested in living in a condominium in an urban area.

The average price of a unit at X-Tower Osaka Bay is 41.25 million yen, while the most expensive unit--163 square meters--is priced at 165.5 million yen.

According to the developers, most of the building's 456 units have already been sold.
(Jul. 8, 2006)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a couple of photos of this tower in April this year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/X-TowerDec2005200m657ft2006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/dominiccherry1/OsakaDomeandSunsetzoomedin.jpg

This tower will make quite a difference to the Bentencho cluster.

[KENDO]

my summer trip

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8886/img1747ub5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
SOME ART SURROUNDING THERE
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1644/img1750ft2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
LV
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/600/img1766wp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
NISHI-UMEDA
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9449/img1769vy5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
NISHI-UMEDA
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/4774/img1775jw5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
ATC
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7866/img1781jm2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
UMEDA SKY BUILDING
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8076/img1876xc3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
SOME ART UNDET THE HOLE OF FLOATING GARDEN
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/606/img1878zq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9053/img1903ab7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
TENNOJI ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5120/img1928lz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
TENNOJI ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8770/img1945bs9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
THE SHOP OUTSIDE TSUTENKAKU TOWER
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/8673/img1887ib3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
INSIDE MALL AT OSAKA DOME
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6066/img1968uj6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
OSAKA PORT
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/4448/img2002xi5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
OSAKA PORT
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/266/img2026ry8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
FENDI
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3841/img2036kw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Dior
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/5251/img2037ou7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[bonixx]

Wow! very impressive pictures of megapolis Osaka!
Visit my Place Lucena City,Philippines a investor friendly city thank You.

[Downtown Mark]

I took this from Osaka castle last year. http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/downtownmark/DSCF0008.jpg

[umbe84]

Great pic downtown Mark!

have u got more?

[Downtown Mark]

I'll ask my wife can she send me more then i'll be so happy to paste them ;) Thanks alot too.

[coldstar]

Great news for Osaka:

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/oosaka/oo-179na.JPG

That beauty (179m) is the first tower unveiled for the Osaka freight station redevelopment.

http://www.ur-net.go.jp/west/osaka-ekikita/pdf/ur2006oek0015.pdf

The building above is the first in huge freight yard redevelopment of Osaka Station.
and the succeeding 3 buildings have been announced officially.
http://nfm.nikkeibp.co.jp/fa/free/news/20061101/500573/kita1.JPG
http://nfm.nikkeibp.co.jp/fa/free/news/20061101/500573/kita2.JPG
These buildings are the first phase of Osaka station redevelopment by Mitsubishi. The second and third phases are much bigger!

[Eddy C]

Very nice. I like these renders with a parade. It looks like there is a big new road on the area. I assume that the last picture is a view the JR station side.

[Ryuhei]

Osaka Business Park, in Kyobashi Area:
Nature and skyscrapers in a single picture, a perfect combination :okay:

http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/960/kyobashicto6.jpg

[Ryuhei]

Here is the BIG image of Osaka business park

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1112/kyobashidah6.jpg

[Vapour]

Osaka station redevelopment :drool:

[Mosaic]

Osaka station project is so stunning!!

[vtower]

Great news for Osaka! I didn't even know such a large scale redevelopment! :)

[kiku99]

Osaka station project is so stunning!!
yeah. wow:eek:

[ALKUN]

WOW !!!!
ALSO OSAKA IS GOING UP WITH NEW TOWERS:banana:

IT'REALLY A NICE CITY.:)

I JUST DON'T LIKE OSAKA TOWER. IT LOOKS REALLY OLD.
THEY NEED A NEW ONE JUST LIKE THE ONE THEY GONNA DO IN TOKYO.

[thecarlost]

what does (in romanji) "KOKOMATE" means?


ref: first picture.

[mrgazpacho]

what does (in romanji) "KOKOMATE" means?


ref: first picture.

Obviously the sign it's attched to means "No Entry".

Literally, "koko" is "here", and "made" is "as far as". So the phrase is "as far as here" - but no further, of course :)

[coldstar]

Osaka Umeda's Hanshin Department Store (HQ) to be rebuilt!
new department store building is 41 (above ground) stories!

[Renato Leao]

I know that

[Renato Leao]

I live in Ashiya city btwin Kobe and Osaka
please see my page ok

[The Cebuano Exultor]

My God! I'm so jealous!

How on Earth can Japan continue to build boxes and yet each of them still remain spectacular, magnificent and elegant-looking!

While the rest of the world try hard to outdo one another in building ever more audacious and majestic projects from China to Dubai, Japanese cities like to stick to the basics and still manage to astound us with these bold and grand and yet stubbornly conservative and uniquely minimalist architecture. I just love post-Modern Japanese architecture.

If there's another thing I've noticed...it's the fondness of redevelopment projects by the Japanese. I like this idea. It can better address the problems of excess capacity brought about by overconstruction.

WOW!

[De Snor]

Pictures from urbanflyer from SSP

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/304505013_f0460144dc_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/241437508_462e8593f1_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/182497117_0551bdc46a_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/83/239106696_eb4e52d40d_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/285673721_dc35b79d94_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/278752596_72ad9d2db0_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/304968874_aea1b84a9e_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/107/304969035_8f54c7ed2c_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/102300985_bee5536226_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/298670395_df81626f88_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/303149019_8a2fafcd78_o.jpg

[De Snor]

some Osaka videos:

http://www.osaka-bbnet.jp/cityguide/minami.html

http://www.osaka-bbnet.jp/cityguide/bay.html

http://www.osaka-bbnet.jp/cityguide/kita.html

:)

[dom]

Wicked photos. I used to live in Osaka for a couple of years so I'll post my best stuff on this thread in the next week or so...

[onmyoji]

great..thank u.

[takiro]

大阪は非常に現代都市である

[Saigoneseguy]

I've just read about the Tokai earthquake...scary

[Blackraven]

Osaka Umeda's Hanshin Department Store (HQ) to be rebuilt!
new department store building is 41 (above ground) stories!

Jesus!

41 stories just for a department store?!?!?!?!?

I mean 10 stories is already VERY HIGH/VERY TALL by current standards.

Maybe it includes a mall in it (along with the department store as one of the main areas). What if the mall only takes up like 5-10 then the other 25-30 floors/stories are for office use?

But seriously coldstar, are you telling me/us that those 41 stories/floors will all be used for the mall (and not just a small portion)?

Is this really an attempt to build the WORLD'S TALLEST SHOPPING MALL EVER?

[coldstar]

Jesus!

41 stories just for a department store?!?!?!?!?

I mean 10 stories is already VERY HIGH/VERY TALL by current standards.

Maybe it includes a mall in it (along with the department store as one of the main areas). What if the mall only takes up like 5-10 then the other 25-30 floors/stories are for office use?

But seriously coldstar, are you telling me/us that those 41 stories/floors will all be used for the mall (and not just a small portion)?

Is this really an attempt to build the WORLD'S TALLEST SHOPPING MALL EVER?

Yes, right.
Hanshin Department Store will occupy the lower floors and the higher floors will be used as offces.

Osaka Station area (called 'Umeda') is at the cutting edge of the retailing competition more than Tokyo.

Hankyu Department Store is also being rebuilt into 187m tower (41 stories).
http://www.geocities.jp/toolbiru/topic/hankyu-tatekae02.jpg
Osaka Staion's North Tower is now under construction. (150m. 28 floors)
Mitsukoshi Department Store is to be the tenant of it.
http://birukan.fc2web.com/jj8k-nkmc/osakaeki-kitabiru2.JPG
Osaka Station's South Tower (122m. 27 stories) is now under refurbishment and its annex (15 floors) is under construction.
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/images/oosaka34.JPG
Daimaru Department Store is to move in the annex as well as South Tower.

[castermaild55]

I like this pic of Osaka
http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/29000/20070128116991545007311200.jpg

[castermaild55]

I found there is no Nanba parks.

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pvillage/42000/20070206117072534353700800.jpg

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~maxim/contents/column/nanba_parks01.jpg

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~maxim/contents/column/nanba_parks03.jpg

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~maxim/contents/column/nanba_parks02.jpg
there is an interesting flash
http://www.obayashi.co.jp/featured/vol12.html

[coldstar]

According to Nikkei, St. Regis Hotel will open in Osaka in 2009.
St. Regis is the top brand of all the hotels of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Group (St.Regis, W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton, etc.) . St. Regis Hotel Osaka will be the third St.Regis in Asia after Shanghai and Beijing. St.Regis Osaka is to be built on Osaka's main avenue, Midosuji. The height will be 140m (27 floors)

[coldstar]

New attraction of Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka comes next week
It's Holloywood Dream the Ride
It's Asia's first roller coaster you can experience 'minus gravitational world'!
And you can choose your favorite music with individual audio equipment of the seat during the ride (world's first), and relax in new concept classy seat.
http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/05/0a/7192b9df7e41e8bb6d06f0ac94e76769.jpg
http://www.mainichi-msn.co.jp/kurashi/travel/tabinews/news/images/20070207org00m100049000p_size6.jpg

[Nobunaga73]

According to Nikkei (3/7) there is a plan afoot to construct two twin 140 meter towers atop Yodoyabashi station in Chuo-ku, Osaka. This would involve the redevelopment of Nittochi Yodoyabashi Building/Tokyo Tatemono Osaka Building (East Side) and a group of smaller buildings on the west side, including Sumitomo Seimei Yodoyabashi Building/Osaka Tougin Building. The project would complete in 2011 in time to compete with the Umeda Freight Yard redevelopment.

Osaka City has essentially decided to relax building height restrictions in two regions along Midosuji Boulevard, including the areas near Yodoyabashi and Honmachi stations. The St. Regis project listed above would also take advantage of the loosened restrictions in order to construct a 27-storey building.

[van_gogh]

where is that Osaka Castle photo taken? anyone knows?

[Nobunaga73]

where is that Osaka Castle photo taken? anyone knows?

It looks to me like it was taken from Crystal Tower. There is a cafeteria on the upper floors that has the same view.

[Vapour]

Welcome to our forum Nobunaga73 :)

[Nobunaga73]

Cheers, Vapour. There is a lot of great information here. I'll try to contribute what I can.

[Waldenstrom]

i'm in awe!

[giovani kun]

kantan ..sugoi..kono shashin ha ...ehhh ...domo arigatou gozaimasu castermaild55 :cheers:

[Nobunaga73]

Sunset in Umeda.
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3237/img0239hn2.th.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0239hn2.jpg)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2603/img0241yi2.th.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0241yi2.jpg)

[Vapour]

Nice shots Nobunaga :)

[coldstar]

New redevelopment project in Osaka unvailed today.
Twin tower is to be built in Nakanoshima Island in downtown.
Due to the height restriction of Osaka Airport, the height of the new office towers would be about 200m both, but almost the same size of Grand Towers of Tokyo Station.
http://www.asahi.com/kansai/news/image/OSK200704020094.jpg
Many projects are going on in Nakanoshima Island, and new underground line (Keihan Nakanoshima Line) is to be comleted in 2009 through there.

[coldstar]

Osaka is the Top Real Estate Investment Market in the World

WASHINGTON (March 21, 2007) – The global gateway metropolitan areas of Osaka, New York and Washington rank as the top three markets worldwide for real estate investment prospects this year, according to an analysis by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

ULI and PwC are conducting an analysis of global markets that show the most promise for real estate investment, and those most promising for development, based on recent Emerging Trends in Real Estate® reports co-published by the two organizations. The three reports used for the analysis cover the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and are based on surveys of top industry professionals regarding their expectations for market conditions in 2007. The analysis shows a few overlaps, but also substantial differences in those markets considered best for investment versus those considered best for development.

The top ten investment markets worldwide include five from the Asia Pacific region, three from the United States and two from Europe. In addition to Osaka, New York and Washington, rounding out the top ten are Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles, Singapore, Taipei and London. On a scale of one to nine, Osaka received the highest rating—6.75—for real estate investment prospects. London, ranked tenth, received a 6.48 rating. In each city, some types of properties were considered better investments than others.

Each of the top investment markets include at least some of several distinguishing characteristics, including: locations along global pathways with major international airports and harbor ports; 24/7 living and working environments; attractive settings in reasonably comfortable climates; geographic barriers limiting sprawl; and brainpower jobs attracting an affluent, highly educated workforce. “The global economy is determining where companies and people need and want to be,” said ULI President Richard Rosan. “Clearly, location is becoming ever more important in real estate investing.”

In terms of development prospects, the top ten markets worldwide include six from the Asia-Pacific, two from the United States and two from Europe: Ho Chi Minh City ranked first, followed by Bangalore, Shanghai, Istanbul, Mumbai, Tokyo, Guangzhou, Washington, Moscow and New York City. On a scale of one to nine, Ho Chi Minh City rated 7.00; in comparison, New York rated 6.44. The development markets not also in the investment ranking tend to be growth-oriented emerging markets, Rosan noted. “Many of the emerging markets are experiencing explosive population growth, rapid urbanization, a rise in capitalism, and rising worker incomes,” he said. “These factors are fueling strong demand for housing, retail and office space.”

Emerging Trends is one of the most widely respected and anticipated forecasts for the real estate and land use industry. Each version—for the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific—reflects interviews with and surveys of hundreds of the industry’s elite, including investors, developers, property company representatives, lenders, brokers and consultants. “The reports are an invaluable resource, because they provide unbiased, comprehensive views of investor interest and sentiment on a global basis,” said William E. Croteau, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Global Real Estate Assurance and US Real Estate Sector Leader.

Some highlights from the Emerging Trends reports on each of the top investment markets:

Osaka: Japan’s economic recovery has facilitated increasing office and retail demand in Osaka…Osaka’s industrial/distribution buy percentage is the highest among the Asia Pacific markets. Percentage of “buy” recommendations by property type: industrial/distribution, 70 percent; retail, 65 percent; office, 63 percent; hotel/resort, 48 percent; apartment residential, 46 percent.

New York: Midtown prices and rents soar…the office market is tight…few site and off-the-charts land prices make development difficult…Absent a stock market debacle, the Big Apple should hold its own. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: warehouse, 50 percent; office, 42 percent; retail, 42 percent; apartment residential, 53 percent.

Washington: The federal government keeps growing and more businesses want to feed from the taxpayer trough, a traditionally potent combination for limiting downside risk. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: apartment residential, 46 percent; retail, 42 percent; warehouse, 38 percent; office, 33 percent.

Shanghai: Retail is the number-one buy sector (in China) and growing affluence in Shanghai should continue to propel this sector. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: retail, 70 percent; hotel/resort, 64 percent; industrial/distribution, 62 percent; office, 59 percent; apartment residential, 32 percent.

Tokyo: Tokyo is on a confirmed recovery path…survey respondents give the city significant buy percentages for industrial/distribution, retail and office property sectors. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: retail, 72 percent; industrial/distribution, 67 percent; office, 64 percent; hotel/resort, 52 percent; apartment residential, 42 percent.

Paris: Paris maintains the number-one ranking (in Europe) with risk-adjusted total return prospects higher than the previous two years. Economic stability and sustainability are two major reasons. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: retail, 57 percent; office, 54 percent; industrial/distribution, 42 percent.

Los Angeles: This market has rock-solid fundamentals and good job growth. Even the ‘surprisingly more vibrant’ downtown performs ‘fairly well’ and ‘light years ahead of the recent past.’ Percentage of “buy” recommendations: apartment residential, 53 percent; warehouse, 49 percent; office, 41 percent; and retail, 41 percent.

Singapore: The market maturity of Singapore is evident; in fact, Singapore property firms are now exporting their management expertise and financial resources to other Asia Pacific markets. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: office, 71 percent; hotel/resort, 55 percent; apartment residential, 50 percent; retail, 48 percent; industrial/distribution, 35 percent.

Taipei: Rental-producing properties will be the mainstream for the next two years, such as office and retail. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: hotel/resort, 64 percent; office, 57 percent; retail, 50 percent; industrial/distribution, 36 percent; apartment residential, 36 percent.

London: Respondents ranked London first (lowest) in city risk and first for rent growth prospects, reflecting once again optimism for property value trends supported by income growth. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: office, 40 percent; industrial/distribution, 29 percent; retail, 27 percent.

Some highlights from the Emerging Trends reports on each of the top development markets (excluding those already listed as top investment markets):

Ho Chi Minh City: The entire spectrum of foreign demand, from foreign direct investments, multinational enterprises, and international retailers, is flooding into one of Vietnam’s major cities. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: hotel, 73 percent; industrial/distribution, 64 percent; retail, 64 percent; office, 64 percent; apartment residential, 53 percent.

Bangalore: Several interviewees mention Bangalore as a ‘best location’ for most commercial property types. Office vacancy rates are in the low single digits…and retail looks to stabilize. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: retail, 70 percent; apartment residential, 67 percent; hotel/resort, 64 percent; office, 54 percent; industrial/distribution, 50 percent.

Istanbul: Istanbul’s stock is rising with survey respondents as the market continues to move up an evolutionary path towards global integration and maturity. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: industrial/distribution, 69 percent; retail, 63 percent; office, 56 percent.

Mumbai: Compared with other Asia Pacific cities, Mumbai ranks among the top “buy” cities for each property sector. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: retail, 79 percent; hotel/resort, 75 percent; apartment residential, 67 percent; office, 64 percent; industrial/distribution, 57 percent.

Guangzhou: Guangzhou is…attracting interest now as prices there are relatively cheap for a first-tier city. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: apartment residential, 50 percent; industrial/distribution, 46 percent; retail, 45 percent; hotel/resort, 44 percent; office, 43 percent.

Moscow: Headline news of continued and significant growth in prime office rents, constrained supply and increased demand for most property types have caught the attention of more foreign and domestic investors and developers. Percentage of “buy” recommendations: retail, 72 percent; industrial/distribution, 65 percent; office, 53 percent.

(Emerging Trends: www.uli.org)
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and building sustainable and thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 35,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 140,000 people in 149 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

[coldstar]

Spec of a tower now under construction in Kitaha of Osaka city is unveiled.
Name: Kitahama Tower & Plaza
height: 209m (54 floors)
architect: Hisato Tanabe
sketch:
http://www.haseko-hub.co.jp/kansai/sinki/kitahama209/concept/image/03/ill_01.jpg

[Vapour]

^Didn't know a word about that one. Thanks.

[coldstar]

Reconstruction project of Kintetsu Department Store Abeno HQ in Osaka City revealed.
New Kintetsu Department Store is 260m high (40 floors).

[coldstar]

Shin Hankyu Bldg in Osaka Umeda is to be rebuilt.
According to the news two days ago, the height of the new building is 187m. Thus, this building is to be one of the triple towers yet-to-be-built in Umeda.

[Nobunaga73]

coldstar, do you have a link to any articles (Japanese is fine) about the Kintetsu project that lists the height as 260m? The articles I've seen haven't included any information on a tower, just the expansion of Kintetsu Department store.

ETA: I found an article listing the height as 280m. That seems far too tall for 40 floors, don't you think? Even considering higher ceiling heights for the department store portion. That would also make it the tallest building in Osaka.

Also, the Shin Hankyu Building project you mention -- is that IN ADDITION to the tower that is scheduled to complete in 2009, or the same project? I've done Google searches to try and find mention of an additional project, but that is the only one I can find.

Cheers.

[Vapour]

近鉄百貨店　広さ日本一
阿倍野本店　８万８０００平方メートル構想

　近鉄百貨店は１１日、阿倍野本店（大阪市阿倍野区）の一部を建て替え、売り場面積を現在の６万８０００平方メートルから８万８０００平方メートル以上に増床する構想を発表した。完成すれば松坂屋名古屋本店（８万６７５８平方メートル）を抜き日本一の広さとなる。

　建て替え対象は西側の旧館部分（売り場面積約３万平方メートル）。ビルの貸主である近畿日本鉄道が高さ２８０メートル、４０階建て超高層ビルに建て替えを検討している。近鉄百の構想は、この下層階を百貨店とし、売り場面積を少なくとも２万平方メートル以上拡張するものだ。８月までに増床計画をまとめ、来年の着工を希望している。この構想に伴い、０８年度までに約１３０億円をかけて阿倍野本店を全面改装する計画は中止する。

　大阪市内では阪急百貨店梅田本店建て替えや大丸梅田店の増床、三越大阪店の再出店などの計画が相次いでいる。１１日に大阪市内で記者会見した近鉄百の中川文雄社長は「商業集積を高め、大阪のキタやミナミに対抗したい」と述べた。

（2007年4月12日 読売新聞）

280 metres for a Department store? Holy smokes!

[Blackraven]

280 metres for a Department store? Holy smokes!

Maybe it's only the lower floors that house the department store......while the middle and upper floors cater to offices/businesses (like what coldstar said for Hankyu and Hanshin department stores)

Maybe....

[Nobunaga73]

I would be very surprised if the upper portion is used for office/commercial facilities -- there is simply no demand for that type of building in this area. Much more likely is another "tower mansion". And it is almost certain that the department store will comprise only the lower floors.

However, any way you look at it, 280 meters for 40 floors is hard to calculate -- the lower floors (department store portion) must have very high ceilings indeed!

[Brunynha]

Great pictures ! I love!

[ROYU]

Osaka is really impressive. I has a lot of nice projects. The Station redevelopment is amazing.

[japanese001]

Nintoku Burial Mound

The the fifth century time
486m in length, 305m in width, 33m high

I am considered to be the Imperial property
and forbid registering itself with a world heritage.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5184/t1uy7.jpg

[coldstar]

Osaka's new shopping tower, Nanba Hips
(u/c. designed by Shin Takamatsu)

http://kenplatz.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/building/news/20070215/504717/np53.jpg
The tower is equipped with Free fall amusement facility!

[Blackraven]

Osaka's new shopping tower, Nanba Hips
(u/c. designed by Shin Takamatsu)

http://kenplatz.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/building/news/20070215/504717/np53.jpg
The tower is equipped with Free fall amusement facility!

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!!!

That is one mind-blowingly radicalist building. I've never seen anything before that goes beyond such convention. From the looks of it, it's like it's two centuries AHEAD OF ITS TIME.

Unbelievable. :nuts:

[Kauã]

Osaka's new shopping tower, Nanba Hips
(u/c. designed by Shin Takamatsu)

http://kenplatz.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/building/news/20070215/504717/np53.jpg
The tower is equipped with Free fall amusement facility!


link:
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/220074/

[Eddy C]

You are right Blackraven. Often you see renders like this on SSC but they are never build in the near future. As it is u/c I believe it and look forward to see it myself in October on my next trip. Is it opened yet then?

[Blackraven]

You are right Blackraven. Often you see renders like this on SSC but they are never build in the near future. As it is u/c I believe it and look forward to see it myself in October on my next trip. Is it opened yet then?

From the link Kaua posted:
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/220074/

http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0090.jpg
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0086.jpg

Judging by the pace of its construction, it's definitely going to be opened this year.

:)

[Nobunaga73]

From the link Kaua posted:
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/220074/

http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0090.jpg
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0086.jpg

Judging by the pace of its construction, it's definitely going to be opened this year.

:)

I don't like it -- I think it's a gimmicky building that will soon look terrible. In 10 years it will be quite the eysore.

[Blackraven]

I don't like it -- I think it's a gimmicky building that will soon look terrible. In 10 years it will be quite the eysore.

I guess it's just an acquired taste then. Different strokes for different folks.

For me, I actually hail its construction as it is a structure that goes away from the convention of Japanese building design (which tend to be too boring once in a while).

I'm quite anticipated for the opening of this place as a symbol of construction going beyond convention (like those gakuen towers there building in various areas of Japan)

[Justme]

I quite like that building as well.

[coldstar]

renders and models of Osaka Station reconstrcution

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/4000/20070512117897732203145700.jpg
http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/4000/20070512117897726121257800.jpg
http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/4000/20070512117897729966510000.jpg
http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/4000/20070512117897727478629200.jpg

[mrgazpacho]

renders and models of Osaka Station reconstrcution


Huge!

It's already so easy to get lost in there... :nuts:

[LordMarshall]

wow it looks amazing...

[andorea]

良いなぁ！

[ALKUN]

AWESOME :)

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/4000/20070512117897729966510000.jpg

[33457]

Osaka is a slum. A South East Asian taste slum with South East Asian faced Yakuzas. The most horrible city in Japan.

[Blackraven]

Osaka is a slum. A South East Asian taste slum with South East Asian faced Yakuzas. The most horrible city in Japan.

I wouldn't say that just yet.

Of course there are bad people there (majority of bad/indecent people are from there). BUT....

It doesn't mean that it is a major slum nor is it something like a "hell in Japan".
Heck, if you've been paying attention to this thread, then you will have seen the improvements that Osaka has made since the start of the new millenium.

On a serious note though, your post clearly indicates flamebait. You should be aware that posts like the one you wrote above aren't allowed here.:ohno:

If you can't do something as simple as that, then I suggest that you stop posting on SSC and leave ASAP.

[Draff]

I would just ignore him. Reading his posts in the other threads, it's pretty clear what his motive is. :bash:

[Vapour]

This guy is a pain in the ass.

[wolf18]

so cool,he

[Hanshin-Tigress]

Namba My city!!
http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/942/japan015qi0.jpg
Tooken by me :)

[giovani kun]

the picture is nice :)

[LegEnd]

Namba My city!!
...
Tooken by me :)

I wouldn't like to be driving there, I just wouldn't be able to keep my eyes on the road, so much going on!!!


On the station reconstruction plan, I'm loving the whole is it inside/is it outside thing going on there.

[Blackraven]

Here's a few construction updates on that new shopping center/department store:

http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0073.jpg
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0075.jpg

[coldstar]

unfamiliar architectures in Osaka

Maishima Garbage/Sewage Plant
designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

http://osakanight.xrea.jp/night_view/photo/maishima13.jpg

Osaka Maritime Museum
designed by Paul Andreu

http://osakanight.xrea.jp/night_view/photo/maritime02.jpg

Osaka Museum of History
designed by Cesar Pelli

http://www2.dokidoki.ne.jp/tomura/image2/osaka95.jpg

The National Museum of Art Osaka
designed by Cesar Pelli

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SilkRoad/4318/osakakokusaibijyutsukan.jpg

[Blackraven]

unfamiliar architectures in Osaka

Maishima Garbage/Sewage Plant
designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

http://osakanight.xrea.jp/night_view/photo/maishima13.jpg

Osaka Maritime Museum
designed by Paul Andreu

http://osakanight.xrea.jp/night_view/photo/maritime02.jpg

Osaka Museum of History
designed by Cesar Pelli

http://www2.dokidoki.ne.jp/tomura/image2/osaka95.jpg

The National Museum of Art Osaka
designed by Cesar Pelli

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SilkRoad/4318/osakakokusaibijyutsukan.jpg

Ey coldstar,

I can't see the rest of your pics (only one) :(

[EduGL]

beautiful pics of Osaka.

[Kauã]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2403/dsc0132brj3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2281/dsc0135eg3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3750/dsc0139fq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[The Cebuano Exultor]

^^ That's some weird looking building! :D

[Blackraven]

^^ That's some weird looking building! :D

I actually like it....because it is unique.

It goes away from the the boring Japanese structure design of boxy looking buildings.

This one is at least more lively in design and aesthetic.

This will shopping center will be finished before Christmas of this year. :)

[Ryuhei]

What is this project? Any relation with that Namba Hips?
I found it here: http://building-pc.cocolog-nifty.com/helicopter/2007/07/post_f49a.html
Could you translate? :)

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/7331/zzzosakaprojectxap6.jpg


The Namba Hips is on the right side of this image:
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6029/zzznambaes8.jpg

[Leo18]

Q linda ciudad!
me encantaria conocer Japon!
conozcan BUENOS AIRES! es una ciudad hermosa!
www.bsas.gov.ar

[Ryuhei]

What is this project? Any relation with that Namba Hips?

I found it here: http://building-pc.cocolog-nifty.com/helicopter/2007/07/post_f49a.html
Could you translate? :)

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/7331/zzzosakaprojectxap6.jpg


The Namba Hips is on the right side of this image:
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6029/zzznambaes8.jpg

I posted that almost a week ago.
Nobody can help with the translation?

[Grams]

I posted that almost a week ago.
Nobody can help with the translation?


Runessa　Nanba

This project is remodeling the Minatomachi station area, 17.5ｈａ of fuge ground to the new Nanba station.

The first plan was a big project building a number of a bussiness skyscrapers such as a entrance area for
Kansai Air Port, but there was the bursting of the bubble economy and suddenly stopped gaining economy
around there. By the time, most companies had gone except OCAT, centeral spot of the Minatomachi station.

The time passed. Since Japanease economy include Kansai area has been gaining again, the new project has
called more economy demands. From now on, there're only two skycrapper mansions,
Runessa Nanba tower and Rorel tower Nanba, over 100m hight. Soon the Maruito Nanba buillding,
over 144m will be showed up. In addition, there's a new plan to build another mansion
at north are of Runessa Nanba tower. The first picture is an old plan.

[Ryuhei]

Thank you, Grams :)
So the render was from the late 80´s...

[The Cebuano Exultor]

Why is Osaka/Kansai growing slower than Greater Tokyo? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around.

[Nobunaga73]

Why is Osaka/Kansai growing slower than Greater Tokyo? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around.

1) There is a lot more money and demand for office space in Tokyo.
2)Tokyo's main industries are very white collar. Osaka's largest companies (Matsushita, Sanyo, Sharp) all have heavy industrial requirements that don't spur office growth. Sharp just announced they will locate an enormous flat panel display factory in Southern Osaka that will invest more than 1 trillion yen into the local economy.
2) Osaka/Kansai is experiencing tremendous growth in construction of central residential towers and office buildings. The most by far since the collapse of the Bubble Economy. Remember, Osaka's office market is 1/10th the size of Tokyo.

[The Cebuano Exultor]

I've only been to Tokyo-Yokohama so I'm a lot less knowlageable about Osaka/Kansai but, based from what I know, isn't Osaka/Kansai suppose to have 18 million residents. With such a huge population, is its office space market merely 1/10th of Tokyo's?! I doubt that. [What's your proof? Do you have a link or whatever of your info's source?]

If that's true then Japan then is truly a centralized country polarized by the unquestioned supremity of Tokyo and, slightly by Osaka/Kansai as well as Nagoya.

[Nobunaga73]

I've only been to Tokyo-Yokohama so I'm a lot less knowlageable about Osaka/Kansai but, based from what I know, isn't Osaka/Kansai suppose to have 18 million residents. With such a huge population, is its office space market merely 1/10th of Tokyo's?! I doubt that. [What's your proof? Do you have a link or whatever of your info's source?]

If that's true then Japan then is truly a centralized country polarized by the unquestioned supremity of Tokyo and, slightly by Osaka/Kansai as well as Nagoya.

It depends on which standard you use to measure it. If we look at just large rental office space, then the figure is about 1/5 of Tokyo (Tokyo=35 million m2, Osaka=7 million m2) However, once you include smaller buildings and owner-occupied buildings, the figures show that Osaka is approximately 1/10th of Tokyo.

There are unfortunatley no links online that I am aware of. I do work in the commercial real estate industry (have worked in both Tokyo and Osaka), however, and I guarantee you that these figures are accurate.

[Hanshin-Tigress]

The Namba Hips is on the right side of this image:
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6029/zzznambaes8.jpg

まあ、きれいな眺めねえ｡

[The Cebuano Exultor]

It depends on which standard you use to measure it. If we look at just large rental office space, then the figure is about 1/5 of Tokyo (Tokyo=35 million m2, Osaka=7 million m2) However, once you include smaller buildings and owner-occupied buildings, the figures show that Osaka is approximately 1/10th of Tokyo.

There are unfortunatley no links online that I am aware of. I do work in the commercial real estate industry (have worked in both Tokyo and Osaka), however, and I guarantee you that these figures are accurate.

OMG! Tokyo has 35 million square meters of grade A office space?! That's a lot. That's like 3 New Yorks. :master: :bow:

[Nobunaga73]

OMG! Tokyo has 35 million square meters of grade A office space?! That's a lot. That's like 3 New Yorks. :master: :bow:

That's not ALL Grade A... certainly a lot of that is Grade B/B+.

[coldstar]

Kintetsu to build a 300m station tower at Abenobashi Stn in Osaka

Kintetsu Corporation officially announces the redevelopment plan of Abenobashi Station. in Osaka.
New station building is to be 300m high (59 floors above ground), and it contains department store, hotel and art museum as well as offices.

http://www.sankei.co.jp/keizai/sangyo/070808/sng070808007-1.jpg
architect: Ceser Pelli.

source: (PDF)
https://www.release.tdnet.info/inbs/28080d90_20070808.pdf

[Vapour]

Kintetsu to build a 300m station tower at Abenobashi Stn in Osaka

Kintetsu Corporation officially announces the redevelopment plan of Abenobashi Station. in Osaka.
New station building is to be 300m high (59 floors above ground), and it contains department store, hotel and art museum as well as offices.

http://www.sankei.co.jp/keizai/sangyo/070808/sng070808007-1.jpg
architect: Ceser Pelli.

source: (PDF)
https://www.release.tdnet.info/inbs/28080d90_20070808.pdf

Great news! I like the design, simple/classic but beautiful. Is the 300m figure definitive? Can we say the countdown for Japan new tallest bulding has begun?

[onmyoji]

Great news! I like the design, simple/classic but beautiful. Is the 300m figure definitive? Can we say the countdown for Japan new tallest bulding has begun?


I would say yes!! but remeber the Shinjuku 3 cho me redev. 338 meter Should be completed by 2011...

[Blackraven]

architect: Ceser Pelli.

The guy who designed the Japanese airport (as well as three buildings in Osaka) IS BACK!!!

Cesar Pelli returns to Japan!!! Wahoo!!!:cheers:

:)

[dom]

This will tower over its surrounding environment in Tennoji. It is interesting that Kansai's tallest building will be here and not in Umeda, where you would expect it to be.

If only Osaka City council hadn't wasted its money on planting Kansai Airport in the wrong place (the present Kobe Airport is a far better location) and building all these man made islands where the WTC Cosmotower is located.

The money invested in those islands could have gone into the Umeda Rail yards, the aquarium and exhibition centres could have been plonked there as well. Then Umeda would already have a world class train station like with Kyoto and Kansai would be in a far better position to challenge Nagoya and Tokyo for both domestic and international investment.

Umeda would also have a world class skyline if the Cosmotower was in that cluster.

[Ryuhei]

Cool! The roof is open!
Why?

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/396/zzzosaka1kb7.jpg

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/80/zzzosaka2qx6.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/839/zzzosaka3lh6.jpg
Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorimon/page3/)

[Grams]

Cool! The roof is open!
Why?

Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorimon/page3/)


That's a heli port floating up from the under floor. Seems like a secret base
for heros.:lol:
http://gorimon.com/blog/log/eid567.html

[Ryuhei]

Thank you, Grams! Nice heli-port! :)

By the way, do you know other blogs, like Gorimon, but focused on the Tokyo area (or all of Japan)??

[coldstar]

Thank you, Grams! Nice heli-port! :)

By the way, do you know other blogs, like Gorimon, but focused on the Tokyo area (or all of Japan)??

fixed point observation of some construction in Tokyo (Cocoon Tower, Grand Tokyo Towers, etc)

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kousoubuil/

[tonyboy]

three things i remember about osaka: the visit to nagasaki atomic bomb museum, the great port where i first tasted the real mccoy kobe beef and walking around this temple:

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/29000/20070128116991545007311200.jpg

domo arrigato for sharing the pictures! :)

[SEED]

^^ wats the name of that castle? it looks like the one in Himeji.. that pics looks great! :cool:

[tonyboy]

yes....it's himeji castle.

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/himeji_castle.html

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/images/Osaka_Castle_Nishinomaru_Garden_April_2005.jpg

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/images/osaka_castle_cherry_blossom.jpg

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/images/osaka_castle_park_wall.jpg

it's best to visit in spring or fall..july was too hot for comfort.

[M.Schwerdtner]

osaka has also a castle .. named simple "osaka castle" ^^ ... oh and by the way, its not a temple ...

[nishioka]

by the way, that's osaka castle above

[SEED]

uh? Himeji castle in Osaka? i think nishioka is rite.. thats Osaka castle..

[Nick]

yes....it's himeji castle.



????

[Nick]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2403/dsc0132brj3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2281/dsc0135eg3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3750/dsc0139fq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wo wo wo wo

Ive been back home in Australia for 7 months now.When I left Osaka in Jan,there was no sign of this massive structure on the skyline or anywhere.Where is it?

[Nick]

From the link Kaua posted:
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/220074/

http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0090.jpg
http://www.arrowgroup.co.jp/nanba/blog/images/DSC_0086.jpg

Judging by the pace of its construction, it's definitely going to be opened this year.

:)

Ok....I know where it is now.Impressive