I'm starting threads featuring Japan's major cities to gather all those great pics we've been posting in different topics in just one. So feel free to repost here these pictures. Also, key facts and historic overviews are welcome.

Let's start with these top quality pictures :cheers: All pics by Nori 2003 (c)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-k2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-kanden2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_ntt_01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_ntt_02.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_ntt_03.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_okura4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_okura5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_okura6.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_ore4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_port02.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_port03.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_port04.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_port05.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_port_01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_shinkobe_01.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-skys1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-skys2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-skys3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-skys5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-skys6.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe_-skys8.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe-kanden3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe-kri2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe-kri3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/13kobe-skys7.jpg

Plz, is the Akashi Kaikyo bridge in Kobe?

Originally posted by LeChacal

Plz, is the Akashi Kaikyo bridge in Kobe?

Yep, very near to Kobe (Akashi city)

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

Originally posted by Vapour

Yep, very near to Kobe (Akashi city)

Thanks

there's some unusual looking buildings there. they're cool though;)

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

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

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

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***

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

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:

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

wow! i like the scrapers!

I coundnt of done a better job myself.

Great pictures of Kobe.

I go down there to pig out at the seafood buffee in Mosaque.Great food and very cheap at around 40 US dollars.

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.

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 !

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

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 ;)

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

allo houston we have a 404 problem ^^

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.

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

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

kobe looks amazing.... i didn't know it had so many buildings...
amazing port it must be...

Nice pictures

Good to see such familar places on the forum

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?

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

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

:d :)

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:

The following pics are of Kobe chinatown:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsong/misc/7.jpg

http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsong/misc/8.jpg

And taken from mosaic town:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/tsong/misc/4.jpg

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

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....

I really like Kobe, especially the beef! lol.

Seriously, getting away to Kobe from the metropolis that is Osaka is seriously refreshing, you can smell the sea air, its cleaner and has a great waterfront. Around Sannomiya the nightlife is really buzzy without being overwhelming. If i was to live in Japan long term i would stay in Kobe.

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?

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??

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

:dance2:

The NHK building looks nice.

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.

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...

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

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!

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.

It is

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

Dom

Kobe is a great city.Close to water.Ive been living in Osaka for over 5 years now.I never go there.Ive been in the area about 10 times during this period.Mostly for work.I mainly pass through on the Hanshin expressway to get to the breathtaking Seto(inland sea) coastline between Ako and Okayama.

When I do go there I always pop into the 'Mosaic shopping center'.They have a great seafood buffee for about 4,000 Yen(40 dollars US).A bargin!!!!!!!!!!!.The choice is unbelievable.Lobster,Crab,Trout,etc...............................

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

nice. i love the pics.

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

No.I dont think I did

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.

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

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

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?

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.

man, i miss Osaka.

Nice buildings.

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.

oops nm

Hello, very nice buildings! I like Japanese Skyline!

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

nice comments jhon!

nice comments jhon!


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

:master:

:cool:

Wow Kobe is so impressive than Tokyo...

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

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/47/43/enjoyjapan_12/48000/47821.png
Another Kobe photo! :cheers:

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.

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

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

kool pics

amazing projects, congratulations

Nice Osaka, as always :)

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

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.

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

wow great job dom!

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

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.

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

asashi kaikyo bridge
http://www.geocities.jp/kyotokyo100/kobe111.jpg

great! some lovely waterfront pics there..

wow, another STUNNING Japanese city!

:okay: What A Buildings,just Amazing.great City.
Natural Scenery Is Great Too,those Mountains Have A Great Density Of Trees :okay: :okay: :okay:

Osaka and Chicago are sister cities!

Hi, my friends from Osaka!

Your city looks beautiful!

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

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...

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!

Whether or not Ojiya City, too, has become so ･･････

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

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

hello from chicago

japan is beutifull

Wow, those last lot of pics are beautiful!

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

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.

it looks great at night :)

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

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 >_<

Very nice pics...

I like the pics.I hope one day I can visit Japan

Just wondering, does it ever snow in Osaka?

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!

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 ?

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.

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?

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

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

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/ijinkan/ijinkan001.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/portisland/portpia/pia_014.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/portisland/kitakoen/kita_004.JPG

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/fruit_flower/fruit004.JPG

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/fruit_flower/fruit005.JPG

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/shinrinshokubutuen/shinrin_005.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/shinrinshokubutuen/shinrin_013.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/taisanji/taisanji01.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/nunobikihabuen/nunobikihabuen001.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/nunobikihabuen/nunobikihabuen011.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/portisland/minamikoen/minami_002.JPG

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sourakuen/sourakuen001.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sourakuen/sourakuen013.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sourakuen/sourakuen010.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/venus/binasu003.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/nankinmachi/nankin_002.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/rokko_garden/rokko_003.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/tigers/tigers009s2.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/dezomeshiki/dezomeshiki002.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/yosakoi/yosakoi2003_011.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/maiko/maiko_station/station_002.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/marinpia/tarumi006.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sumarikyuu/rikyu_002.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/okusumakouen/sakura/okusuma_sakura_007.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sumadera/sumadera002.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sumadera/sumadera006.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/sumadera/sumadera003.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/kaijinja/kaijinja009p.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/portisland/kitakoen/kita_006.JPG

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/cityoffice/kobe_shiyakusho_008.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/akashi_bridge/view/013.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/akashi_bridge/bridge_003.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/kobe/maiko/park/park_010.jpg

http://www.yakei-kabegami.com/cgi-bin/touroku/photo/1125-photo.jpg

http://www.yakei-kabegami.com/cgi-bin/touroku/photo/168-photo.jpg

Sources:
http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/site_information/index.htm
http://www.yakei-kabegami.com/

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

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

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

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

ようこそ jap!

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

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.

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.

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!

i love japanese pavement markings.. so clean

i didn't know there are so many western buidlings in japan..COOL..

what chinese dialects do they speak in Japan's Chinatowns?

^ I don't know :cry: But I like Yokohama's chinatown, yummy :drool:

Me too Yokohama has a great china town. wish i can go and see it in person.

OSAKA LOOKS AWESOME!!

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

wow nice pics

I hope you post more on these forums

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

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

Wonderful.

名画。 ありがとうございます Vapour。

Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle) in Himeji, Hyogo

http://www.amagaeru.com/go/sbt/jigsaw/lineup_img/e/1000/11_069.jpg


In 1601 Terumasa Ikeda started digging three moats around the castle building and completed the whole castle complex as it is in 1609.

http://www.jgc.co.jp/waza/a5_himeji/images/hc03b.jpg





http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/nakaharima/himeji_castle/himeji_003.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/nakaharima/himeji_castle/himeji_018.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/nakaharima/himeji_castle/himeji_024.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/nakaharima/himeji_castle/himeji_025.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/nakaharima/himeji_castle/sakura/himejijou_sakura_010.jpg

http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/photo/nakaharima/himeji_castle/sakura/himejijou_sakura_019.jpg

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 ?

^ Wow that is really cool.

Himeji-jo is a must-see :yes:

That last photo is breath-taking.

The world longest bridge is splendid. So, beautiful and amazing!
Wow...........!

^ I don't know :cry: But I like Yokohama's chinatown, yummy :drool:


I've been Chinese town for many times during the stay in Tokyo.
I liked the port near 中華街。

Oh! I am stunned by The Akashi Kaikyo mega bridge.

Enjoy fellas, that's a REAL webfind

http://rokkomichi.com/view.php?dir=gokinjo/2004/1024

Enjoy fellas, that's a REAL webfind

http://rokkomichi.com/view.php?dir=gokinjo/2004/1024

:drool:

Thanks Wagahai :)

my trip in OSAKA*

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

my trip in OSAKA*

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

my trip in OSAKA*

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

my trip in OSAKA*

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

my trip in OSAKA*

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

my trip in OSAKA*

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

my trip in OSAKA*

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

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)

^ 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. :)

Is Osaka the second biggest city in Japan?

^ 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?

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. :)

amazing !, it looks really modern

cool.

Hello I have seen theose pictures of the view of Kope.
Ten when the city was damage by large quake. Over 500,000 building were burt on the ground. Iam amazened how quickly the japaees goverment built up the city all together again.

By the way very nice view. :) :) :) :) :) :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Japan allways amazing me

everything looks really nice!

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

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

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

From the modern Kyoto Station Bldg.: Toji Temple (on the left)
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3566316533306665.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3236313636623937.jpg

On the way to the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6130656537356135.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6164366366656465.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6332626161303565.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3362373762346130.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3939313762393663.jpg
"I wish to find someone like Wagahai"...Praying Beauty
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6336306132383538.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3863373664623834.jpg

The traditional Gion-district, where still many "tea houses" are located
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6537646163363138.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3432393137633036.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6639353866366339.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3361326464336634.jpg

The main shopping street Shijo (= 4th axis) : The "Minamiza"-Kabuki-Theater
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6538313739653236.jpg
Belle Epoque
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3030626536646364.jpg
Busy scene at the crossing Shijo/Kawaramachi
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3338343934646666.jpg
Shijo/Karasuma
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3466626565636137.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3932313163356163.jpg
Traditional Restaurants near the Kamogawa-River
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6561633961316561.jpg
In the side streets:
Weird commercial architecture
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6561366266653863.jpg
A shrine in a shopping street
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3733333164626134.jpg
In the evening: Traditional architecture in the east of the Kamogawa
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3236393863626430.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3366333136666263.jpg

Postcard-like: "Kinkakuji", the "golden Pavillon" in the northwest
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6632396564393435.jpg

From Shin-Kobe Oriental Hotel: Downtown Sannomiya
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3939613839336635.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3837613064373730.jpg

From the north-east
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3965613639303131.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6433643030663931.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3232353733393339.jpg
Rokko Island, Osaka in the background
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3733323465343833.jpg

From Maya-san: Sannomiya, Port Island, the new Kobe Airport behind
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6364333131303230.jpg

From Kitanocho
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6164656531343433.jpg

From Shisho-yama
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6438393665393236.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6362626661653564.jpg

From Port Island: Sannomiya
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3737316330613061.jpg

From Boeki Center Bldg.: Mountains
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3235666332316438.jpg

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

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

Kyoto is the most beautiful city in Japan!

Downtown Sannomiya, "Flower Road", Kobe City Hall on the right
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3631666531666639.jpg
Shopping
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3964376230633266.jpg
Still Kobe's most beautiful Skyscraper: Shin-Kobe Oriental Hotel (158m)
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3838353739346661.jpg
After rebuilding after the earthquake 1995, the Ex-Union church is now used by the old German bakery "Freundlieb"
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3033396534346431.jpg
Sannomiya
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3535636639326461.jpg
To remember the 6000 victims of the earthquake 1995: The annual "Luminarie"
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6339306461643033.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6133393366653234.jpg
A piece of Shanghai: old trading houses next to skyscapers in the former district for western traders ("Kyuu Kyoryuchi")
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6539626364333063.jpg
Japans 2nd biggest China-Town after Yokohama: Nanking-machi
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3433353433383163.jpg
Mikage St. (Hankyu Railways) in the eastern part of the city
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3763623033393966.jpg
Typical scenery for Kobe with slope
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6437356135363037.jpg
I' d like to live here...
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3034633737646334.jpg

Walk through Kitanocho, the former district for western residentials, nowadays one of the great sightseeing spots

Jewish community
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3232616636363138.jpg
Tourists...
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3632616235623031.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3230323864376633.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3138616664373938.jpg

Residences for the richer ones near Sumiyoshi St., in the east
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_3336323061333439.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/34/657834/1024_6133396130326366.jpg

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

Took these pics while in Sannomiya last weekend. Kinda cold so hurried shots only. lol.
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3878/img00644ft.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7725/img00385md.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7240/img00550bz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/418/img00994be.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

More pics
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/6094/img01473wi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/2145/img01216jv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/2093/img01339og.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I love the cakes/pastries/coffee shops in Kobe...great for the winter chill. lol
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/4514/dsc17998jg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/6424/dsc17989ch.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/7994/dsc17913zh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I don't like the long winter though.... 2 more months before spring comes.
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/5639/img00950nv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I heard the 55% of LV sales are from Japanese.. LV store as ubiquitous as Starbucks coffee..lol
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/710/img00818by.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/7373/img00177st.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/5702/img00188uy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/690/img00799cy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/7002/img00678cq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

nice pics... very nice

Thanks Tk101..

Kobe Harborland at Night
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4720/dsc41264zo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Rokko Mountain view from Rugby field of Rokko Island
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8917/dsc40959ql.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

your welcome...i really like the Kobe Harborland at Night scene...almost a classic

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

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

Osaka's skyline is really stunning and massive.

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

hello,everyone I'm from Viet Nam glad to join in this forum
I'm very attractive in Japan expecially KanSai airport , does anyone post some pictures of this airport for me

The almighty Akashi Bridge
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5315/v6000160ef.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7847/sv6000438fq.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4862/v6000402fn.jpg

One more from a different......eerie day

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1990/dh0000499hm.jpg

Nice pics.. thanks for sharing. I was in Akashi last week for driving test.

Oh for real? The driving centre with all the circuits and stuff? Yeh I lived up near there in Arise....concrete jungle

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)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

great building though

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?

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.

Muy amable, Juan Camilo.

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.

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

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

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.

I heard alot of ex-pats like Kobe, how come? Looks good in pics.

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)

i like old kyoto's atmosphere, it sounds so quiet.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5723/takasegawaflatboatbg1024jl9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)(originally from "alive in kyoto")

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6447/20050831dsc4348kyototq7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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

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

Great pic downtown Mark!

have u got more?

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

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!

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.

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

Here is the BIG image of Osaka business park

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

Osaka station redevelopment :drool:

Osaka station project is so stunning!!

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

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

Oumi-hachiman city, Shiga prefecture

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213764752046700.gif


http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213645027011000.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213659575164000.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213660891053000.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213648530835300.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213649791911700.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061030116213663694340900.jpg

kyoto, ine town

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061022116152426842186900.jpg

http://apple3.cool.ne.jp/kinki/kyoto/0306208.jpg

http://apple3.cool.ne.jp/kinki/kyoto/0306183.jpg

http://apple3.cool.ne.jp/kinki/kyoto/0306221.jpg

a Kyoto street..

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061021116144278267031200.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061021116144271734073200.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061022116144282785272000.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061021116144273771689300.jpg

嵯峨(saga), Kyoto

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094763808817000.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094758156521400.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094758631457100.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094759161310100.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094759499592900.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094760023312000.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094760470133500.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094760946156300.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094761374007500.jpg

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/ptravel/27000/20061016116094761726662400.jpg

ohmi-Hachiman(2)


William Merrell Vories

http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~v-c/Grpfile/shouzou.gif
William Merrell Vories (October 28, 1880 - May 7, 1964) was an architect born in the USA who worked mainly in Japan. He was also one of the founders of "ヴォーリズ合名会社" (later "近江兄弟社") widely selling Mentholatum in Japan.

Later Dr. William Merrell Vories married a Japanese woman 一柳満喜子 and became a naturalized citizen of Japan with the name of Hitotsuyanagi (一柳).

He was born in Kansas, KS, USA, in 1880, graduated from Colorado College in 1904, and came to Japan in 1905 as an Engish teacher with an intention to engage in mission work among the Japanese. Through YMCA activities in Japan he got acquainted with many American and Japanese people and built houses, churches, schools, hospitals, YMCAs and more on their requests. His buildings and houses both well-designed as well as comfortable to live in　have been loved by the Japanese very much.

He also loved music very much, making carols and introducing the Hammond Organ into Japan.

http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~v-c/englishversion/eindex.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Merrell_Vories

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BB%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AA%E3%82%BA

His works in ohmi-hachiman
http://sano567.web.infoseek.co.jp/SHIGARETORO/vo-rizu/index.htm

Kyoto is a lovely city. There are many foreign tourists, too. :)

Kiyomizu temple....again:lol:

http://sea.ap.teacup.com/nikkeif/img/1165237976.jpg

A restaurant over a river, in Kurama
Let's have an Enkai party

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/3000/20061203116508039291394500.jpg

all the pics are amazing :)

Realmente hermoso, muy lindo Vapour.

lovely city !! :)

those water front houses are fantastic. i would love to visit there

I am new member aroud here
hello averybody

how can I do to send photos???

:cheers: vamos começar a mostrar os predios
lets see news building aroud

here I will show you the list of tallest buildings in Kobe City
15
117m made in 1984
ワールド本社
所在地 　神戸市中央区港島中町六丁目
階数 　地上27階、地下1階
建物高さ 　最高部117m
敷地面積 －
建築面積 　－
延床面積 　34,844㎡
建築主 　ワールド
設計者 竹中工務店
施工者 　竹中工務店
着工 　－
竣工 　1984年2月

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/images/kobe13.JPG

14 -
名称 　ＮＴＴ西日本神戸中央ビル
所在地 　神戸市中央区海岸通
階数 　地上24階、塔屋1階、地下3階
建物高さ 　最高部118.15m
敷地面積 4,617㎡
建築面積 　1,235㎡
延床面積 　29,535㎡
建築主 　西日本電信電話
設計者 NTTファシリティーズ
施工者 　鹿島建設、清水建設、大林組、その他ＪＶ
着工 　1997年10月
竣工 　2000年01月17日

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-118ntt.JPG

14 -
名称 　ＮＴＴ西日本神戸中央ビル
所在地 　神戸市中央区海岸通
階数 　地上24階、塔屋1階、地下3階
建物高さ 　最高部118.15m
敷地面積 4,617㎡
建築面積 　1,235㎡
延床面積 　29,535㎡
建築主 　西日本電信電話
設計者 NTTファシリティーズ
施工者 　鹿島建設、清水建設、大林組、その他ＪＶ
着工 　1997年10月
竣工 　2000年01月17日

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-118ntt.JPG

ol

13 -
名称 　キャナルタウン・ウエスト
所在地 　兵庫県神戸市兵庫区駅南通五丁目
階数 　地上37階、塔屋2階、地下1階
建物高さ 　最高部118.55m、軒高106.55m
敷地面積 26,623㎡（施設全体）
建築面積 　1,168㎡
延床面積 　27,173㎡
総戸数 　300戸
建築主 　住宅・都市整備公団
設計者 鹿島建設
施工者 　鹿島建設、日本国土開発、浅沼建設ＪＶ
着工 　1996年12月26日
竣工 　1999年07月08日
入居開始 　－
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-118cana-w.JPG

12 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-118cana-c.JPG
名称 　キャナルタウン・中央
所在地 　兵庫県神戸市兵庫区駅南通五丁目
階数 　地上34階、塔屋1階、地下1階
建物高さ 　最高部118.75m
敷地面積 　8,099㎡
建築面積 　4,878㎡
延床面積 　30,782㎡
総戸数 　204戸
建築主 　神戸市住宅供給公社
設計者 　日建設計、日建ハウジングシステム、熊谷組
　長谷工コーポレーション
施工者 　熊谷組、長谷工コーポレーション、鉄建建設JV
着工 　－
竣工 　1997年10月
入居開始 　－

11 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/images/kobe9.JPG
名称 　ＲＩＣセントラルタワー
所在地 　神戸市東灘区向洋町中五丁目
階数 　地上32階、地下1階
建物高さ 　最高部120m
敷地面積 　－
建築面積 　－
延床面積 　89,717㎡
建築主 　六甲アイランド開発、積水ハウス、アーバンライフ
設計者 　板倉建築研究所大阪事務所
施工者 　鹿島建設
着工 　－
竣工 　1992年8月
入居開始 　1992年9月
コメント 　六甲アイランドの超高層棟のなかで４番目の高さですが、一番色鮮やかです。外観も住居棟とは思えないユニークなデザインです。

10 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-122ro1.JPG
名称 　ウェルブ六甲道１番街
所在地 　神戸市灘区肥後町五丁目
階数 　地上33階、塔屋2階、地下2階
建物高さ 　最高部122.4m
敷地面積 7,008㎡
建築面積 　5,934㎡
延床面積 　45,654㎡
総戸数 　166戸
建築主 　神戸市都市整備公社
設計者 安井建築設計事務所
施工者 　大林組、前田建設 工業、新井組、東亜建設ＪＶ
着工 　－
竣工 　2003年09月
入居開始 　－
コメント 　ＪＲ六甲道駅の駅南前にあります。この周辺は阪神大震災で壊滅的打撃を受け、ＪＲ六甲道駅も倒壊しました。 １番街は西側になります。

09 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/images/kobe8.JPG
名称 　ウエストコート３番街
所在地 　神戸市東灘区向洋町五丁目
階数 　地上38階、地下1階
建物高さ 　最高部123.2m
敷地面積 　13,751㎡
建築面積 　－
延床面積 　41,243㎡
建築主 　六甲アイランド開発、積水ハウス、アーバンライフ
設計者 　三井建設
施工者 　三井建設、前田建設工業JV
着工 　1990年12月
竣工 　1993年6月
入居開始 　1993年6月
コメント 　４棟の超高層ビルのなかで北西にあるのがウエストコート３番街です。北側に盛り土のある六甲アイランド公園があります

08 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/images/kobe7.JPG
名称 　Ｐ＆Ｇ日本本社
所在地 　神戸市東灘区向洋町中一丁目
階数 　地上31階、地下1階
建物高さ 　最高部131.4m
敷地面積 　－
建築面積 　－
延床面積 　42,892㎡
建築主 　積水ハウス
設計者 　竹中工務店
施工者 　竹中工務店
着工 　－
竣工 　1993年6月
オープン 　－
コメント 　プロクター・アンド・ギャンブルの日本本社です。外資系の会社らしく外観が非常にユニークです。六甲アイランドは六甲ライナー沿いに かなりの長い距離で人工の川があるリバーモールが整備されていてリゾート地のような雰囲気があ ます。浅いので泳げませんが夏場にはプール状態になります（笑）。外国系学校も多く日本ではないような錯覚を受けることがあります。

07 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/images/kobe6.JPG
名称 　神戸市役所・１号館
所在地 　神戸市中央区加納町六丁目
階数 　地上30階、地下3階
建物高さ 　最高部132m
敷地面積 　－
建築面積 　－
延床面積 　54,398㎡
建築主 　神戸市
設計者 　神戸市住宅局営繕部、日建設計
施工者 　竹中工務店、その他ＪＶ
着工 　1987年1月
竣工 　1989年8月
オープン 　－
コメント 　阪神大震災で三宮一帯のビルが壊滅的な被害を受けましたが、市役所１号館は無事でした。隣接する２号館（北庁舎）が壊滅的被害を受けたのとは対照的でした。完成時は日本一高い地方自治体の庁舎でした。

6 -
http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-135ookura.JPG
名称 　ホテル・オークラ神戸
所在地 　神戸市中央区波止場町
階数 　地上35階、地下2階
建物高さ 　最高部135m
敷地面積 　30,000㎡
建築面積 　12,861㎡
延床面積 　64,192㎡
建築主 　三井物産、ホテルオークラ
設計者 　観光企画設計社
施工者 　鹿島建設、大成建設、大林組ＪＶ
着工 　1987年
竣工 　1989年05月
オープン 　1989年06月22日
コメント 　ホテル御三家の一つが神戸に進出するということで話題になりました。当初 の計画ではツインタワーでしたが、２棟目を建設する前にバブルが崩壊して中止になりました。メリケンパークのすぐ近くにあります。

Welcome to the forum Renato Leao.

many nice photos here guys.:okay:

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.

5 - http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/kobe/kobe-135kawasaki.JPG
名称 　神戸クリスタルタワー
所在地 　神戸市中央区東川崎一丁目
階数 　地上32階、塔屋1階、地下2階
建物高さ 　最高部135m
敷地面積 　5,679㎡
建築面積 　2,315㎡
延床面積 　57,066㎡
建築主 　川崎重工業、川重不動産、日本生命
設計者 　日建設計、鹿島建設
施工者 　鹿島建設、竹中工務店、大林組、西松建設、鴻池組ＪＶ
着工 　1991年04月
竣工 　1993年08月
オープン 　1993年09月09日
コメント 　ＪＲ神戸駅の目の前にあります。 全国でいろいろビルを撮影しましたが、超高層の中ではこのビルが一番青空と一体化してカメレオンみたいに境目が分りにくいです。

enjoy !!!
Next time I will up more

what does (in romanji) "KOKOMATE" means?


ref: first picture.

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 :)

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

I know that

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

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!

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

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

:)

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...