First founded in 1952, Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium is the center of various sports events in Osaka. It is the venue of prestigious events such as professional sumo tournament, world title matches for professional boxing and all Japan volleyball tournament. Also tournaments of traditional Japan’s martial arts such as Judo, Kendo and Karate, and table tennis, professional wrestling are scheduled throughout the year. Tickets for most of the events are available at the ticket office of the Gymnasium, convenience stores and box offices in major train stations. Located in walking distance within 10 minutes from Namba station, the center of down town, Japan’s sports culture can be easily experienced here.

*Spring season Professional Sumo Tournament in 2012 is held at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium from March 11th to March 25th. (Tickets are available from 3000 yen.)

20 minutes to the west from Osaka station by train, Nada is Japan’s largest Sake brewing district. Taking full advantage of the excellent quality underground water produced in this area, vast rice farming area nearby, and the cold winter climate, which is important for Sake making, Nada has always been well known as a place that produce excellent quality of Sake. Today, there are more than 50 breweries, large to small, are operating. Some of them have a private museum and a shop attached to its factory for exhibition to offer visitors chance to learn about Sake as well as to offer tastings of their fresh product at the shop.