Eastern Osaka lies along the foot of the chain of mountains from Mt. Ikoma to the Kongozan. The area referred to as "Kawachi" includes Kadoma, Moriguchi and Higashi Osaka city which is known for its manufacturing skills from small screws to electrical home appliances and even satellites. The Kawachi-ondo (a popular Bon dance number) and Osaka-made wine originally come from this area, and many religious facilities gather here as well.
Home of Osaka's "producing" skills
Many of the electrical home appliances that have made life easier were created in Eastern Osaka. At the "Matsushita Electric House of History" or the "SANYO MUSEUM" you can learn about the history of electrical home appliances and the process of its manufacturing. To experience the significant world-class skills of small- and middle-sized manufactures from screws to robots, nanotech and satellites, stop by at the "Creation Core Higashi Osaka".
Excellent view of Osaka from the Mt. Ikoma - Kongozan mountain range
The chain of mountains from Mt. Ikoma to Kongozan surrounds Osaka as if it were a great wall. The area is designated as "Osaka Prefectural Citizens' Forest" where you can go hiking, bird watching, enjoy the greenery in the woods, camp or have fun at the athletic playground. Enjoy the cherry blossoms, hydrangea or other wild grass and the fresh green leaves in spring or the autumn colors. From the peak of the mountain you have a great view of not only the Osaka Plain, but also the Kansai International Airport, Awaji Island and Kobe.
If you have a wish...
"Nozaki Kannon Temple (Jingenji Temple)" appears in a Bunraku (puppet play) tale, "Osome, Hisamatsu Shinju-monogatari", or Rakugo (comic monologue) script "Nozaki Mairi" and has been a popular temple for many worshipers for 300 years. The "Ishikiri Shrine", known to enshrine God that helps cure swellings, has now become a shrine which people visit to pray for recovery from illness. The famous Kawachi Bon Dance was born at the "Jokoji Temple", where people gather every summer for the deity-style Bon dance.
Wine – made in Kawachi
On the mountainsides of Kashiwara City spreads a vineyard. Here, you can go grape-picking and enjoy different kinds of grapes including Muscat and Bailey A. And for all of you wine lovers, why not try out their original wine which has a history of over 90 years. It is specially made to match the Japanese climate. If you would like to do some tasting or are interested in seeing how wine is made, visit the "Katashimo Wine Food" or "Kawachi Wine Museum (in Habikino City)".
