By Florenda Corpuz
With Expo 2025 on the horizon, the Suito Osaka Consortium is spearheading an ambitious revitalization of the city’s waterfront, inviting both locals and international visitors to rediscover Osaka’s rich aquatic heritage and dynamic urban charm.
Osaka has long been known as the “City of Water,” a title rooted in its historical prosperity through water transportation. This legacy lives on in the form of the “Water Corridor,” a network of rivers encircling the city center. In 2001, a national urban regeneration project sparked efforts to enhance these waterways, leading to the development of promenades, docks, and waterfront businesses. Today, Osaka is once again emerging as one of Japan’s most vibrant waterside destinations.
A centerpiece of the city’s waterfront revival is the “Water Corridor,” connecting Nakanoshima and the Expo site. Visitors can embark on a cruise featuring breathtaking water and light performances, including a synchronized fountain show and projection mapping displays designed to elevate Osaka’s appeal as a water tourism hub.
Launching this month, the cruise experience will allow passengers to take in the ethereal cherry blossoms lining the riverbanks while enjoying the immersive spectacle of light and water.
“This new attraction will provide a unique experience for tourists in Osaka,” the Suito Osaka Consortium said in a statement.
While river cruises have long been a feature of the city, these enhanced attractions are designed to energize Osaka in time for the Expo and beyond.
“The consortium wants people to see Osaka not just as a place for shopping and food, but also as a vibrant waterfront destination with plenty to explore,” a PR representative explained to Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ).
Whether you’re admiring the cityscape from a boat or experiencing the dazzling interplay of water and light, Osaka’s rebirth as an aqua metropolis is well underway.
