Amerika Mura has Funky Japan Styles

Amerika Mura is not the place to go if you are looking for a taste of ancient Japan.

Probably the funkiest suburb in Osaka, Japan, it almost defies description.

A retro-modern blend of pseudo American fashion, which attracts stereotypical style conscious Japanese youth.

If your looking for things to do in Osaka, it`s great!

An enlightening (not in the traditional Japanese sense of the word) way to spend a few hours if you are in South Osaka (Minami Osaka), it`s located next to Shinsaibashi (and the Osaka Apple Store Japan) and is a living example of modern Japanese creative expression and Japan styles.

Narrow, winding streets abound, there are an eclectic array of stores selling everything from "fashionable" clothing (both used and new) to Star Wars toys and stuff you can`t even imagine in between.

Due to America Mura`s reputation as the center of youth fashion in Osaka, comparisons are often made to places like Shibuya or Harajuku in Tokyo but the Osaka guys and gals that frequent the shops, cafes and clubs of "American Village" have a style all of their own.

The center of Amemura (as it`s called by the locals) is Triangle Park (Sankaku Koen). If you don`t know what to do in Osaka, you should head to this small park (made from concrete) because it`s a great spot to do some people watching, many of whom, as you can imagine, are just as interesting to look at as the surrounding creatively inspired Japanese buildings.

Actually it`s a breath of fresh air to get away from all of the business suits in Umeda (Northern Osaka).

Amemura is also a haven for rampant "Japlish" (Japanese English) and no doubt you`ll get a few laughs from trying to figure out what the heck things like "I See Happen?" mean.

Some of the landmarks include The Statue of Liberty and a huge Uncle Sam styled clown (which is actually just down the street from the local Apple Store).

If you are into the funky side of Japanese culture, definitely visit Amerikamura.