Takarazuka, from Osaka

The Takarazuka Revue

Founded in 1913 by the same businessman who built the Hankyu railway line, the Takarazuka Revue is an all-female musical theatre troupe where performers play both male and female roles, staging lavish, sequinned productions to a fiercely devoted fanbase. The Grand Theater in Takarazuka is the troupe's home stage, and catching a performance — even without fluent Japanese — is a genuinely spectacular, unique piece of Japanese theatre culture.

The Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum

Takarazuka was also where Tezuka Osamu, widely credited as the father of modern manga and anime and creator of Astro Boy and Black Jack, spent his childhood. The museum dedicated to his work here is small, personal and considerably less crowded than manga attractions in Tokyo, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone with an interest in the medium's history.

Getting there

The Hankyu Takarazuka Line runs directly from Osaka Umeda to Takarazuka in around 30-40 minutes, making this an easy, low-effort half-day or full-day trip depending on whether a Revue performance fits your schedule.