Osaka is known as the city of fun and is full of fascinating things to do. The largest city in western Japan is a gourmet wonderland, with a wide variety of gourmet foods such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, as well as crispy kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).
Osaka, known as the city of comedy is dotted with many awesome things to see do and eat, but the two main areas are Kita (Noth) and Minami (South).
The Kita or North area is centered on Osaka Station and is lined with commercial facilities such as the Hanshin and Hankyu department stores, making it a great place for shopping.
Since there are many skyscrapers, the view of Osaka from the observatory is also wonderful. The best time to visit is during the transition from evening to night.
In the Minami or south area, you will find Dotonbori, where you can see famous neon lights and billboards such as the Glico man, the temple of laughter, and Shinsaibashi, the town of young people, America-mura.
And a little further away is Shinsekai where you can enjoy Osaka’s typical atmosphere with all of Osaka’s major tourist attractions concentrated in this area. Since it is so easy to get around, you can easily enjoy many sightseeing spots in one day.
Osaka Castle
Visiting the commanding Osaka Castle is one of the best things to do in Osaka. The eight-story, white teal, and gold Castle is also known as the Golden Castle and has exhibits on each floor related to the castle and the mighty Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
On the second floor, you can even try your hand at wearing a period costume. In addition to the main keep, be sure to check out the Otemon Gate and the turrets on the expansive castle grounds, which are designated as important cultural properties.
It is also interesting to photograph Osaka Castle from various angles, such as from the top floor of the Osaka Museum of History or from nearby hotels.
Universal Studios Japan
The entertaining Universal Studios Japan is a popular theme park with a dynamic worldview under the creative supervision of Steven Spielberg.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you will feel as if you have stepped into the Harry Potter stories, the Jurassic Park area that resembles a subtropical jungle, and Minion Park, where Minions are on a rampage, are just a few of the attractions, rides, shows, and attractions at USJ.
The Universal Express Pass is a great way to cut down on waiting time for attractions, especially on holidays.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The world-class Kaiyuman is one of the world’s largest aquariums and home to 30,000 marine creatures of over 600 species. The theme is the Pacific Rim which is reproduced in 14 tanks in 10 regions.
The amazing giant Pacific Ocean Tank at the center of the aquarium is a replica of the Pacific Ocean and is popular for its huge whale sharks that swim in a leisurely manner.
The marine life meal time is also a must-see and you can re-enter the aquarium as many times as you like on the same day, so you can enjoy it together with other spots in the area.
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
Enjoy the view of Osaka Bay and Awaji Island while you take a ride on the spectacular Tempozan Ferris Wheel at Tempozan Harbor Village.
This ride lasts for 17 minutes on what was once the tallest Ferris wheel in the world It offers breathtaking views of Osaka Bay, Mount Ikoma, and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge leading to Awaji Island.
At night, the iconic Ferris wheel is illuminated according to the next day’s weather (orange if it is sunny, green if cloudy, and blue if rainy), making it one of the most interesting weather reports in existence.
Hozenji Yokocho
Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho is the place to go if you want to directly feel the atmosphere of old Osaka.
If you go one street south from the main Dotonbori, you will find Hozenji Yokocho, which has a completely different atmosphere and It is fun to wander through the narrow cobblestone alleys.
Since this area is a tourist spot, it is relatively safe and enjoyable in a theme park-like atmosphere, without the shenanigans that tend to be found in the downtown party areas. Here is where you’ll find some more traditional-style Japanese restaurants.
From there the Ebisubashi Suji Shopping Street, which leads to Namba, is also home to the main store of “551 Hourai,” famous for its pork buns, and “Uncle Rikuro’s Store,” famous for its freshly baked cheesecakes.
Dotonbori
The most popular way to enjoy the area is to take funny pictures around the big signboards of Osaka’s famous landmarks such as Kuidaore Taro, Glico’s Runner, and Kani Doraku, and eat takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and browse through souvenir shops.
Kuromon Ichiba
The bustling Kuromon Ichiba, packed full of food stores, is located just a five-minute walk southeast of Dotonbori. It dates back to 1822, and in the past it was known as “Osaka’s kitchen” where professional chefs would come to stock up.
In recent years, however, it has become a popular spot for visitors as a market where you can buy street food and eat and walk around.
You can buy fresh fish sashimi, nigiri sushi, and delicious grilled seafood in snack-size portions. There is also a wide selection of skewers and other easy-to-carry street food there is an eat-in space for those who don’t want to eat on the go.
The bustling market is filled with lively shouts of encouragement, and the setup has been made to enhance the enjoyment of eating and walking around the market.
Umeda Sky Building
The dazzling Umeda Sky Building is an arch-like connected skyscraper 173 meters above ground and 40 stories high. On the rooftop, there is the wonderful Floating Garden Observatory which is open to the public.
With a 360-degree field of view, this is a great place to start the night off while enjoying the sunset.
HEP FIVE
The vibrant Hep Five is one of the landmarks of Umeda with its red Ferris wheel busting out of its roof. It is a shopping center that also has entertainment facilities such as HEP HALL, which mainly focuses on fashion for young people, as well as gourmet food and a variety of events.
The Giant Ferris Wheel takes about 15 minutes per ride and costs 600 yen per person. The jaw-dropping view from the Ferris wheel offers a panoramic view of Mount Ikoma, Osaka Bay, and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
Osaka City Central Public Hall
The Iconic Osaka City Central Public Hall is a brick building with a retro atmosphere and a popular place to go for a walk next to the river.
At night, the building is illuminated, creating a romantic atmosphere and the Nakanoshima area where the Osaka Municipal Central Public Hall is located is lined with many fashionable cafes and restaurants so after visiting the public hall, it is a good idea to stop by while taking a walk along the river.
There are also other retro buildings in the area, such as the Osaka head office of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the Osaka branch of the Bank of Japan, and the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library, you can get a feel of Japan as it was at the turn of the 19th century.
Tsutenkaku Tower
Tsutenkaku Tower stands in Shinsekai, a town that symbolizes Osaka’s unique “can do” spirit.
Based on the Eiffel tower, somewhere in the design process, the blueprints took a distinctly Japanese turn giving the tower its iconic, retro form that is known and loved today.
The surrounding area, including Janjan Yokocho, is filled with the flavor of downtown Osaka.
The iconic Tower was built in the center of Shinsekai Luna Park, which opened in 1912, and has since become the symbol of Osaka.
Since the original Tsutenkaku Tower was dismantled during World War II to supply steel materials, the present Tsutenkaku Tower was completed in 1956.
Spa World Osaka
Near Tsutenkaku Tower is the fantastic and somewhat quirky Spa World Great Onsen, which offers a full range of beauty, health, and leisure facilities, including hot springs, saunas, swimming pools, gyms, and beauty clinics.
The hot springs are divided into a European zone and an Asian zone, with 16 types of baths inspired by traditional scenes from 11 countries around the world.
There’s also a huge pool with sliders, a jungle gym, a Verde zone inspired by a luxury resort in Germany, and a family bath with a view of Tsutenkaku Tower.
You can spend a relaxing time here and this is a great way to introduce yourself to the onsen culture of Japan.
Abeno Harukas 300
The imposing Abeno Harukas is the tallest building in Japan at 300 meters above ground.
This huge skyscraper complex was developed by Kinki Nippon Railway Company and opened in front of Tennoji Station in 2014.
It consists of department stores, offices, a museum, a hotel, and an observatory.
From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kansai Airport, the Akashi Straits, Kyoto, and the Ikoma Mountains.
The wonderful and slightly posh Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel is located on the upper floors of Abeno Harukas, the tallest building in Japan.
This “hotel in the sky as it’s called offers a panoramic view of the vibrant Osaka cityscape, and the spectacular view that can only be seen here makes it a perfect place to stay when it’s time for a splurge.
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
This expansive ‘70 Expo Commemorative Park in Suita City was created to commemorate the success of the 1970 Japan World Expo and covers a total area of about 260 hectares.
Its vast grounds are home to an impressive Japanese garden, scenic nature and culture garden, and a variety of other interesting facilities. The iconic symbol of the park is the 70-meter-high Tower of the Sun statue by Famous Japanese artist Taro Okamoto.
The park is also famous for its cherry blossoms, which have been selected as one of Japan’s 100 best viewing spots.
Rich in nature, the park is also home to other flowers and forests where visitors can feel the Japanese four seasons.
This is a truly large-scale Park also with barbecues, lawn games, cafes, amusement facilities, and some intriguing traces of the Expo that was held during a time of unbridled optimism in Japan.
Shitennoji Temple
The fascinating Shitennoji Temple, founded in the Asuka period (710-794), is a place of worship where various Buddhist deities gather and one of the most historic sightseeing spots in Tennoji.
On the 21st and 22nd, the monthly death anniversaries of Kobo Daishi and Prince Shotoku, a market are held on the temple grounds, making it even livelier than usual.
A nearby market is a popular place for people to look for bargains.
Namba Parks
The fabulous Namba Parks is a shopping, dining, and movie complex just a stone’s throw from Namba Station, through which many train lines pass, making it easy to stop by.
It offers a wide variety of fashion, kitchenware, and places to eat but the best thing about Namba Parks and the garden on top of it.
A lush park with the goal of creating a mini forest in the middle of the urban jungle of Namba so you can feel at least a little bit of nature even though you are in the center of Osaka.
Amerika-mura (America Village)
This too cool for school area near Shinsaibashi is lined with vintage clothing stores and record stores and is commonly known as Amerika-mura or American Village.
It is considered to be the center of youth culture in the Kansai region, with more than 2,500 stores for the young and the young at heart.
On weekends, the area is even more crowded with performances by young people, especially in Triangle Park.
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
The majestic Osaka Temmangu Shrine, located about a 5-minute walk from Minamimorimachi Station, is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the famous Japanese god of learning. Therefore, it is a popular spot for many students to visit to pray for entrance examinations.
The massive Tenjin Matsuri festival, held here every year from late June to July 25, is a famous festival that attracts many tourists as one of the three major festivals.
It is also famous for its ume plum blossoms, and every year in February, a plum blossom exhibition is held, with over 50 pots of old trees on display, including some that are over 200 years old.
This is dead to be the traditional way to signal the arrival of spring.
Leading to the shrine is the longest undercover shopping street in Japan which is a great place to enjoy just strolling around, with many places to see, such as delicious meat stores, fish stores, tea stores, and standing bars.
Instant Ramen Museum
If you have always wanted to make your own instant ramen, your wait is finally over. This fascinating and surprisingly educating hands-on food museum tells the charming story of the invention that changed the world’s food and kept many poor and hungry students fed the world over.
Chicken Ramen, the world’s first instant ramen, was born in a small hut in Ikeda City, Osaka and the Instant Ramen Invention Museum is a facility where visitors can experience the spirit of this invention through a variety of hands-on activities.
In addition to exhibits and a theater introducing the inventions of Momofuku Ando, the creator of Chicken Ramen and Cup Noodle, there is also a corner where you can actually experience making instant ramen yourself.
Bicycle Museum Cycle Center
The only bicycle museum in Japan, the Cycle Center is popular for its many features, including an audio-visual hall that introduces the history of bicycles from their birth to the present day.
This wonderful museum has extensive displays and exhibits ranging from the world’s oldest wooden bicycle to the latest road racers and mountain bikes.
The museum is a hands-on experience that both adults and children can enjoy together, including a corner where visitors can actually touch and learn about the mechanisms of brakes and transmissions.
At the adjacent Daisen Park Bicycle Plaza, visitors can test ride a replica of a classic bicycle on the second and fourth Sunday of each month and on holidays.
Osaka Science Museum
In the Nakanoshima area, the entertaining Osaka Science Museum is a fascinating museum that offers 200 hands-on exhibits and science shows under the themes of space and energy.
The hi-tech planetarium is equipped with the world’s largest dome screen, clocking in at 26.5 meters in diameter, and a state-of-the-art system that projects precision digital images from six projectors onto the entire sky, creating a dazzling representation of the Milky Way, allowing visitors to enjoy a realistic starry sky.
National Museum of Art
The delightful National Museum of Art, Osaka is a rare underground museum that exhibits a variety of contemporary art from Japan and abroad.
Renovated and reopened in the fall of 2004 with its distinct architectural style as an art museum that collects and exhibits contemporary art, the National Museum of Art, is one of the few museums in the world that is completely underground.
There is a restaurant and museum store inside, so you can take a break and buy souvenirs.
Hirakata Amusement Park
Hirakata Park is very famous in Osaka. It is popularly called “Hira-pa” and is crowded with many families, especially on holidays.
The park is currently headed by mascot Okada-kun, who entertains the people of Osaka with his unique posters every time he visits the park.
In summer, a large outdoor swimming pool opens that includes a giant flowing water pool, and a hilltop observation pool.
More Things To Do In Osaka
Here’s even more of the best things to do in Osaka
- Watch the sumo spring grand tournament
- Learn more about Japanese culture at the fascinating Osaka Museum of History
kansai international airport
