The most cost-effective way to visit Osaka is to buy an Osaka Pass, which includes admission to many popular attractions, such as the HEP FIVE Ferris wheel, the natural hot spring Naniwa-no-yu, the Osaka Lifestyle Museum of Today and Tomorrow, the Osaka Castle Tenshukaku, the Tontenkaku, the Tenpozan Grand Ferris Wheel, and the sailing-type sightseeing ship Santa Maria, in addition to the cost of transportation. Below you will find 25 must-see attractions in Osaka.
Namba Nanba
Namba is located in the southern district of Osaka and is the most prosperous place in the city, combining gourmet food, entertainment and shopping, and its coverage is large enough for a whole day's shopping, including Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Ronghashisuji, Sennichimae, American Village, and Minami-Funeba, and so on. Dotombori and Shinsaibashi are the most popular, and will be introduced in more detail later. Here are a few other places to check out:
Ebashisuji: Namba-ku's entertainment district has movie theaters and amusement centers, as well as clothing and beauty stores. For food lovers, Osaka Rikuro's Grandpa's Cheesecake and 551 Hourai Pork Buns are a must.
Senzenmae Produce Street: There are a variety of stores, but the main focus is on tableware. The tableware here is very well made and comes in a wide variety of styles, so you can find not only collectible tableware, but also good souvenirs and gifts. Famous restaurants such as Misuzu Okonomiyaki and Ichiran Ramen are also located here.
Amerikamura: For those who love vintage and second-hand clothes, Amerikamura is the place to go. There are a lot of vintage stores here, the prices are cheaper than in Tokyo, and there is a wide variety of second-hand clothes that are so well preserved that you can't tell they are second-hand. There are also a lot of trendy brands such as Vancy, F t F, TreFac Style, KINJI (in Big Step), FLYING TIGER COPENHAGEN, OPA, Uncle Sam, and it's a place where young people like to hang out. Shinsaibashi Shinsaibashisuji
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Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori are Osaka's most famous shopping streets, and they are connected to each other to form a long shopping boulevard. Shinsaibashi has a wide range of stores, from cosmetics such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sun Drudge and Daiso, to inexpensive clothing such as ARA, H&M, UNIQLO and Forever 21, as well as famous brands. Among them, "Daimaru Matsusanya Department Store" has a lot of Japanese young people's favorite brands, such as WEGO, GU, Desigual, Lowrys Farm, Lowrys Farm, and those who like fashion should not miss.
Dotombori Shopping Street Shinsaibashi-Suji
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Dotombori is a gourmet street in Namba-ku, where you'll find a wide range of classic foods from all over Japan, such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, ramen, and crab dishes. Some of the recommended dishes are Shitennou Ramen, Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru (Akashi-yaki), Krabby Patties and Pablo's Half Baked Cheesecake.
Remember the running man with the big moving crab sign at the end of the street that's so common on social media platforms? This famous photo spot is the Running Glico right next to the Dotonbori Ei Bridge. In addition to the running man, the riverbank is lined with neon advertisements, which are reflected in the canal at night in waves of alternating purple, red, and blue colors, making it particularly beautiful. There are also a number of nightclubs and entertainment venues, so the later it gets, the better it gets.
Universal Studios Osaka
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The famous Universal Studios is a must-see in Osaka. Although the entrance fee is incredibly expensive, I think it's worth it to get a glimpse of the cute little soldiers.
Osaka's Universal Studios features Harry Potter and Tinkerbell Land. This is the only place in Asia that has a Harry Potter land, and the whole scene of the living rice village is a perfect replica and presentation. As for Tiny Troopers, since its opening in April 2017, it has been the most popular park here. There are a lot of cute scenes from the movie for photo shoots, restaurants and snack stores selling a lot of Tiny Soldier-shaped food, and a lot of peripheral merchandise, such as stationery, cups, dolls, with the most popular item being the Tiny Soldier Popcorn Bucket. If you're lucky, you'll run into real-life Tiny Troopers in different shapes and sizes everywhere in the park; plus the Tiny Troopers parade, which will drive Tiny Troopers fans crazy.
Because of Universal's popularity, the queue for each game can be as long as 1-3 hours, so it is recommended that you buy fast passes online before you go, so that you can shorten the waiting time for a number of rides, such as the Forbidden Journey, Tiny Troopers Crazy Ride, Flying Pterodactyls, Frightful Adventures of Spider-Man 4K3D, Jaws, and Jurassic Park Boat Ride.
Kuromon Market
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Kuromon Market, a wholesale seafood market, is the next best place to eat after Dotonbori, about 10 minutes away. The market offers a wide variety of seafood specialties from different parts of Japan, including Wagyu beef and famous fruits. They are very popular with the local Japanese because of their affordable prices. A few of my favorite restaurants are recommended for your reference: Minami (blowfish), Maruzen Ekiben (wagyu beef teppanyaki), Maguroya Kurogane (blackened tuna), Yamada Sanchi (boneless chicken wings), Fish Fuku (scallops), and Fresh Fish Kawasaki (snapper and matsuba crab).
Kuromon Market is open until 9:00 am. Due to the large crowds, it is recommended to come early for food.
Osaka Castle Photo Source
Osaka Castle, one of the three most famous castles in Japan along with Nagoya Castle and Kumamoto Castle, is located in Osaka Castle Park, and features the Nishinomaru Garden and Osaka Castle Tenshukaku. The former is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka, and in other seasons, you can also enjoy maple leaves and ginkgoes. Unfortunately, when I visited, it was winter and the area around the gardens was rather dull, so I didn't have a chance to see the blossoms in full bloom.
The Osaka Castle Tower was built in 1585 but burned down during the war. It was built 80 years ago, and it mainly displays the architectural features and history of the Toyotomi Hideyoshi era, such as the famous Summer Battle of Osaka. From the top floor of the pavilion, you can enjoy the view of Osaka City. Admission to Tenshukaku is 600 yen, and you can get in for free with a pass. If you're y interested in history, take the time to visit the nearby Osaka Museum of History.
Osaka Umeda Sky Garden Kuchu Teien Observatory
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Umeda is a shopping district in Osaka, with many large department stores such as Hankyu Department Store, Hanshin Department Store, Grand Front, LUCUA, Isetan, Daimaru Department Store, and HEP FIVE, Osaka Umeda Underground Street is full of fashionable and trendy clothes.
Walking from the Umeda Station Street Underground to the Blue Sky Building Sky Garden Observatory, you can enjoy a 360-degree, zero-death-angle view of Osaka from a height of 73 meters, making it a great place to see Osaka at night. The observatory is filled with lights at night, and there are man-made star tunnels from the 35th to 39th floors, with love locks on the platform, making it perfect for couples to take pictures.
Tennoji Ward & Abeno Ward
Along with Namba, Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, Tennoji Ward and Abeno Ward are another shopping and dining paradise in Osaka. There are three department stores with different price ranges: Tenoji MIO, a duty-free store, Abeno Q's MALL, a luxury store, and Abeno Harukas, a brand-name department store.
In addition to shopping, there are many other places to visit in the Tennoji area, such as Shitennoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, which holds a "Masters' Fair" on the 21st of every month, with open-air markets and stalls everywhere. There's also the Tennoji Zoo, which is a great place for families, and the Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory, which has a superb night view of Osaka from the observation deck.
New World & Tsutenkaku Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku
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Shinsekai was once Osaka's most prosperous district and the center of Osaka's commerce. The landmark of this area is the "Tontokaku", designed by architect Taka Naito, who designed the Tokyo Tower, which is eye-catching with a large puffer fish balloon floating in the sky. Since the development of Dotonbori, New World has been slowly declining. Fortunately, the government has been actively developing the area in recent years, which has revitalized the area.
In the old days, New World was the center of the common people, so the food, restaurants and entertainment here are all at common prices, but the taste is not as bad as the big restaurants. I have eaten very good Osaka-yaki and takoyaki here, and the price is reasonable. There are also many cheap hotels here, making New World a good choice of accommodation for travelers on a budget.
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
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Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, near Tenjinbashisuji shopping street, is Japan's first museum dedicated to housing and living in Osaka, and recreates life as it was in the late Edo period, making it a great place for parents and children, and for rainy days. The 10th floor is an observation deck. The 10th floor is an observation deck overlooking Edo Osaka, while the 8th and 9th floors are the exhibition areas of the Museum. On the 8th floor, there are models of the Edo period such as the first Dondenkaku, while on the 9th floor, you can experience life in the late Edo period by wearing a kimono, browsing the stores of the time, and taking pictures of the town.
Natural hot springs Naniwa-no-yu Tennen Onsen Naniwa-no-yu
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For those who like to soak in hot springs, you can enjoy the natural hot springs of Naniwa-no-yu free of charge if you have an Osaka City Pass. There are both open-air and indoor hot springs, so even if it rains, your trip won't be affected. "The onsen at Naniwa-no-yu is known as a "beauty bath," and there are open-air baths and Iwaban baths. There is no time limit on the duration of the bath, and you can take your time enjoying the different types of onsen, such as cold springs, carbonated springs, and jacuzzi pools. After soaking in the hot springs, you can also enjoy the salt sauna and steam sauna, which is very relaxing.
I recommend the open-air hot springs, you can enjoy the night view of Osaka city while soaking in the hot spring, very vacation feeling, and then go to the indoor hot spring to soak in the cold spring to refresh, and then go to the Tenjinbashisuji shopping street next to the dinner.
Nakanoshima Nakanoshima
Nakanoshima is the first park in Osaka, and it is a large 1.5 kilometer long strip of land between rivers. There are many green areas, such as the green walkway that surrounds the park, which is perfect for walking and jogging.
There are many places to visit in Nakanoshima, such as the Nakanoshima Library, which is built in the Baroque style, the Toyo Ceramics Museum, which exhibits Chinese and Korean ceramics, and the Chuo Guild Hall, which is an important cultural property and hosts a variety of cultural and artistic events.
Address: 6 Nakanoshimacho, Suita, Osaka 564-0035, Japan
Nakanoshima is best known for the Nakanoshima Rose Garden, which is located in the center of the park. The park covers 13,000 square feet and is about 500 meters long, with more than 3,700 roses planted in as many as 300 varieties. During the May and October seasons, roses of different colors and sizes compete for beauty in the garden, which looks like the rose garden of the Palace of Versailles from afar, and is definitely worth a visit.
Minoo Falls
Minoo Falls is located in Japan's oldest forest park, Meiji Forest Minoo National Park, which was established to commemorate the centennial of Emperor Meiji's ascension to the throne. The waterfall was selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, and there is a platform nearby where you can take photos for free. And every year from mid-November to early December, the whole mountain is in flames, making it a famous maple viewing spot in Osaka. Due to the large size of the park, the maple season is particularly spectacular. The best places to see the leaves are around Takianji, Nishieji and Hashimotei, where you can see the leaves in different shades of green, red, orange and yellow.
The shopping arcade in Minoh Park is quite popular, and one of the most impressive foods is the maple leaf tempura, which is only available during maple leaf season. Maple leaves are salted and then coated in batter and deep-fried. In terms of texture and flavor, I still think the original tempura is better, but it's an interesting experience.
Manbo Memorative Park Expo '70 Commemorative Park Photo Source
Manbo Memorative Park was the former site of the 1970 World's Fair, and the park has been remodeled to include the Sun Tower and the Steel Pavilion, which were used as the World's Fair venues that year, as well as the new Bunka Gardens and Japanese Garden. Japanese Garden, etc. The park is planted with different kinds of plants, which are pleasant in all seasons with different sceneries, such as cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, sunflowers and red leaves, making it a good place to enjoy flowers.
Osaka festivals such as Firefly Night and Sunflower Festival in summer are held here, and sometimes there are water parks, illuminations, and haunted houses. In addition to the festivals, the park is next to one of Japan's largest mixed-use shopping malls, EXOICITY, which is home to many brands and restaurants, as well as outdoor playgrounds for kids, making it perfect for families.
Namba Yasaka Shrine
In the midst of the bustling Namba, there is a very large and prominent green lion shrine tucked away in the middle of Namba's quiet neighborhood. This green lion shrine is a lion's head with a big open mouth called Yasaka Shrine, which is 12 meters high and 11 meters wide, and is very striking. It is said that Yasaka Shrine was built in memory of Emperor Nintoku, but it was later moved here for various reasons and is famous for praying for "Golden Luck" and "Sure Luck".
Walking into the shrine is like walking into the mouth of a lion, which is a very interesting feeling. Every New Year, there are kagura performances, dance performances, and occasional festivals such as the removal of cakes and the scattering of beans, making it a very lively place to visit.
Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
The 2.6-kilometer-long Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, also known as Japan's longest shopping street, spans three subway stations on the Sakaisuji Line. If you can't find what you're looking for in Shinsaibashi, or you want to avoid the crowds of Shinsaibashi, you may want to come here for a treasure hunt. There are restaurants, drugstores, supermarkets, and electrical stores, so you can find everything you want. As for food, I recommend Nakamuraya (coleslaw), Naruto Snapper Yaki Honpo, Tamade Supermarket (one-yen loan) and Wanaka, a takoyaki dorayaki restaurant. Wanaka has been selected as a Michelin Recommended Restaurant, so don't miss it.
Tenjinbashi2 There is a famous shrine, Tenmangu Shrine, in Chome, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning, which attracts many students every year. In July, one of Japan's three major festivals, the Tenjin Matsuri, is held here, and there is a spectacular parade full of traditional Japanese features.
Osaka Mint Japan Mint
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The Osaka Mint Museum is an exhibition of coins and their production process, but it's actually famous for its cherry blossom avenue, which is a museum of cherry blossoms. The 570-meter-long cherry blossom tunnel is not only seasonal, but is also open only seven days a year for the public to visit for free, which is why countless locals and tourists come here every day. There are more than 100 kinds of cherry blossoms in a wide variety of colors, so you can see them all at once. Since the time of blooming varies from year to year, interested travelers have to keep an eye on the official website for the latest updates so that they don't miss out on the beauty of the cherry blossoms.
Kids Plaza Osaka
I've always heard that Osaka is a great place for parents and children because there are so many things for them to do, such as Kids Plaza Osaka. It's a combination of natural science, creativity, adventure, and culture, with five floors and a different theme on each floor. Children can learn many scientific principles and have the opportunity to be creative and train their five senses. If you want to participate in the DIY program, please sign up early. The entrance fee is not too expensive, at 1,400 yen for adults, 800 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 500 yen for ages 3 and up, so you can take a rain check.
Tenpozan Harbor Village is a complex entertainment center with a lot of fun facilities, including the Kaiyukan, Tenpozan Market Street, Sakuraku Paradise, Tenpozan Ferris Wheel, and the Santa Maria Sailboat, which is perfect for a day trip.
Sailboat Sightseeing - Santamaria Platform
The best way to enjoy Osaka Harbor and the scenery along the way is to take a sailboat sightseeing - Santamaria. The Santamaria is modeled after the ship used by Columbus to discover the New World, but it is two times larger and carries a large number of passengers. The ship departs every 45 minutes during the day and every hour at dusk, and the price of admission varies, but it is free with the Osaka Tourist Card.
Daytime: Adults ￥1,600, Children ￥800
Dusk: Adults ￥2,100, Children ￥1,050
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in Japan, housing more than six hundred species of marine life, including otters, sea creatures, and nearly thirty thousand animals. The Kaiyukan is home to more than 600 species and nearly 30,000 marine creatures, such as otters, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, jellyfish, and even the world's largest fish, the whale shark, which is guaranteed to be an eye-opening experience. There are daily animal feeding shows at the Sea Tour Museum, such as penguins, dolphins and whale sharks. You can check the schedule on the official website before you go, so don't miss it! In addition, visitors can also interact with sharks here and get a taste of touching sharks, which is perfect for parent-child trips.
Because of the high price of admission to the Kaiyukan, I recommend purchasing the "Osaka Kaiyukan Ticket", which includes unlimited rides on trains and buses for one day in addition to the admission ticket, and is the most cost-effective option.
LEGOLAND Osaka
Another place in Osaka where kids go crazy is LEGOLAND. This indoor amusement park is conveniently located at Oban Port Station. The park requires both children and adults to be in the park at the same time, and it's designed specifically for kids/parents with fun rides like a 4D movie theater, LEGO Factory Tour, Castle Adventure, and Magic Carousel. Tickets are 2,300 yen and are required for children over 3 years old. I think the price is quite high, but if you have an Osaka Tourist Pass, you can get in for free.
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
I've always been a fan of Ferris wheels, and I like to sit in the car and enjoy the view. The Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel is 112 meters high and takes about 15 minutes to rotate around, allowing you to enjoy the view of Osaka Harbor and Kansai International Airport, which is perfect for couples and family members to come here to relax and have a good time. Four of the carriages are fully transparent crystal carriages, so those who are not afraid of heights can take a ride. What's special about the Ferris wheel is that it lights up at night and forecasts the weather for the next day: red for sunny days, green for cloudy days, and blue for rainy days. Even if you're not interested in the Ferris wheel, it's still a good idea to stroll around and take photos at night.
RINKU PREMIUM OUTLET
For those who want to take advantage of Japan's big sales, consider Rinku Prime Outlet, a 20-minute drive from Kansai Airport, which has more than 200 brand-name stores selling a wide range of clothing, shoes, kitchenware, luggage and more, all at bargain prices. Many of Japan's own brands such as Peach John, Samantha Thavasa, As Know As, and Beam are among them, and even famous sports brands such as Adidas, Le Coq Sportif, New Balance, Nike, and Vans are also available, making it the perfect place to do some last-minute shopping before you head back to your home country.
Kobe Kobe Many people who travel to Osaka also visit the surrounding areas, with Kobe and Nara at the top of the list
The famous Kobe Beef is a mouth-watering treat, but there are many other places to visit in Kobe that are perfect for a day trip or even an overnight stay. Here are some of the best places to visit in a day:
Kobe Port: Kobe Tower, the landmark of Kobe, is the symbol of the opening of the port. The Kobe Tower symbolizes the opening of the port and was the first light that the Japanese turned on to the world. The five-story lighthouse has an amazing view of the entire Kobe Harbor and is free, so don't miss it. Afterwards, you can take a stroll around the nearby Mosaic Square and Park of America, which is quite romantic after dark.
Old Settlement: When Japan opened up, many foreigners settled here, creating a whole row of European-style buildings. Today, the houses have been turned into high-end boutiques, but they still attract a lot of people who come here to take photos and get a feel for the European style. If you're a fan of European architecture, you can also visit the Kitano Inhabitant House, but you'll have to pay an entrance fee to see each one.
Nanjingmachi: In a word, China Town. It's full of Chinese flavor, with vendors chatting in Chinese everywhere. The most interesting thing is that most of the tourists are Japanese! Being there, it's as if you've gone from being a guest to being a host, and you can't help but want to introduce Chinese food to the Japanese.
Sannomiya: A shopping paradise. There are countless department stores, shopping malls and shopping streets where you can find beautiful and trendy products. Sannomiya straddles Hankyu Kobe Sannomiya Station, JR Sannomiya Station and Hanshin Kobe Sannomiya Station, so you can get lost if you are not careful.
If you plan to stay overnight in Kobe, you will have time to see the night view of the famous Moyama Mountain, as well as take a dip in the Arima Onsen. Arima Onsen is one of the three oldest springs in Japan, with three different qualities that make it very special. If time permits, you can also visit Rokko Mountain in Kobe, which has a botanical garden, a music box museum, and a nature observation deck, making it ideal for families.
Nara Nara
I don't think I need to introduce you to the most famous attraction in Nara - the Nara deer.
Nara deer live in Nara Park, and since the park is so large, you can see them everywhere. It is often said that Japanese people are full of rituals and politeness, and so are the Nara deer. As soon as they see food, they will run to you in a swarm and bow to you, which is very cute. Their long necks make a very unnatural gesture, which is particularly amusing on them. If you want to feed the deer, you can buy deer shells at the park stand. I couldn't help but try a bite of the deer shells because they looked so delicious, but I found that they had a slightly bitter flavor and were not very tasty.
After taking pictures with the Nara deer, you can continue on to Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. As you go deeper, the number of deer dwindles, and the deer that live here look as if they don't want to be disturbed, compared to the quietness and relaxation of Nara Park.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine is my favorite spot. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is like a fantasy forest, so quiet and ethereal that you can't help but slow down for fear of breaking the serenity of the place. Occasionally, a few deer are seen walking between the stone lanterns and the forest, acting as guardians of the shrine.
Summary:
Osaka is a place worth spending a few days in, and even the nightlife is convenient and exciting. When I first visited Osaka, I thought there was no direct train from Nara to Kyoto, so I foolishly wasted a lot of time traveling to Osaka for nothing. So if you are planning to visit Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto in one trip, it is better to start from Osaka and then take a direct train from Nara/Kobe to Kyoto to save time.