Best Things To Do in Osaka, Japan

Are you looking for what to do in Osaka?

THINGS TO SEE

There are many places to visit in Osaka. Wondering where to begin from?

Here is a gist of the prominent Osaka tourist attractions:

  • Universal Studios Japan: When opened in March 2001, The Universal Studios Japan was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
  • Osaka Aquarium: It is one of Japan's most spectacular and grand aquariums. Spread across 8 floors, the aquarium is home to some of the most beautiful and stunning creatures of the aquatic world.
  • Dotonbori Area: Having lots of malls, shops and restaurants around, it is a popular shopping and entertainment district.
  • Osaka Castle: The Osaka Castle is a magnificent piece of architecture and is a mute witness to the power and fortune of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. A must see while touring the Castle is The Nishinomaru Garden.
  • Floating Garden: The Floating Garden Observatory is situated on the 39th floor of the Umeda Sky Building. From the garden, one gets amazing views of the city. A must visit while on your tour of Osaka.
  • Shinsaibashi: Shinsaibashi is the largest shopping area in Osaka! Here you will find many boutiques and specialty shops along with malls and department stores.
  • Tsutenkaku: Tsutenkaku is a tower situated in Shinsekai, Osaka, which was first built in the year 1912 as a replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Other interesting places in Osaka are:

  • The Tempozan Ferris Wheel
  • Abeno Harukas
  • Shinsekai
  • Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street
  • Spa World
  • Shintenno ji
  • Sumiyoshi taisha Shrine
  • Tennoji Zoo
  • and Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

Below we have a list of things to do in Osaka and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Osaka getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Osaka with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Osaka

Here is the list of things to do in Osaka and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

    4.4 (10101 Votes)
    Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

    Aquarium

    The Osaka Aquarium, also known as Kaiyukan, is located in the Tempozan Harbor Village of Osaka's bay area. It is one of Japan's most spectacular and grand aquariums. Spread across 8 floors, the aquarium is home to some of the most beautiful and stunning creatures of the aquatic world. Travel on the suggested route and descend a spiral slope, viewing the tanks along the way. The Central Tank is ...Read more
  2. Dotonbori Area

    Outdoors, Restaurant, Entertainment, Mall

    Dotonbori Area is one of Osaka's most popular localities. It is a street that runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal. Having lots of malls, shops and restaurants around, it is a popular shopping and entertainment district. At night, the entire area is lit up by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the well known Glico Running Man sign and Kani Doraku crab sign. Trivia- Dotonbor...Read more
  3. Universal Studios Japan

    4.5 (11322 Votes)
    Universal Studios Japan

    Theme Park, Entertainment, Adventure, Rides

    Universal Studios Japan is a major tourist attraction in Osaka and draws a lot of visitors. When opened in March 2001, it was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia. It is spread across an area of approximately 39 hectares! Now that is one giant theme park!  Popular rides within the park include The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Hollywood Dr...Read more
  4. Osaka Castle Park

    Park

    The castle looms over this 2 kilometres square park. Aside from the 600 cherry trees in Nishinomaru Garden that make it one of Japan's Top 100 hanami parks, there are hundreds of trees that make the park beautiful in every season, especially in autumn. Some things you should check off your list: Make sure to stroll by the Ume Grove, and in Omoide-no-mori (Grove of Remembrance). See the monumen...Read more
  5. Shinsaibashi

    Outdoors, Walking Area, Entertainment, Street Market

    Listen up shopaholics! Shinsaibashi is the largest shopping area in Osaka! Here you will find many boutiques and specialty shops along with malls and department stores. The Shisaibashi is spread across many arcaded streets. A popular one, the Suomachi-suji Street, offers an elegant atmosphere. One can expect stone paved sidewalks with British style streetlamps and brick buildings. This area is ...Read more
  6. Minami

    4.1 (3793 Votes)
    Minami

    Shopping Center

    The area around Namba station is among the busiest and and most entertaining in Osaka. It is one of the city's main shopping and dining hubs. Don't miss the following highlights in the area: Kuromon Ichiba Market: 200 food stalls spread out along 600 metres. Similar to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade, which is also in the area. Dotonbori: The big and bright signboards of restaurants, theatre...Read more
  7. Osaka Castle

    4.3 (8413 Votes)
    Osaka Castle

    Park, Castle

    The castle looms over this 2 kilometres square park. Aside from the 600 cherry trees in Nishinomaru Garden that make it one of Japan's Top 100 hanami parks, there are hundreds of trees that make the park beautiful in every season, especially in autumn. Some things you should check off your list: Make sure to stroll by the Ume Grove, and in Omoide-no-mori (Grove of Remembrance). See the monumen...Read more
  8. Tempozan Ferris Wheel

    4.4 (7706 Votes)
    Tempozan Ferris Wheel

    Rides

    Before there was the London Eye, there was THE Tempozan Ferris Wheel! Situated at the mouth of the Osaka Bay, Tempozan Ferris Wheel was the biggest, tallest and most technologically advanced observation wheel in the world (it was later surpassed by the gigantic London Eye). From the top, one gets to see beautiful panoramic views of the sea, the mountains and the entire city of Osaka. During the...Read more
  9. Kuromon Market

    4.1 (4340 Votes)
    Kuromon Market

    Market

    This market has been around for 170 years, preserving Osaka's traditions in a way few other places can. While they do sell apparel, electronics and other paraphernalia, the vendors at this market are most famous for their food. With 200 vendors (mostly mom-and-pop style) over 600 metres, this is the best place to be introduced to Osaka cuisine. : Check out the fresh produce, from the exorbitan...Read more
  10. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

    4.4 (4305 Votes)
    Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

    Religious Site, Outdoors, Historical Site, Architecture

    The Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's oldest shrines. It was founded in the 3rd century. This was before the introduction of Buddhism to Japan and hence the shrine has a unique style of architecture known as Sumiyoshi-zukuri. Trivia- The temple enshrines three gods that have long been worshiped for protecting the nation, for protecting sea voyages and for promoting waka (31-sy...Read more
  11. Mint Museum

    4.1 (1622 Votes)
    Mint Museum

    Museum

    There are over 4000 items on exhibit in this museum on Japanese coin and currency. The collection is housed inside a building that used to be an old thermal power plant. See a miniature of the mint complex of it's 1873 layout. View the 1876 Great Clock. See The Balance used to test the purity of gold, and Japan's oldest Double-Entry Accounting Book. There's also an antique Hepburn dictionary. L...Read more
  12. Abeno Harukas

    Landmark, Skyscrapper

    At 300 metres this is Osaka's tallest skyscraper, and also Japan's tallest building. It has multiple attractions. Floors 58-60 are the Harukas 300 observation deck, and from there you have 360 degree panoramas of Osaka. The 58th floor deck has a cafe and an inner court. The Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Department Store, which, with 100,000 square meters of retail space, is the largest in Japan. The ...Read more
  13. Hep Five

    4.2 (1362 Votes)
    Hep Five

    Landmark, Shopping Center

    The bright red Ferris Wheel of the Hep Five shopping mall is the building's main landmark. At its highest point it reaches 106 metres above the ground. The gondolas are air conditioned, so your views of Osaka and as far as Mount Ikoma will be as comfortable as they are spectacular. The night views are just as incredible. The ride lasts around 15 minutes. As for the mall itself… consideri...Read more
  14. Nanba Grand Kagetsu

    4.2 (2673 Votes)
    Nanba Grand Kagetsu

    Stage Show, Theatre

    This theatre was built in 1987 and has since become famous for Yoshimoto style Japanse comedy. Most of the laughs focus on monologues and dialogues. But the antics of the Japanese performers, even when foreign tourists can't make sense of all of it, are a riot! The acrobatic stunts are certainly impressive. Before the main events rakugo and manzai acts will warm you up. Keep yourself updated on...Read more
  15. Nakanoshima Park

    4.1 (4185 Votes)
    Nakanoshima Park

    Waterfront, Park, Walking Area

    Nakanoshima Park is a waterfront park nestled between Dojimagawa and Tosaborigawa rivers. Spread across an area of 10.6 ha, the park is an urban oasis. It was established in the year 1891 and was Osaka’s first public park. At the end of every year, the park is illuminated beautifully and attracts a lot of visitors. It has a rose garden which is home to around 4000 rose bushes of approxima...Read more

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  • where is the robot caberet show located in Osaka. what is cost

    Answer Report Abuse
    • I am not sure if a Robot Cabaret Show takes place in Osaka. There is one Robot Cabaret Show which takes place in the Robot Restaurant that is located in Tokyo. Here is a tour of the Robot Cabaret Show that might interest you. 

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  • Hello, Do you know any Private outdoor onsen come with lunch package in ryokan as I come with my family is more convenient. I prefer in osaka area, of kyoto will do. Lenny

    Answer Report Abuse
    • Many tours are available that provide you with the facilities you are looking for. You will find information regarding the same here.  Some popular hotels which offer onsen in Osaka area include Biwako Hanakaido, Yumotokan, and Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso. 

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