ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN OSAKA

Osaka, Japan is a vibrant city known for its modern architecture, delicious food, and energetic atmosphere. As Japan's third-largest city, it's a major hub for commerce, culture, and tourism. Osaka is Japan's second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region for many centuries. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known. In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and established his government in distant Edo (Tokyo). There are countless attractions and landmarks to visit in Osaka such as the Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan, Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower, and the Umeda Sky Building.

Osaka is often referred to as "Japan's kitchen" because of its rich food culture. Try local foods such as Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu, and Yakiniku. Osaka is popular for its shopping and entertainment, with long shopping streets like Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura and Namba. Don't miss out on cultural experiences like the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka Aquarium, and National Bunraku Theatre. This is a detailed guide of Attractions and things to do in Osaka, Japan.

Osaka Castle

The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time. However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665, burnt down, and was not rebuilt during the feudal ages. It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. During the war it miraculously survived the city-wide air raids. Major repair works gave the castle new glamor in 1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility. It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former "western citadel", is a lawn garden with 600 cherry trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House and nice views of the castle tower from below. Unlike most of the rest of the castle grounds, the garden requires an admission fee. The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The park is one of Osaka's most popular hanami spots during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in late March and/or early April. The recommended approach to Osaka Castle is through Otemon Gate at the park's southwestern corner. The closest station is Tanimachi Yonchome Station along the Tanimachi and Chuo subway lines.

Dotonbori

From Osaka or Umeda Station, take the Midosuji line to Namba Station. From there, walk north towards Shinsaibashi. The Dotonbori River divides Shinsaibashi and Namba, and the Dotonbori Bridge is the convergence point for both neigborhoods. The origins of the Dotonbori area date back to the early 1600s, when a local businessman widened the banks of the Dotonbori River in the hopes of increasing commercial opportunities. Within 50 years, the area expanded in popularity, boasting six kabuki and five bunraku (puppet) theaters. Some 400 years later, this area is still an entertainment hub, attracting locals and travelers alike. The towering walls of neon that cover the buildings of Dotonbori are a testament to Japan's bright optimism during a time when neon reigned supreme as a new and promising technology. The entire area is preserved in this retro-futurist ambiance, perfect for tourists looking for a stereotypical Japanese metropolitan vibe. 

The unofficial mascot of Dotonbori is the Glico Man, a large neon sign featuring a man running on a blue race track positioned directly above the Dotonbori bridge. The billboard was first erected in 1935 as an advertisement for Glico, the Japanese food company that produces Pocky and Pretz. It is a popular photo spot for tourists and locals alike. Both sides of the Dotonbori River are filled with eating and drinking establishments. Walk the promenade to find the famous Kani Douraku restaurant, which prominently displays an enormous crab above its entrance. Open-air ramen stands are scattered throughout the area, filling the air with an appetite-whetting aroma. If you continue towards Shinsaibashi Dotonbori is best explored in the evening, when the lights are bright and the people are merry. For a light meal, be sure to try Osaka's famous okonomiyaki—or savory pancake—and takoyaki, cooked batter balls stuffed with octopus. Consider heading to an izakaya for a more leisurely dining and drinking experience, or party all night at one of the nearby clubs.

Shitennoji Temple

Shitennoji is one of Japan’s oldest temples, established in the 6th century. It holds historical significance and remains an active site for Buddhist worship. Visitors can explore the main temple complex, including the five-story pagoda and beautiful Japanese gardens. Shitennoji is a short walk from Shitennoji-mae-Yuhigaoka Station on the Tanimachi Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a ten minute walk north of Tennoji Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.

Shitennoji is one of Japan's oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Although the temple's buildings burned down several times over the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th century design. The outer temple grounds are free to enter, but admission to the inner precinct, the Gokuraku-jodo Garden and the treasure house is paid. In the pebble-covered courtyard of the inner precinct stand a five-storied pagoda that can be entered and ascended and the Main Hall (Kondo) in which Prince Shotoku is enshrined as a statue of Kannon. A short walk away, the Gokuraku-jodo Garden was designed based on descriptions of the Western Paradise of the Amida Buddha. Also on the temple grounds stands a treasure house that displays paintings, scriptures and other valuable belongings of the temple in periodic, themed exhibitions.

Tsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai

Shinsekai or "New World" is a district in Osaka that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterward. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia-evoking symbol of Shinsekai. The area was developed into its current layout following the success of the 1903 National Industrial Exposition, which brought over five million people to the neighborhood. Shortly after the expo closed its doors, work began to improve and update Shinsekai. Paris was chosen as the model for Shinsekai's northern half, while the southern portion was built to imitate Coney Island in New York. Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Although it was scrapped during WWII, the tower was reconstructed soon afterward in 1956. The current tower is 103 meters high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters. In addition, the tower offers an open-air deck on top of the main observatory and a 60-meter-long slide at the base of the tower.

Another noted attraction is kushikatsu, one of Osaka's best-known specialties. It is a dish composed of various skewered, battered, and deep-fried foods. Varieties on offer range from chicken and beef to pumpkin and asparagus, to the banana and ice cream dessert varieties. Many of Shinsekai's kushikatsu restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night. Shinsekai is also home to Spa World, a huge bath complex with a large number of pools on a European-themed floor and an Asian-themed floor. The floors are switched between genders each month, and bathing is enjoyed naked. Natural hot spring water is pumped up from far below the earth's surface. Shinsekai is a short walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line, Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Midosuji and Sakaisuji subway lines, and Ebisucho Station on the Sakaisuji Subway Line.

Umeda Sky Building

This futuristic building is an architectural marvel with twin towers connected by a "Floating Garden Observatory" at the top, offering 360-degree views of Osaka. The observatory is a perfect spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city, especially at night.

The Umeda Sky Building is a spectacular high-rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda stations. It is also known as the "New Umeda City". The 173-meter tall building consists of two towers that are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers great views of the city through its windows and from its open-air deck. In the basement, there is a restaurant floor that replicates a town of the early Showa Period, while offices occupy most other floors.

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia. Opened in 2001 in the Osaka Bay Area, the theme park has been expanded over the years and is one of the most visited amusement parks in Japan. Universal Studios Japan currently has ten sections: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. Visitors are able to enjoy many amusement rides, ranging from child-friendly carousels to thrilling roller coasters and simulators based on popular movies such as the Minions, Shrek, and Jurassic Park. In addition to rides, the theme park offers many opportunities to take pictures with popular characters' mascots such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and the Muppets. There are also various shows put on every day, including a night parade featuring illuminated floats.

Just outside the park's gates is Universal Citywalk Osaka, a shopping mall with multiple hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs. Furthermore, the Osaka Takoyaki Museum, which is essentially a collection of several popular Takoyaki vendors, is located on the mall's fourth floor. The park's entrance gate is located a five-minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line (also referred to as JR Sakurajima Line). From Osaka Station, there are several direct trains per hour (15 minutes, 190 yen) and many more connections that require an easy transfer at Nishikujo Station. A ferry service named "Captain Line" connects Universal Studios Japan with the Osaka Aquarium (10 minutes, 900 yen one way, 1700 yen roundtrip, 1-2 ferries per hour). A combination ticket for the aquarium and the ferry ride can be purchased for 3400 yen (one way) or 4200 yen (roundtrip).

Osaka Aquarium

One of the largest aquariums in the world, Kaiyukan is famous for its gigantic tank housing a whale shark, the world’s largest fish. The aquarium features 16 exhibits representing different regions of the Pacific Rim, and visitors can see a wide range of marine life, including penguins, otters, and jellyfish. Osaka Aquarium is located at Osakako Station on the Chuo Subway Line. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located in the Tempozan Harbor Village of Osaka's bay area, and is one of Japan's most spectacular aquariums. It introduces various forms of life inhabiting the Pacific Rim in a well organized and impressive way. Marine life is displayed in over a dozen tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium's main attraction.

Visitors start their tour of the aquarium on the 8th floor and slowly spiral down floor by floor around the central tank. Some of the tanks stretch over several floors, making it possible to observe the animals from different depths and perspectives.

Popular Foods to Eat in Osaka

Takoyaki

Takoyaki , which literally translates to grilled octopus, refers to the savory dish of grilled balls of batter made with flour and eggs filled with octopus chunks and other ingredients like pickled ginger (beni shoga) and leftover fried tempura batter (tenkasu). Each takoyaki ball is approximately the size of a golf ball. Typically made fresh in-store, the exterior of a takoyaki ball is a nice golden brown while the interior can be a touch molten. A single order of takoyaki contains about eight balls, which are topped with shaved bonito flakes (katsuobushi), aonori seaweed flakes and drizzled with mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce. Takoyaki originated and is particularly popular in Osaka. It is typically sold at specialized stands or small restaurants and is also a favorite at festivals where one will likely encounter at least one takoyaki stand. Takoyaki is also a fun dish to make at home, and smaller takoyaki grill plates for home use are easily available at shops. One of the appeals of takoyaki is watching how it is cooked on large takoyaki grill plates. As takoyaki are made on the spot, they are almost always piping hot, and diners should take care not to burn their tongues in their haste to eat. Instead of chopsticks, toothpicks or short bamboo skewers are often provided to poke the takoyaki and eat them. Two attractions dedicated to Takoyaki are the Takoyaki Park in Universal Citywalk Osaka, just outside Universal Studios Japan and the Takoyaki Museum in Decks Tokyo Beach in Odaiba, Tokyo. Both places offer a collection of popular and well-known takoyaki shops from Osaka, from which diners can compare the different takoyaki varieties and flavors.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a popular pan-fried dish that consists of batter and cabbage. Selected toppings and ingredients are added which can vary greatly (anything from meat and seafood to wasabi and cheese). This variability is reflected in the dish's name; "okonomi" literally means "to one's liking". The dish is available all over Japan, but is particularly popular in the cities of Hiroshima and Osaka. Okonomiyaki is sometimes translated into English as "as-you-like-it pancake". However, this may be misleading. Though it does consist of batter cooked on a griddle, okonomiyaki has nothing of the sweetness or fluffiness of pancakes, not to mention that it is usually filled with octopus, shrimp, pork, yam or kimchi. A more accurate comparison, which is also made, is between okonomiyaki and pizza. In Japan, people usually eat okonomiyaki at restaurants that specialize in the dish. At some of these restaurants the dining tables are each equipped with an iron griddle ("teppan"), and customers are given the ingredients to cook the meal themselves. For people who prefer to enjoy okonomiyaki without getting involved in the cooking process, there are also traditional restaurants, where the okonomiyaki are prepared by the chef and served ready to eat. Okonomiyaki is also quite easy to make at home. The flour consists of flour, water, eggs and cabbage.

Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu are battered and deep fried pieces of food on skewers. Meat and vegetables are the most common ingredients for kushikatsu, but some restaurants also have more exotic varieties such as strawberries on their menus. Shinsekai is the best place to enjoy kushikatsu in a nostalgic Osaka atmosphere.

Where to Eat

The best place to experience Osaka's food culture is the neon-laden Dotonbori district near Namba Station, which is packed with all types of eateries along its main thoroughfare and many side streets. For a nostalgic atmosphere of past decades, the Shinsekai district with its kushikatsu shops and shogi parlors cannot be beaten. Another major dining district is Kitashinchi, a ten-minute walk south of Osaka Station, while Osaka Station City itself is a safe destination for the less adventurous diners with its multiple elegant restaurant floors.

Why Visit Osaka?

Osaka is known as the "Nation's Kitchen"  due to its food culture, the city is famous for street foods such as Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and Kushikatsu. Osaka boasts several historical landmarks, including the Osaka Castle and Shitennoji Temple. Osaka boasts various Shopping and Entertainment options, such as Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, and Namba. If you enjoy theme parks, Universal Studios Japan is a must-visit, featuring attractions from popular franchises like Harry Potter, Minions, and Super Mario. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world, offering an immersive experience of marine life. Osaka offers diverse nightlife options, from karaoke bars to izakayas (Japanese pubs). Namba and Umeda are popular areas to explore after dark. From unique manzai (comedy) shows to the city's obsession with oversized neon signs and massive mascot displays, Osaka's quirky, laid-back atmosphere contrasts with the more traditional image of Japan. Osaka offers something for every type of traveler, from food enthusiasts and history buffs to adventure seekers. Its combination of delicious food, historical sites, and modern entertainment makes it a fantastic destination.