Osaka is a pulsating metropolis. It is vibrant, historic, and modern and offers thrilling activities you can take part in while in Japan. The city is renowned for its fantastic food scene and lively nightlife, but it has more beneath its neon-lit guise.
Compared to other big cities in Japan, Osaka makes up for glamour with local peculiarity, fun, festivities, and character. This city is laid back and friendly; you will surely love it if you decide to indulge.
If you are ever in Osaka, here is a list of things you must have on your itinerary for an unforgettable experience. Whether you are a foodie, nature lover, historical buff, or just seeking adventure, you have something compelling to explore in this dynamic city.
Tour the Osaka Castle
Once you are in Osaka, you will naturally be drawn to the Osaka Castle. This is the city’s symbol and a monument that serves as a Samurai’s evocation. The castle sits in the heart of modern Osaka, so you can catch a glimpse of the town while here.
It has stood the test of time and underwent several reconstructions after destruction, so it will be an excellent place to recap some history.
This castle is photogenic, so be sure to take some snapshots while here. It has an observation platform on its topmost floor from which you can take in views of the city. It is also surrounded by a lush green park, an excellent additional and relaxing site. During spring, the park becomes a cherry blossom viewing hotspot.
If you want to get to know the castle’s entirety well, it is a good idea to go on a guided tour, but you can also get tickets to explore it solo.
Explore and Experience Dotonbori
Dotonbori is known for thick crowds, premier entertainment, ever-glowing neon lights, and unending food options, so make it part of your plan. Its history dates back to when Yasui Doton, a merchant, invested tons of money in the district to commercialize it.
This district is energetic, and if you want to experience it fully, visit once the sun goes down and the lights shine the brightest. Your senses will go overdrive from all the buzz on this canal.
You can walk or sit down to watch everything as it happens but don’t leave without sampling the food, popping into the Don Quijote discount store, and taking a photo with “Glico Man”, the symbol of Osaka.
If you choose to walk, detour and navigate towards Hozen-ji Yokocho alleyway to enjoy Osaka’s quiet and traditional charm. You can even stop at the Hozen-ji temple for a spiritual lift.
Check Out Universal Studios Japan
Whether alone, with family, or with friends, regardless of their ages, you must stop at Universal Studios Japan. Just about thirty minutes from central Osaka, this theme park has a lot to offer, including the recent Super Nintendo World, Jurassic Park, and the allure of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The concept of Disneyland has become very popular, so you can’t end an Osaka trip without visiting this spot. Its sections have various attractions, performances, amusement rides, and character meet and greets. Before visiting Universal Studios Japan, pre-booking your ticket(s) to avoid the long queue is a good idea.
After you are done with your tour around the park, you can hop into the Universal Citywalk Osaka Mall, where you can shop for merchandise and Osaka souvenirs to take home.
Namba Yasaka Shrine
The Buddhist Namba Yasaka Shrine sits in the Namba locality, about ten minutes from the Nankai station. This shrine differs from most of the ones you may encounter in Japan, with a stage designed to appear like a lion’s head and cherry blossom trees that dot the surrounding grounds. The shrine’s distinctive architecture attracts many visitors, but its theme park retro look is also attention-grabbing.
The lion’s mouth is presumed to bring good fortune and take in evil spirits, particularly regarding business and school affairs. Due to this, many people visit this shrine when sitting their exams or when the financial years are coming to an end.
Every third Sunday in January, a huge tug-of-war tournament occurs here to mark the shrine’s annual festival. This competition mimics the myth that Namba’s deity killed a giant snake, fostering peace and harmony among the Namba people.
Go Atop the Iconic Umeda Sky Building
Standing majestically at 568 feet, this is one of the tallest buildings in Osaka. What stands out about it compared to the others is its distinctive architecture. The Umeda Sky Building has a massive bridge (Floating Garden Observatory) that links its two towers, enabling it to dominate Umeda’s neighborhood skyline.
You can go up the 40 floors to get breathtaking views of Osaka while on the uppermost floor. Going up and getting a 360-degree view from the escalator and elevator is also spectacular.
But the views are not the only things you should be after. You can access a cinema, café, and bar within the building for a quick break. The basement is even more compelling as it houses a restaurant that features decorations drawn from the Showa Era.
Explore Marine Marvels at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Whether sea life fascinates you or not, this aquarium must be on your itinerary. This is where you can marvel at various sea creatures easily.
Being the most extensive global aquarium, the Osaka aquarium has numerous tanks and enclosures that have been impressively curated to look like some of the most diverse and essential sea life regions.
This is one of the few aquariums that allow you to see whale sharks, penguins, sea otters, sea lions, and even tiger sharks. Here, you will also see a tropical reef exhibit, harbor seals, Japanese giant spider crabs, sea turtles, and manta rays.
Since this aquarium has acrylic glass sheets, you will feel as if you are underwater and get an almost real-life exhibition of the world’s sea life.
Get Trendy at Amerika-Mura/Ame-mura
Amerika-Mura is an American village in Osaka and probably the city’s funkiest street. This is where you will meet the trendiest youngsters hanging out. Ame-mura is very befitting for Japanese hipsters.
If you want to watch people as they go about their business, you can hang out at the Triangle Park (Sankaku-koen).
While here, anticipate avant-garde fashion trends, internationally minded bars, obscure boutiques, import stores, independent coffee shops, fantastic art and music performances, and even tattoo parlors. Bear in mind that the Japanese generally frown upon tattoo artists as they relate them to the Yakuza (mafia).
The fact that Amerika-Mura has tattoo parlors shows the area’s quirky nature and rebelliousness.
Visit the TeamLab Botanical Garden
You may be familiar with Tokyo’s famed digital art museum, teamLab Borderless. But do you know you can also experience the teamLab magic while visiting Osaka? TeamLab launched a new project at Osaka’s Nagai Botanical Garden in 2022.
The Digitized Nature exhibit was created to explore how to transform nature into art by employing non-material digital innovation that is safe for plants.
This is easily one of Osaka’s most incredible places to experience, converting into an art space at night and a botanical garden during the day.
Stroll Around Minoo Park
After being in the crowded places in Osaka, you will probably be craving some quiet time in nature. Minoo Park is a nature lover’s sanctuary and a popular spot to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The park is largely flat, with a paved walking path that will take you through forested mountains. At the end of the path, you will find the park’s waterfall, which is breathtaking. Along the way are snack vendors for energy renewal and restrooms for a quick refresh.
Savour the Delicacies
Many consider Osaka to be Japan’s food capital, so you can’t afford to miss out on its delicacies. If you didn’t know, Osaka’s motto is “kuidaore – eat yourself broke.” This goes to show how seriously the people here take food.
The city is packed with great cafes and restaurants that are reasonably priced and welcoming to foreigners. You can participate in local food tours or even enjoy a street food experience, Osaka’s reputation.
Shinsekai restaurants are best for the local skewer specialty (kushikatsu), while the Kuromon Market is best for street eats and snacks. To get a taste of the Japanese savory pancake, visit the Okonomiyaki Fukutaro restaurant.
Let’s Conclude
In the end, Osaka is an exciting place where past and present come together in a way that’s hard to find somewhere else. This city is full of experiences whether we talk about Osaka Castle or Namba Yasaka Shrine.
So, don’t miss out on the chance to visit Osaka and plan your trip this month or next to see how this city of Japan shines as a lively mix of history, innovation, and culture. The images you see here are for illustration purposes only. Thanks for reading.
