Location: Osaka
Top Things to do in Osaka
Top 10 Things to do in Osaka, Japan
Home to nearly nine million and powering an economy that exceeds both Hong Kong's and Thailand's, Osaka packs quite a punch. The confident, stylish city is a shopping hub, with fabulous restaurants and nightlife. It's an ideal base for exploring the Kansai region; Kyoto's World Heritage Sites, Nara's temple and Koya-san's eerie graves are within 90 minutes by train. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory.
Restaurants in Osaka
1. Dotonbori
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
The heart of Osaka nightlife, this area is filled with Theaters, restaurants, cafes, bars, arcades and nightclubs.
Reviewed By Sam S - Palm Beach, Florida
The street for foodies! I started my adventures at Tsuki no Odori a restaurant renown for its Yakitori (Japanes chicken food) had a few delicious skewers (1300yen) there before making my way down the street. I basically looked for queues and hoped for the best. My next stop was the famous "Osaka octopus balls" (6 for 400y) looked really great but I wasn't a fan. I moved on to the grilled crab legs that I was craving for (2 for 900y) but I found it over rated and not the easiest to eat standing up with chopstick...lol glad i had wome wetnaps with me. In one of the side street I saw some gyoza that looked really enticing, its one of those small shops where you order in the front on a vending machine and get you're order inside, (7 for 400y), they were small but very good, the staff at the shop was also super nice and accommodating. After that I was pretty full so I went to get the "second best ice cream in the world" their words not mine (400y) from a food truck, its was truly delicious, ice cream in a warm bun, definitely worth it! Next to the food truck was a chestnut roaster, I got a small bag to take back with me to the hotel not cheap! (1080y) for a small bag, around 250g, but I love them and they reminded me of my childhood! I enjoyed my visit to dotombori for the food but its more than that of course, every street has its personality and identity, a great place for people watching and to linger for hours.
2. National Bunraku Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
One of the few places where bunraku, traditional Japanese pupper theater, can be enjoyed, this theater combines the latest in theater technology with architectural elements from the Edo period in Japan.
Reviewed By Venkat C - Singapore, Singapore
What a place and what an experience!! Enjoyed the elegant and meticulous performance of this traditional puppet art. All of the performance was in Japanese and it grows on you. Ushers brought us a. English translation of the story which made it more enjoyable. Our friends also helped us with a synopsis. The experience was unforgettable.
3. Kids Plaza Osaka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
This is a very interesting museum for children and it is the best way for travelers with children in Osaka. There are many educational and playful exhibits and activities for children. The Kids Town designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser,an Austrian architect, is through the 4th floor and the 5th floor.
Reviewed By melb3056 - Melbourne, Australia
Had a blast with our 4 year old! It is massive and lots of different activities for all senses, technology, music, culture etc... role playing was a big hit, pretending to work at the supermarket, hairdresser, postwoman etc... staff was lovely as well.
We went on a Tuesday, would strongly suggest to avoid weekends, there was barely anyone during the week. Way cheaper than Kidzania and not as crowded. We stayed 4 hours.
Would def go back until she is 7/8 years old.
4. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
See the wide range of habitats that make up the Pacific Rim on a tour of this fascinating aquarium, which takes you from one environment to another and lets you feel as though you’re underwater.
Reviewed By vanilla-ivory - Manila
Another must-see tourist spot in Osaka!
You get to see great marine life up-close, with a 1-foot thick acrylic glass panel just separating you and them. It's mesmerizing to see dolphins, sea lions, mantas, and whale sharks swim right in front of your eyes, almost as if you can touch them!
My daughter had a wonderful experience and kept calling out "Destiny!!!" (from Finding Dory) each time the whale shark swam by.
There is also a sensory exhibit towards the end where you can touch bamboo sharks and manta rays!
TIP:
- Grab tourist guide manuals from the airport, and look for the freebie coupon for Osaka Kaiyukan. We only saw this days after , too bad. I think the freebie is animal-shaped post-its. Really cute!
- Bring along a journal / notebook before you come here, as there are many rubber stamping stations scattered inside the aquarium. I suggest to get an unlined one, with thick, good quality paper (so the ink doesn't show through the other side). This is a good souvenir and it's free!
- Bring a small hand towel. There is a shark and manta touching station towards the end, there are sinks but no hand dryer or paper towels.
- There are 2 souvenir stations: one right after the shark/manta touching station, and another a floor down. They have different merchandise, and we got magnets from both.
5. Kemasakuranomiya Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
6. Osaka Castle Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Formally the home of the wife of 16th-century Japanese ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the 15-acre Nishinomaru Garden is one of Osaka's most beloved cherry blossom viewing spots, with the Osaka Castle Tower enhancing the backdrop.
Reviewed By Ieda2511 - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
The castle is about 15minutes walk from Osaka business park station. The first thing we did was book timing ticket for Gozabune ride for free (using Osaka Amazing Pass). The entrance fees to Osaka Castle of 600yen is also free using OAP.
We arrive at Osaka Castle around 10am and the crowd start to build up but still okay. We waited for the lift to the observing deck about 10minutes. From the observing deck, we move down each level by stairs. Every floor show a different history of war. Good experience if you are into history and war study.
I spent about 1 hour inside the castle before heading to Gozabune for short 15minutes cruise
After cruise, we head to the garden. There are some plum blossom when we visit (middle Feb'18) but I bet it would be prettier during the cherry blossom season.
Note: For wheel chair bound visitor, I saw there are lift provided for disable from ground floor. Pay for entrance fees first and ask for assistance from the staff.
However, the journey from station to Osaka Castle entrance might be a little challenging because of the road is a bit 'hilly' but overall, personally I think it's not that bad. Bring assistance just in-case.
7. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 665 reviews
Built prior to the influx of Buddhist architecture, this shrine - one of the oldest in Japan - exemplifies a purely Japanese style design.
Reviewed By May Ping C
My first experience doing a Countdown in one of Osaka's well-known shrines. There were temporary stalls selling quick eats like Jap BBQ stuff, Jap noodles, mini cake balls etc along with trinkets & fun fair games where you can have a bit of fun n food before you enter the shrine premises. I entered the shrine at around 11.30pm on 31st Dec and already there were throngs of people queuing up and only heard people counting down from last 10secs. The queue slowly moved till we made our way to the first building where we prayed for our New Year wishes and bought some charms to help boost our luck for the new year. A lot of people arrived around 1am after they've finished their countdown parties and the wait would be immensely longer than mine. Worth trying a diff New Year countdown experience!
8. Universal Studios Japan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
This extremely popular theme park is equivalent to the Universal Studios in Hollywood and Orlando, and features shows, rides and restaurants based on famous movie themes, like Jaws, Back to the Future and Terminator.
Reviewed By BJM111 - Perth, Australia
Massive amount of people, never seen anything like it. We get there early and the lines to buy tickets were already incredibly long. Definitely recommend that you buy the express pass. We went to a total of 3 attractions only (Jaws, backdraft and one Harry potter ride that wasn't even the popular one) and that was pretty much our whole day gone. The lines were incredibly long and slow moving, upwards of 3 hours for the popular rides. The lines have been strategically designed to snake around so it is deceiving, it appears the line is short but then you realise you've got a long time to go. Smuggle in some 7eleven sushi and sandwiches to save a fair bit of money on overpriced food. One more thing is that the attractions are not really catered for English only speaking people, I.e the Jaws and backdraft rides/shows so don't expect to Understand what is being said. Overall a 'Meh' day.
Highlight of the day was Mels diner, delicious greasy burger and chips. Lowlight was waiting a total of around 3 hours to see some pretty mediocre shows/rides.
9. Nanba Grand Kagetsu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By winylake - Switzerland
We took a walk expecting for something more special, but did not find it that attractive. Just very crowded with lots of shops.
10. Museum of Oriental Ceramics
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
A collection of Japanese, Chinese and Korean ceramics – among the best in the world – is displayed at this outstanding museum.
Reviewed By gocats89 - New York City, New York
I visited this museum with my (first generation) 48 year old Korean-American wife, my 77 year old Japanese-American mother, two daughters ages 12 and 11. I am familiar with Asian art, so visiting this museum is not new territory for me. My wife said her father told her most great Korean art is in Japan, so she should see it there. Sadly this is very true.
We were fortunate to visit while there was a special exhibit of Ru porcelain narcissus vessels from Taiwan (I'm serious, this is really a thing). This was the first time these wares were shown outside of Taiwan, including what was thought to be the one of the greatest ceramics pieces ever made!
This special exhibit aside, the core collection is worth seeing. Over 60% of it is Korean. I have been to several museums in Korea and have not seen pieces of this quality there. By comparison, the two sections displaying Chinese and Japanese wares are relatively sparse and of lower quality. In particular, the Chinese section is weak. You cannot see the continuity of ceramics development across dynasties, as you can at the Met in New York or in China, for example. The other thing you will notice, is how poor in quality these wares are in comparison to their contemporaries in Korea.
There is no English audio guide. However, the English written descriptions are very strong. The best part of these descriptions is how the pieces are made: thrown and pounded into shape, put together from multiple pieces, etched, ceramic slip added to the piece, type of glaze (with iron, without), etc. You will have a greater appreciation for the pieces if you read these.
If you look at the dates of the pieces and think about what was being produced at the same time in the US or Europe, you will be astounded at the relative quality of the pieces.
This museum is easily accessible by public transport and is close to many other major shopping attractions. It should take you no more than 90 minutes to experience the museum in depth.
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