"Osaka, Japan" 25 must-see attractions in Osaka, how many have you visited?
Many people say that Osaka is not as modern and lively as Tokyo, nor as quaint as Kyoto, but in fact Osaka is very interesting. In addition to the various delicacies and cosmeceuticals that are necessary for a day trip, it has a little more than other cities. Different cultural characteristics. The author likes that it combines liveliness and slow life. It is a very suitable city to live in.
The most cost-effective way to visit Osaka is to buy the Osaka Free Pass. In addition to transportation fees, it also includes tickets to many popular attractions, such as the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel, natural hot spring Naniwa no Yu, and Osaka Lifestyle Museum of the past and present Osaka Castle Castle Tower, Tsutenkaku Tower, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, sailing-type sightseeing ship Santa Maria, etc. Below we will introduce you to 25 must-visit attractions in Osaka.
Namba
Namba is located in the Minami District of Osaka. It is the most prosperous place in Osaka City. It integrates food, entertainment and shopping. Its coverage is large enough to visit the entire city. Sky, including Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Eubashisuji, Sennichimae, American Village, Minamisenba, etc. Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi are the most popular places, which will be introduced in detail later. The following are the features of several other places:
Ebibashisuji: The entertainment zone in Namba District, with movie theaters, entertainment centers, etc., as well as clothing, beauty and other stores. For food lovers, you must try Osaka Rikuro Grandpa Cheesecake and 551 Horai Meat Buns.
Sennichimae Tool Street: There are various shops, but they mainly sell tableware. The tableware here is very finely crafted and comes in many styles. Not only can you find tableware worth collecting, it is also a good place to pick out souvenirs or gifts. Famous restaurants such as Mizu Okonomiyaki and Ichiran Ramen are also here.
Amerikamura: For those who like vintage and second-hand clothes, Amerikamura is a must-visit. There are many vintage shops here, and the prices are cheaper than in Tokyo. There are many types of second-hand clothes, and they are very well preserved. You can't tell that they are second-hand at all. In addition, there are also many trendy specialty brands here, such as Vancy, F t F, TreFac Style, KINJI (in Big Step), FLYING TIGER COPENHAGEN, OPA, and Uncle Sam. It is a place where young people like to hang out. The decoration here is obviously different from other streets, full of American style, and you can even find the Statue of Liberty!
Shinsaibashisuji
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Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori are the most famous shopping streets in Osaka. They are connected to form a long shopping street. Avenue. Shinsaibashi is dominated by shopping stores, ranging from drugstores such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, SUN DRUG, and DAISO to cheap clothing such as ARA, H&M, UNIQLO, and FOREVER 21 to well-known brands. Among them, "Daimaru Matsusakaya Department Store" has many brands that are popular among Japanese young people, such as WEGO, GU, Desigual, Lowrys Farm, and Lowrys Farm. People who like fashion must not miss it.
Dotonbori Shopping Street Shinsaibashi-Suji
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Dotonbori is a food street in Namba District, where restaurants from various prefectures and cities in Japan gather. Classic dishes such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, ramen, and crab dishes. Among the recommended delicacies are: Shitenno Ramen, Minato Dotonbori (Akashi Yaki), Crab Doraku and Pablo Half-cooked Cheese Cake.
Do you remember the running people and the moving crab signs on the street that are common on social platforms? This famous photo spot is the running Glico next to Dotonbori Sakae Bridge. In addition to this running man, there are various neon advertisements on both sides of the river bank. After dark, they are reflected on the canal, forming waves of alternating purple, red, and blue colored lights, which is particularly beautiful. There are also major nightclubs and entertainment venues here, making the night more exciting.
Universal Studios Osaka
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The famous Universal Studios is a must-see attraction in Osaka. Although the tickets are surprisingly expensive, I think it's worth the price to see the cute little soldiers.
Universal Studios in Osaka features "Harry Potter" and "Minions Land". This is the only Harry Potter park in Asia, and the entire Hoomi Village scene is simply replicated and presented perfectly. As for "Little Soldier Paradise", it has been the most popular park here since its opening in April 2017. There are many cute scenes from the movie for taking pictures. Restaurants and snack bars sell a lot of Minion-shaped food, and there are many peripheral products, such as stationery, cups, and dolls. The most popular product must be Minion popcorn. bucket. If you are lucky, you may encounter real-life Minions in different shapes and sizes that appear everywhere in the park from time to time; coupled with the Minion Parade, Minions fans will definitely go crazy.
Due to the high popularity of Universal Studios, the queue time for each game can be as long as 1-3 hours, so it is recommended that you purchase fast pass tickets online before departure, so as to shorten the time for Harry Potter Waiting times for many rides including Forbidden Journey, Minions Crazy Ride, Winged Dragon, Spider-Man 4K3D, Jaws, Jurassic Park Boat Ride and many more.
Kuromon Market
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Kuromon Market is a seafood wholesale market and another food center after Dotonbori. About 10 minutes apart. The seafood specialties here are all-inclusive, coming from different places in Japan, including Wagyu beef and famous fruits. Because of its affordable price, it is very popular among local Japanese people. I recommend a few restaurants that the author likes for your reference: Minami (puffer fish), Maruzen Butcher Shop (Wagyu teppanyaki cuisine), Minami Kurogin (black tuna), Yamada Suga (boneless chicken wings), Uofuku ( Scallops), fresh fish Kawasaki (snapper and Matsuba crab).
Kuromon Market is open from 9am. Due to the large crowds, it is recommended that you come early to find food.
Osaka Castle Photo Source
"Osaka Castle", which is one of the three most famous cities in Japan along with Nagoya Castle and Kumamoto Castle, is located in Osaka Castle Park. Attractions include "Nishinomaru Garden" ” and “Osaka Castle Castle Tower”. The former is one of the famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka, and you can also enjoy maple leaves and ginkgo trees in other seasons. Unfortunately, it was winter when the author visited, and the garden area was quite bleak, so I didn't have the chance to see the blooming flowers.
The "Osaka Castle Castle" was built as early as 1585, but was later burned down during the war. The existing castle tower was built 80 years ago and mainly displays the architectural style and history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's era, such as the famous Summer Battle of Osaka. You can also overlook the scenery of Osaka city from the top floor of the castle tower. Tickets for the castle tower are 600 yen, and you can enter for free with a free pass. If you are deeply interested in history, you can take time to visit the nearby Osaka History Museum.
Osaka Umeda Sky Garden Kuchu Teien Observatory
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Umeda is a shopping district in Osaka. There are many large department stores here, such as Hankyu Department Store and Hanshin Department stores, GRAND FRONT, LUCUA, Isetan, Daimaru Department Store, HEP FIVE, and Osaka Umeda underground shopping mall are full of fashionable clothing.
From the Umeda Station Street underground tunnel to the Sky Garden Observation Deck, you can enjoy the 360-degree view of Osaka from a height of 73 meters with zero blind spots. It is a good place to watch the night view. The observatory is full of lights at night, there is a man-made starry sky tunnel on the 35th to 39th floors, and there is a love lock on the platform, which is very suitable for couples to date.
Tennoji Ward & Abeno Ward
In addition to Namba, Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, another shopping and gourmet paradise in Osaka is Tennoji and Abeno Ward. There are three department stores with different price ranges here: “Tenoji MIO”, a concentration of duty-free shops, “Abeno Q’s MALL”, a petty bourgeoisie choice, and “Abeno Harukas”, a paradise for famous brands.
In addition to shopping, there are many places worth visiting in the Tennoji area, such as Shitennoji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. There is a "Master Meeting" on the 21st of every month, and there are open-air markets and stalls everywhere. files. There is also the Tennoji Zoo, which is suitable for family travel, and the Abeno HARUKAS 300 Observation Deck, which has a super beautiful night view. Standing on the observation deck, you can have an unobstructed view of the entire Osaka.
Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku
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"New World" was once the most prosperous area in Osaka and the commercial center of Osaka. The landmark of this area is the Tsutenkaku Tower designed by the architect Tataka Naito who designed the Tokyo Tower. It is very eye-catching with a large blowfish balloon floating in the sky. Since the development of Dotonbori, New World has slowly declined. Thanks to the government's active development in recent years, this area has regained its vitality.
The New World in the past was a place where common people gathered, so the food, restaurants and entertainment facilities here were all priced at common people's prices, but the taste was no worse than that of big restaurants. The author has eaten very delicious Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki here, and the prices are reasonable. Coupled with the fact that there are many cheap hotels here, New World is a good accommodation choice for travelers on a budget.
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
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The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, adjacent to Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, is the first Osaka Museum of Housing and Living in Japan. The life-themed museum recreates the original life of the late Edo period and is a good place for family travel and rainy days.
The 10th floor is an observation deck from which you can overlook Edo-Osaka, while the 8th and 9th floors are the exhibition areas of the Museum of the Past and Present. The 8th floor displays models of the Edo period such as the first Tsutenkaku tower, and the 9th floor allows you to experience life in the late Edo period while wearing a kimono, browse the shops of the time, and take photos on the streets.
Tennen Onsen Naniwa-no-yu, a natural hot spring
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Those who like hot springs can enjoy it for free if they hold the Osaka Amazing Pass. The natural hot spring of "Naniwa no Yu". There are two kinds of hot springs here: open-air and indoor. Even if it rains, your trip will not be affected. The hot springs of "Naniwa no Yu" have always been known as "beautiful hot springs". There are open-air baths and rock baths. There is no time limit for bathing. You can slowly enjoy different types of hot springs, such as cold springs, carbonated springs, massage pools, etc. After soaking in the hot springs, you can also enjoy the salt sauna and steam sauna, which is very relaxing.
The author recommends the open-air hot springs first. You can enjoy the night view of Osaka City while soaking in the hot springs. It feels like a vacation. Afterwards, you can go to the indoor hot springs to refresh yourself with the cold spring water, and then go to the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street next to it to eat.
Nakanoshima
Nakanoshima is the first park in Osaka City. It is a long strip between rivers, about 1.5 kilometers long, and has a large area. . There are many green areas, such as the green trails built around the park, which are very suitable for walking and jogging.
There are many places worth visiting in Nakanoshima, such as the Nakanoshima Library built in Baroque style, the Oriental Ceramics Museum displaying Chinese and Korean ceramics, and the Central Public Hall, an important cultural property. Cultural and artistic activities of different sizes are often held.
Address: 6 Nakanoshimacho, Suita, Osaka 564-0035, Japan
The most famous thing about Nakanoshima is the Nakanoshima Rose Garden located in the center of the park. The park covers an area of 13,000 square feet and is about 500 meters long. More than 3,700 roses are planted, with as many as 300 varieties. During the flower season between May and October every year, roses of different colors compete in the garden. They come in different sizes and have their own beauty. From a distance, they look like the rose garden of the Palace of Versailles. It is definitely worth a visit.
Minoo Falls
Minoo Falls is located in the oldest forest park in Japan - "Meiji Forest Minoo Quasinational Park". It was established to commemorate the centenary of Emperor Meiji's accession to the throne. Minoh Falls was selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls. There is a platform nearby where people can take photos for free. From mid-November to early December every year, the entire mountain top is ablaze, making it a famous maple viewing spot in Osaka. Due to the large area of the park, it is particularly spectacular during the maple leaf season. The most ideal places to enjoy maple leaves are around Takian Temple, Xijiang Temple and Qiaomu Pavilion. You can see maple leaves in different levels such as green, red, orange and yellow.
The shopping street in Minoh Park is very easy to visit, and the food that impressed me the most is the "Red Leaf Tempura" which is limited to the maple leaf season. The maple leaves are salted and then wrapped in powder paste. Fry. In terms of texture and taste, I still think the original tempura is more delicious, but it is also an interesting experience.
Expo '70 Commemorative Park Photo Source
The predecessor of Expo '70 Commemorative Park was the venue of the 1970 World Expo. After reconstruction, the park still retains the Sun City, the venue of the World Expo that year. Buildings such as the Tower and Steel Hall, as well as the newly built Cultural Garden and Japanese Garden, are planted with different types of plants. The four seasons are pleasant and the scenery is different, such as cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, sunflowers, red leaves, etc., making it a good place to enjoy flowers.
Osaka’s festivals, such as summer firefly nights and sunflower festivals, will be held here, and sometimes there will be water parks, illuminations, haunted houses, etc. In addition to the festival, there is Japan's largest complex shopping mall "EXOICITY" next to the park, where many brands and restaurants are located. There are also outdoor amusement facilities for children to play, making it very suitable for family travel.
Namba Yasaka Shrine
In the bustling Namba, there is a very huge and prominent blue lion temple hidden in the quiet community of Namba . This blue lion hall is a lion head with a wide mouth. It is called Yasaka Shrine. It is 12 meters high and 11 meters wide. It is very eye-catching. According to legend, Yasaka Shrine was built to commemorate Emperor Nintoku. It was later moved here for various reasons and is famous for praying for "golden luck" and "good luck."
Walking into the shrine is like walking into the mouth of a lion. It feels very interesting. Every New Year, there are kagura performances, dance performances, etc., and occasionally there are various activities to worship the gods such as removing cakes and scattering beans. It is very lively and worth visiting.
Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
The approximately 2.6-kilometer-long "Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street" is also known as the longest shopping street in Japan and spans Sakai There are three subway stations on the Jinji Line. If you can’t find what you like in Shinsaibashi or want to avoid the crowds in Shinsaibashi, you might as well come here to hunt for treasures.
There are restaurants, drugstores, supermarkets, electrical appliance stores, everything you can think of can be found here. As for food, the author recommends Nakamuraya (croquettes), Naruto Taiyaki Honpo, Tamade Supermarket (1 yen loan products) and Takoyaki Dora Wanaka. Wanaka has been selected as a Michelin recommended restaurant, so don’t miss it.
There is a famous shrine "Temmangu Shrine" in Tenjinbashi 2-chome, which is dedicated to the god of learning "Sugawara Michizane". It attracts many students to visit every year. Every July, the "Tenjin Festival", one of Japan's three major festivals, is held here. There will be a parade full of traditional Japanese characteristics, which is very spectacular.
Osaka Mint Japan Mint
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Although the Osaka Mint Museum exhibits coins and their production process, in fact this place is The cherry blossom avenue among them is famous and can be called a cherry blossom museum. This cherry blossom tunnel is 570 meters long. It is not only limited by season, but also only open seven days a year for free admission to the public. Therefore, countless locals and tourists come here every day. There are a large number of cherry blossoms in the bureau, with more than a hundred species of cherry blossoms in various colors, so you can see all the various postures of cherry blossoms at one time. Since the blooming time varies every year, interested travelers must pay attention to the latest trends on the official website so as not to miss its beauty.
Kids Plaza Osaka
I have always heard that Osaka is a very suitable place for family travel, because there are many places suitable for children to discharge their energy, such as Osaka Children's Park. This is a paradise that combines natural science, creativity, adventure, and culture. It has 5 floors and each floor has a different theme. Children can learn many scientific principles, have the opportunity to display their creativity, and train their five senses. Children who want to participate in DIY must register early. The admission fee here is not expensive. It is 1,400 yen for adults, 800 yen for elementary and middle school students, and 500 yen for those over 3 years old. It can be used as an option for rainy days.
Tempozan Harbor Village is a complex entertainment center with many interesting facilities, including Aquarium, Tempozan Market Street, Hanaku Land, Tempozan Ferris Wheel and Santa Maria - a sailing-type sightseeing boat. Perfect for a day trip.
Santamaria Platform
The best way to enjoy the Osaka Harbor and enjoy the scenery along the way is to board the Santamaria Platform, a sailing boat. The Virgin Mary was built in imitation of the ship used by Columbus when he discovered the New World, but it was two times larger than the original and had a larger passenger capacity. The daily flights are divided into two types: daytime and evening. The former runs every 45 minutes, and the latter runs every hour. The ticket prices are also different, but you can ride for free with the Osaka Amazing Pass.
Daytime tour: 1,600 yen for adults, 800 yen for children
Dusk tour: 2,100 yen for adults, 1,050 yen for children
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in Japan, housing more than 600 species and nearly 30,000 marine creatures, such as otters, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, jellyfish, etc., including the largest fish in the world There are also whale sharks, which are guaranteed to be an eye-opener. The aquarium has daily animal feeding shows, such as penguins, dolphins, and whale sharks. Before departure, you can check the timetable on the official website, don’t miss it! In addition, visitors can also interact with sharks here and have a taste of touching sharks, which is very suitable for parent-child travel.
Due to the high price of tickets to Aquarium Kaiyukan, the author recommends purchasing the "Osaka Aquarium Ticket". In addition to the admission ticket, it also includes unlimited rides on trains and buses for one day, which is the most cost-effective solution.
LEGOLAND Osaka
Another place in Osaka that makes children crazy—LEGOLAND. This indoor playground is located at Dabanggang Station with convenient transportation. The park stipulates that children and adults must enter the park at the same time. It is a park specially designed for children/parents. It is equipped with fun amusement equipment, such as 4D cinema, Lego factory tour, castle adventure, magic carousel, etc. Tickets are 2,300 yen, and children over 3 years old need to purchase tickets to enter. The author thinks the price is quite high, but if you have an Osaka Free Pass, you can enter for free.
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
The author has always been fond of Ferris wheels and likes to sit in the carriage and slowly enjoy the scenery. Tempozan's Big Ferris Wheel is 112 meters high and takes about 15 minutes to rotate once. When the weather is good, you can see Osaka Harbor, Kansai International Airport and other scenic spots in the distance. It is very suitable for couples and families to relax here. Four of the carriages are fully transparent crystal carriages, so people who are not afraid of heights can take a ride. The most special thing is that the Ferris wheel will light up after dark and forecast the weather for the next day. Red represents sunny days, green represents cloudy days, and blue represents rainy days. Even if you have no interest in the Ferris wheel, it’s nice to walk around and take photos at night.
RINKU PREMIUM OUTLET
Those who want to seize the opportunity to sell great deals in Japan can consider Rinku City OUTLET, which is only 20 minutes away from Kansai Airport. There are more than 200 brand stores here, with a wide range of products, including clothing, shoes, kitchenware, luggage, etc., at low prices. Many Japanese own brands such as Peach John, Samantha Thavasa, As Know As, and Beam are included, as well as famous sports brands such as Adidas, Le Coq Sportif, New Balance, Nike, Vans, etc. It is definitely a last-minute shopping opportunity before returning to China. The perfect spot for a wave.
Kobe Kobe Many people who travel to Osaka will also visit surrounding areas. Among them, Kobe and Nara are definitely the first choices
The famous Kobe beef is mouth-watering. In fact, besides Kobe Beef, there are many interesting places in Kobe, perfect for a day trip or even an overnight stay. Here are some recommended attractions suitable for one-day trips:
Kobe Port: Here is the landmark of Kobe - Kobe Tower. Kobe Tower has the symbolic meaning of the opening of the port and is the first light that the Japanese lit up to the world. The five-story lighthouse has a stunning view. You can enjoy the beauty of the entire Kobe Port. It is free and open, so you must not miss it. Afterwards, you can go shopping at the nearby MOSAIC Mosaic Plaza and America Park, which are quite romantic after dark.
Old Residence: When Japan opened up, many foreigners lived here, forming a row of European-style buildings. Nowadays, the houses have been turned into high-end boutiques, but they still attract many people to take pictures here and experience the European style. If you are very fond of European-style architecture, you can also visit the Kitano Ijinkan, but you have to pay an entrance fee for each room before you can enter.
Nankin Town: in one word - Chinatown. The place is full of strong Chinese style, Chinese can be seen everywhere, and the vendors all chat in Chinese. The most interesting sight is that most of the tourists are Japanese! When you are there, you feel like you have suddenly changed from a guest to a host, and you can’t help but want to introduce Chinese food to the Japanese.
Three Palaces: Shopping paradise. There are countless department stores, shopping malls and shopping streets here, and you can see beautiful and trendy products everywhere. Sannomiya crosses 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 Mount Maya, and you can also take a bath in Arima Onsen. Arima Onsen is one of the three major ancient springs in Japan. It has three different spring qualities and is very special. If time permits, you can also go to Mount Rokko in Kobe. There are botanical gardens, music box museums, nature observation decks, etc., which are very suitable for family trips.
Nara
I believe that no introduction is needed. Everyone knows what the most famous attraction in Nara is - Nara deer.
Nara deer live in Nara Park. Because the park is very large, they can be seen everywhere. It is often said that the Japanese are full of ritual and politeness, and so is the Nara deer. As soon as they see the food, they will swarm up to you and bow to you, which is very cute. The long neck makes a very unnatural movement, which is particularly funny when placed on them. If you want to feed the deer, you can buy deer senbei at the stalls in the park. Because the deer senbei looked delicious, I couldn't help but take a bite, but found that it only had a slightly bitter taste and was not delicious.
After taking photos with Nara deer, you can continue to Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. As you go deeper, the number of deer gradually decreases. Compared with the quiet and leisurely nature of Nara Park, the deer living here seem to not want to be disturbed.
As far as scenic spots are concerned, Kasuga Taisha Shrine is my favorite. As soon as you step into the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, you feel like you are in a fantasy forest, so quiet and ethereal that you can't help but slow down for fear of breaking the tranquility here. Occasionally, I saw a few deer shuttle between the stone lanterns and the forest, like the guardians of the shrine.
Summary:
Osaka is a place worth spending a few days visiting, and even the nightlife is very convenient and exciting. When I first visited Osaka, I thought there was no direct train from Nara to Kyoto, so I made a silly trip to Osaka in vain and wasted a lot of time. So if you plan to visit Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto in one trip, it is best to start from Osaka first, and then take the train directly from Nara/Kobe to Kyoto, so as to save time.