50 Things to Do in Osaka
Osaka has flourished as a commercial town from ancient times, and its food culture is also extremely developed, to the point that it is called "The Kitchen of the Nation." As a result, it has a vibrant streetscape with proud, friendly people, and delicious food.These spots and activities were recommended by people from Osaka themselves, so try to see and do as much of them as you can!
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21. Kogaryu Honten's Takoyaki [Food & Drink]
If you were to list up the most popular and famous takoyaki shops in the Kansai region, this would definitely be on the list. If you want to eat the most delicious takoyaki in Osaka, here is the place. The shop is located near the Sankaku Park of America-mura, so if the weather is good, why not buy some takoyaki and eating them in the park?
HP: http://www.kougaryu.jp/ (Japanese only)
22. America-mura, Sankaku Park [Sightseeing]
Famous as a fashion area, where young people in their teens and twenties often gather. America-mura, commonly called “Amemura,” has lots of second hand and import clothes shops, so you will find lots of young people with very individual fashion in the area.
23. Matsuzaka Beef Yakiniku M, Hosenji Yokocho Store [Food & Drink]
For people wanting to try the famous high quality Matsuzaka beef, this is the yakiniku restaurant to go to. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the service have a great reputation, and you can find lots of reviews of the restaurant on travel sites. But please remember that Matsuzaka beef is by no means cheap, so please go prepared. By the way, the “M” in the name is the “M” from Matsuzaka apparently.
HP: http://www.matsusaka-projects.com/shoplist/houzennji.html (Japanese only)
24. Abeno Harukas [Shopping][Sightseeing]
A 60-storey, 300 m high skyscraper opened in 2014. The lower floors are occupied by a department store and art museum, the middle floors are offices, and the high floors are a hotel and observatory. It doesn’t need mentioning, but the view of Osaka from the Harukas 300 observatory on the top floor is spectacular.
HP: http://www.abenoharukas-300.jp/en/
25. Tennoji Zoo [Activity]
Opened on January 1, 1915, as the 3rd zoo in Japan. It has an area of about 11 hectares, and is the home to over 900 animals of about 230 species. Tennoji Zoo is the only place in Japan where you can see the national bird of New Zealand, the Kiwi, and the fishing cat, amongst others.
HP: http://www.jazga.or.jp/tennoji/ (Japanese only)
26. Shitennoji Temple [Sightseeing]
Photo by peter-rabbit on Flickr
Shitennoji is Japan’s first Buddhist Temple, built according to legends in 593 by Shotoku Taishi in order to enshrine the Shitenno, or Four Heavenly Kings. The temple features one of Japan’s oldest construction styles, where the middle gate, the 5-story pagoda and lecture hall are lined up from the south to the north, with corridors surrounding them. Here, you can enjoy some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
HP: http://www.shitennoji.or.jp/ (Japanese only)
27. Tennoji Station [Sightseeing]
Tennoji Station is the 3rd bustling downtown street in Osaka, following Umeda and Namba. The area surrounding Tennoji Station and Abeno Station is full of both underground and overground shopping facilities. From here, Tennoji Mio, the Kintetsu Department Store, Abeno Lucias, Q’s Mall, Abeno Walk, Abeno Harks and Hoop, amongst others, are close and easy to get to.
28. Yakiniku at Tsuruhashi Station [Food & Drink]
If you want to eat delicious yakiniku while you're in Japan, we recommend you visit Tsuruhashi. The area around the station has lots of yakiniku and Korean restaurants, and the delicious smell of yakiniku fills the town. As well as places to eat and drink, there are also many stores selling traditional clothing and food from the Korean peninsular.
29. Miyuki-dori (Korean Town) [Shopping]
Located between Tsuruhashi Station and Momodani Station, the streets are lined with restaurants selling Korean cuisine and traditional clothing from Korea, and wherever you go, you will see Korean writing. If you want to have a taste of another culture while in Osaka, here is the neighborhood to visit.
HP: http://www.ikuno-koreatown.com/ (日文)
30. Senkouji Temple [Sightseeing]
While it appears to be a regular temple, at Senkouji Temple they offer the rather interesting chance to experience hell. In the precincts of the temple, a giant Enma-sama and Oni await your arrival. If you receive a bad result in the afterlife fortune telling “Paradise or Hell check,” you receive a punishment from Enma-sama in the form of a loud noise blasting from a speaker.
HP: http://www.senkouji.net/ (Japanese only)
31. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) [Activity]
The Japanese version of Universal Studios Hollywood in California. Here, anyone from children to adults can enjoy exciting rides based on hit Hollywood films and shows with popular characters from the movies. The new Harry Potter themed attraction which opened in 2014 is especially popular!
32. Maishima Waste Disposal Center [Arts]
While this may look like quite an artistic building, it is actually a waste disposal center. Designed by Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and apparently visited by a lot of people who get lost on their way to USJ!
HP: http://www.hetgallery.com/semba_b13.html (日文)
33. Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN [Activity]
One of the largest aquariums in the world, located in the south port of Osaka, on the south side of Osaka Bay. The aquarium recreates the seas in the pacific rim in giant water tanks, and depending on the season, the facility is illuminated by a staggering 1.2 million lights, creating a fantastic space not found in any other aquariums. We highly recommend it for people with children, as well as for dates!
HP: http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/
34. Asia & Pacific Trade Center [Sightseeing]
An event and shopping mall complex located in the south port of Osaka, on the south side of Osaka bay. A wide variety of events are held both inside and outside the venue, including cosplay events and gigs. A ferry port is located close by with ferries for Kyushu and Shikoku operating.
HP: http://www.atc-co.com/ (日文)
35. Hirao Hondori Shopping Arcade (Sankusu Hirao) [Shopping]
Famous as Osaka’s “Little Okinawa.” The area has lots of residents from Okinawa, Japan’s southern most islands, and has lots of shops and restaurants selling Okinawa food, making it a perfect place to try Okinawa dishes while in Osaka and experience the unpretentious streetscape and people of southern Osaka.
36. Sumiyoshi Taisha [Sightseeing]
The most popular shrine in Osaka, with more than 2 million people visiting the shrine to pray in the new year. Famous for the god of merchants, “Ebessan (Ebisu)”, many merchants visit the shrine to pray for success in business during the festivals held there. The area around the shrine has a retro-feel to it, with countless long standing restaurants offering gourmet food, making it a popular destination for tourists.
HP: http://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/ (日文)
37. Hanahaku Memorial Park Green Land [Sightseeing]
Originally the venue for the “Hana no Banpaku (Flower Expo)” held in 1990, the land is now being used as a municipal park. The park, with Japan’s largest greenhouse, an international garden with exhibits from 55 countries, a windmill, the symbol of the park, which was built on designs from the Netherlands, and rose gardens, is a great spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
HP: http://www.tsurumi-ryokuchi.jp/ (Japanese only)
38. Namba Grand Kagetsu [Activity]
“Manzai” is a form of comic dialogue between (usually) 2 comedians, and is a type of performance that developed independently in the Kansai region. Amateurs and professionals, known as “Manzaishi,” perform here everyday, so we heartily recommend a visit to experience the comedy of Osaka to those who can speak Japanese.
HP: http://www.yoshimoto.co.jp/ngk/ (日文)
39. Japan Mint [Sightseeing]
At the Japan Mint, you can take tours of the factory (advanced booking required), but what is great here is the path that leads to the mint. In early spring, you can enjoy the sakura cherry blossom that line the path in full bloom. This is one place we recommend you visit during the sakura season. We would go as far to say that the cherry blossoms, rather than the actual mint itself, are the thing to see here.
HP: http://www.mint.go.jp/category/eng
40. Kushikatsu Daruma [Food & Drink]
For kushikatsu, or skewered meat, in the Shinsekai shopping district near Tsutentaku, we recommend Kushikatu Daruma. It’s so popular you’ll have to wait in the queue to go in. Dipping the crispy deep-fried kushikatsu made with fresh ingredients into a can of the special sauce is the way to eat it in Osaka. But please be careful - as the can of sauce is shared between customers, there is a rule against dipping the kushikatsu twice.
HP: http://www.kushikatu-daruma.com/ (日文)
If you're a huge foodie and you're looking for more places to feast while you're in Osaka, how about joining the Osaka Bar Hopping Food Tour in Namba? It's a popular night tour that will take you to hidden local izakaya in Osaka which visitors typically find hard to enter. With this tour, though, you can experience an authentic Osaka lifestyle with a drink over authentic Osaka foods with locals!
Wondering what to do in Osaka, Japan? Discover and book Private Guided Tour, City Tours, and other experiences to create unforgettable memories during your stay in Osaka: Private Guided Tour List in Osaka
Next： No.41-50 Further exciting spots and activities in Osaka
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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