If You Are Going Sightseeing as a Couple, Try This! Osaka Sightseeing Model Course

8:00 am: Osaka Station

The starting point of this model course is Osaka Station. Located in the Umeda area where numerous train lines (the name of the station varies depending on the route) stop, such as JR, subway, Hankyu and Hanshin lines, congregate makes Osaka the best base for sightseeing.

Transit ▶ Osaka Station → Temma Station → Ogimachi Station → Kitahama Station
From JR Osaka Station, get on the loop line (outer tracks) for about 3 minutes and then get off at Temma Station. From the subway’s Ogimachi Station, which is about a 5-minute walk, get on the Sakaisuji Line and you will arrive at Kitahama Station in about 3 minutes. It is about a 5-minute walk from the station.

8:30 am: Morning at NORTHSHORE cafe & dining

The first spot to visit in this course is a riverside cafe where you can spend a relaxing time while staying inside the city. It opens early in the morning, so it is the perfect shop for getting breakfast before you head out on your trip. It serves pancakes loaded with fruits on top and sandwiches with a generous amount of vegetables, as well as Cafe Meals such as the Good Morning (700 JPY) – a set of toasted Danish bread, salad, fruits and drink. A great way to dine here is to sit at the open terrace where you can soak in the pleasant morning sun while admiring the splendid view of the river flowing through the streets of Osaka.

▼ Staying time (approximate): 60 minutes

Transit ▶ Kitahama Station → Sakaisuji Hommachi Station → Osakako Station
From subway’s Kitahama station, get on the Sakaisuji Line for about 2 minutes and get off at Sakaisuji Hommachi station. Transfer to Chuo Line and you will arrive at Osakako Station in about 12 minutes. The cafe is about a 5-minute walk from the station.

※ This is a photo of the lunch menu

10:00 am: Enjoy the World of Water at Kaiyukan

Next, go to Kaiyukan (2,300 JPY (incl. tax) for adults), the world’s largest aquarium. When you get there, you will be welcomed by tunnel-shaped aquarium that is filled with swimming colorful tropical fish. The entire place is enveloped in a world of blue that will make you feel like you are walking at the bottom of the ocean. The main attraction at this place is the huge aquarium that is designed to look like the Pacific Ocean. You have got to see the enormous whale sharks leisurely swimming in the water. Meanwhile, the Fuwafuwa Kurage-kan (fluffy jellyfish zone) that is scheduled to open in March 2018 is a spot where you can enjoy the fantastic sight of jellyfish swaying and floating underwater.

▼ Staying time (approximate): 180 minutes (Kaiyukan)

Lunch at Genya

After you’re done touring Kaiyukan, it’s time to have lunch at the yakiniku (grilled meat) shop Genya, that is just 5 minutes away from the aquarium by foot. Here, the recommended dish is the Roast Beef-don – a very popular dish that is characterized by the exquisite combination of the special sauce on the generous serving of meat on top of the rice. An English menu is available. The average price for lunch at this spot is 1,000 JPY.

Transit ▶ Osakako Station → Hommachi Station → Umeda Station
From the Osakako Station subway, get on the Chuo Line for about 11 minutes and get off at Hommachi station. Transfer to Midosuji Line and you will arrive at Osakako Station in about 5 minutes. The restaurant is an approximately 5-minute walk from the station.

2:30 pm: Shop at HEP FIVE and Ride on the Red Ferris Wheel

Now, return to Umeda and check out the commercial complex HEP FIVE, where your eyes will be drawn to the red Ferris Wheel. Here, there are a lot of shops for fashion, miscellaneous items and other goods from the 1st basement floor up the 6th floor, so it is definitely recommended for shopping. After a fun time shopping, ride on the Ferris Wheel (500 JPY) and marvel at the panoramic view of the city from about 106m up in the air.

▼ Staying time (approximate): 150 minutes

Transit ▶ Approx. 15-minute walk to Umeda Sky Building

5:30 pm: Gaze at the Sunset and Admire the Nightscape at the Kuchu-teien Observatory

Next stop is the Kuchu-teien Observatory (1,000 JPY (incl. tax) for adults) at the Umeda Sky Building. This observatory at the top links two 40-story skyscrapers, treating visitors to a gorgeous view from 173m above ground. If you’re coming with your significant other, then the best time to come would be at night, starting at dusk※. The sky that changes in appearance every minute and the neon lights on the streets as they start to light up after sunset are bound to create a romantic moment.

▼ Staying time (approximate): 150 minutes (Kuchu Teien + dinner)

※Sunset varies depending on the season and may differ by as much as 1.5 hours, so take note of this when deciding on the time you’re staying at HEP FIVE. From late November to early December, when the sun completely sets at around 4:45pm, it would be best to head to Umeda Sky Building earlier. Meanwhile, sunset happens at around 7:15 pm in late June to early July, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch the sunset.

Dinner at BONNE RACLETTE

For dinner, go to BONNE RACLETTE at the 1st basement floor of Umeda Sky Building. A place offering a selection of cheeses and wines from all over the world, the pride of this spot is the Raclette cheese that is directly imported from Switzerland. Try their Raclette dishes (prices start at 1,296 JPY (incl. tax)) that will give you a taste of vegetables and a baguette coated in melted cheese scraped by a knife from a block of cheese that is heated to make it melt. English menu available.

Transit ▶ Approx. 10-minute walk to Osaka Station

This article showcased a model course that would be great for couples going on a trip on a clear day. So, if you’re traveling to Osaka, you might want to use this article as your reference.