Top 25 Attractions in Osaka

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Osaka is the third most populous city in Japan. The location in the bay and the presence of a convenient port made Osaka an important trading center of the country. The less influence the samurai had in the area, the more successful the merchants were. This favorably affected the development of the city. Until now, the Dotonbori shopping district and Shinsaibashi-suji street are important for the economy and attract tourists. In addition, Osaka is the capital of the national bunraku theater and comedy. Connoisseurs of local culture, especially those who know Japanese, will enjoy colorful performances.

Since there is no free land in the city, the available territory is used here as efficiently as possible. So the Tennoji Zoo opened within the park of the same name, and the National Museum of Art was built almost entirely underground.

What to see and where to go in Osaka?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Dotonbori

The area is located along the canal of the same name. It is both a commercial and business quarter of the city. The streets are full of people, and the smell of food and music can be heard from the many restaurants around the clock. Tourists are attracted by large entertainment centers, bunraku puppet theater and all kinds of performances. At night, neon signs and lanterns light up, so Dotonbori is always as bright as day.

Dotonbori

Address: Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6211-3000

Opening hours: 10:00 - 23:00

Osaka castle

One of the most popular and important historical and architectural monuments in Japan. The castle was founded at the end of the 16th century. In the past, there was a temple on this site. The building area is about 1 km². The project had to be impregnable. Buildings reach up to 5 floors in height and up to 3 underground. For quite a long time the castle was in a deplorable state, it was restored in its original form, including the interior, only in the 20th century.

Osaka castle

Address: Osaka Castle, 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6941-3044

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-17:00

Shinsaibashi-suji

It is located next to the metro station of the same name. The shopping street, which stretches for more than half a kilometer, is always crowded. About 60 thousand people visit it every day. This area is about 380 years old. The shops are characterized by an atypical combination: there are boutiques of famous brands nearby and, for example, tailors' shops that make kimonos. Here you can buy ready-made food in one of the many points.

Shinsaibashi-suji

Address: Shinsaibashi-suji, Osaka, Japan

Opening hours: 10:00 - 20:00

Kuromon Market

It is located a five-minute walk from Nippon Basi Subway Station. On the spacious square under the roof, all kinds of shops with clothes and food are open from 8 am to 6 pm. All shops selling fresh catch or fruit are traditionally closed on holidays and on Sundays. There are also many establishments selling hot takeaway food. For this reason, the market was nicknamed "folk cuisine".

Kuromon Market

Address: Kuromon Ichiba Market, 2-4-1 Nippombashi, Chuo, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6631-0007

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00

Umeda Sky Building

A skyscraper with 173 floors in a futuristic style was built in 1993. The author of the project is Hiroshi Hara. Initially, it was planned to create four towers, but, taking into account financial possibilities, they settled on two. At the very top they are connected by the Observatory, which is also unusual in design. Restaurant "Takimi-koji" is open on one of the lower floors. Its interiors refer to the first half of the last century.

Umeda Sky Building

Address: Umeda Sky Building, 1-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6440-3899

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-22:30

Abeno Harukas

The construction of the skyscraper took about 4 years and ended in 2014. The height of the 60-storey building is 300 meters. It is currently considered the highest in Japan. Only large companies can afford offices in Abeno Harukas. The Sharp Corporation moved its headquarters here. Inside, boutiques, department stores, an observation deck and a high-class Marriott International hotel are also located.

Abeno Harukas

Address: Abeno Harukas, 1-1-43 Abeno, Abeno, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6621-0300

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

Shitenno-ji Temple

Although the temple was founded in the 6th century, the original buildings have not survived to this day. They were destroyed and rebuilt at least seven times, according to the annals. In the last century, during the next rebuilding of Shitenno-ji, reinforced concrete was used for the first time for greater structural strength. The temple is dedicated to the Buddhist gods - the so-called Heavenly Emperors. The Treasury and the Gokurakujodo Garden are important objects of the complex.

Shitenno-ji Temple

Address: Shitenno-ji, 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6771-0066

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 08:30-17:00

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

It is the main shrine of the god Sumiyoshi in Japan. According to legend, this temple was founded by Empress Jingu after her return from Korea. The complex consists of four main buildings. There are also other significant buildings in the traditional style, such as the bridge and the arch at the rear entrance to the territory. At the temple, ancient Japanese seals are kept, as well as historically and culturally valuable prescriptions of the emperor.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Address: Sumiyoshi Taisha, 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6672-0753

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 06:00-17:00

National Bunraku Theater

Osaka is the capital of bunraku. The National Theater is located in the Chuoku area. Puppet puppets are involved in the performance. Their height is usually about a meter. They are managed by a master with assistants. The production is accompanied by playing the shamisen, a lute with three strings, and a narration that is often hummed. The troupe tours a lot, as this art form is complex, rare and in demand.

National Bunraku Theater

Address: National Bunraku Theatre, 1-12-10 Hoenzaka, Higobashi, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6212-2531

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00

Namba Grand Kagetsu

Among other things, Osaka is called the comedy capital of Japan. Namba Grand Kagetsu is a direct proof of this. In this theater, artists from the Yoshimoto Creative Agency put on humorous performances and give comedy solo concerts. The shows are held in Japanese, so they are primarily aimed at citizens and domestic tourists. The program is fickle, as there are many comedians, and they replace each other.

Namba Grand Kagetsu

Address: Namba Grand Kagetsu, 11-6 Namba, Chuo, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6641-1144

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-22:00

Museum of Oriental Ceramics

The most convenient way to get to the museum is from the Keihandensha railway station. The collection is distributed over several rooms. It includes examples of Korean ceramic art dating back to the 10th century and Chinese pottery. The number of exhibits exceeds 4 thousand. One of them is national wealth - a special object status for Japan. The museum has a gift shop and tea ceremonies.

Museum of Oriental Ceramics

Address: The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, 1-1-1 Rinku, Izumi, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6260-4344

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-17:00

Osaka History Museum

Opened since 2003. Located near Osaka Castle. The exposition tells about all stages of the development of the city. In the past, the Naniwa Palace was built here, and city blocks began to form after the appearance of shopping arcades. The museum does not occupy the entire building. As is often the case in Japan, it is necessary to inspect the collection from the top floor, going down. Its lower floors are given over to shops and restaurants.

Osaka History Museum

Address: Osaka Museum of History, 4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6946-5728

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:30-17:00

Osaka Housing and Living Museum

Entire streets, as well as individual residential buildings, have been recreated on the territory of the vast complex. They are characteristic of past centuries and show changes in Japanese traditions and style. The buildings of the Edo period are especially noteworthy - you will not find such models anywhere else in Japan. Due to its convenient location, tourists can view the interior of the houses. Some can be entered.

Osaka Housing and Living Museum

Address: Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, 6-4-7 Tenjinbashi, Kita, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6242-1175

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-17:00

science museum

The year of opening is 1937. Since the 1980s, the museum has had its current name. Each of the 4 floors is dedicated to a separate scientific topic. The exposition includes about 200 exhibits. Most of them can be touched. The tour consists of experiments, visual aids and theory. The museum has a planetarium - the fifth largest in the world. It has undergone extensive restoration in our century and has been welcoming visitors since 2004.

Science museum

Address: Osaka Science Museum, 4-2-1 Benten, Higobashi, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6444-5656

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:30-17:00

National Museum of Art

The beginning of the museum was laid by the international exhibition Expo-70. From her pavilion, where samples of fine art were exhibited, the current collection has grown. In 2004, the museum moved to a new building on Nakanoshima Island. The American Cesar Pelli was responsible for its design. Three of the four floors are underground. The total area is 13.5 thousand m². The funds include more than 5 thousand units of storage.

National Museum of Art

Address: National Museum of Art, Osaka, 1-1-1 Nakanoshima, Nakanoshima, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6447-4680

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-17:00

Instant Noodle Museum

In 1958, on the initiative of Momofuku Ando, ​​this unusual museum was opened. Acquaintance with the history of the invention of instant noodles for tourists begins with a small introduction and passage through the tunnel. Its walls are decorated with packs of noodles of different types, tastes and companies. At master classes, you can take part in the “assembly” of noodles: add everything you need to the glass and seal it yourself.

Instant Noodle Museum

Address: Instant Ramen Museum, 8-25 Masumi-cho, Izumi, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 72-624-6363

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:30-16:00

Kids Plaza Osaka

An unusual museum for children. Here, young visitors are engaged in various scientific projects, give them the opportunity to realize their creative impulses and get to know their peers. Special educational programs have been developed, where parents and children act as a single team. There is a recreation area. The object is completely closed, so the possibility of getting lost or meeting a stranger is reduced to zero.

Kids Plaza Osaka

Address: Kids Plaza Osaka, 2-1-7 Ogimachi, Kita, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6318-6500

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:30-17:00

Grand Front Osaka

The commercial complex opened in 2013. It was built as part of the reconstruction of the entire area. The city authorities have tried to make an attractive place for tourists and investments out of the unsightly territory. The rest of the area will be completed by 2025. Grand Front Osaka includes the Intercontinental Hotel, office space, shops, restaurants, concert halls, residential area.

Grand Front Osaka

Address: Grand Front Osaka, 3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6372-6300

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00

Tsutenkaku Tower

The current television tower was erected in 1957. Previously, its predecessor with the same name, destroyed during World War II, stood in the same place. The new building turned out to be much larger: its height exceeds 100 meters. Tourists for a small fee can climb almost to the very top of the building, where an observation deck is equipped. From here you can see the whole city in detail.

Tsutenkaku Tower

Address: Tsutenkaku Tower, 1-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Tennoji, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6641-9555

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-21:00

Spa World

The complex occupies seven floors. People come here specifically to restore health and relax. There are also separate procedures that allow you to relax after a long walk. The third floor is reserved for baths and saunas, including Finnish and Roman ones. Men and women can visit the baths in different months. There is a water park on the fifth floor during the warm season. Spa World has its own restaurants and cafes.

Spa World

Address: Spa World, 1-1-10 Naniwa, Naniwa, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6646-0001

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-08:00

Ferris wheel Tempozan

Located near the Kayukan Aquarium. The opening of this attraction took place in 1997. The height of the wheel is 112.5 meters and the diameter is about 100 meters. During the trip, which lasts 17 minutes, tourists can explore the area, including the city bay and the Rokko Mountains. The wheel is decorated with special lights. They indicate the weather in the coming days: orange - sunny, green - cloudy, blue - rain.

Ferris wheel Tempozan

Address: Tempozan Ferris Wheel, 1-1-10 Tempozan, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6576-6222

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

Tennoji Zoo

The name is derived from the urban area. The zoo opened on the territory of the park of the same name in 1915. The number of its inhabitants has already exceeded one and a half thousand, and the number of introductions is more than 230. One of the most unique specimens is the kiwi bird. There are no more of these in Japan. Even for large animals, such as hippos or lions, conditions have been created that mimic their natural habitat.

Tennoji Zoo

Address: Tennoji Zoo, 1-108 Uemachi, Tennoji, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6771-8401

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:30-17:00

Nakanoshima Park

Broken in 1891 between two rivers - Tosabori and Dojima. The area is about 106 thousand m². Later, a rose garden appeared right in the center of Nakanoshima. 310 species of roses grow here, and the number of buds reaches 3700. The Earl restaurant, famous for its grilled dishes and beer, operates near the water in the park. Nearby are the city's main library and the old Osaka Public Hall.

Nakanoshima Park

Address: Nakanoshima Park, 1-1 Nakanoshima, Nakanoshima, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6210-2910

Opening hours: 7:00 - 22:00

Kayukan Aquarium

The eight-story building was built in 1990. The study of the inhabitants of the underwater world takes place from top to bottom - from the 7th floor to the 4th. That's where the aquariums are. The main inhabitants are a huge stingray and a tiger shark. The part of the exposition where crabs and jellyfish live has an unusual design and lighting. The total area of ​​Kayukan is more than 26 thousand m², and the largest water tank has a volume of 5400 m³.

Kayukan Aquarium

Address: Kaiyukan Aquarium, 1-1-10 Tempozan, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6576-5501

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

Universal Studio Park

It opened in 2010 and continues to grow with new attractions and entertainment areas. Everything here is connected with films released by Universal Studios, including: Shrek, Terminator, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park. There is a playground for the youngest visitors, called "Universal Wonderland". And in thematic areas, full-scale shows are staged by stuntmen.

Universal Studio Park

Address: Universal Studios Japan, 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Universal City, Osaka, Japan

Phone: +81 6-6465-3000

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-21:00

FAQ – Answers to popular questions

When to go to Osaka, Japan?

The best time to visit Osaka, Japan, is during the following seasons:

  • Spring (March to May): Experience cherry blossoms and mild weather.
  • Autumn (September to November): Enjoy colorful fall foliage and comfortable temperatures.
  • Summer (June to August): Warm and lively, but also hot and humid, with many festivals.
  • Winter (December to February): Generally cold, but offers unique winter illuminations and customs.

What are the things to do in Osaka, Japan when it rains?

When it rains in Osaka, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy. Here are some suggestions:

  • Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
  • Explore the Osaka Museum of History
  • Shop at Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
  • Discover the interactive exhibits at the Osaka Science Museum
  • Enjoy a day at Universal Studios Japan
  • Indulge in local cuisine at Kuromon Ichiba Market

What are the things to do in Osaka, Japan with family?

Osaka, Japan offers a variety of family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. Here are some great options:

  • Visit Universal Studios Japan for exciting rides and attractions.
  • Explore Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan to see diverse marine life.
  • Spend a day at Osaka Castle and enjoy its beautiful park.
  • Discover fun exhibits at the Osaka Science Museum.
  • Enjoy delicious street food at Dotonbori.
  • Take a stroll through Namba Parks for shopping and entertainment.

What are the things to do in Osaka, Japan in the evening?

Osaka is a vibrant city with plenty of activities to enjoy in the evening. Here are some popular options:

1. Dotonbori District: This famous entertainment area is known for its neon lights, street food, and lively atmosphere. Enjoy iconic sights like the Glico Man sign and try local delicacies such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

2. Osaka Castle: While the castle itself may close in the evening, the surrounding park is beautiful for an evening stroll, and the castle looks stunning when illuminated at night.

3. Umeda Sky Building: Visit the Floating Garden Observatory for panoramic views of the city, which are especially spectacular at sunset.

4. Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade: Explore this long shopping street that stays open late, offering a mix of boutiques, brand stores, and dining options.

5. Namba Yasaka Shrine: This shrine features a unique lion-head structure and is beautifully lit at night. It's less crowded in the evening, providing a serene atmosphere.

6. Karaoke: Experience one of Japan's favorite pastimes by going to a karaoke bar, where you can rent a private room and sing your heart out with friends.

7. Food Tours