Top Things to Do in the Osaka | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Osaka

Places To Visit In Osaka

Bay Area

A number of city-districts based near the bay, this is a popular destination for tourists. Built on manmade islands to accomodate the cityÍs growth, the bay area of Osaka is home to many breathtaking views. It is also home to the Osaka Aquarium, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Naniwa Food Theme Park, Nanko Bird Sanctuary, and Universal Studios (built on a separate island). The Osaka Aquarium has a beautiful collection of marine life from the Pacific Rim, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel offers a picturesque view of Osaka and the bay area, particularly at night, and the Naniwa Park is home to all kinds of Japanese food, set in an old Japanese-style neighbourhood. Read More

Traditional Japanese puppet theatre has been OsakaÍs cultural fort_ over the centuries. Bunraku, or puppet theatre finds its roots in Osaka, as it was originated there over the centuries. This is one of the better ways of getting in touch with Japanese culture. English audio translations and scripts are also available.

Osaka's nightlife nerve-centre. Minami is home to bustling Osaka nightlife, with many streets and establishments remaining open past one in the morning, with brightly lit streets and cul-de-sacs filled with the scent of Japanese street food. It offers no dearth of dining and shopping opportunities. Most famous among tourists is the Dotonbori district, which has delectable food and is brightly lit with colourful, aesthetically appealing neon signs. Shinsaibashi Arcade is also a popular haunt, which is a haven for shoppers as it combines small indie boutiques with high-end fashion retailers. Amerikamura is the high-fashion district, with OsakaÍs answer to TokyoÍs Harajuku, with cutting-edge trends and thrift stores. Read More

A beautiful remnant of Japanese history, the Osaka Castle is an architectural vision. Its construction having begun in the 16th century, the Osaka Castle is one of the oldest Japanese structures to have survived the war air raids. It has an impressive set of turrets, gates, citadels and the interiors have been reworked to accommodate modernity. It is surrounded by the Nishinomaru garden, which is a sprawling lawn, circled by approximately 600 cherry trees, the Osaka guest house and a viewing station from which the castle can be viewed from a distance. There is also a shrine dedicated to an important Japanese historical figure. From there, visitors may go to visit the Osaka Museum Of History. Read More

One of the more bustling districts in Osaka, Tennoji is home to varied wonders. Tennoji is located in central Osaka, and is home to JapanÍs tallest skyscraper- The Abeno Harukas. Looming at about 300 metres, this tower has a beautiful observation deck that offers a 360-degree view of Osaka. It is complete with a shopping complex,an art museum, the largest departmental store in Japan, a wooden deck and a caf_, with souvenirs. Besides the Abeno Harukas, there is a touch of tradition with the Shitennoji Shrine. There is also Tennoji Park, which has its own art museum and zoological park. The Shinsekai district is another attraction, offering a gastronomical experience unique to that of Osaka. Read More

Universal Studios, Osaka

OsakaÍs very own haven for pop-culture fanatics, Universal Studios is a place for the whole family. The very first Universal Studios theme park to be built in Asia, it has eight sections currently- Hollywood, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, New York, San Francisco, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland and Waterworld. This park has a lot to offer: rides, movie simulators (Spiderman, Jurassic Park and a variety of anime) and a whole other range of activities for children and adults alike. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter has become an attraction in itself, as a simulation of the Harry Potter franchise. Besides these attractions, there are also plenty of mascots roaming the streets for photo-ops, and a Universal Citywalk, with shops, restaurants and souvenirs. Read More