15 must-see destinations for your trip to Osaka!

Maido! Osaka Bob here!
Osaka is full of fun, laughs, and food! You might have a general idea of what Osaka is like, but do you know where to go in Osaka?
When I first arrived, I honestly didn’t know where to go. But now I love Osaka more than anywhere else in the whole world. I’m Osaka Bob! And it’s my job to show people the best best places to go and the funnest things to do in the city. So let me be your guide. I guarantee you’ll have a great time when you get here.
(And you’ll probably want to stay in Osaka for at least 2–3 days!)

1. Universal Studios Japan (USJ)

According to the data, about 1 out of 3 people who visit Osaka are here for our theme parks. And at the top of the list is USJ!
Universal Studios is one of Japan’s leading amusement parks and it is a haven of entertainment filled fun.

The park is an entire universe of Hollywood movies, Japanese anime and video game attractions!

Jurassic Park, Jaws, Spiderman…The park is full of attractions based on Hollywood movies. Plus the Japanese anime and video game themed areas will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world.
I always dress in a Harry Potter™ cape or Super Mario hat with overalls so I can experience the extraordinary experience to the fullest.

･They’re baaaack! USJ Halloween zombies, horror mazes, & so much more

2. Dotonbori

Osaka’s leading tourist spot!
Known collectively as “Minami” this sleepless part of the city includes Namba and Shinsaibashi and there are tons of takoyaki stands and ramen shops among the thriving bar and restaurant scene. Osaka is a city known for food and Dotonbori is a great place to experience it all!
It’s also famous as a jumping off point for all those wild Hanshin Tigers fans. (But really, you’re not supposed to jump in the river here.)

This famous backdrop includes favorite photo spots like the Glico sign and the giant Kani Douraku crab.

These larger than life 3-D signboards are sure to impress Osaka first-timers. And Ebisu Bridge in front of the Glico sign is a favorite photo spot where people pose like the running man.
It’s fun to visit during the daytime, but I recommend the neon-lit nights because they’re so visually stunning.

･Osaka’s Best Drinking Spots—The Bars and Izakaya of Ura-Namba!

3. Tsutenkaku

Originally modeled after the Eiffel Tower and built in 1912, Tsutenkaku was eventually scrapped for metal during WWII. After reconstruction it became a symbol of the post-war recovery.
Guests to Tsutenkaku Tower can visit the observation deck and wish for good luck by rubbing the feet of the resident Billiken statue, aka “God of Things As They Ought to Be.”

There’s more to Tsutenkaku Tower than the observation deck!

Tsutenkaku Tower has so many hidden gems. Beyond the Golden Pavilion Observation Deck, there is an outdoor observation deck on the Tembo Paradise floor with a see-thru floor, and an entire shop devoted to snacks!
Plus in 2022, a new feature opened—the Tower Slider! This spiral slide starts from 22 meters above ground and will take you on a ride around the tower in about 10 seconds. This landmark celebrates fun in true Osaka fashion, with lots of little quirks and hidden surprises.

4. Shinsekai

Shinsekai pulls its own weight in whacky 3-D billboards. And the 180 meter long alley, Janjan Yokocho is lined with old-time eateries that are as delicious as they are affordable. The local bath-themed Spa World feels almost like an amusement park and the rest of the unique neighborhood surrounds the centrally located Tsutenkaku Tower.

Kushikatsu! Takoyaki! Udon! And mix juice!

When you visit Shinsekai, you’ve absolutely gotta try the kushikatsu! These fried skewers are dipped in a delicious sauce. And make sure you don’t double-dip! That’s a huge faux pas in Osaka.
Once you’ve tried those, move on to other famous Osaka street foods like takoyaki and udon. This is also home to the famous drink known as mix juice, that originated in this neighborhood at a small shop called Sennariya.

5. Osaka Castle Park

The park centers around the Osaka Castle’s keep, and is utterly romantic with its stone walls, inner and outer moats, and the picturesque Otemon Gate. It is a rare patch of nature in the city boasting seasonal beauty like the plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and azalea bushes.
Watch live entertainment and concerts at COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA, visit cafes and stores inside the former military command office that has been converted to the Miraiza Osaka-Jo building, or shop at the JO－TERRACE OSAKA complex.

Osaka Castle’s unique main tower has an elevator!

Following the earlier castles built on this site by historic figures Toyotomi Hideyoshi and subsequently the Tokugawa clan, the present-day castle keep is the 3rd tower to be built. It was reconstructed using money donated from residents.
The tower is now a museum displaying items related to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and a gold tearoom built to scale of his original. The top floor is 50 meters above ground and will give you a great view of Osaka.
Plus, there’s an elevator both on the exterior and interior of the castle. It’s a slightly unusual construction for a castle tower. Come have a look and enjoy the view from the top!

6. Abeno Harukas

Standing tall at 300 meters, Abeno Harukas is Japan’s tallest building.
Floors 14 all the way down to the second basement level are dedicated to the Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store, selling clothing, cosmetics, appliances, furniture, books and everything else you would expect out of a department store. Floors 12–14 house myriad restaurants in one of Japan’s largest dining zones. Above the restaurant floors, on floor 16, you’ll find the Abeno Harukas Art Museum.
Above that is the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel and the top floors are reserved for the observation decks of Harukas 300.
This landmark located in Tennoji is the perfect spot for bringing date, going on a shopping trip, or just gazing down at the city.

The only place in Osaka where you can see the city from 300 meters high—Harukas 300

North, East, South, West, every direction is covered by a wall of glass and the observation deck feels so incredibly open. The observation deck actually encompasses 3 floors from the 58th to the 60th. There is a restaurant and cafe so you can relax with food and drink.
And the views aren’t only of Osaka. Depending on the weather conditions, you may be able to see Kyoto Tower, which is over 40 km (25 mi) away.
Afternoons are lovely and nighttime is amazing. You can see the entire city of Osaka and beyond glittering below your feet!

7. Osaka Aquarium, Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan is the hotspot of Osaka’s Bay Area.
The aquarium is designed to showcase nature in and around the Pacific Rim with approximately 30,000 creatures of around 620 different species. And of course, the whale sharks are the most popular! They grow to an impressive 4–6 meters in length and it is absolutely amazing to watch them move through the water.
There are also adorable otters and penguins!

A whimsical night at the aquarium would be the perfect date!

At 5 pm, the lights dim and the music changes to night mode at the aquarium. The deep sea blue is penetrated by light beams that might as well be the moon. It is absolutely romantic and a great spot if you’re looking for somewhere to bring a date!

8. Nipponbashi

Not to be confused with Tokyo’s Nihonbashi, Osaka’s Nipponbashi is written with the same characters, 日本橋, but is an entirely different place!
This neighborhood is located between Namba and Shinsekai and it’s within walking distance of both. Nipponbashi has a long history of dealing in electronic goods and is also known by the moniker Den Den Town.
Nipponbashi is now a mecca for subculture and has the latest manga, anime, character figurines, popular games, and merchandise. People come here from all across the country and I highly recommend it to visitors from overseas too!

Often compared to Tokyo’s Akihabara, this is Osaka’s Nipponbashi Otaku Road!

Nipponbashi is full of shops catering to different subcultures and Japanese pop culture. The main street, which runs parallel to Sakaisuji, is known as Otaku Road and is lined with anime-themed shops and tons of maid cafes.
This destination for game-lovers is right on par with Akihabara in Tokyo.
Plus the annual Nippombashi Street Fest, which started in 2005, draws over 10,000 people and the streets are filled with cosplayers for this special event.

9. Kuromon Ichiba Market

Over 150 fish stalls, restaurants, green grocers and sweets shops are clustered together in this open-air market is covered in an arcade that stretches for 580 meters.
Kuromon Ichiba is beloved by tourists and many of the establishments have catered to the demands of customers with foods you can eat on the go. Taste the flavors of the freshest ingredients in Osaka in the local croquettes and maguro tuna rice bowl.
If you’re wondering how the market got the name Kuromon, meaning black gate, it came from the black gate of a temple that was once nearby, Enmyoji.

Lose yourself in food—Kuromon sources the best pufferfish in winter & conger eel in summer

Osaka actually consumes roughly 60% of the pufferfish sold in all of Japan.
Look for tessa (thinly sliced pufferfish sashimi) and tecchiri (pufferfish nabe hotpot) at Kuromon’s pufferfish specialty restaurants.
The pufferfish season runs from October thru April and is perfectly countered by the May thru September conger eel season. Conger eel has traditionally been eaten during the summer Tenjin Matsuri Festival so it plays an important role in Osaka’s food culture. And more importantly, it’s delicious!

10. Namba Yasaka Jinja

This impressive shrine near Namba Station has been an important part of the local community for centuries. Best known for its massive lion-head shaped building, the Namba Yasaka Jinja shrine grounds are very picturesque, if relatively small. Cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring and guests can purchase unique omamori (lucky charms) and an eye-catching books for collecting goshuin (stamps from shrines and temples) when they visit the shrine.

Don’t miss out on the main events—New Year’s tug-of-war & an invigorating summer festival!

The annual tug-of-war ritual on the 3rd Sunday of January is an important intangible folk cultural property in Osaka representing the legend of Sasuno no Mikoto, a deity who famously expelled an 8-headed serpent from the area. The Namba Yasaka Jinja summer festival, held on July 13–14, features drums, floats, and lion dances in a land procession that passes through the streets of Namba. The evening of the 13th sees special festival boats that liven up Dotonbori with impressive rowing maneuvers.

11. Sennichimae Dо̄guyasuji Shopping Arcade

Dо̄guyasuji is known for its impressive selection of cooking utensils and kitchen supplies. Originally the street was part of a pilgrimage route and shops sprung up selling antiques and sundries. As time passed, the street evolved into what you see today lined with shops selling pots, pans, mortars, pestles, knives, chopsticks, and every matter of dishware you can imagine. The 150 meter long arcade was built in 1970 and is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Make your own plastic food sample!

There are also restaurants in the Dо̄guyasuji Shopping Arcade. And what is a Japanese restaurant without those remarkable plastic food samples? Doguyasuji features a number of hands-on experiences like diy plastic food-sample making. Cooking can be serious business, but this market is beloved by both serious chefs and those seeking a light-hearted experience with food.

12. America Mura

America Mura got its name when jeans and other vintage clothing from the US was booming in the 1970s. This neighborhood that is steeped in this fashion is often called Amemura for short.
The American clothing and culture trend is still alive and well here. Loads of record stores and other trendy shops draw in the younger crowd.
Street food is everywhere and you might find the latest trending instagram sweet in Amemura too.

All the cool kids are here!

Amemura is a neighborhood that celebrates art!
A famous sight is the “Peace On Earth” wall art on the outside of Kansai Electric’s Dotonbori Transformer Substation. Unique art can be seen all around and the vibes of the whole area exude a sense of artistic freedom.
The lampposts are shaped like people! Each streetlight is unique so it’s incredibly fun to see all the different designs.

13. Umeda Sky Building

The crown of the northern part of the city—Umeda Sky Building!
You can easily pick it out its distinctive shape in Osaka’s skyline, especially when you are near Osaka Station and Umeda. Selected by British publication, The Times as one of the “Top 20 Buildings Around the World” in 2008.
The building is comprised of two 173 meter tall towers that join together at the very top. Inside are offices, showrooms, a movie theater, and an art museum. If you’re going to be in the Umeda area, put this one on your list!

Feel the breeze, high above the city on this open-air observation deck!

The top floor of Umeda Sky Building is reserved for an amazing open-air observation deck called Kuchu Teien Observatory. Feel the breeze and hold on to your hat as you gaze out upon Osaka and its surroundings. The feeling is totally surreal, especially at night!
To get to the top, you ride an impressively designed escalator which connects the two buildings. Select from one of the various imported beers at cafe SKY 40 and enjoy the many sights you can see from so high up.

･Visit the museum in the Sky! And use your Osaka Amazing Pass to get in![PR]

14. Grand Front Osaka

This shopping paradise is one of the largest in Japan and located right in front of JR Osaka Station. Roughly 270 stores have everything from fashion to lifestyle goods, cosmetics and cafes. And of course there are restaurants!
Take your time to find your style among the massive selection of shops.

Umekita Plaza makes for a stylish and convenient place to meet friends!

Umekita Plaza artfully incorporates greenery and water features in the urban landscape, giving off an incredibly stylish look. Stop here to rest mid-shopping or use the plaza to meet up with friends just steps away from the station’s busy hustle and bustle.
In winter, over 300,000 LED bulbs twinkle away creating an incredible evening atmosphere at the heart of the city.

15. HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel

The bright red HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel stands out in the middle of the city. And it injects a little fun into the office-heavy scenery.
One trip around the giant wheel takes about 15 minutes and will afford you with great views of nearby buildings and the city beyond. Actually, you can see all the way to the Ikoma Mountains and the suspended Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
The cabins are of course climate-controlled and there are speakers so you can connect your phone to add a soundtrack to your ride.

Despite the heavy competition for space in Umeda, HEP FIVE is holding onto their spot!

The Ferris wheel will catch your eyes when you’re near HEP FIVE, but there’s more to the store. Approximately 170 shops and restaurants inside the building can keep you entertained all day long.
Built in 1998, this commercial complex is a longstanding and well-loved institution in Umeda. It’s popular with couples and families too.

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A day with the Osaka e-Pass! Save time and money on your trip [PR]