Osaka Attractions
Osaka is the center city of western Japan and the second largest city in Japan with about 1,400 years of history. Osaka Castle is the most famous landmark and the most precious historical site of the city. The famous Shiennoji Temple and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine also show the profound history of Osaka. Besides, Osaka is known for its delicious cuisine, and you can taste the delicacies and enjoy the colorful nightlife in Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Hozenji Yokocho, and Shinsekai. Furthermore, Osaka Bay gathers varied recreational facilities, like Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel; it is a good place for a family trip with kids. Below is an area guide helping you explore the city in depth:
The main tower of Osaka Castle is the landmark of Osaka, and you can climb to its 8th floor to overlook the cityscape. Inside, you also have opportunities to learn about the historical story of the ancient castle, and watch the past mock war exhibited with miniature models. Furthermore, you can appreciate the cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and hydrangeas during spring in Osaka Castle Park and visit the Toyokuni Shrine to learn about the life story of Toyokuni, who is a well-known general in Japan.
Not far from the Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of History is the first museum in Osaka. It has 10 floors, in which permanent exhibitions are displayed on floors 7 - 10. You can appreciate an equal-scale replica of the Daikokuden of Naniwa Palace built in Nara Period (710-794) on the 10th floor. It is advised to take the elevator directly to the 10th floor and walk down floor by floor to visit the museum.
Osaka Castle
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Top Attractions in Osaka Bay Area
The majority of attractions in the Osaka Bay Area are clustered together, and you may need to spend about 1.5 days exploring them. It is very nice to have a family tour in the area, and children can learn about marine knowledge and enjoy varied recreation facilities.
Universal Studios Japan
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Universal Studios Japan is a well-known large theme park in Japan, where you cannot only experience a variety of amusement facilities but also interact with famous cartoon characters in the Super Nintendo World, like Mario and Princess Peach Blossom. In the wizarding world of Harry Potter, you can enjoy thrilling magical adventures and conduct a magic show.
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
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As one of the biggest aquariums in the world, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan shows the largest species of shark, the whale shark. You are able to see more than 30,000 creatures of about 600 species, like penguins, dolphins, seals, jellyfish, and varied birds. Besides, in touch pool, you are allowed to touch these cute sea creatures with your hand.
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Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
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As the highest Ferris wheel in the World, the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel is 112.5 meters (367 feet) high and owns 60 gondolas. The light on the Ferris wheel will be lit during the night, and different light colors stand for different weather the next day, for instance red light tells tomorrow will be a sunny day.
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Port of Osaka
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The Port of Osaka is one of the main ports in Japan, and it contains about 40 pier berths, among which the pier in Tempozan Harbor Village is the most popular among tourists, where you can take the Santa Maria Cruise to view Osaka Bay and visit nearby Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel.
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Top Attractions around Namba Station
Namba Station is an important transportation hub in Osaka, and many shopping streets and gourmet markets, like Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, and Hozenji Yokocho gather around. It is recommended to visit these streets during the night to experience the night life of Osaka.
Dotonbori
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Dotonbori is one of the busiest business districts in Osaka and attracts countless visitors to enjoy the nightlife here. The Glico sign is the hot place to punch in, and you can model the character's actions and take a photo with the sign. Besides, you can take a cruise ship to appreciate the street view of Dotonbori during the night.
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Shinsaibashi
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Shinsaibashi is one of the representative high-end shopping streets in Japan, like Ginza in Tokyo. It covers three areas, namely Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, West Shinsaibashi, and East Shinsaibashi. The West Shinsaibashi is called Amerikamura since many American products have been sold here after World War II.
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Kuromon Market
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Kuromon Market is called the “Kitchen of Osaka”, because it contains about 150 stores that sell varied seafood and Japanese snacks at reasonable prices, like wagy, scallops, tuna, crab, Kanto boil, and strawberry Daifuku. The market has a glass ceiling so you can enjoy shopping even in the rain or snow.
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Hozenji Yokocho
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Hozenji Yokocho is an alley about 80 meters (262 feet) long and 3 meters (9.8 feet) wide, paved with flagstones, hosting a variety of stores that sell okonomiyaki, kushiage, and sake. Besides, you can try to find out the Buddha statue in the Hozenji Temple and pour some water on the statue to gain good luck.
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Best Places to Visit in Southern Osaka
The main attractions in the south of Osaka are historical temples and shrines, like Shiennoji Temple, Isshinji Temple, and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Beyond these attractions, you can visit Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku to taste Osaka snacks and climb ABENO HARUKAS to overlook the city.
Shitennoji Temple
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Shitennoji Temple is the oldest official temple in Japan established in 593, consisting of a golden hall, a lecture hall, a five-storied pagoda, and a central hall. Besides, you can visit the flea market on the 21st and 22nd of every month to shop for some “treasures”.
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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan. Omokaru-ishi is a hot place here. You can find some round stones here, and lift the same rock twice after making a wish. It is said that if you feel it lighter the second time, the wish can be realized.
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Isshinji Temple
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Isshinji Temple, known as the "Temple of Bone Buddha”, has many Buddha statues made of bones and ashes. Besides, the temple has about one thousand peonies, and you can appreciate them during April.
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Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku
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Shinsekai refers to the area around Tsutenkaku, and it gathers countless stores, amusement arcades, and theaters. Tsutenkaku is the landmark of the Shinsekai, and it is a notable tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
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ABENO HARUKAS
It is one of the new landmarks of Osaka and one of the highest complex buildings in Japan with 60 floors and about 300 meters (984 feet) high. You can view the cityscape of Osaka in its observation deck that covers the floors from 58 to 60. There is a special elevator to take you from the 16th floor entrance to the upper 60th floor. Besides, in the ABENO HARUKAS Art Museum on the 19th floor, you can appreciate varied art exhibitions.
More Attractions to See in Osaka
1. Umeda Sky Building
Umeda Sky Building is a 40-storey skyscraper and the landmark of Umeda, Osaka. It is made up of two supertall buildings, the top of which are connected by a corridor, shaped like a giant “H”. You can take the elevator from the third floor directly to the 35th floor, and walk up to the 40th floor to have a bird’s eye view. The 40th floor has a view gallery and a café shop.
Sakai City has the world's largest mausoleum, the Intokten Imperial Tomb. Sakai City Hall has an observation deck on the 21st floor open for free, and you are able to view the shape of the Intokten Imperial Tomb on it.
Mountain Koya is one of the most important Buddhist Temple Complexes in Japan and is a thriving Buddhist ashram with more than 100 temples. You can experience interesting temple activities such as meditation, sutra copying, and matcha tea. Okuno-In Temple is the most popular temple in the Mountain Koya, containing about 200,000 tombstones.
Himeji Castle, also known as Egret Castle, is a Japanese National Treasure and a world heritage site. The pure white walls are its features. Besides, you can appreciate more than 1,000 cherry blossoms in spring and view the traditional Japanese garden inside the castle.
Namba Yasaka Shrine is famous for its lion-head hall. The dignified appearance of the "lion" makes it as if alive. In the Shrine, you can pray for good health or academic achievements
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