1. See the iconic Osaka Castle
A great way to start your trip in this Japanese city is to catch sight of its most iconic and enduring sight – the Osaka Castle. With a long and colorful history beginning in the late 1500s, this castle is deemed as the symbol of the city Osaka. Known as one of the most popular landmarks in all of Japan, Osaka will give you a wondrous sightseeing escape with its brilliantly shining gold decors as well as sweet views of the entire city from its observatory on the 8th floor.
More information:
- Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan
- Contact number: +81 6-6941-3044
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM daily
- Admission fee: Park entrance is free, but there are fees for some of the park’s facilities
2. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Billed as one of the world’s largest aquariums, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is home to more than 25,000 marine creatures of around 620 different species. Here, you’ll get to see the aquarium favorites, like penguins, dolphins and the gigantic whale sharks. And, by the way, did you know that it once was voted as Asia’s best during the Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards?
More information:
- Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 552-0022, Japan
- Contact number: +81 6-6576-5501
- Opening hours: 10 AM to 08:00 PM daily
- Admission fee: JPY 600 to 2,300 (PHP 282 to 1,080) depending on age. Free for children under 3 years old.
Photo credit: Flickr/Vortex/Iskra Photo/CC-BY
3. Hit Dotonbori
Buzzing with life and colors, this vibrant district is loaded with billboards, restaurants and shops. Whether you’re a shopaholic or foodie, you’ll absolutely get your fix in Dotonbori. What’s more, it flaunts a plethora of crazy designs and signs, including giant crabs, sushi, fish and dragons. To top it all off, it’s the place where you can see one of Japan’s most popular billboard signs – the Glico billboard of a runner who’s crossing the finish line. While it’s a great place to visit by day, we suggest that you hit it at night, when the streets come to life with big neon lights and extremely bright lights.
4. Spend a day exploring Universal Studios Japan
The Universal Studios Japan is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the top and most sought-after attractions in Osaka, Japan. As a matter of fact, a lot of travelers and tourists would come all the way to this Japanese hub to experience this fun-filled and dynamic theme park. And make no mistake about it – not only it is a nirvana for kids, but it can also be an exciting wonderland for adults, thanks to a collection of thrill rides and world-class entertainment suited to all ages.
More information:
- Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 554-0031, Japan
- Contact number: +81 570-200-606
- Opening hours: Operation hours vary, but the park is usually open from 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM. See website (www.usj.co.jp/e/parkguide/calendar), for more information about their calendar and schedule.
- Admission fee: JPY 4,723 to 11,852 (PHP 2,219 to 5,570), depending on age and type of ticket.
Photo credit: Flickr/Hogwarts – Universal Studio Japan/Calvin YC/CC-BY
5. Eat Osaka’s mouthwatering culinary delights
Love to eat? They don’t call Osaka as one of the ultimate food destinations for nothing. Nicknamed aptly as “Japan’s kitchen”, Osaka is a city with passionate foodies and an abundance of delectable goodies. Bona fide food lover or not, you’ll have a blast savoring the city’s must eats, such as yakiniku, takoyaki, momiji tempura, hotate, persimmon, baby octopus, wagyu beef, ramen and okonomiyaki.
6. Check out the exhibits of Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Take a walk down memory lane, reliving the scenes of Edo period to the aftermath of WWI Show period, by visiting the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Inside the museum, you’ll find life-sized streets, houses and scenes from the old times, giving you a taste of Imperial Japan. Furthermore, this treasure trove houses a scaled model of Osaka during the Edo Period, showing you how the city looked like in the country’s scientific and artistic enlightenment.
More information:
- Address: Japan, 〒530-0041 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Kita Ward, Tenjinbashi, 6 Chome−4−20, 住まい情報センタービル
- Contact number: +81 6-6242-1170
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM from Wednesday to Monday
7. Pay homage to Sumiyoshi Taisha
You can’t leave Osaka without paying homage to one of Japan’s oldest and grandest Shinto shrines – Sumiyoshi Taisha. Drenched in history and culture, this Shinto shrine was built in the 3rd century to protect fishermen, travelers and sailors. Exemplifying a purely Japanese style design, the shrine will give you an urge to snap a ton of photos with its intricate features like its striking arch bridge.
More information:
- Address: 2 Chome-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 558-0045, Japan
- Contact number: +81 6-6672-0753
- Opening hours: 06:00 AM to 05:00 PM daily
- Admission fee: Free
Photo credit: Flickr/Sumiyoshi Taisha/Kimon Berlin/CC-BY
8. See Osaka’s skyline from Harukas 300 observatory
Cherish the beautiful panorama of Osaka at the highest vantage point of the city – Harukas 300 observatory. With large ceiling-to-floor glass panels, the observatory offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. After admiring the vistas, make your way to its wooden deck and café, so you can please your palate with a tasty snack.
More information:
- Address: 1 Chome-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 545-6016, Japan
- Contact number: +81 6-6624-1111
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Admission fee: JPY 1,500 (PHP 705)
Photo credit: 168alice
9. Go on a shopping spree in Umeda
Umeda is a lively commercial, entertainment, shopping and dining zone with a sprawling underground shopping mall. Not to mention, it’s a busy transportation hub and one of the main city centers of Osaka. As you visit Umeda, drop by Grand Front Osaka, and be enthralled by its trendy modern mall. The most noteworthy site here, though, is Umeda Sky Building – an impressive and eye-catching 2-tower skyscraper with a one-of-a-kind floating garden observatory at its topmost part.
10. Take a leisurely stroll through Minoo Park
Need to escape the bustling city life? Then, head to Minoo Park – the closet place in Osaka where you can spot a forested valley! Not only it is a photogenic place, but it’s also a serene haven where you can unwind and breathe in some fresh air. Plus, it is home to one of the top 100 waters in Japan. To make your visit unforgettable, visit the park in autumn, when it’s beautifully surrounded with autumn colors.
More information:
- Address: 1-18 Minookoen, Minoo, Osaka Prefecture 562-0002, Japan
- Contact number: +81 72-721-3014
- Opening hours: 24 hours daily
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