13 Things to Do in Osaka (Incl. Insider Tips and Sights)

Also available in: Deutsch

Osaka is Japan’s third-largest city, with only Tokyo and Yokohama surpassing it. Osaka is also the country’s most important port city, making it a major industrial hub. However, the things to do in Osaka are also well worth visiting, and the city is renowned for its cuisine in Japan – dishes such as Okonomiyaki originate in Osaka.

Osaka Things to Do: Tips for the City’s Most Beautiful Places

When comparing Tokyo and Osaka, you’ll notice that Osaka is a bit more urban, less tidy, and a bit louder. Nevertheless, people in Osaka are considerate and friendly, as everywhere in the country. In this article, we’ll show you which things to do in Osaka you shouldn’t miss.

How to Get To Osaka

The easiest way to get from Germany to Osaka is via a direct flight from Frankfurt am Main, which takes about 12 hours. Other routes include a stopover, for example, via Tokyo, Hong Kong, or even Dubai. You can best compare prices, departure airports, and tickets on Skyscanner.

Note: From Osaka Kansai Airport, there are two trains into the city center. First, the Nankai Ltd. Express Rapid that runs for about €10 in around 40 minutes, and the cheaper Nankai Airport Express (around €8), which only takes 5 minutes longer but is often more crowded.

If you’re already in Japan, the train is best for traveling to Osaka. The main station, Shin-Osaka, is very well-connected to the Shinkansen bullet train network, and you can travel from Tokyo to Osaka in just under 3 hours. If you’re in Kyoto first, there are also slow trains, as the city is right next door. You can find availability and schedules, for example, on 12go.asia.

Info: If you’re staying in Japan a bit longer, then a Japan Rail Pass is worth it. It includes some Shinkansen bullet trains and many other trains. Individual tickets are relatively expensive, but if you’re traveling for two weeks or more, the Japan Rail Pass is absolutely worth it, and you can save a lot of money. A top recommendation!

Accommodation in Osaka – Our Hotel Tip

The Hotel WBF Namba Kuromon in Osaka is very centrally located in the Namba district, just a few minutes’ walk from Dotonbori, directly across from the Kuromon Market. You’ll also find subway stations nearby, making it an ideal base for exploring Osaka. The rooms are small, as is common in Japan, but modern and equipped with everything you need, such as air conditioning, USB outlets, a TV, a bathroom, and very comfy beds. Another highlight is the sky bar on the rooftop terrace (see insider tip at the last point).

We can warmly recommend this hotel! You can find more accommodations in the surrounding area or in other parts of Osaka here.

1. Dotonbori

The Dotonbori area, sometimes spelled Dotombori, lies in Osaka’s Namba district and is the city’s tourist center. It runs along the Dotonbori River of the same name, where you can walk the Tombori River Walk along the water, sit in a café or bar, or take a river cruise.

Dotonbori is always busy, regardless of the time of day. You can visit in the afternoon or in the evening to explore the nightlife with Osaka’s colorful neon signs. There are also countless restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, live shows, Kabuki theaters, and more.

By the way, Dotonbori is also home to the famous Glico neon sign (Glico Man), considered one of the highlights of the city. We personally found it a bit dull. Instead, check out the next Osaka thing to do.

2. Hozen-ji Temple

A little bit of old Japan right in Dotonbori – at least that’s what most people think when they discover the Hozen-ji Temple. Built in 1637, this small temple is dedicated to Fudo Myoo, a mantra king in Buddhism who is considered a protector of the faith. Inside, you’ll also find a statue of him, now completely covered in moss. It’s said to bring good luck to sprinkle water on the statue, and as everyone does this, the statue became overgrown with moss over time.

3. Shinsaibashi

North of Dotonbori, or right next to it, you’ll find Shinsaibashi – a whole shopping district, Osaka’s main shopping area. The covered street hosts countless fashion boutiques, along with many other stores, and is very popular with locals.

This 600-meter-long shopping street has been around for roughly 400 years, and beyond various stores, you’ll also find numerous restaurants and cafés here and, of course, in the side streets. If you want to do some shopping, you should pay Shinsaibashi a visit.

4. America Mura

West of Shinsaibashi lies the America Mura district. For over 40 years, it’s been a center for Japanese youth trends and is sometimes referred to as the hipster district. Around Sankaku Koen Park (Mitsu Park), there are about 2000 stores in a triangle, including clothing boutiques, cafés, bars, restaurants, and even nightclubs.

One of the best-known Osaka things to do in America Mura is the small Statue of Liberty perched atop a building, visible from many streets and alleys.

Until the 1960s, many warehouses storing coal were located here, but the district underwent a radical transformation. Even if you don’t plan to shop, it’s worth strolling through America Mura because you’ll spot a lot of street art and discover cool vintage items. We found the district very interesting and would have liked to spend more time here.

5. Shitennō-ji

Founded in the year 593, Shitennō-ji has only been a standalone Buddhist temple since 1946. Originally, it was an educational institution teaching areas like education, medicine, welfare, and nursing care. It’s located not far from Osaka’s old Shinsekai district.

Towards the end of World War II, much of the temple was destroyed, but from 1960 it was rebuilt in its old style. The five-story, 29-meter-high pagoda is the temple’s main external feature. In the main building next to it, Buddhist ceremonies take place (which you can watch – but photographing is forbidden), and you’ll find a statue of Bosatsu, the bodhisattva of compassion.

6. Tsūtenkaku Tower

The 103-meter-high Tsūtenkaku Tower, whose name literally means tower reaching to heaven, is the landmark of Osaka and offers three wonderful observation decks at 84 and 87 meters, plus an additional one outdoors. A must thing to do in Osaka.

Built in 1956 on the same spot where previous towers (modeled after the Eiffel Tower) had been dismantled, its design is said to reflect these towers, though in our opinion, it bears absolutely no resemblance to the Eiffel Tower.

Entrance to the first two observation decks costs 700 yen, and another 500 yen is charged if you want to visit the third outdoor platform called “Tembo Paradise.” It’s open daily from 09.00 AM to 09.00 PM.

7. Shinsekai

The Shinsekai district was built in 1912; its northern part was modeled after Paris and its southern part after New York, though that’s not exactly apparent nowadays. Since it wasn’t developed further after World War II, it’s one of Japan’s poorer districts. However, we still always felt safe here.

Shinsekai is definitely one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Osaka, partly because of the many signs you’ll see in front of each building. Additionally, the old buildings and Tsūtenkaku Tower give Shinsekai a very distinctive charm. You’ll also find many restaurants here, which you can explore, for example, on an Osaka Shinsekai Food Tour.

8. Pokémon Center Osaka

Although the Pokémon craze came after our time, everyone in Japan is still crazy about it, so on the way to the Umeda Sky Building, we visited the Pokémon Center too. It’s right in the shopping mall at the Umeda MRT station, which is also Osaka Station, where you can transfer to many more trains.

At the Pokémon Center, you can participate in a few games, but mostly you’ll find various souvenirs, toys, and other items related to different Pokémon. If that’s your thing, it’s definitely worth a visit. Otherwise, you can skip the Pokémon Center.

9. Umeda Sky Building

Consisting of two buildings, each with 40 floors and an observation deck in the middle, the Umeda Sky Building can be recognized from a distance by its “U” shape. Completed in 1993, this distinctive structure houses various corporate offices inside for companies like Mazda as well as the German Consulate in Osaka.

Most visitors come to the Kuchu Teien Observatory on the 170-meter-high observation deck because the view of the whole Osaka city is simply fantastic by day or night.

The tickets cost 1500 yen, but it’s worth it because you get a 360-degree view of Osaka from the observation platform. Inside, there’s also a bar offering various beers from around the world and enough seating where you can relax and enjoy the view.

10. Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous castles in Japan, originally built in 1583. Over the centuries, Osaka Castle has been destroyed in many wars and repeatedly rebuilt. The last time was in 1997, which addressed damage from World War II.

Inside the castle today is a museum where you can learn everything about the history of Osaka Castle and about Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who first ordered its construction. Additionally, there’s an observation deck on the top floor with a wonderful view over Osaka.

Osaka Castle is open daily from 09.00 AM to 05.00 PM, and admission costs 600 yen. However, you can visit the park, which stretches over several square kilometers and includes the moat, for free.

11. Namba Yasaka Shrine

The modern form of this temple dates back to 1974, as it was entirely burned down in 1945 during World War II. According to tradition, the temple has existed since 1069, though no one knows exactly when it was founded.

The main feature is the giant lion head, which is 11 meters wide and 12 meters tall. A visit in January is especially unique, as on every third Sunday of that month, the tug-of-war ritual is held. It’s inspired by the Japanese mythology of the god of wind and sea and has been officially recognized as part of Osaka’s cultural heritage since 2001. If you’re in Osaka in January, you shouldn’t miss this event.

Otherwise, it’s worth a visit any other time of year for this slightly different Osaka thing to do. We thought it was an excellent place for photos.

12. Kuromon Ichiba Market

The Kuromon Ichiba Market, often simply called Kuromon Market, also has the insider nickname Osaka’s Kitchen. Why is the roughly 600-meter-long market called that? You’ll immediately see why once you step in! It’s almost exclusively a food market, with one stall next to another. Japanese specialties, snacks, or sweets are on offer. You’ll also find stands selling fresh produce or butchers at the Kuromon Ichiba Market.

Open daily from 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM, it’s good to visit in the morning or at lunchtime so you can grab a meal. You can try everything from sushi to Takoyaki to Kobe or Wagyu steaks. The selection is huge.

Tip: To discover many of Japan’s delicacies, it’s also worth taking a food tour of the Kuromon Market.

13. Our Osaka Insider Tip: Sky Bar at Hotel WBF Namba Kuromon

As mentioned in our hotel recommendation at the start of this article, we also want to highlight the sky bar at the Hotel WBF Namba Kuromon here. It’s open to visitors who aren’t hotel guests. Because it’s still an insider tip, it’s rarely busy, and at times we were the only guests up there.

After a day of exploring Osaka’s attractions, you can relax here with a drink (for example, a Suntory whiskey or a cocktail) and enjoy the sunset and nighttime view of Osaka from above. Highly recommended!

Osaka: Tours And Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Osaka in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Osaka.

Have you already been to Osaka? Do you have any additional tips for Osaka’s things to do? Leave us your comment.