8 Best Things To Do in Osaka: Japan Travel Guide

Osaka is a city that takes pride in its food culture and friendly locals.

While Tokyo and Kyoto often get more than their fair share of the spotlight, Osaka brings its own personality to the table with a mix of longstanding sights & neighborhoods, modern attractions and some of Japan's best street food.

Plus, if you’re visiting Kyoto on your trip to Japan, Osaka is pretty much right next door. So you’re going to want to do at least a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka, if not spend a few days here yourself.

In this overview of Osaka we’ll take a look at attractions for first-time visits to Osaka, find out why the city is renowned both in Japan and around the world for down-home good comfort food, and discover the reasons why you should include Osaka in your travel plans to Japan.

Osaka: Japan’s “Second City”

Osaka has one of those classic “second city” mentalities.

You know the kind, seen in places like Chicago, Manchester, Lyon, Melbourne, Cape Town & Mumbai. They’re all great cities, but they often stand in the shadow of their “sister” city which is the largest city and/or country’s capital.

But wait, you statistics nerds might be quick to point out, isn’t Yokohama actually Japan’s second largest city?

And you would be correct, data-driven pal of ours. Damn! Osaka couldn’t even get this one to boast.

But Osaka shouldn’t have to be relegated to Japan’s poor step sister status. No no, Osaka (along with the surrounding Kansai region, home to nearly 20 million inhabitants and around the same size as Greater NYC) is brilliant in its own right.

Osaka has great food (they don’t call it “Japan’s Kitchen” for nothing!). The people here really are down to earth and quite (relatively) friendly. And visitors to Osaka are rewarded with world-class sightseeing, infrastructure, scenery and accommodations.

Plus it’s home to the Hanshin Tigers, a pro baseball team with the most passionate fans in Japan, – so take that, Giants fans!

Top Things To Do In Osaka

Osaka packs countless attractions into its sprawling districts.

From historic landmarks to modern entertainment complexes, the city offers something for every type of traveler.

Let's start with the heart of Osaka's entertainment scene.

1. Explore Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi & Amemura

 

Namba pulses with energy as Osaka's main entertainment district.

The famous Dotonbori Canal area lights up at night with massive 3D signage advertising restaurants and shops. The giant mechanical crab and the Glico running man sign have become symbols of the city. These days, it’s mostly tourists… but hey, you’re a tourist, too, so you pretty much have to stop by Dotonbori while you’re in Osaka.

Shinsaibashi is a shopping and entertainment area that wraps around Dotonbori. Shinsaibashi-suji is a covered shopping arcade, connecting the canal area northward towards the center of the city.

Parallel to this runs Midosuji, a broad avenue that’s lined with Ginkgo trees (beautiful in November and lit up for Xmas in December) running from the canal all the way up to Umeda. Midosuji has shops, department stores, restaurants and many hotels (along with some exotic car showrooms like Ferrari, McLaren & More).

West of Midosuji is Nishi-Shinsaibashi, which has bars on one end and Brooklyn-like shops & cafes on the other.

Amemura brings youth culture and fashion to the mix, with vintage clothing shops, street art and cafes that draw inspiration from American pop culture. It's a great spot for people-watching and picking up unique fashion pieces.

For food lovers, Kuromon Ichiba Market used to be high on the list. This 580-meter shopping street once earned its nickname as "Osaka's Kitchen." But honestly? It’s become something of a tourist trap in recent years, sadly. So you want a real “street market experience?”

2. Stroll Through Shotengai

 

We love shotengai here in Japan!

What’s a shotengai, you might be asking?

It’s a shopping street. But not like Midosuji, not a fancy one. The aforementioned Shinsaibashi-suji is an example of a shotengai, though not a really local one.

A better example is Tenjinbashi, not just a local Osaka shotengai but in fact Japan’s longest shotengai (and that’s saying something!). In this granddaddy (or ojiichan) of them all, you can see everything from produce shops, butchers and fishmongers, 100-yen stores, mom-and-pop retailers, small restaurants & cafes, and much (much!) more.

Nearby is the Osaka Tenmangu, a Shinto shrine that’s popular among locals for praying for work or school success (among other things).

3. Enjoy Universal Studios Japan (USJ)

 

Universal Studios Japan ranks among Osaka's most popular attractions, drawing visitors from across Asia and around the world.

The amusement park features rides and attractions based on popular movies and characters, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World (and the recently added Donkey Kong Country).

The best strategy is arriving early before the crowds build up. If you're visiting during peak season, consider getting an Express Pass to skip the longer lines at popular attractions.

4. Dive into the Ocean at Kaiyukan Aquarium 

 

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan takes visitors on a journey through the marine life of the Pacific Rim.

The massive central tank houses whale sharks and manta rays, while smaller exhibits showcase the sea life of specific regions. The aquarium's unique design lets you spiral down through different ocean levels, making it feel like you're diving deeper into the sea as you go.

Some say this is one of the best aquariums you’ll see in the world. We might be biased, living in the Osaka area, but we won’t disagree.

5. Admire Osaka Castle

 

Osaka Castle can be seen around town as a symbol of the city's history.

The current structure is a concrete reconstruction completed in 1931, so if you’re a castle enthusiast you might want to base yourself in Osaka but make a day trip to Himeji Castle.

Still, Osaka Castle is no slouch either, with its massive stone walls and golden accents. Inside, you'll find exhibits about the castle's history and the important role it played in unifying Japan.

The surrounding Osaka Castle Koen (park) becomes especially popular during spring when cherry blossoms bloom – and, our favorite, in the fall when the colors turn brilliant orange, yellow and red.

6. Worship at Sumiyoshi Taisha

 

Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine showcases a unique architectural style that predates Buddhist influences in Japan.

The shrine's distinctive bridges and buildings have been carefully preserved and restored over its 1800-year history. It's particularly busy during New Year celebrations when locals visit for their first shrine prayer of the year.

7. Have Fun at Cup Noodle Museum

 

The Cup Noodle Museum in Ikeda tells the story of instant ramen's invention.

Visitors can create their own custom cup noodle flavor combinations and learn about the product's impact on global food culture.

The museum makes for a fun stop, especially with kids, and gives insight into one of Japan's most successful food innovations.

8. Relax in Bampaku Kinen Koen (Expo '70 Park)

 

Expo '70 Commemorative Park (Banpaku Park) offers spacious grounds perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

The park gained recent fame for its unique all-you-can-eat KFC restaurant, but it offers much more. The Tower of the Sun structure serves as the park's centerpiece, while seasonal flower gardens provide beautiful photo opportunities throughout the year.

Wait, speaking of Expo, can we see an Expo in Osaka now?

Sure can!

Expo 2025 – Osaka is Hosting a Major World Event!

 

If you're planning to visit Osaka, be sure to check out Expo 2025, a major world event that promises to be an exciting and educational experience. The Expo will feature thrilling events, exhibitions, and cultural showcases from countries and international organizations worldwide. Highlights include spectacular shows like "Under the Midnight Rainbow," "Expo Sauna ‘TAIYO’s TSUBOMI," and more.

For more details, including ticket information, event schedules, and the official map, visit the official Expo 2025 Osaka website. This will be a major global event, offering unique opportunities to explore the world’s innovations and cultures under one roof.

Top Osaka Food: What to Eat in Japan’s Food Hub

 

Osaka's reputation as “Japan's kitchen” comes from its incredible variety of local specialties.

The city's food culture centers around casual dining and street food, making it easy to try multiple dishes in one outing.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki might look simple, but this savory pancake delivers big flavors.

Restaurants let you cook it yourself on a hot griddle built into your table, or watch as skilled chefs prepare it for you.

The basic mix includes cabbage, eggs, and flour, but you can add various toppings like pork belly, octopus, or cheese. Here’s a great okonomiyaki mix we love & hope you will too.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki are the Osaka treat! These golf ball-sized snacks contain pieces of octopus in a light, fluffy batter.

Street vendors throughout the city cook them in special molds, turning them constantly until golden brown. The finished takoyaki gets topped with a special sauce, mayo, seaweed flakes and dancing bonito flakes.

How meaningful is takoyaki to Osaka? The city’s symbol as an octopus! Just ask any emoji-wielding Japanese person and they’ll tell you that the shorthand for Osaka is an octopus.

Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu joints serve skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables that have been breaded and deep-fried to crispy perfection.

The golden rule: no double-dipping in the communal sauce. Popular items include chicken, beef, lotus root and even cheese or ice cream for dessert.

You can enjoy kushikatsu at lots of places, and a popular one with many locations is Kushikatsu Daruma.

Thirsty after all that eating? We’ve got top five Osaka matcha cafes you might really enjoy!

Souvenirs From Osaka: What to Bring Home from Your Japan Trip

Sakai Kitchen Knife

Sakai City in Osaka has produced high-quality knives for centuries.

A Sakai kitchen knife makes for an impressive souvenir that combines functionality with traditional craftsmanship. Many shops offer budget-friendly options alongside premium hand-forged blades.

Other Popular Souvenirs

Local snacks make great gifts, with options like Glico Pocky in Osaka-exclusive flavors, beautifully packaged sweet mochi, or boxes of fresh-made senbei rice crackers and takoyaki ball chips.

For non-food items, consider picks like cute Osaka-themed stationery, traditional hand fans or items featuring local mascot Biliken.

How To Get To Osaka

For starters, check if there are direct flights from your city or country to Osaka’s Kansai International. Even if there aren’t, single connections are available from Osaka to hundreds of cities (via Tokyo, Seoul, LA, SF, Paris, HK, Singapore and many other global hubs).

You might be doing an open jaw, starting in either Osaka or Tokyo and ending in the other.

The fastest option between Tokyo and Osaka is the Shinkansen bullet train, taking about 2.5 hours on the Nozomi service.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you'll need to take slightly slower Hikari trains. These days, with the rail pass price hikes, point to point tickets often work better anyway. Also, there are regional passes that can pay off, like the Kansai Wide or Kansai+Hiroshima passes.

Budget travelers might look into overnight buses or flights into Kansai International Airport, though these options can end up taking longer when factoring in transit times to and from airports or bus terminals.

Osaka or Kyoto As a Base For Kansai?

Osaka serves as an excellent base for exploring the Kansai region.

The city offers more nightlife options and generally lower accommodation costs than Kyoto. Its central location and extensive train network make day trips convenient to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

Plus, Osaka's famous food scene means you'll always have great dining options when you return from your daily adventures.

Keep in mind that Osaka's atmosphere differs significantly from Kyoto's. While Kyoto focuses on traditional culture and temples, Osaka provides a more modern, energetic experience.

Your choice might depend on what type of environment you prefer to return to after a day of sightseeing.