Osaka is an extremely diverse and vibrant city, with plenty of entertainment right in the centre, but also virtually unlimited opportunities for excursions into the surrounding area.
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Shopping
Shopping enthusiasts will be right at home in Osaka. The city has several districts filled with huge department stores, small shops and shopping arcades.
Where to go shopping?
The Dotonbori district is mainly known for its cheap discount stores selling fashion, shoes and consumer goods.
Neighbouring Shinsaibashi with its main avenue Midosuji, which continues into the trendy Umeda district, on the other hand, offers mainly upmarket shops selling fashion, watches, jewellery or electronics.
The famous Nipponbashi district is especially popular with fans of anime, toys and games, as well as Japanese pop and music.
Choose one of the top 10 hotels in Osaka
Shop tax-free
Foreigners can buy goods in all shops without local tax. This measure applies to all goods priced more than 5 000 jpy.
Remember that you must present your passport to be able to buy goods tax-free.
Taste local specialties
Japanese cuisine knows no boundaries and in Osaka this is doubly true. Where to go for food in Osaka?
- Sushi - it was in Osaka that this Japanese dish, famous the world over, was born. The best sushi restaurants, especially the popular running sushi, can be found in the Dotonbori district
- Kushikatsu - breaded, fried or skewered meats, cheeses, fish and other delicacies for which head mainly to the Shinsekai district
- Okonomiyaki - traditional savoury pancakes can be found everywhere in Osaka, but most local restaurants (called izakaya) are found on the border of Dotonbori and Nippombashi
Amusement parks
Osaka has several small and huge amusement parks to keep you entertained for days.
The most important theme parks are described in more detail on these pages:
- Universal Studios Japan - One of the world's most visited theme parks takes you into the world of film
- Aquarium Kaiyukan - the world's largest aquarium at the time, with a total of 16 themed rides, plus a giant Ferris wheel and Legoland Discovery Center in close proximity
- Expocity 70 - the park on the site of the 1970 World Expo includes the world's 10th largest Ferris wheel
- Tennoji Zoo - popular zoo located in the city centre
Sightseeing boat cruises
Enjoy Osaka from a different perspective and take a sightseeing cruise on a tourist boat.
We will divide the cruises into two completely different categories.
Central Osaka cruises
The cruise on the Dotonbori (sometimes also Tombori) Water Canal is one of the most popular. That's because the narrow boats weave their way through Dotonbori, Osaka's liveliest district, with its neon signs and tall buildings.
The best cruises are the evening ones, where the Dotonbori canal embankment glows with every colour.
- Tombori River Cruise
- Official Information: boat-osaka.com/cruise/tombori
- 1 500 jpy
- Free with Osaka Amazing Pass
- 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., cruise lasts 20 minutes and boats sail every 30 minutes
- Wonder Cruise
- Official Information: wondercruise.jp
- 1 500 jpy
- Free with Osaka Amazing Pass
- 11:00 am - 9:00 pm, the cruise lasts 20 minutes and ships sail every 30 minutes
River cruises
Longer cruises can be enjoyed along the city's Yodo River, which meanders through Osaka's modern high-rise districts, but also passes by Osaka Castle.
- Aqua-Liner (Osaka Suijyo Water Bus)
- Boarding point Osaka Castle Port (see map), Yodoyabashi Pier (see map), Hachikenyahama Pier (see map),
- Official information: suijo-bus.osaka/aqualiner/
- 2 000 jpy - Sightseeing cruise / 1 500 jpy cruise only part of the route
- Free with Osaka Amazing Pass, 10% discount with full day subway ticket
- Nakanoshima River Cruise
- Embarkation point at Hotarumachi Port (see map)
- Official information: boat-osaka.com/nakanoshima-river
- 1 500 jpy
- Free with Osaka Amazing Pass
- 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., cruise lasts 20 minutes and boats sail every 30 minutes
Cruises at sea on the Santa Maria
A replica of Christopher Columbus's historic ship named Santa Maria sails daily cruises from Kaiyukan Aquarium.
In particular, you will see industrial Osaka with its many impressive bridges or container port.
- Official information: suijo-bus.osaka/santamaria
- 1 800 jpy - Daily cruise / 2 300 jpy - sunset cruise
- Free with the Osaka Amazing Pass, for 1 200 jpy with a full-day subway ticket (discount does not apply to sunset cruises)
Historical Sights
Modern Osaka also has some beautiful historical sites.
We have detailed the 3 best historical sights in the city:
The best sights in Osaka
Osaka's skyline of high-rise buildings suggests that there are several observatories in the city.
We recommend the top 3 best viewpoints in Osaka.
- Harukas 300 - Osaka's tallest skyscraper, a lookout at a height of about 280 metres
- Kuchu Teien - Umeda Sky Building tower observation point at 173 metres
- Tsutenkaku - iconic steel tower with a view at 91 metres
Is Harukas 300 or Umeda Sky Building better?
Most often, tourists decide between these two viewpoints.
Harukas 300 is almost twice as high and definitely offers the best panoramic views of the whole city and its surroundings. However, the entire observatory is inside the windows.
The Umeda Sky Building, on the other hand, has an outdoor terrace from where you can take pictures without the obstruction of glass or steel railings. However, the view from the Umeda Sky Building is not as nice as from Harukas 300.
The price is the same for both vantage points - 2 000 jpy.
We visited both buildings and if you like scenic views, we recommend visiting both as well. The views are quite different and interesting in both cases.
Hiking in nature
Even though Osaka is a huge city with no large parks, it is surrounded by mountains and you will find nice hiking trails through nature already within its borders.
In the immediate vicinity of Osaka we recommend the following places for hiking:
- Minoo National Park - a small wooded national park with a valley, waterfalls and a comfortable hiking trail about 6 km long (see map)
