The Complete Osaka Travel Guide to Read First

The Osaka Amazing Pass is an extremely convenient sightseeing pass that combines unlimited rides on transportation in Osaka City with admission to tourist facilities.
The unlimited ride coverage includes all Osaka Metro lines, all Osaka City Bus routes, and Osaka City sections operated by five private railway companies: Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, and Nankai.
By showing the pass, you can enjoy free one-time admission at more than 40 places, including Osaka Castle and Tsutenkaku, as well as observation wheels and river cruises.

The Kita Area refers to the area around JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station in Kita Ward, located in the north-central part of Osaka City.
It is one of Osaka’s leading downtown districts, lined with large commercial complexes and high-rise buildings.
As one of Osaka’s trendsetting districts, it is a great place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Especially popular spots include Grand Front Osaka, where select shops and restaurants from Japan and abroad gather, and Umeda Sky Building, where you can enjoy sweeping views of Umeda and the Osaka cityscape from an observation deck 173 m above the ground.
The area known as Kitashinchi is famous as an upscale nightlife district, with around 3,000 restaurants and bars.
It is known for its many high-end establishments for adults, including traditional Japanese restaurants, lounges, and clubs.
Since many places stay open late into the night, it’s well worth a visit if you want to enjoy Osaka’s nightlife.

Stretching across Chuo Ward and Naniwa Ward in Osaka City, the Minami Area is one of Osaka’s leading downtown districts alongside the Kita Area.
Among them, Dotonbori is especially famous as a place where Osaka’s character is packed in.
At Ebisubashi Bridge over the Dotonbori River, you can see one of Osaka’s signature scenes, lined with giant signboards including the famous Glico sign.
Another appeal of Dotonbori is being able to enjoy Osaka specialties such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu.
Shinsaibashi, one of Osaka’s top shopping districts, is also in the Minami Area.
Midosuji, lined with luxury brand flagship stores, is known as an upscale shopping street on par with Ginza in Tokyo.
There are also unique shopping spots scattered throughout the area, such as Amerikamura and Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.
It would not be an exaggeration to say this is an area you cannot miss on an Osaka trip.

The Tennoji Area is located close to the Minami Area.
Like Minami, its Osaka-like atmosphere is part of the appeal, but Tennoji has many spots with retro streetscapes and a sense of history.
Shitennoji, the oldest temple in Japan and the origin of the name Tennoji Ward, is one of the area’s leading highlights.
Tsutenkaku, one of Osaka’s symbols, is also in the Tennoji Area, with the downtown district called Shinsekai spreading around it.
The area is lined with many eateries where you can enjoy not only famous local dishes, but also distinctive foods such as stew udon, beef fillet cutlet sandwiches, onion oden, and mixed juice.
Abeno Harukas, a 300 m tall high-rise complex, is another popular sightseeing spot.
In addition to shopping at a wide range of stores, you can also enjoy an open and spectacular view from the observatory on the 58th to 60th floors.

The Osaka Castle Area spreads around Osaka Castle in Chuo Ward, Osaka City.
Osaka Castle was built in 1585 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the feudal lord who unified Japan during the Warring States period.
The surrounding area has been developed as Osaka Castle Park, a vast urban park covering Approx. 105 hectares.
In addition to Important Cultural Properties and museums where you can learn about Osaka’s history, the park also has a complex with various shops, mainly restaurants and cafes.
It is also known as one of Osaka’s leading cherry blossom spots, making it a must-visit destination on a spring trip to Osaka.
There are also many other places where you can feel Osaka’s history, such as the Osaka Museum of History and Hiyoshi Shrine.

The Bay Area, which stretches across western Osaka City around Osaka Bay, is home to a wide range of leisure facilities.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is also located in the Bay Area.
Particularly popular are The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World, centered on the popular character Mario and featuring Peach’s Castle, coin blocks, and other elements that make you feel as if you have stepped inside a video game. These attractions draw many visitors not only from Japan but also from overseas.
The area also has many other leisure facilities, such as Kaiyukan, where you can observe Approx. 620 species and 30,000 creatures, and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka, a dream destination for LEGO fans, making it a perfect area for family trips in Osaka.

When it comes to Osaka’s nature-rich northern area, Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, created on the former site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition, is especially famous.
In addition to cultural facilities related to Expo ’70, it also offers places where you can enjoy nature, athletic facilities, and hot springs, making it a perfect destination for family trips.
For family travel, Hirakata Park, Japan’s oldest amusement park, is also recommended.
Known affectionately as Hira-Par by locals, the park features around 40 attractions and also has an indoor zoo where you can interact with various animals.
Meiji no Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park is another popular sightseeing spot, and its main attraction is Minoh Falls, with a drop of 33 m.
In this scenic natural setting, you can enjoy the powerful sight of water cascading down dynamically.

Osaka’s Eastern Area is known as a manufacturing hub that produces everything from tiny screws to artificial satellites.
The Panasonic Museum, opened to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Panasonic, one of Japan’s world-renowned electronics manufacturers, is also located in the Eastern Area.
Along with materials related to founder Konosuke Matsushita, the museum displays around 550 home appliances developed over the years in one place, letting visitors experience Panasonic’s history and technology.
There are also many historical spots, including shrines and temples, castle ruins, kofun burial mounds, and towns that still retain traces of their prosperity as post towns.

Osaka’s Southern Area is where Kansai International Airport is located.
When people think of the Southern Area, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is especially famous.
This group of burial mounds combines the Mozu Kofungun in Sakai City with the Furuichi Kofungun in Fujiidera City and Habikino City, and it includes the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, Japan’s largest keyhole-shaped burial mound.
It is so large that it takes two hours to go around it even by bicycle.
The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada City, with a history of more than 300 years, is also not to be missed.
Danjiri are festival floats used in Japanese festivals, and the term is commonly used in western Japan, including Osaka.
One of the highlights is yarimawashi, in which danjiri weighing Approx. 4 tons are pulled by around 500 participants and turned sharply around corners at full speed without slowing down.
Since the festival is held in September, it is well worth attending if you travel during that season.

Start by visiting Osaka’s classic sightseeing spots and enjoying its famous local food.
After discovering a wide variety of aquatic creatures at a historic aquarium, head to Dotonbori for lunch.
Then stroll around atmospheric Osaka Castle and take in views of the Osaka cityscape as it shifts from sunset to night from an observation deck 173 m above the ground.
It will be a day where you can enjoy Osaka’s many different sides.

On Day 2, you will visit popular shrines, temples, and a World Heritage Site to experience Osaka’s culture and history.
You will also stop by dining streets, so you can fully enjoy Osaka’s local food as well. At the end of the trip, you can take in spectacular views from a high-rise building.

Kushikatsu is a dish made by skewering meat, vegetables, seafood, and other ingredients, coating them in batter, and deep-frying them.
The ingredients vary depending on the region and the shop, which makes it easy for unique styles and local food culture to develop.
The standard seasoning is Worcestershire sauce, but some places also serve it with salt or miso.
One of the best parts is dipping the skewers into a shared container filled with Worcestershire sauce. One thing to remember is that double-dipping is not allowed.
This rule is for hygiene reasons, so once you have taken a bite, do not dip it again.

Takoyaki is one of the most iconic Osaka foods.
Flour is mixed with water, eggs, dashi, and other ingredients, then poured into a special iron griddle with half-sphere molds.
The batter is turned round and round while fillings are added, shaping it into balls.
As the name suggests, the filling includes octopus. Recently, however, some versions also include ingredients such as kimchi or cheese.

Okonomiyaki comes in many regional styles, with different cooking methods and ingredients depending on the area.
The basic method is to mix flour, grated yam, and dashi into a batter, add cabbage, place ingredients such as pork on top, and cook it on a griddle while flipping it over.
Its appeal lies in the Japanese-style umami of dashi, the bold sauce, and the savory aroma unique to griddle cooking.

Since its predecessor, the Shin-Osaka Hotel, opened in 1935, 86 years have passed.
Located by the riverside in Nakanoshima in central Osaka, this is the flagship hotel of the RIHGA Royal Hotel Group, built on a long history and tradition.
With its elegant atmosphere, state-of-the-art facilities, and exceptional hospitality, it is one of Japan’s most distinguished hotels and is often called “Osaka’s guesthouse for dignitaries.” It offers a total of 1,041 guest rooms designed around five concepts of relaxation.

As an official hotel of Universal Studios Japan, it comes with many special accommodation perks.
You can purchase Studio Passes inside the hotel, and guests should also keep an eye out for original collaboration goods connected with the park.
All guest rooms have separate bath and toilet areas, and their spacious layouts make it easy to relax as if you were at home.

This is the first hotel in Japan from W, the luxury brand operated by Marriott International.
With the concept of “not just a place to stay, but an adult playground that unlocks creativity,” it is filled throughout with innovative ideas that set it apart from conventional luxury hotels.