wendy's Reviews Page 2/26

If you're in central Osaka and enjoy art, you can plan a visit to the National Museum of Art. The museum itself is a major highlight, with a flowing steel exterior that looks very modern and is eye-catching even from outside.

This time I visited the permanent collection. It isn't very large, but the entire space feels very comfortable. Most of the works on display are contemporary and modern art, and each piece leaves plenty of room for imagination.

Besides shopping and enjoying good food in Osaka, I also highly recommend taking the Aqua Bus at least once to see this waterfront city from a different perspective. This ride is one of the free activities included with the Osaka Amazing Pass, and you can board by showing the QR code. After riding the Osaka Castle Gozabune boat, it's about a 15-minute walk to Osaka Castle Port, so it's very convenient! You can also choose to get off midway at Hachikenyahama Pier or ride all the way back to Osaka Castle Port.

The cruise takes about 55 minutes, offering views of Osaka's cityscape along the river and passing well-known sights such as Osaka Castle, Kyobashi, Temmabashi, Osaka City Central Public Hall, Yodoyabashi, Nakanoshima, Tenjinbashi, the Japan Mint, and Sakuranomiya Bridge.

Sitting on the boat with a gentle breeze and watching the buildings and riverfront scenery slowly drift by feels completely different from sightseeing on land.

When you come to Osaka, you definitely can’t miss lively Dotonbori! Its most distinctive feature is the row of wildly over-the-top, giant 3D signs, including octopuses, crabs, pufferfish, and many more. Walking down the street, you’re truly surrounded by an overwhelming visual spectacle.

Dotonbori is also a bustling district that symbolizes Osaka, the “city of eating till you drop.” The streets are lined with food, restaurants, and shops, with a constant stream of tourists, and the whole area has a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

When you visit Dotonbori, be sure to take a photo with the Glico Running Man! This classic view has practically become an iconic image of Osaka tourism, so you really can’t miss it on your first visit to Osaka!

I also highly recommend visiting once in the morning and once at night, as the experience is completely different. Dotonbori is more relaxed in the morning, so you can take your time taking photos. At night, all the neon lights come on, making the entire street even brighter and livelier, with a totally different atmosphere.

When visiting Osaka Castle, besides going up the castle tower, I recommend taking a ride on the Osaka Castle Gozabune. First, go to the ticket counter to get your ticket. You can exchange an Osaka Amazing Pass for a free boat ticket, but there can be quite a crowd during popular times, and you may need to wait 1–2 hours, so it’s best to plan your time in advance.

The ride takes about 30 minutes. The small boat slowly travels along the moat, letting you admire Osaka Castle’s stone walls and the surrounding scenery from the water, which looks completely different from what you see on land. Although the wait can be long, sitting on the boat in the gentle breeze and leisurely enjoying the historic scenery of Osaka Castle is really atmospheric.
If you have enough time, I highly recommend adding this boat ride to your Osaka Castle itinerary!

When visiting Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka, the Tower of the Sun really shouldn’t be missed! This enormous artwork, designed by Japanese artist Taro Okamoto, was the symbol of the theme pavilion at the 1970 Osaka Expo. Towering over the center of the park, it still has a powerful visual impact even after all these years.

What makes it even more special is that you can now visit the inside of the Tower of the Sun instead of just admiring it from the outside! Once inside, you can experience Taro Okamoto’s imaginative art world up close. It’s completely different from simply taking photos outside.

However, you need to make a reservation in advance to go inside! If you’re planning to visit Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, remember to check the tour times ahead of time. Otherwise, you’ll only be able to take photos outside when you arrive, which would be a bit of a shame〜

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka is a large park created on the former site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition. The grounds are very spacious and full of greenery, and the most eye-catching landmark is the Tower of the Sun, designed by Taro Okamoto.

Standing 70 meters tall, the Tower of the Sun has a very avant-garde design. Even after all these years, it still stands out in the park and remains its most iconic feature.

The park covers about 264 hectares and includes different areas such as the Natural and Cultural Gardens and the Japanese Garden. With lawns, forests, and all kinds of scenery woven together, you could easily spend an entire day exploring at a leisurely pace.

However, after actually visiting, I felt that the park was just too big! Unless you’re a strong walker, I recommend choosing one facility or one area per visit and taking your time exploring it.

Nakanoshima is located between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers. It's a rare waterfront oasis in central Osaka and is also considered one of the city's signature “Aqua Metropolis Osaka” landscapes.

Walking along the riverbanks, you can enjoy city views created by the rivers and the high-rises on both sides. It's relaxing and comfortable. When the weather is nice, the surrounding buildings are reflected on the water, creating an especially beautiful blend of city and nature.

If you're planning a day trip around central Osaka, you can also visit attractions such as the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka and the Osaka Science Museum. Take a leisurely walk through Nakanoshima and experience a side of Osaka that's different from its bustling shopping districts.

While visiting Osaka, I explored Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street and also stopped by Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is about 2.6 kilometers long and is one of Japan's well-known long shopping streets. It's lined with a dazzling variety of food, souvenirs, and general merchandise stores, making it fun to browse as you walk.

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. Once you pass through the torii gate, the liveliness of the shopping street gives way to the distinctive tranquility of a shrine. The old trees, traditional architecture, and solemn shrine buildings all have a strong sense of history.

Unfortunately, renovation work was underway during this visit, and some areas were under construction, which was a little disappointing. Still, if you're planning to visit Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, it's worth stopping by to experience the atmosphere of local Osaka life and history.

Osaka Castle is a place you shouldn't miss when visiting Osaka, and it is also one of Japan's three famous castles. Construction began under Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583, and it now has a history of more than 400 years, having witnessed many important events in Osaka's history.

The main castle tower seen today was rebuilt in 1931, and the interior has been converted into a history museum where you can learn about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the history of Osaka Castle as you explore. From the observation deck on the 8th floor, you can also look out over downtown Osaka, with a very expansive view.

Osaka Castle is surrounded by Osaka Castle Park, which is also a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Osaka. Even on weekdays, there are still many visitors, and it is one of the must-visit photo spots.

Located next to Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome Station, it is very convenient to get to. The museum recreates the streets of Osaka during the Edo period at full scale, letting you experience how ordinary people lived and what the streets felt like at the time. You can also see household items and culture from different eras.

The museum isn't very large, and you can see everything in about 2 hours at a relaxed pace. I used the Osaka Amazing Pass this time and got in for free, which felt like a great value.