You really can't miss this super fun open-air museum when visiting Hakone! Japan's first open-air museum to combine nature and art, it has around 120 sculptures scattered throughout its lush green grounds. You can admire them while strolling around, without any of the pressure of visiting a traditional art museum. It's even more pleasant when the weather is nice. The route is clearly marked, and about 1.5–2 hours is just right for a full loop. The especially popular “Symphonic Sculpture” is absolutely gorgeous in photos, with the light shining through the glass against the blue sky!
The Hakone Open-air Museum | Review by wendy
Other Reviews by wendy
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Osaka Castle Park
Nationally designated special historical site, Osaka Castle Ruin, and the surrounding area were renovated into an urban park. 13 buildings of important cultural properties including Osaka Castle Main Tower, watchtowers and gates dot the vast 261-acre premises.
Of course, you can’t miss Osaka Castle when visiting Osaka! After actually walking around this time, I realized just how big Osaka Castle Park really is. It takes quite a while just to get around on foot.
If you don’t want your legs to be completely exhausted like me, I really recommend buying a ticket for the road train or shuttle bus. Unlimited rides for the whole day cost about JPY 1,000, and it saves you a lot of walking. I personally think it’s well worth it!
This time, I also visited Nishinomaru Garden. Since you need to buy a separate admission ticket, it was much less crowded inside. You can take a leisurely walk and photos without constantly having to avoid the crowds. Best of all, you can also get photos of Osaka Castle, and the whole view is beautiful. If you enjoy photography, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Compared with squeezing through the crowds outside, it felt much more comfortable to walk slowly through the garden and look for good angles to photograph Osaka Castle! If you have enough time, I recommend not leaving right after seeing the main tower. The surrounding park and gardens are also well worth exploring. You really need to set aside some time for Osaka Castle Park, or all that walking alone will wear you out!
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Hozenji Yokocho
“Hozenji Yokocho” is two stone-paved alleys in the grounds of Tenryuzan Hozenji Temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism, and has been one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions since the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Tucked away in Osaka’s bustling Namba district, Hozenji Yokocho is a retro alley that feels instantly removed from the noise outside. It has winding stone-paved paths, nostalgic Japanese-style shops, and red lanterns glowing on both sides, creating a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
The alley is home to the famous Mizukake Fudo Myoo statue. Many people come to splash water on it and pray for good fortune. Over the years, the statue has become covered in lush green moss, creating a very unique sight.
I personally recommend visiting at night! After dark, the lanterns and shop lights illuminate the entire alley. Together with the old-fashioned stone pavement, they create an especially charming atmosphere. It’s a great place to take a leisurely walk, snap some photos, and experience a different side of Osaka away from its busy shopping districts.
The area mainly has restaurants, izakayas, and distinctive little shops. The attraction itself is small, so you don’t need to set aside much time. You can easily combine it with a visit to Dotonbori and Ebisubashisuji Shopping Street.
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Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market
One of the largest privately-operated regional wholesale markets in Japan, Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market draws droves of professional chefs seeking top-quality ingredients. With a history spanning nearly 300 years, the market originated in the Edo period as a “nodachi-uri” (open-air trade market) where people brought their goods to sell.
When visiting Osaka, besides Kuromon Market, there’s another traditional market worth exploring: Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market! Known as “Osaka’s Kitchen,” this historic market plays an important role in supporting the food culture of Osaka, the “city of kuidaore.” It sells all kinds of fresh ingredients, from seafood and meat to fruits and vegetables. The wide selection and local atmosphere offer a glimpse into everyday life.
It isn’t as lively as a tourist market, but it has more of the authentic feel of a local wholesale market. If you want to experience a different side of Osaka’s food culture, consider planning a visit to Kizu Market.
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