Osaka is the second largest metropolitan city after Tokyo. Since the city holds more ancient roots and cultural legacy with modern charm witnessing many tourist destinations that catering all sorts of backpackers ranging from solo, adventure to family travel. Travellers do a lot of things in Osaka city either they can go shopping, attend nightlife’s, or visit historical sites like Osaka castle or Sumiyoshi Taisha. If you are not able to visit Kyoto, surely you can visit Osaka in Japan. It is a great place to explore ancient historical sites along with some of the modern buildings, festivals, parks, restaurants and street foods, markets and amusement Universal Studio. Let’s dig more about Osaka city and what are the top 10 “Things to Do in Osaka”.
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Things to Do in Osaka, Japan
1. Experience Architectural Beauty of Osaka Castle
Let’s start your Osaka tour in order to visiting world famous Osaka castle. Known as Osaka’s most beautiful and ancient building, it played a major role during the unification of Japan in the 16th century. It is a former Osaka Hongan-ji Temple during the Sengoku period, which represents a deep connection with Japanese culture, history and traditions. Construction of Osaka temple began in 1583, but the castle was damaged and destroyed multiple times, especially during the Tokugawa dynasties in 1615. After that the castle did not witness any massive changes until 1997. Its inside features include more modern styles and outside it shows the castle’s history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Moreover it is known for its perfect panoramic view of the city. Never forget to visit Nishinomaru Garden, where visitors will experience cherry blossom trees, Osaka Guest House, and castle grounds.
2. Take a Blessing at Shitennoji Temple
Considered as the one of the oldest temples in Japan, Shintennoji Temple offers a more perfect glimpse into Japanese legacy, culture and spiritual heritages. Constructed by Prince Shotoku in 593, contains many architectural beauties and gardens. Visitors can pay and enter the inner precinct, Gokuraku jodo garden and treasure house. Under this, Gokuraku Jodo Garden is more impressive, built on the basis of Western Paradise of the Amida Buddha and easy to access from Osaka city. Never miss exploring the treasure house, home to many display paintings, Japanese scriptures and temple belongings which are exhibited to the general public. Surely Shitennoji temple’s gardens and beautiful architecture makes it one of the more peaceful places to visit in Osaka.
3. Enjoy City Vibe in Dotonbori
Renowned as a tourist hotspot, Dotonbori is a city in Osaka filled with more numbers of clubs, bars, neon sign boards and lights, signs, restaurants and local shopping cultures. Since the city has many bars and vibrant atmospheres making it an ideal place for nightlife’s and fun. Often known as an entertainment district, visitors will spot countries’ best chock full bars, restaurants, shops and small canals and streets. Try local specialties like takoyaki and okonomiyaki if you are a food lover and take leisurely stroll in the city’s streets to find areas’s best restaurants, clubs and ‘Kuidaore Food culture.
4. Visit Universal Studio Japan
Perfect place to choose if you are planning to take a family vacation to Japan. Universal Studio Japan is the first theme park under Universal Studio, opened in 2001 making it considered as the most visited amusement park in Japan. Studio contains 10 different sections and each section offers something interesting and crazy thrilling activities especially for children’s. Visitors may experience thrilling roller coasters, amusement rides, and children carousels. Children’s watch Jurassic Park, Shrek and Minions as well as they can spend time with Snoopy, Hello kitty and muppets. Visit Universal Citywalk Osaka where the place is blessed by the many shopping centres, shops, restaurants and Osaka souvenirs.
5. Spend Time in Tennoji Park
Park is an ideal place to spend time with a partner or family or simply looking to give time to yourself, then Tennoji Park is for you. Park filled by the country’s best zoo and an art museum with beautiful gardens. Spans around 7,000 sq. km, Tennoji Park is renowned for communal areas, retail stores, cafes and restaurants under its lush greenery atmospheres. Visitors spend time in Osaka city museum of Fine to understand Japanese history and cultures. Tennoji Park includes some of the region’s ancient Buddhist temples such as Shitenno-ji, located in the park’s ground areas. It is a great place to participate events and family fun activities offered year round.
6. Enjoy the View of Tower of Sun
Tower of Sun is primarily built as the symbol of the 1970 Japan World Exposition in Osaka by Taro Okamoto. Designed with a length of 292 m (north to south direction), 108m of width and 40m of height. It has a three faced structure representing past, present and future days. Since 1970 to 2018, Tower of Sun is closed to the public and after 50 year Tower went some sort of renovations and reconstruction and reopened to public in 2018 March. Visitors might be surprised by its central landmark of Expo 70 Commemorative Park’s Nature Gardens and Tree of Life interior design which makes us freeze.
7. Explore Marine Life’s in Osaka Aquarium
Did you know that Osaka Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world? Yes, it contains the world’s rare and unique marine life collections including a well-known whale shark tank. Often known as Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, where marines are exhibited in a dozen tanks and central tank. Interesting thing here in Osaka Aquarium is Whale sharks. The central Tank connecting the Pacific Ocean is home to many sharks. Moreover visitors also take an observatory to see unique fish and marine life’s under the different floors of the aquarium.
8. Attend Sumiyoshi Taisha’s Festivals
Sumiyoshi Taisha is popularly known for its rites and festivals. Sumiyoshi Taisha is considered as the one of the Japanese oldest shrines witnessing different architectural styles and legacies which are positively influenced by Buddhism. Started during the 3rd century, when people came to pray at Sumiyoshi for safe voyages and activities such as fishing, shipping and other maritime industries. From the beginning itself Sumiyoshi is closely tied up with Japanese Sumo wrestling, Poetry, Arts, Success and Love and Safe delivery babies. Never skip to attend Summer festivals like ‘Sumiyoshi Matsuri”, Osaka’s biggest festivals and other events like rice planting, poetry, reading dancing and moon view celebrations are also worth enjoyable.
9. Get Views from the Umeda Sky Building
If you want to get a perfect panoramic view of the city or 360 degree views from the top, visitors need to climb Umeda Sky Building. It is a most advanced skyscraper where visitors have an observation deck to get the most perfect views of Osaka city. Often known as New Umeda City, the total 173 meter tall building consists of 2 towers which are mutually connected to each other through its “Floating Garden Observatory”. Visitors will get views from its windows and open air deck, moreover its restaurant caters Showa periods replicates. Unique design and its surrounding gardens make it one of the best things to do in Osaka.
10. Walk Amidst of the Kuromon Ichiba Market
Kuromon Ichiba Market or Kuromon Market is Osaka’s bustling public market that spans around 600 meters to Sakaisuji Dori Street. Visitors start to take a leisurely stroll amidst this market, probably they will spot fresh seafood, street foods, and local delicacies. Market boasts around 150 shops including fish, meat and traditional sweets shops and even clothes and home ware products too. Since markets have ancient roots, it is a perfect place for visitors to see different shops and markets at one place. Try some of the sea foods like oysters, yakitori, sea urchin, sushi, eel or some seasonal fruits and staple takoyaki.
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