The Best 11 Tourist Attractions in Osaka

Osaka, one among japan's biggest towns, lies on the south coast of western honshu on the factor wherein the river yodo flows into the wide sweep of osaka bay, which opens out into the pacific. Its vicinity at the yodo delta with its network of watercourses and canals spanned by using extra than a thousand bridges has, deservedly,

earned osaka the nickname of the "venice of the east." while the origins of osaka date lower back to the mythological early days of the japanese empire, nowadays it's far surely one of the most modern cities in japan, boasting a futuristic skyline at the side of limitless wonderful examples of present day structure.

 Its world-class repute is cemented by its many cultural establishments, from its outstanding museums and art galleries to its extremely-modern amusement, theater, and tune venues, which collectively add up to an limitless list of specific things to do.

While making plans your itinerary (as well as considering in which to live), undergo in mind that osaka in fact has  good sized town centers.

If being near the pinnacle dining, purchasing, and leisure reviews is an critical aspect, you'll want to spend time in the minami, or "south" district. Kita ("north"), the conventional enterprise middle of osaka, is sincerely well worth considering, and is catching up in phrases of its purchasing, eating, entertainment, and accommodation services.

Whichever you pick (but make certain to at the least go to each), you will discover an excellent transportation device as you cross about your sightseeing and discover the high-quality places to visit in the metropolis. Consider visiting to this popular vacation spot in the quieter seasons, inclusive of winter.

You may keep away from the crowds at the maximum popular attractions, and you'll get the chance to experience particular attractions, which include seeing osaka fortress shrouded in snow and lit up at night time. Plan your sightseeing with our listing of the top visitor sights in osaka.

Top Tourist Attractions in Osaka

1. The tempozan ferris wheel and harbor village

Imparting some of the exceptional perspectives over osaka, specifically of the port area and the tempozan harbor village wherein it is located, the massive tempozan ferris wheel is one in all the largest such attractions in asia.

At greater than 112 meters tall and with a diameter spanning 100 meters, this big ferris wheel has been in operation on account that 1997 and gives a thrilling 17-minute adventure that is particularly exciting at night time when the wheel is lit up in an expansion of different shades dictated by the climate (orange when sunny climate is forecast, inexperienced for clouds, and blue for rain).

Thrill seekers can opt for one of the special "see-through-backside" vehicles for an excellent all-spherical view of osaka bay. Afterwards, be sure to go to different harbor village sights, which include the cruise ship santa maria, the legoland discovery center, and the osaka aquarium kaiyukan.

2. Dual towers: tsūtenkaku and the kobe port tower

Osaka boasts now not simply one however two tall towers that have grow to be synonymous with the metropolis. The oldest, the tsūtenkaku, is in the town center and stands on the website of a replica of the eiffel tower that was built in 1912 and destroyed in wwii.

The current shape, finished in 1956, nonetheless gives a number of the high-quality views over osaka, mainly from the commentary degree on its 5th ground, wherein you'll additionally find a shrine of the god of happiness. A little farther away, at the outskirts of the town, stands the 108-meter-tall, pink steel kobe port tower.

Opened in 1963, this earthquake-evidence structure additionally boasts an remark deck and a rotating restaurant, both affording high-quality perspectives over the metropolis and the kobe port region. Both towers are specifically excellent to view at dusk while they are lit up.

3. The national museum of artwork

The national museum of art, osaka (nmao) is a completely unique underground art museum just a few mins from the metropolis center on nakanoshima, a small island between the tosabori and dōjima rivers.

Opened in 1977, this important gallery consists of a huge series from some of the main international artists of the post-war duration, such as examples by means of picasso and cézanne and japanese artists kuniyoshi and foujita, at the side of many vital relics and statues.

Although artwork is not your component, it is well worth touring for the brilliant metallic shape out of doors the museum, a large installation designed to appear to be reeds bending beneath a breeze. Additionally worth a go to is the osaka municipal museum of best art, home to a group of ancient chinese calligraphy and art work by way of japan's most respected artists.

4. Osaka fortress

Osaka castle (ōsaka-jō), finished in 1586 in just 3 years, changed into ordered built through famed japanese warrior and baby-kisser toyotomi hideyoshi and was, at the time, the largest citadel in japan.

Almost all hideyoshi's navy commanders had been required to make contributions stones for its construction, the most important being the higo-ishi stone, close to the south front, standing nearly six meters high, 14.5 meters long, and brought by way of the distinguished fashionable kato kiyomasa from the island of shodo.

After hideyoshi's defeat in 1615, the citadel become destroyed, only to be rebuilt by using the tokugawa shoguns for motives of status. Again destroyed after the fall of the shogunate, the citadel turned into reconstructed in its present form in 1931.

Highlights consist of the 5-tale, forty two-meter-tall foremost tower containing a brilliant museum with exhibits associated with the history of the fortress and the metropolis (it additionally gives splendid views over osaka from its higher flooring). Also of hobby in osaka castle park is the hokoku shrine dedicated to hideyoshi and his own family.

5. Shitennō-ji temple

Osaka's first-rate-acknowledged temple, shitennō-ji, can trace its roots returned to ad fifty nine and became japan's first buddhist temple.

Despite the fact that rebuilt numerous instances through the centuries (the most latest reconstruction took place in the Sixties), this adorable temple remains the oldest such spiritual website online to be officially administered.

Highlights of a excursion include the website online's five-story pagoda in conjunction with a number of different exquisitely adorned homes inclusive of the golden pavilion (kondō) with its first-class statues and art work, the lecture corridor (okōdō), and a lovable blanketed hall linking three of the website's gates.

Different buildings of observe inside the complicated consist of the teaching region, a pharmacy and sanatorium, along side a nice lawn.

6. Osaka aquarium kaiyukan

Searching a little as though it is probably made of large lego blocks, the osaka aquarium kaiyukan is well really worth exploring. One of the global's largest such points of interest, this stroll-through aquarium takes guests on a fascinating tour of a number of marine habitats, including the pacific ocean and antarctica, in conjunction with the first-rate barrier reef and monterey bay.

A diffusion of japanese marine life is likewise featured, consisting of freshwater species, in addition to native reptiles and mammals. All advised, the site boasts 27 tanks, the most important being 9 meters deep and capable of effortlessly accommodating big marine existence consisting of manta rays and sharks.

7. Tennōji park and zoo

Osaka's biggest inexperienced area, tennōji park (tennōji okayōen), serves as an area of respite from this in any other case busy city. Cited for its many aromatic flower beds and, in spring, its cherry blossoms, the park is a pleasure to explore thank you additionally to its many a laugh sculptures, ponds, and bridges.

It is also domestic to some of osaka's maximum critical visitor points of interest, including the tennōji zoo, opened in 1915 and presenting a variety of species which include lions, giraffes, and elephants, housed in such a way that they seem to be roaming the african savannah. Additionally really worth a go to is the hippo pool and reptile residence.

 Warm tip: try to time your visit for the unfastened excursions of the park's greenhouses and different areas not generally open to the general public.

8. osaka technological know-how museum

Looking no longer not like the bridge of a huge deliver - a fact that might be credited to its waterside putting - the osaka technology museum (ōsaka shiritsu kagakukan) is a satisfying time out for those traveling with children.

Opened in 1989 above the country wide museum of artwork, the museum includes severa arms-on and interactive famous based on a number of technological know-how-associated themes overlaying the whole lot from astronomy to power resources (it additionally boasts the u . S .'s first planetarium).

Also worth a visit is the osaka global peace middle (ōsaka-kokusai-heiwa-sentaa), a museum devoted, as the call suggests, to matters of peace. Highlights consist of sobering shows regarding the destruction of struggle, in addition to a reproduction of the well-known doomsday clock.

9. the umeda sky building

Similarly to the beautiful architecture associated with its museums and artwork galleries, osaka boasts many different nice examples of modern-day architecture. Possibly the satisfactory regarded is the aptly named umeda sky building (umeda sukai biru), a beautiful landmark inclusive of two workplace towers joined on the top with the aid of a big platform-like structure.

It's this rooftop shape that draws visitors, due largely to the network of bridges and an escalator, which join the two towers, offering plunging views of a hundred and seventy-plus meters that ship shivers down the spines of these sensitive to heights.

The views from the rooftop observatory and garden - aptly named the floating garden observatory - are clearly lovely. Afterwards, make sure to wander the urban garden at its base with its great paths, fountains, and ponds, in addition to a amusing underground market designed to resemble early-twentieth century osaka.

10. widespread studios japan

One of the metropolis's most up-to-date sights, and speedy turning into one of the pinnacle things to do in osaka, usual studios japan is likewise one of the city's busiest web sites, attracting around 10 million traffic every 12 months. One of best 4 conventional topic parks global, the osaka location gives some of famous pop-tradition franchises, along side some specific to the vicinity.

Latest additions include hollywood dream: the trip, a a laugh rollercoaster that actually travels backwards at times; rides primarily based at the spiderman films; and customary wonderland, a own family-pleasant area perfect for the ones travelling with more youthful children.

Uniquely eastern-themed amusement and characters are found in rides based totally on video games and tv suggests inside the ordinary cool japan region, consisting of monster hunter and the one piece most effective show.

Also of hobby to fans of each the books and movies is the wizarding world of harry potter, based at the famous rides in customary's island of journey in orlando, florida. To keep away from line-ups, be sure to check out the handy regular explicit pass.

11. tenmangu shrine and the tenjin festival

Osaka additionally happens to be the host metropolis of one among japan's biggest annual festivals. The tenjin competition (tenjin matsuri) has been held here for more than 1,000 years on the equal date, july 24 and 25. It features colorful processions held each on land and on water and culminates with a amazing fireworks show.

 Lots of the fun takes place across the tenmangu shrine, which celebrates the god of scholarship, and presents vacationers a chance to experience neighborhood customs, see many conventional costumes, and revel in the town's incredible hospitality.

It's also a risk to get in a few memento buying, as well as sampling outstanding food from the numerous vendors who set their stalls for the occasion.

Read: 10 Best Tourist Attractions in Japan

In which to stay in osaka for sightseeing

The first-class place to stay in osaka is within the densely packed downtown location, close to eating places, stores, and a number of the principal points of interest. The well-known osaka fortress is on the western fringe of downtown, and the shitennō-ji temple is to the south.

Closer to the water, you'll find the world well-known tempozan ferris wheel and harbour village. Underneath are some surprisingly-rated inns in right places:

• Luxury resorts: the intercontinental resort osaka offers outsized rooms in a high location inside the middle of all the motion. The lodge is an smooth 10-minute stroll from the crucial teach station. Within the tallest constructing in japan is the brand new marriott miyako motel. Occupying flooring 38-fifty seven, the resort functions rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and views out over the metropolis and surrounding plains. On midosuji road, one in all osaka's most prestigious streets lined with different stores, the st. Regis osaka offers luxuriously appointed rooms and is simply mins from osaka castle.
• Mid-range lodges: perfect for families and near prevalent studios is the hotel universal port. A ferry departs from behind the inn and goes to tempozan village, wherein the ferris wheel is placed. Set midway between the osaka citadel and the tennoji zoo is the daiwa roynet resort osaka kitahama. Standard rooms are without difficulty outfitted, and a subway forestall is under the resort. The mitsui lawn hotel offers spacious rooms in a quiet neighborhood, inside taking walks distance to both osaka technological know-how museum and the country wide artwork museum.
• Price range accommodations: located inside the namba area, no longer some distance from the zoo is the commercial enterprise resort mikado. This budget inn has simple eastern-style rooms with shared bathrooms and showers. Free bicycles are available for guests. Offering accurate cost and oversized rooms is the properly-located hotel kinki. The motel name refers to the area of the metropolis, and the principal educate station is a brief walk away.

Hints & excursions: how to make the most of your visit to osaka

• Shoulder season in osaka: if touring out of doors of the busy height summer time, you'll be rewarded with many specific studies and attractions in osaka. In iciness, the metropolis comes alive with first-rate shows of colourful illuminations and lighting fixtures. A terrific time to go to is from november to january, during the competition of lighting and whilst stunning osaka castle is lit up for christmas. Spring is also popular, because the town's parks and gardens burst into lifestyles.
• Day trips: osaka is flawlessly placed for adventurous travelers to revel in a spread of fun day journeys. Popular alternatives are the kyoto and nara day excursion along with the golden pavilion and todai-ji temple, and the hiroshima and miyajima complete-day sightseeing tour, which takes in  of hiroshima's pinnacle sights: itsukushima shrine and hiroshima peace memorial park. Blessings encompass the services of an english-speakme guide, deluxe coaches, and admissions.

Tips more from me

Locations to visit close to osaka: in addition to the fun day trips already mentioned, osaka is a terrific jumping off point to explore a variety of other surrounding points of interest and factors of interest. Smooth to get entry to destinations through rail encompass kyoto and hiroshima, every just more than one hours away via bullet educate.

Discover japan's rich history: a splendid holiday destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in japan's wealthy cultural traditions is fukuoka. Further to its magnificent castle and plenty of pleasant shrines and temples, the city offers immersive reports, such as origami and calligraphy. Comparable experiences and different historical attractions can of direction be enjoyed in different historical cities which includes nara and sapporo.

Japan vacation thoughts: japan offers no quit of jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery. No ride have to consequently bypass the iconic mount fuji, without problems accessible from tokyo and its many attractions. In case your itinerary doesn't allow a go to to the mountain, you could at the least seize a great take a look at it as you whizz past on a high-velocity bullet educate to destinations such as nagoya.