Osaka is the second largest city in Japan in terms of size and population. Where is Osaka located? Geographically, the city is located in the south of the island of Honshu – where the Yodo River flows into the Osaka Bay and out into the Pacific Ocean.
Osaka is called “Venice of the East” as there are many bridges in the city. Thanks to this, trade is actively developing in Osaka. Many tourists like to ride along the river on a small boat under numerous bridges.
Here is the list of TOP 10 things to do and places to visit in Osaka, Japan. Keep reading this post that will help you to take the most from your visit this Japanese city.
Best Time to Visit Osaka
Osaka is a Japanese city that can be visited at any time of the year. Unlike Sapporo, for example, the winter here is very mild. December – February are considered the coldest months. This is also a great time to try traditional winter dishes like crab and puffer fish.
During March-May Osaka, like the rest of Japan, is immersed in soft pink shades of cherry blossoms. Flowering begins at the end of March, and the peak falls on the first week of April. As in other parts of the country, during the cherry blossom season in Japan, numerous tourists arrive to Osaka, and hotel prices rise significantly.
June-August is the summer period, air temperature and humidity levels rise. August is considered the hottest month, while June-July receive the most precipitation.
September-November is the perfect time to visit Osaka’s main sights and enjoy the autumn leaf fall. For the sake of the latter, it is worth coming to Osaka in mid-late November.
Where to stay in Osaka
Osaka is divided into 24 districts, each of which is adjacent to interesting locations. Shinsaibashi and Namba are ideal places for first-time visitors to Osaka. Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s main shopping area. And Namba is the quarter where the Dotonbori canal is located with a huge number of cafes and street food.
If you have ever been to the Akihabara area in Tokyo and would like to find something similar in Osaka, then make a choice in favor of Nipponbashi. Known as the center of computer culture in Osaka, Nipponbashi is only a 15-minute walk from the first two districts.
Another convenient place to stay in Osaka in many ways is the Umeda area. Here, within walking distance are large shopping centers, restaurants and cafes and banks.
Many tourists come to visit the ancient castle – a popular attraction in Osaka. If this is your goal, then you can stop somewhere nearby.
Osaka Tourist Attractions
There are many things to do and see in Osaka: you can spend there great holidays, visit various museums and exhibitions. The main business district of the city is Kita. Here you can visit expensive restaurants, go shopping.
The most impressive area of the city is Minami-ku, located in the south of the city. Here you can visit the ancient temples of Sumiyoshi and Shitennoji. Only one building in the entire country is considered older than Shitennoji – Asukadera Temple.
Make sure to explore the northern district of the city, Shinsaibashi. Young people hang out here all the time; you can find the best entertainment centers in Shinsaibashi-suji.
Osaka Castle
One of the popular tourist attractions is impressive Osaka Castle, which main part consists of 8 floors. This castle is a kind of symbol of the city, it was built in 1598. Its founder was the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
There are expositions on each floor. It is better to start from the top and move to the exit.
To be more precise, this castle is a copy of the previous one, which was completely destroyed during the Second World War. Not far from the castle there is a park, Osaka-Jo-Koen.
Universal Studios Osaka
Those who want to visit the thrilling rides, created based on the films “Jaws”, “Back to the Future” and many others, can go to the Universal Studios Park in Japan. One of the popular attractions at Universal Studios Osaka is Harry Potter World.
This theme zone was created with high accuracy, so that guests have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the “Harry Potter Universe”.
You can get to the amusement park from the station called Universal City or from JR Osaka Station by transferring to the electric train. The journey in this case will take 10 minutes. You cannot bring your own food into the Universal Studios park: you are allowed to eat only in local cafes.
Tennoji Zoo
Where to go in Osaka with a child? Both kids and parents will definitely remember the local zoo. More than one and a half thousand animals live here. The main feature of Osaka Zoo is its special arrangement: it is made as if carnivorous and herbivorous inhabitants are next to each other. Here you can see the rarest kiwi bird, as well as hippos.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium is one of the largest in the world, but not as big as SEA Aquarium in Singapore. The total volume of water in aquarium is 11,000 tons. Various ecosystems are recreated here, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Antarctica and Japanese forests. The ticket price for adult is 2400 JPY, the ticket price for children is 1200 JPY. Tickets can be purchased in advance or bought at the entrance.
Harukas 300
If you like panoramic views, then you should look into the Abeno Harukas building. There is an observation platform at an altitude of 300 meters. In the same building on the 16th floor there is an art museum.
If these views are not enough for you, then you can look at the city from the height of the modern Umeda skyscraper, although its height is only 173 meters.
Kuromon Ichiba Market
Osaka sights are not only castles and gardens, but also markets with the freshest seafood. All the chefs in Osaka buy their goods here. Sea scallops, oysters, octopuses and much more you can find here at a very affordable price.
