Osaka's Attractions
Here you can attractions in different areas of Osaka, including North Osaka, South Osaka, the Tennoji/Shinsekai area, the Kyobashi/Osaka Castle area, the Bay Area, the Hokusetsu/Kita-kawachi area north of Osaka City, Higashi-Osaka/Naka-Kawachi/Minami- Kawachi east of Osaka City, and the Sakai/Semboku/Sennan area in the southern part of the prefecture.
North Osaka (Kita)
From the Hilton Plaza West to Herbis Ent, new sites continue to pop up around Kita. Check out the new spots coming out in JR Osaka Station! Kita just keeps on going.
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Umeda Sky Building - The Floating Garden Observatory
Get a sense of the near future from atop this one-of-a-kind building and enjoy the vast 360-degree panorama from the observation deck. The building houses a theatre complex and gourmet town frequented by Osakan locals. A fun tourist spot to bring a date, and more. |
HEP FIVE
A giant whale created by Tatsuya Ishii, an artist, greets visitors at the entrance. This colossal Ferris wheel offers sweeping views of Osaka from a rooftop filled with select shops like BEAMS and SHIPS. For tourism and for shopping! |
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Nakanoshima Park
Located between the Dojima and Tosabori Rivers, Nakanoshima Park is a great place to unwind while seeing the sights of Osaka. Nakanoshima Park is also located close to the Museum of Oriental Ceramics (with 1700 pieces in its collection), the Osaka City Central Public Hall and the Nakanoshima Library. |
DIAMOR Osaka
Almost everything located around Osaka Station, or the "Umeda Area," is linked underground. The shopping malls are no exception. Diamor Osaka is no exception, and can be located from the Umeda Station on all lines. This mall contains many high end shops, modelled in European style. |
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South Osaka (Minami)
Minami, one of Osaka's foremost entertainment districts, is filled with bastions of local Osaka culture. Namba merges the old with the new with famous places like the old Naniwa Kuromon market and brand new Namba Parks.
Neon lights on Dotonbori
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Kuidaore Ningyo
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Dotonbori
Most famous for its many resturants, Dotonbori, the street along the Dotonbori River, has every food and shop you could want in Osaka. The Kuidaore Ningyo, an equally famous landmark of Dotonbori, will welcome you into the area's many stores. |
Hozenji Yokocho
A 3 minute walk from the Namba Station, north of Hozenji Temple, this place is known for its Mizukake-fudo Buddhism statue (Water throwing statue). There are lines of shops on the side of this long and narrow stone passageway, preserving the traditional atmosphere of the Naniwa area. |
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Nipponbashi Den-Den Town
This electronics district is just east of Nankai Namba Station. Mostly stocked with home electronics and PCs, there's still toys, comics and figurines galore for avid collectors to sink their teeth into. The core area of Den Den Town is currently undergoing a transformation so Osakan culture can keep broadcasting around the world.
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National Bunraku Theater
The sole specialist Bunraku puppet show theater in Japan. Besides Bunraku, traditional Japanese performance arts like kabuki, dancing and Japanese music are also presented. Curatin time, entrance time, and fees vary by performance. |
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Tennoji, Shinsekai Area
Placed symmetrically with Osaka Station along the JR Loop is the 3rd terminal, Tennoji. Follow your eyes and your nose to the Shinsekai area filled with old town flavors and streets in this area of undeniable deep Osakan culture.
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Tsutenkaku Tower & the Zuboraya Original Shinsekai store
The Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 in the same style as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Visitors can view the city of Osaka from 91 meter high observation floor. You can touch the Billiken God of happiness at the tower!
The Zuboraya Original Shinsekai store offers one of Osaka's specialties, The Tecchiri Set. More information is available on their website (Japanese only). |
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Kyobashi, Osaka Castle
As a symbol of Osaka, the Osaka Castle tower and surrounding park offer the perfect course for exploring nature and history in Osaka. Pass through to OBP (Osaka Business Park) towards Kyobashi where you'll likely receive a hometown welcome by the locals.
Osaka Castle
Hit the observation deck first if you cisit Osaka castle tower. The Japanese imperial mood and panorama vistas looking down across Osaka will cause you to gasp without even knowing. Exhibits and films make for a great history lesson at the historical museum inside at the castle. |
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Osaka Historical Museum
Osaka history presented in a mix of full sized replications, giant visions and records. A life size reenactment of "the Naniwano-Miya Period" on the top floor offers spectacular views, and takes visitors back in time all the way to the Nara Period. |
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Bay Area
Some of the best amusement attractions in Osaka can be found in the Osaka Bay Area. The OTS Technoport Line connects the North Bay (Osaka Bay) with the South Bay for easy access, and a direct link conveniently runs between JR Osaka Station and Universal Studios Japan.
Tenpozan Harbor Village
Withe the great Ferris Wheel, the Tenpozan Harbor Village is a popular date spot. Delight in a 15 minute sky tour on this colossal Ferris wheel 100 meters in diameter and reaching a height of 112.5 meters above ground for an overwhelming 360 degree sweeping panoramas extending all the way to the Akashi Kaikyo Pearl Bridge and Kansai International Airport! |
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Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho
Found inside the Tempozan marketplace is this recreation of old town Osaka from the 1960s. A theme park of specialty foods and long established restaurants in the Kansai area.
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Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
One of the largest aquariums in the world, 14 tanks and 580 species of fish represent the Pacific rim. The whale shark in the central Pacific Ocean tank is everybody's favorite. |
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Osaka Maritime Museum
The theme of this museum is, "The cultural exchange of Osaka through the sea". This interactive museum showcases Osaka's history of maritime exchange. Chock full of fun attractions and loads of exhibits like the 3D theatre with real wind and smell affects.Museum exhibits Naniwamaru, an actual size reconstruction of Higaki-kaisen that played an active role during the Edo Period. |
Santa Maria Tour Boat
Designed in the motif of Columbus' flagship that arrived into the New World, the Santa Maria cruise ship makes excursions into Osaka Bay on 50 minute day trips, or a fabulous 150 minute night cruise (reservations only)
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Hokusetsu, Kita-kawachi
The area of Hokusetsu is in the north of Osaka and Kita-kawachi is in the northeast. You can relax to your heart's content in the lusciously green environment and natural hot springs at the Expo Memorial Park with the Tower of Sun or at a hot spring inn that effectively uses the natural landscape.
Minoh Park & Minoh Otaki Waterfall
Minoh Otaki Waterfall is a 33m long waterfall in Minoh Park, which is known for its tinted autumn foliage. Its name derives from "winnow (minoh)" because of its likeness to the farming tool. The tremendous sound created by the fall against nature's bounty is comforting. |
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Expo Memorial Park
This is the site of the 1970 World Expo. Enjoy yourself as you like by basking in the woods or bird-watching in this expansive park. You will find the Tower of Sun, a museum and a Japanese garden. |
Kagiya Museum
Kagiya flourished in the Edo poeriod as the inn for sailors of carrying vessels that linked Kyoto, Fushimi and Osaka. Old documents that tell the history of Yodo River transportation and articles used by people are exhibited inside the historical building that retains the structure of an Edo tradesman's house. |
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Instant Ramen Museum
The museum shows us the fun of invention and discovery. The Chicken Ramen Workshop requires booking. The My Cup-noodle Factory does not require booking, and you can create your own noodles by drawing a picture and choosing your favorite soup and toppings. |
Hirakata Park
The only amusement park along the Keihan railway is of course Hirakata Park, fondly called "Hirapa" by the locals. Many people are fans of its attractions such as the swimming pools in the summer, seasonal annual events such as teh Hirakata Great Chrysanthemum Doll Show (pictured to the right) in autumn, and its scary rides.
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Higashi-Osaka, Naka-Kawachi, Minami- Kawachi
This area in the center of Osaka Prefecture has many recreational facilities that call back to nature such as the Kansai Cycle Sports Center and World Ranch. It also has many learning facilities such as museums.
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Kansai Cycle Sports Center
This is a cycling park surrounded by nature. It provides many amusements such as the 330m single bob-sled "Cycle Luge" and a bicycle-version rollercoaster.
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Sakai, Semboku, Sennan
The area located in the southernmost end of Osaka Prefecture lets you fully enjoy the bayside. It is attracting attention for its typical suburban large-scale shops. It is worth remembering, as it is the most easily accessible area from Kansai International Airport.
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Inunakiyama Shipporyu Temple
This temple, located in the middle of Mt. Inunaki, is known for its seven falls. It is one of the oldest place for spiritual training. The beautiful nature, including old trees and mountain streams is good for hiking. |
Rinku Premium Outlets
This outlet center was designed in the image of an American seaport. It holds a great collection of exclusive brand shops from the famous to the casual. Enjoy shopping while strolling the streets reminiscent of a resort town. |
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Harvest Hill
There are many unique facilities inside the massive farm. After playing with the adorable animals in "Fureai Hiroba," experience the fun of handicraft in the workshop. The sheep herding show is also fun to watch. |
Children's Museum Big Bang
This children's museum has been created on the theme of play. In addition to the space presentation that follows a story created by the museum's director Reiji Matsumoto, there are many corners where you can have a hands-on experience. It is sure to stretch your imagination. |
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