Explore Osaka’s Neon Wonderland

Intro

Whether you’re attracted by the neon nightlife or the city’s reputation as Japan's kitchen, Osaka is a city of mind-blowing sights, sounds, and experiences. This introductory JapanDen guide takes you on a fast-paced tour of Osaka's best activities and attractions to help you plan your perfect stay in this dazzling city. 

This year, Osaka gets ready to welcome the world with one of the biggest events to hit Japan for many years - the World Expo 2025. More than 30 million visitors are expected to attend the six-month long event as visionaries from over 100 countries descend on Osaka to reveal their visions of the future, from the latest, mind-blowing discoveries in AI, robotics, and health technology, to sustainable energy, and quantum computing. The World Expo 25 begins on 13 April and with the whole spectacle taking place on an incredible man-made island - Yumeshima in Osaka Bay - it’s the latest in a long list of reasons to visit the exciting city of Osaka. 

Ten of the Best Activities and Attractions in Osaka

At JapanDen, our commitment to helping you plan the perfect stay goes beyond simply connecting you with the ideal accommodation; we’re also here to provide expert advice and guidance on how to make your time in Japan, the experience of a lifetime. While timely new attractions such as this year’s World Expo 25 are sure to draw millions of visitors to Osaka, the city is also packed with timeless and historic attractions such as those on our list below. Let’s take a look.

1. Experience Dotonbori

Osaka’s neon-lit Dotonbori area is a feast for the senses and one of Japan’s most famous and iconic districts. When you close your eyes and picture Japan, one of the images you might think of first is the neon-lit nightlife in the country’s glamorous metropolises. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the food! Dotonbori – Osaka’s historic entertainment district – is as famous for its neon lights as it is for its food. Dotonbori’s history as an entertainment district goes back hundreds of years to 1612 and continues that tradition today. A simply unmissable part of Osaka, 21st Century Dotonbori remains famous for its entertainment, food, and nightlife. 

2. Don’t Miss the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine of Osaka

Osaka’s ancient Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is one of the most important shrines in the city and the setting for the Hatsumode festival. Although Osaka isn’t as well known for its temples and shrines as Kyoto and Tokyo, it is home to many temples and shrines of its own including the famous Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine. Found in the south of Osaka, this ancient shrine is Osaka’s most important due to its deep history, authentic architecture and connection to the busy Hatsumode festival. Also known as the Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine, this fascinating attraction is a treat for tourists interested in learning more about Shinto and seeing its pretty scenery.

Being an important religious site, it’s little surprise that Sumiyoshi Taisha is tied to a Japanese festival. But the Hatsumode festival held from January 1st to 3rd each year is no ordinary festival. Hatsumode, when people make their shrine visit for the year, is a major part of celebrating the New Year in Japan. Over just three days, this shrine will receive more than two million visitors, which is hard to fathom without experiencing it in person yourself. 

Another place to consider visiting in Osaka is Tenmangu Shrine. The Tenmangu Shrine is home to the Tenjin festival every year on July 24 and 25, one of the top 3 most popular traditional festivals in Japan. With over 1.5 million visitors, the Tenjin Matsuri is one of the largest three seasonal festivals held in Japan, celebrated annually on July 24 and 25. The festival starts with a traditional procession at the temple, followed by parades through the city. On day two the celebration continues with a river procession before concluding with a massive fireworks display. The temple is closely located to the station called JR Osaka Tenmangu station on the JR Tozai-Gakkentoshi Line. From Osaka station, the fastest way to get there is using the JR Osaka Loop Line to Kyobashi station, then transfer to the Tozai-line bound Tenmangu. Another good reason to invest in a Japan Rail Pass from our sister company as part of your perfect stay in Japan.

3. Eat at Kuromon Market

Kuromon market (黒門市場), or Kuromon Ichiba, is the largest public market hall in Osaka. It is open daily for shopping and some of the best street food in Kansai. Located in the Namba area of Osaka, Kuromon market is loved by locals, professional buyers and visitors alike. Located in a 600 metre indoor market hall, Kuromon Ichiba is home to about 170 shops, selling a wide variety of fresh produce, fish, meat and local sweets. What makes the market so beloved is that its shops cater to both local restaurants, consumers, and visitors who wish to try the local street food right on the spot. 

4. Osaka Castle

If you love Japanese history and culture, no visit to Osaka would be complete without a visit to the city’s castle. Osaka castle (大阪城), pronounced as Ōsakajō, was built around 1583. At the time of construction it was the largest and most prestigious castle in Japan. Meant as the new seat of power for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the then de-facto ruler of Japan. The castle saw a massive renovation in 1997 and has since become one of the most modern castles in Japan, complete with elevators, outside light show and Wi-Fi. The castle today is an experience where you learn about the castle’s history, the unification of Japan and its founder Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In addition, visitors can go up the castle tower for a magnificent view of the Osaka skyline.

Around the castle complex is Osaka Castle Park (Osaka-jo-koen), it’s the largest city park of Osaka with lots of activities in the area and certainly worth exploring on its own. The park is especially beautiful during the Sakura period. Highlights include: Hokoku Shrine, Illusion Museum, castle gate and the Peach Grove. Many festivals are held year round in the castle park and you might find yourself partaking in one of the many festivities during your visit.

5. Universal Studios

Love theme parks? Then you won’t want to miss Universal Studios in Osaka. Universal Studios Japan (USJ), is the largest amusement park in the city. It has a number of themed sections, Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Minion Park, Universal Wonderland, Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, and the newest, Super Nintendo World. Already considered one of Japan's most family friendly attractions since its launch in 2022, Super Nintendo World recently added a new Donkey Kong area, which has expanded Super Nintendo World at Universal by an impressive 70%! With rides themed around Mario Kart, Yoshi, Bowser Jr, and many more characters, the attraction has a reputation as being one of the most fun and family-friendly theme parks of its kind. Universal Studios also has its own JR train station called Universal city station, and is just 20-minutes from Osaka station, making it super accessible. 

6. Climb Tsutenkaku Tower

Originally based on the famous Eiffel Tower, Osaka’s Tsutenkaku Tower may not be as well-known as its French cousin but has been an iconic landmark in Osaka and Japan for over 100 years. Tsutenkaku literally means ‘tower reaching heaven’ and was built in 1912 to emulate Paris’s Eiffel Tower. The original tower was taken down during the Second World War, but rebuilt in 1956 by Tachu Naito, the man behind the Tokyo Tower and Sapporo TV tower.  Today, it remains an iconic landmark, not just in Shinsekai but in all of Osaka. It stands 103 metres tall and has an observation deck at 91 metres.

In 2015, an outdoor viewing platform was added which offers stunning panoramic views of Shinsekai and wider Osaka. Tsutenkaku is open to the public and remains an iconic landmark and meeting place in the area. It’s also a stunning sight at night, as it is covered with LED lights which change colour with the seasons. With the addition of a new 60m-tall slide which opened in 2022, Tsutenkaku Tower has recently become an even bigger attraction for visitors to Osaka - another must-see in your time in the city.

7. Enjoy a cold beer at Asahi Beer Suita Brewery

Japan loves beer. If you also enjoy a cold one then don’t miss a free tour of the Asahi Beer Suita Brewery during your stay in Osaka. Asahi opened in 1889, originally known as the Osaka Beer Company. It was in Suita in northern Osaka that they built their first brewery in 1891. Today, Asahi is one of the four main beer producers in the country, alongside Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory.

The brand’s flagship beer Asahi Super Dry is sold and drunk around the world and was the first of the many dry beers to come out of Japan when it was released in 1987. The Asahi company offers free tours of its brewery in Osaka for visitors so this is a great budget-friendly activity during your time in the city, especially if you’re a beer lover. 

8. Visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Found in the Tempozan Harbor Village near the Osaka Bay area, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of Japan’s most respected aquariums. Kaiyukan is one of the largest public aquariums in the world and is sure to captivate those who explore its exhibits, home to 30,000 marine animals from across the Pacific Ocean. More than just your local aquarium, the Osaka Aquarium is a state of the art complex dedicated to marine life from around the Pacific Rim. To properly showcase these creatures from around the Pacific, Kaiyukan recreates the natural environment of their different habitats. This theme revolves around the idea of the “Gaia Hypothesis”, suggesting that in some ways the Pacific Ocean region acts as one single ecosystem. This means you can see an incredibly diverse selection of marine animals here, with 620 species calling the aquarium home. Dolphins, penguins, otters, sea lions, whale sharks and jellyfish are among the many animals on display here. With so much to see, both children and adults are sure to be impressed by what they see at the Osaka Aquarium. No wonder it’s one of Osaka’s most popular tourist attractions.

9. Shop until you drop 

Alongside its famous neighbourhoods such as Umeda, Namba, Denden Town, and more (keep reading below for more on those), Osaka has a wealth of shopping destinations if you need a little retail therapy. The massive Grand Front Osaka complex in the Umeda area is a great one-stop shop (well, hundreds of shops to be precise) if you want to go on a shopping spree without going back and forth across the city. With more than 266 shops, 95 restaurants, entertainment, roof terraces, and more, this is a mega complex designed to provide visitors with every kind of shopping and retail experience in one place. 

Finally, for more old-school shopping, try Shinsaibashi. This is the city’s biggest shopping area with hundreds of big name stores. It’s been a massive part of Osaka’s culture and history for 400 years and features every big name brand you could wish for – all under one 600-metre long covered street. It is the place to go if you want to shop until you drop. When it comes to shopping, make sure you also try Southroad Sennichimae – known as Ura-Namba or Back Namba – which is a smaller covered shopping arcade and strip of restaurants near Namba Grand Kagetsu. Finally, Sennichimae Kitchenware Street is a unique area, found close to Namba Station, that sells exclusively (you guessed it), kitchenware including the finest Japanese kitchen knives. 

10. Visit the coolest neighbourhoods in Osaka

We mentioned the famous Dotonbori above, but Osaka is packed full of super cool neighbourhoods for you to visit during your time in the city. Here are other parts of the city you might want to explore. 

Shinsekai is a time capsule of old-school Osaka street life, filled with arcade machines, neon lights, quirky shops, hidden bars, delicious street food, and more. This famous district offered a vision of the future back in the early 1900s and now provides a nostalgic blast from the past.

Denden Town is the Akihabara of Osaka. Here you’ll find everything related to anime, electronics, gadgets, music and Otaku culture. Part of the Nipponbashi city ward, Denden Town is a great way to experience Japanese Otaku culture (most known for anime, manga and video games), or to shop for electronics and parts. 

Namba is a popular entertainment and shopping district in the south of Osaka. In many ways, it’s like a microcosm of Osaka itself – a dazzling, sensory experience packed with the fun and excitement of 21st Century Japan as well as plenty of history and culture to be found just under the flashing, neon surface. Namba is also home to Shinsaibashi and Kuromon market, which you’ll find elsewhere on our list. 

Futuristic and glamorous, Osaka’s Umeda district features some of the city’s most spectacular landmarks and is packed with places to shop, eat and explore. From Osaka’s tallest skyscrapers to its most spectacular landmarks, plus the very best in high-end shopping, cuisine and entertainment – it’s easy to see why Umeda is such a popular attraction. This futuristic and glamorous part of Osaka is a famous business and shopping district with iconic landmarks such as the Umeda Sky Tower (with its spectacular views of the city as you can see in the image above) and the giant Hep Five Ferris Wheel. It’s also a major transport hub for the city and the biggest business district in the Kansai region. 

And don’t forget, in addition to this amazing top ten list, this year Osaka is hosting the World Expo 2025 - the first world expo in Japan for two decades and the first in Osaka since 1970. With a theme of ‘Designing Future Society for our Lives’ and mind-blowing innovations to reveal during the six-month-long event, the expo is expected to make global headlines and attract more than 28 million people to Osaka. As we mentioned, it takes place on the stunning artificial island of Yumeshima (pictured below) in Osaka Bay and is not to be missed. If you're considering booking accommodation in Osaka then now is the time.

Getting To and Around Osaka

The nearest international airport to Osaka is Kansai International Airport. From there, the country’s domestic rail network is the best way to get around, especially if you plan on visiting more than one city during your stay, such as nearby Kyoto, or day trips to other destinations like Nara. As a city, Osaka is also blessed with Japan’s peerless public transportation, including the aforementioned domestic trains as well as the Osaka Metro, buses, taxis, and more. We highly recommend purchasing a Japan Rail Pass - available from our sister company www.jrpass.com - for unlimited travel on the country’s domestic trains and a prepaid travel card such as an ICOCA, PASMO or Suica card for swiping on and off the city’s Metro system.  

Useful Links 

Ready to start planning your perfect stay in Osaka? Alongside our carefully curated selection of hotels and ryokans, we hope to provide everything else you need to plan your visit, from in-depth travel guides to 24/7 customer assistance, as well as our upcoming community forum. We can also point you in the right direction for the most cost-effective and enjoyable transport, portable Wifi devices, and partner services to ensure everything goes smoothly during your time in Japan:

• Looking for accommodation in Osaka? Visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• If you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best place to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• And if you’re looking to explore Japan then the country’s train network is the way to go. Japan’s railways are renowned as being the fastest, cleanest, and safest in the world. The country’s rail network is so vast and interconnected that it can help you reach almost any corner of Japan you’d like to visit. Furthermore, with a Japan Rail Pass you can enjoy unlimited travel on the majority of the country’s trains, including the famous Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. The JR Pass is by far the most cost effective and flexible way to get around Japan. Find out more by visiting our partners at www.jrpass.com today.

• Do you want to use Google Translate to support your language skills? Or Google Maps for live train updates? What about posting photos to social media or keeping in touch with home? For all this and more, you’ll need a PocketWifi device like those from Ninja Wifi. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your Wifi with your travel companions, and more, renting a PocketWifi is highly recommended. Our Pocket WiFi guide has everything you need to know.   

• Finally, if you’re looking for information about Japan and want to speak with expert travellers who have been there and done that, then you should join our Community. This welcoming and friendly forum is the place to go to share stories, knowledge, and experiences about Japan, ask questions, make new connections, and find travel inspiration.