Japan

Osaka

Osaka is Japan's third-largest city and the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region. It is a city that combines modernity and tradition, offering a variety of attractions and experiences for visitors of all ages and interests. Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan, where you can enjoy the local specialties such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). You can also find a wide range of cuisines from around the world, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants and street food stalls. The best place to experience the lively and colorful food culture of Osaka is Dotonbori, a bustling entertainment district along the canal, where you can see the famous neon signs and giant mechanical crabs. Osaka is also a city of fun and nightlife, where you can find amusement parks, shopping malls, karaoke bars, and clubs. One of the most popular attractions is Universal Studios Japan, a theme park that features rides and shows based on Hollywood movies and characters. You can also visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world, where you can see whale sharks, penguins, and other marine life. For a panoramic view of the city and the bay, you can take a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel or the Umeda Sky Building.

Best Months to Travel to Osaka: October, November, December, January

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(上方浮世絵館) A rather small museum in Nanba dedicated to ukiyoe, Japanese woodblock prints. The interior of the museum looks a bit like an adobe house. It may be most interesting to someone already familiar with the art, as the information inside mostly Japanese only. Built in the sea near the shore (one has to walk through an undersea corridor from the ticket office area to the museum) around the real life size replica of a single mast ship from the Edo period.
Osaka's best known sight, although it's a concrete reconstruction that pales in comparison with, say, Himeji. Think of it as a museum built in the shape of a castle, rather than as an actual historical castle. Still, it's pretty enough from the outside, especially in the cherry blossom season when Osakans flock to the castle park to picnic and make merry. Naniwa Palace Site Park or Naniwanomiya can also be found south to Osaka Castle Park (although it's one of Japan's oldest habitats and palace sites, today it's little more than an empty grass field where the outlines of Naniwa's palace foundations from around 643 AD have been partly recreated in concrete).
An ideal place to learn all-abouts of Osaka's history. Enjoyable view over Osaka Castle and the OBP skyscrapers.
A museum dedicated to the promotion of peace through displays of war. Because it is an Osaka museum, it features the effects of the bombings on Osaka in WWII. While this is of some interest, the exhibitions depicting the atrocities committed by Japan against China, Korea, and Southeast Asia are what make this museum truly worthwhile. There is also an exhibit with displays relating to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Exhibits have English explanations.
Originally built by Emperor Suiko in 593 AD. Although the current buildings are mostly post WWII reconstructions, the temple is a rare sample which conveys the continental style (notably the positioning of the individual buildings inside the complex) of 6th-7th century to present.
One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, with a history stretching back 1800 years. Its traditional architecture is unusual amongst Japan's shrines, and its park-like surroundings with the sacred bridge arching over a tranquil pond make it a restful break from the busy environment of Osaka.
While the original tower was built early 20th century, the current "newer" version is designed by the same Prof. Naitō, who also designed Tokyo Tower. This landmark built in the middle of the Shinsekai (新世界) area is a symbol of reconstruction of the City of Osaka post WWII. There's a "Sky Billiken" on the platform, definitely makes your wishes come true, once you rub his feet! And if you are lucky, your guide will have another job as a comedian!