Osaka

Travel Guide
Osaka
Japan’s third-largest city is rich with traditional and modern culture, from temples to anime, and is famous for its food, fashion and family fun.

Osaka is a Japanese tourism hub providing access to popular destinations Kobe, Kyoto, Sakai and Nara. But there’s much to see in Osaka itself visit the northern Kita area for great shopping within the business district, find colorful attractions in the downtown area, and see a spectacular show in the glitzy Namba district to the south.

Begin at Kita, home to the subterranean National Museum of Art where you’ll see multiple post-World War II Japanese art forms and famous international exhibits. Directly adjacent is the Osaka Science Museum, an attraction designed with children in mind, where science shows are held several times a day. Visit the Umeda Sky Building and see the spectacular business district skyline from its unique observatory deck.

Find more family-friendly attractions in the downtown Tennoji area. Visit Osaka’s only animal attraction, the Tennoji Zoo, or take a quiet moment in the colorful Tennoji Park. Alternatively, get a taste of history at the Shitennoji Temple, which features ruins from the sixth century, or climb the Tsūtenkaku tower, which has been a symbol of Osaka’s prosperity for decades.

In the Bay Area, explore the sprawling Osaka Aquarium, one of the world’s largest. Gaze at the 29,000 underwater inhabitants, including a whale shark. From the aquarium, jump on a ferry for a 10-minute journey to Universal Studios Japan, where you can see your favorite movie personalities and go on thrilling amusement rides.

For some tranquility, take in the beauty of the Osaka Castle, which was originally built in 1585. Otherwise, take a moment to stretch out and relax in the rose garden at Nakanoshima Park.

Serious shoppers will want to spend time in the Minami area. Retailers range from high-end luxury stores to historic local shops. In the evenings catch an entertaining show at theNanba Grand Kagetsu, Osaka’s favorite comedy theatre. After a show, explore the neon-lit, energetic Namba area and reflect on a day with so much achieved.

Where to stay in Osaka

Namba featuring a city

Namba

4.5/5(251 area reviews)

Namba is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Dotonbori and Namba Parks, and you can get around town on the metro at Namba Station (Nankai).

Namba
Umeda which includes a city and night scenes

Umeda

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Major commercial and entertainment hub, Umeda offers shopping, dining, sports centers, and movie theaters. Don't miss the HEP Five Ferris wheel, Umeda Sky Building, and the underground city with retailers and eateries.

Umeda
Shinsaibashi featuring street scenes

Shinsaibashi

Discover Osaka's main shopping hub, featuring the covered Shinsaibashi-suji street and Amerika-mura, a youth culture hotspot. Shop at luxury brands and popular stores, easily accessible via subway stations.

Shinsaibashi
Umeda Sky Building showing modern architecture and a skyscraper

Kita

4.5/5(57 area reviews)

Explore Nakanoshima Park, Yodogawa riverside park, and numerous other green spaces, while visiting attractions like Osaka Temmangu Shrine and Osaka Science Museum. Enjoy shopping at Hanshin Department Store and easily navigate with multiple transport options.

Kita
Tsutenkaku Tower which includes night scenes, signage and a city

Minami

4/5(20 area reviews)

Minami is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Dotonbori and Nipponbashi. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Nippombashi Station or Namba Station.

Minami
Osaka Castle which includes a city

Chuo

4.5/5(61 area reviews)

Chuo is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Dotonbori and Osaka Castle. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Sakaisuji-hommachi Station or Matsuyamachi Station.

Chuo
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
3.5 out of 5
1-1-35 Shibata 1, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is CA $76 per night from Nov. 4 to Nov. 5
CA $76
CA $96 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 4 - Nov 5
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,142 reviews)
"Old"

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 2024

Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is CA $143 per night from Nov. 4 to Nov. 5
CA $143
CA $178 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 4 - Nov 5
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,468 reviews)
"Loved it"

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 2024

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
3.5 out of 5
1-1-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is CA $80 per night from Nov. 28 to Nov. 29
CA $80
CA $96 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 28 - Nov 29
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,559 reviews)
"If you wanna stay in the city this hotel is great. They have breakfast buffet"

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 2024

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Eslead Hotel  Namba Daikokucho
Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho
4 out of 5
2-4-19, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, and in-room soaking tubs. Popular attractions Nipponbashi and Tsutenkaku Tower are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (76 reviews)
"Nice quiet area and ample room for a family of 5. Would love if they had drawers to put clothes in"

Reviewed on Oct. 20, 2024

Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho
Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
3 out of 5
Nippombashi Naniwa-ku, 3-6-24, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (238 reviews)
"This hotel is in a great location."

Reviewed on Oct. 27, 2024

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
STAYAT OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI east
STAYAT OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI east
3 out of 5
1-14-2 Minamisenba, Cho, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Osaka Castle are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (71 reviews)
"Self service check in and check out. The location was good. It is more like and apartment."

Reviewed on Oct. 7, 2024

STAYAT OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI east
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Osaka

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
247
" "5 - Excellent 58.80952380952381%
4 - Good
158
" "4 - Good 37.61904761904762%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 3.0952380952380953%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.47619047619047616%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city, great people, great food

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A lot of places were closed when we were there but overall, great place to visit

5/5 - Excellent

Franz

If only not of pandemic scare of corona virus we would be more than happy to maximize our time in Osaka.

5/5 - Excellent

Po

A great city to visit in Japan! Lot of attractions, shopping and eateries! Definitely will be back!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great food and nice people .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Food was great and it is not too crowded. it is comparable to Tokyo with less crowd. Osaka is under rated.

Cities near Osaka