Osaka has been through a lot: it was replaced as Japan’s capital not once, but twice, suffered extensive bombing throughout the Second World War and, despite a monumental modern comeback, is still overshadowed by its Unesco-endorsed neighbours, Kyoto and Nara. Some Osakans are relieved about this comparative obscurity, however, as it means fewer foreign witnesses when they let their hair down, which they do every weekend with great commitment. Today, the country’s industrial hub doubles as a hedonist’s heaven, with a nightlife scene sizeable enough to rival Tokyo’s and a culinary offering worthy of its historic moniker: the “Nation’s Kitchen”. To miss out on Osaka would be to miss out on the home of okonomiyaki, bunraku (puppet theatre) and Dotonbori, one of the country’s most dynamic party hubs. What’s more, a visit to Osaka doesn’t mean sacrificing other itinerary highlights; the bullet train can have you in Kobe or Kyoto in under 15 minutes. These are the best things to do in Osaka.
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1. Eat okonomiyaki
Frequently and erroneously called a Japanese pancake, okonomiyaki is really its own thing entirely. Translated approximately as “whatever you like grilled”, it’s similar to a pancake only in that it’s cooked on both sides. The two dominant styles of this fabulous street food are found in Hiroshima and Osaka and, while in town, trying the local variety is seen as a rite of passage. Chibo in Dotonbori is one of the long-standing specialists. They present it pre-cooked, but other places will have you cook your own on a teppan griddle: good luck with the crucial flip.
2. Party in Dotonbori
Even Tokyoites would likely agree, there’s nowhere quite like Dotonbori — not in Tokyo, nor anywhere in Japan. Edgy without being unsafe, weekends here are raucous, unpredictable affairs best approached with commitment. Dozens of hawker stalls sell the nation’s best street food, while the number of bars can be dizzying. Huge, garish neon signs overlook the party streets below. For drinks, you can find everything from computer game-themed bars to maid cafés. For a touch of class, head to the Bible Club speakeasy.
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3. Reflect in Shitenno-ji
As much fun as it likes to have, Osaka isn’t irreligious. Founded in the late 6th century, Shitenno-ji is one of the oldest temples anywhere in Japan, although much of it was restored as recently as 1963. Anyone visiting this quieter part of the city should also check out the ornamental garden in Tennoji Park and visit the nearby Museum of Fine Arts too.
4. Try takoyaki
While okonomiyaki is best eaten at a table, for true street food to munch on the go, try takoyaki. These gooey golf ball-sized pieces of dough have a chunk of octopus at their core and, while that may sound unappealing to some, it’s such a winning formula that they can be found all over Japan today. Osakans were the originators, however, and will quickly tell you that, despite Tokyoites having mastered the craft, their version is still ichiban (number one). Look out for vendors around the city and be sure to watch the lightning-fast cooking technique.
5. Take in Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is not one of Japan’s remaining original 12 — the lift in its centre is one of several giveaways. Indeed, with the most recent reconstructions happening in the late 1990s, it’s one of the country’s newest. It’s also one of the last to see action. Japanese troops used it as an arsenal in the Second World War, while in 1868 it was damaged during the Boshin War. Head to its museum to learn more about these conflicts; if you visit in the spring, you’ll see an eruption of cherry blossom in its extensive gardens.
6. Take a leisurely hike through Minoh Park
If the neon lights of Osaka are beginning to feel a little overstimulating, take an afternoon off and head 30 minutes north of the city to soak up the rejuvenating, forested surrounds of Minoh Park. A relatively easy 3km walking trail transfers visitors from the local train station to the 33m (108ft) Minoh Waterfall via the Minoo River’s edge. The trail has temples dotted along the way, but the real attractions are the spectacular shades of russet, auburn and burnt orange leaves that spread across the maple and cherry trees throughout the autumn. As a bonus, there’s also a comprehensive insectarium for those curious about the park’s smaller (yet prolific) critters.
7. Explore Amerika-Mura
Take a short walk northwest from Dotonbori to see Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s Harajuku. This is where the city’s trendy youngsters choose to hang out, and while there might not be the same level of cosplay you find in its nominal rival, Amerika-Mura is well set up for Japanese hipsters. Expect plenty of independent coffee shops, obscure boutiques and tattoo parlours along its shopping streets. Tattoo artists are generally frowned upon by conservative Japanese society because of their association with the yakuza (mafia), but the fact they work openly here speaks to the area’s rebellious spirit.
8. Visit the Cupnoodles Museum
This museum in the north of Osaka does what it says on the pot: it’s an entire museum dedicated to the glory and evolution of the instant cup noodle. What are referred to as pot noodles in the UK were invented in Osaka in 1958 by the entrepreneur Momofuku Ando. A visit to the museum explains his motivations and goals at the time, the unlikely success of his products and, best of all, gives visitors a chance to design a customised cup of their own dried ramen to take away.
9. Take a day trip to Hiroshima
It might sound like an odd suggestion to leave Osaka, but the city is less than two hours from Hiroshima, where an atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. Hear the stories of that fateful day — and what happened in the aftermath — on a tour with a local guide who can take you to pay your respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. There’s a poignant stone memorial to the tens of thousands of people who lost their lives and you can visit the eerie structure of the Genbaku Dome which stands almost exactly as it did after the bombing. The museum, a collection of artefacts from the day and testimonies of those who lived through the events, is well worth a visit. Some tours will also pair a visit to Hirsohima with a trip to the island of Miyajima, renowned for its giant, centuries-old torii gate which, at high tide, appears to be floating on the water.
10. See fourth-century imperial tombs
At 800m long, 600m wide and surrounded by concentric moats, it’s no wonder that the kofun tomb of Emperor Nintoku is one of the largest graves in the world. It’s just one of dozens of ancient, keyhole-shaped tombs in Sakai City, 40 minutes by train south of Osaka Station. These huge mounds of earth were historically left unadorned, but over time most have become covered in vegetation. Though the public aren’t usually allowed inside, visiting the tombs is still incredibly memorable — particularly if you head skywards. Try the free to access observation deck at Sakai City Hall to take them in.
japan.travel/en/world-heritage/mozu-furuichi-kofun
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11. Climb the Umeda Sky Building
At 173m (568ft), the Umeda Sky Building may not be the tallest building in Osaka, but it is certainly one of the most distinctive. With a large bridge connecting its two towers, the building dominates the skyline in the Umeda neighbourhood. Take the trip to the uppermost of its 40 floors and it looks even more peculiar — the Floating Garden Observatory is a truly remarkable piece of engineering. If those vertiginous views of the city aren’t for you, there’s a much more conventional garden at ground level.
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12. Ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel
So high are the skyscrapers that it can be easy to forget that Osaka is actually a city on the sea. But there’s no doubting where you are while riding the 112m (369ft) Tempozan Ferris Wheel: expect to clock views across Osaka Bay and of Kansai International Airport on the 15-minute rotation. If ferris wheels are your thing, make your next stop the Redhorse Osaka Wheel in Expocity in the north of Osaka.
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13. Buy a second-hand camera
It’s impossible to imagine the world of photography without Japanese input. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic and Olympus are all Japanese brands — without them there would scarcely be an industry. Their full ranges are available while shopping in Osaka, but the smart move is to buy secondhand. The Japanese are generally fastidious in the cleaning and maintenance of their gear, meaning many used cameras and lenses are close to new condition. Even better, foreigners don’t have to pay tax on their purchases. Look out for small independent shops such as Tokiwa Camera near Namba.
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14. Visit Universal Studios Japan
Tokyo Disneyland has been around since 1983, but it took until 2001 for Japan to get its own Universal Studios. The concept has proved almost as popular — ten years later the park had welcomed 100 million visitors to its site at the mouth of the Yodo River. Now greeting around 13 million guests a year, it is the world’s third most popular theme parks. Fans come for attractions themed on the Harry Potter series and Jurassic Park among other favourites. The site is also home to Super Nintendo World, the games giant’s first dedicated theme park — so successful has it proved that another was opened in Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 and two more are planned for Singapore and Orlando.
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15. Have a cocktail at the Conrad bar
It’s worth taking the lift to the upper storeys of the Conrad Osaka just to admire its outrageous 40th-floor art-filled lobby. In order to enjoy some of the best views in the city, it’s probably wise to have a cocktail at the 40 Sky Bar and Lounge too. Their inventive menu has been designed with Osaka in mind — rather than an olive rounding off the signature “Takoyaki in the Sky” cocktail, it’s a small piece of the signature street food.
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16. Climb Abeno Harukas
Abeno Harukas is not the tallest structure in Japan (that’s Tokyo’s Skytree), but it one of the tallest skyscrapers. For building enthusiasts the distinction is important, but for the average visitor the observation decks are all that matter. The 360-degree views from the Harukas 300 (so named because it is 300m, or 984ft, in the sky) stretch as far as the eye can see. If this isn’t enough, strap on a safety rope and head outside for the stomach-churning Edge The Harukas daredevil experience.
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17. Visit the Suntory Distillery
Suntory’s Yamazaki, on the Osaka side of the prefectural border with Kyoto, is Japan’s oldest and most fascinating distillery. Whisky has been made here for over 100 years, and today the distillery has a global reputation for excellence. Suntory’s origin story is as long as it is interesting: to summarise, a rift in the early days led to a breakaway company being formed. All these decades later, Nikka Whisky remains hot on the heels of Suntory. For the full story and for tastings of their superlative drams, take the train to Yamazaki.
suntory.com
18. Experience cherry blossom in Kyoto
Of course there are sites with sakura (cherry blossom) in Osaka, but few would pretend the setting is as picture perfect as it is in neighbouring Kyoto, the home of hanami (cherry blossom observation). Demand for hotels in the old capital can reach ludicrous levels each April and can require booking months in advance There’s better value — and more fun — to be had by staying in Osaka and making Kyoto a day trip. The good news is that thanks to the ruthless efficiency of the shinkansen (bullet train), Kyoto Station is only 13 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station.
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19. Explore the National Bunraku Theatre
While people around the world have heard of kabuki theatre, far fewer are aware of bunraku. Essentially it’s a traditional Japanese puppet show, the origins of which can be traced back to Osaka in the late 1600s. This is no daft Punch and Judy affair while the stories are generally comedic, the crafting of the costumes and dolls has been approached with trademark Japanese fastidiousness and expertise for centuries. It may be a dying art in modern society, but the museum does an admirable job of keeping the culture alive.
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20. Visit the National Museum of Ethnology
Don’t let the slightly dull name put you off — this excellent museum in the Expo ’70 Park is perhaps the best in Osaka and certainly its most ambitious. Known locally as Minpaku, it’s an active research centre where visitors can take in exhibitions on Japanese culture and other regions across the world. The items on display are there to show not just how we all differ, but also the common ties that bind us as a species.
minpaku.ac.jp
21. Make an offering at Hozenji
You could be forgiven for being daunted by a drinking street that has a deity at the head of it. Before heading to Hozenji Yokocho’s 60-plus bars and restaurants, close to Dotonbori, pause to make an offering to Fudo Myo-o, a Buddhist spirit that represents discipline and firm moral character. So many people have thrown water on Fudo Myo-o that now a layer of green moss covers his grumpy face.
insideosaka.com/hozenji-yokocho
22. Enjoy the Asahi beer tour
Founded in 1889 in Osaka, Asahi’s humble beginnings would have offered little clues to the multibillion-pound behemoth it would grow into today. Asahi Super Dry may be a fairly bland, safe lager, but it’s the cornerstone of the business and has found popularity all over the world. Conveniently, it pairs particularly well with salty and deep-fried food, the sort for which Osaka is famous. The Suita brewery offers free 90-minute tours and tastings — most tours are conducted in Japanese, but multilingual audio guides are available for download to a mobile device. There are tours in English on selected days.
asahibeer.co.jp
Additional reporting by Ally Wybrew and Lucy Perrin
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