27 must-see attractions in Osaka Japan

I visit Osaka regularly and this is my favorite city in Japan! Here are the best places to visit in Osaka Japan including must-see attractions with full details on how to visit.

Konichiwa, Ben!

Glad you decided to travel to Osaka Japan โ€“ it is one of my favorite cities in the world because of its rich culture and food! Iโ€™ve only been to Osaka twice and I canโ€™t get enough of it. Hopefully, I will visit again next year and if you are there at the same time, Iโ€™d love to meet!

Anyway, below are the best places to visit in Osaka that I can truly recommend (and have personally visited). Osaka is rich in culture and you may not be able to visit them all (there are 28 on this list!).

I hope you enjoy your trip and I will be here should you need any assistance. Good luck and enjoy Japan!

Xx, Trisha

๐Ÿ™‹ Questions about Osaka Japan? Ask me on Tiktok!

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Places to visit in Osaka: quick links

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Osaka Attractions Map

๐Ÿ† Best places to visit in Osaka Japan

#1: Minami (Namba) 

๐Ÿ“ Chuo Ward, Osaka

Located around Namba Station, Minami is one of Osakaโ€™s major city centers. It is famous for its entertainment district, abundant dining choices, and wide selection of shopping locations.

places to visit in osaka

Minami is free to visit and can be easily accessed through a train ride to Namba Station. It is bustling from the morning to the evening and is home to the famous running Glico Man.

One of the best Osaka tours I can recommend is the Namba hotspot tour. This is a night tour and locals will bring you to back streets and food spots in Namba!

#2: Shinsekai

๐Ÿ“ 3 Chome-2 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward

Shinsekai is a district in Osaka developed before the war and later on was neglected for decades. It is where the Tsutenkaku Tower stands, famous for the main observatory at the height of 91 meters and the Spa World offering many pools. 

places to visit in osaka japan

If you plan to visit Shinsekai, go to the Tsutenkaku Tower. Tickets start from $6.64 USD and are open 7 days a week, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Meanwhile, Spa Worldโ€™s admission costs $11 USD, available from 10:00 AM to 8:45 AM (on the following morning). 

#3: Kita (Umeda)

๐Ÿ“ Umeda

In the northern downtown of Osaka, Kita or Umneda is known to be the cityโ€™s busiest transportation hub and bustling business district. It offers abundant shopping, dining, lodging, and entertainment locations.

places to visit in osaka japan

There are many things to see and visit in Kita for free. Kita is also home to the famous Umeda Sky Building, renowned for its open-air observation deck, which will cost you $11.07 USD (approx.) to visit. 

#4: Osaka Station City

๐Ÿ“ 3 Chome-1-3 Umeda, Kita Ward

Osaka Station City is one of Japanโ€™s attractive and major railway stations in the Umeda district, exhibiting a large glass roof that spoons over the railway tracks.

It also provides travelers a wide array of shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation opportunities. 

places to visit in osaka japan

There is no admission ticket to visit the railway station. You will only need to pay for a train ticket, and the price will depend on your end destination. Osaka Station City is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

If you have an extra time, you can try the best wagyu in Osaka Station City where youโ€™ll get a set menu starting at $56 USD per person. Itโ€™s pricey, but it is worth it!

#5: Tenma

๐Ÿ“ Kita Ward, Osaka Japan

Tenma is a district in Osaka known for its shrine and shopping arcade. It has become renowned among tourists and locals for its bustling nightlife quarter and being the longest shopping street in Japan (Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street). 

places to visit in osaka japan

When visiting the place, there is no need to pay for any entrance or admission ticket. Instead, enjoy the fun of trying out their local arcades and going around the shopping street.

The shops in Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street are usually open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

If you visit Osakaโ€™s Tenma neighborhood and end up getting hungry, my best recommendation for food is to go on a Michelin Starred Kaiseki in Tenma.

A set menu (normally 6 courses) starts at $106 USD. It is pricey, but kaiseki is definitely worth it, especially if itโ€™s one of the best restaurants in the world!

#6: Osaka Bay Area

๐Ÿ“ Osaka Bay

The Osaka Bay Area is a collection of young city districts created to accommodate Osakaโ€™s sprawling growth.

It hosts a variety of tourist attractions (museums, theme parks, observatories, and shopping centers) and the cityโ€™s domestic and international port facilities. 

places to visit in osaka japan

The Bay Area is open to visit any time of the day and year. There are a lot of tourist spots and attractions you can see, like the Osaka Aquarium and Tempozan Ferris Wheel, each with its own admission and operating hours. 

Which absolutely means you can combine Osaka Aquarium with a bay cruise in Osaka Bay (from $80 USD).

#7: Tennoji

๐Ÿ“ Tennoji, Osaka Japan

Tennoji is another must-visit district in Osaka. It is home to the tallest skyscraper in Japan (Abeno Harukas) and has the largest transportation hubs served by multiple JR and subway lines. 

The district is open to all tourists and locals every day. It hosts a lot of tourist attractions, each with different operating hours and admission tickets.

places to visit in osaka japan

Aside from the Abeno Harukas, you will also find the Shitennoji Temple and Mio Tennoji here.

If you donโ€™t want to stay in the touristy area of Osaka, hotels in Tennoji are definitely cheaper. I recommend Hotel 3 Oโ€™clock Tennoji (which is also pet-friendly!). Prices at this hotel start at $69 USD per night.

๐Ÿ—ผ Top Osaka attractions

#8: Universal Studios Osaka 

๐Ÿ“ 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward

Universal Studios Osaka was the first theme park in Asia in 2001. It has 10 sections full of extreme, adventurous, and fun rides, including some museums, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

places to visit in osaka

The theme park is usually open between 8:30 am and 9:30 am and closes between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, depending on the day of the visit.

A no-limit day studio pass starts from 7,600 JPY or $56.06 USD (adult ticket) and 5,400 JPY or $39.82 USD (children aged 4-11) daily.

#9: Osaka Aquarium 

๐Ÿ“ 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori

Opened back in 1990, the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium became the worldโ€™s largest aquarium. It is world-famous for its innovative presentation of 620 animal and plant species. 

places to visit in osaka

For adults, the Osaka Kaiyu ticket to the Osaka Aquarium starts at $17.71 USD. When coming in groups, make sure to put in a reservation via their official website in advance.

The aquarium is open from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM during the weekdays and 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM during weekends and holidays.

#10: Sumiyoshi Taisha

๐Ÿ“ 2 Chome-9-89 Sumiyoshi

The Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japanโ€™s oldest shrines, founded in the 3rd century. During the three-day New year holiday period, the Shrine is famous and receives over 2 million visitors. 

places to visit in osaka

Visiting hours of the Shrine is from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, free of charge. It is open 7 days a week without any holidays. To get there, you would have to ride a train to the Sumiyoshi Taisha Station, which is just 3 minutes away. 

#11: Osaka Castle 

๐Ÿ“ 540-0002 Osaka, Chuo Ward

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous tourist spots in Osaka, where the Hanami takes place in early April. Toyotomi Hideyoshi made it the cityโ€™s center, becoming the largest castle of his time. 

places to visit in osaka

The admission ticket to Osaka Castles starts at $4 USD. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm and is closed between December 28 to January 1 each year. 

For an extra adventure, go on a bike tour around the Osaka Castle with a local guide. The castle is inside a big park so you can also see gardens, parks, and a takoyaki stop!

#12: Shitennoji Temple

๐Ÿ“ 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward

Founded in 593, Shitennoji Temple is one of the oldest temples built in Japan. Accordingly, it was burned down several times, but it was always carefully reconstructed to reflect and retain the original century design. 

places to visit in osaka japan

The outer garden of the temple is free to enter, but you would need to pay for admission to the inner precinct, inner garden, and treasure house for approximately $8.12 USD.

The temple is open to visitors from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, adjusting depending on the month and days. This is definitely a must to add to your Osaka itinerary!

#13: TeamLab Botanical Garden Osaka 

๐Ÿ“ 6 Chome-1-16 Toyosu

Visit the famous TeamLab Botanical Garden in Osaka, showcasing collections of outdoor exhibitions of 1,200 plant species. Immerse yourself in an experiential art space, where youโ€™ll see a botanical garden daily and an art space by night. 

osaka travel

Youโ€™ll see how the space will transition interactively, influenced by the wind and rain and the behavior of people and birds. This trip will be a fun experience for you and your kids!

You can get an e-voucher for TeamLab which will save you time and money. This way, youโ€™ll have a smooth entrance to the area.

#14: Abeno Harukas

๐Ÿ“ 1 Chome-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward

Abeno Harukas is the tallest skyscraper in Japan, with an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of Osaka. It stands 300 meters tall and houses a department store, art museum, cafe, souvenir shop, and hotel. 

Abeno Harukas observation ticket costs approximately $11.07 USD, open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

places to visit in osaka japan

Meanwhile, the Art Museumโ€™s admission varies depending on the exhibits and is available from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Including the department store, all are open 7 days a week. 

#15: Umeda Sky Building

๐Ÿ“ 1 Chome-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita Ward

The Umeda Sky Building has a fantastic cityscape view at a 173-tall building with two towers connected by a Floating Garden Observatory. It is home to the Sky 40 cafe and Sky Lounge Stardust. 

places to visit in osaka japan

The building operates from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm and accepts visitors only till 10:00 pm. You will need to pay $11.05 USD to enter the building, with access to the observatory already.

It is just a 10 to 15-minute walk from Osaka Station, which is accessible to all tourist spots and neighbors of Osaka. 

#16: Minoh Park

๐Ÿ“ 1-18 Minookoen, Minoh

Minoh Park is a forested valley just outside (north) of Osaka. Many travelers visit the place during fall, as it showcases the best view in the Kansai Region to see the autumn colors in a natural setting. 

places to visit in osaka japan

Minoh Park is 30 minutes away from Umeda and will cost you approximately $7.38 USD (entrance fee) to visit. The park, which is home to the Minoh Falls, is open 24/7. 

#17: Osaka Expo 70 Park

๐Ÿ“ 1-1 Senribanpakukoen, Suita

The Osaka Expo 70 Park is a large public commemorative park in Osaka that is 30 minutes from the city center. It hosted the Japan World Exposition in 1970 and is now a popular destination for enjoying nature, sports, museums, and seasonal flowers. 

places to visit in osaka japan

The Commemorative Park is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Wednesdays. Prepare at least $1.91 USD for the admission ticket, excluding the attractions inside.

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๐Ÿ“ Cultural places to visit in Osaka Japan

#18: Chihayaakasaka-mura Village 

๐Ÿ“ Chihayaakasaka

Located southeast of Osaka, Chihayaakasaka-mura Village is the only village in the mountains of Kongozan, which is 1125m above sea level.

The town is known for the sites of Chihaya and Akasaka Castles, the two fortifications on Mount Kongo. 

places to visit in osaka

When visiting Chihayaakasaka-mura Village, it is recommended you allot 4 hours to the trip. It opens at 9:00 AM in the morning and closes at 1:00 PM.

Tours are also available to book, starting from $201.13 USD, depending on your choice of the tour package. 

#19: Tenjin Matsuri 

Also known as Osakaโ€™s Festival of the Gods, Tenjin Matsuri is considered one of Japanโ€™s top 3 festivals in honor of the deity scholar Sugawara Michizane. The festival is celebrated every July 24 to July 26 at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine and Okawa River. 

places to visit in osaka
Photo: Tomi Mรคkitalo

Watching and experiencing the festival has no admission fee, but you would have to get a ticket for a train ride going to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.

If you have a JR pass ready, you can easily book a ticket on their website, and the price will depend on where you will be coming from. 

#20: Osaka Museum of History

๐Ÿ“ 4 Chome-1-32 Otemae, Chuo Ward

The Osaka Museum of History is housed in a tall building across the street from Osaka Castle.

Each floor of the building exhibits visually oriented models of the cityโ€™s history, starting from the ancient times (at the top) till the early period as you move down.

places to visit in osaka
Photo: Daderot

The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Fridays. If you wish to visit the museum, prepare at least $4.43 USD for the admission ticket. 

#21: National Bunraku Theater

๐Ÿ“ 1 Chome-12-10 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward

One of the venues for Japanese puppet theater plays is the Bunraku Theater. Performances are available in the theater for three weeks during January, April, June, July/August, and November. 

places to visit in osaka japan

Depending on the show you wish to watch in the Bunraku Theater, a ticket costs between $7.38 USD to $44.27 USD.

You can quickly go there by getting a train ride to the Nipponbashi Subway and Kintetsu Nippombashi Station, which is 5 minutes from the theater. 

#22: National Museum of Art

๐Ÿ“ 4 Chome-2-55 Nakanoshima, Kita Ward

The National Museum of Art in Osaka focuses on Japanese and foreign contemporary art with various exhibitions. It was formerly housed in the Expo Museum of Fine Arts in 1970 and has been at a new location since 2007.

places to visit in osaka japan

The admission ticket to the museum is approximately $3.17 USD and may vary on special exhibitions. It is open almost every day of the week, except for Monday and the New year holidays, from 10:00 AM.

#23: Osaka Science Museum

๐Ÿ“ 4 Chome-2-1 Nakanoshima, Kita Ward

Nakanoshima Island houses the Science Museum or Osaka Shiritsu Kagakukan, which has four floors of interactive exhibits. The museum was created and designed for children to enjoy their science shows (in Japanese) and planetarium. 

places to visit in osaka japan

If you wish to visit the Science Museum of Osaka, you will need to pay $2.95 USD for the entrance and another $4.42 USD for the planetarium.

Take note that they are closed during Mondays, and New Year Holidays and operate from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. 

#24: Mozu Tombs

๐Ÿ“ Daisencho, Sakai Ward

The Mozu Tombs south of Osaka City houses a cluster of several dozen ancient tombs. These tombs were built in the 4th to 6th centuries for the ruling elite and were created with more giant and elaborately shaped mounds to signify status. 

places to visit in osaka japan

The Mozu Tombs is found inside Daisen Park, open 7 days a week and free of admission. Inside the park is the Sakai City Hall Observatory, free of charge for visitors. 

๐ŸŽŽ  Local places to visit in Osaka Japan

#25: Kuromon Market

๐Ÿ“ 2 Chome Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward

If you want to see a famous market street for seafood, produce, and much more, the Kuromon Market is the place to go. It stretches around 600 meters and has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat, produce, and homeware. 

places to visit in osaka japan

The Commemorative Park is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Wednesdays. Prepare at least $1.91 USD for the admission ticket, excluding the attractions inside. 

#26: Grand Front Osaka

๐Ÿ“ 4-20 Ofukacho, Kita Ward

Another must-visit in Osaka is the Grand Fort, a big shopping complex found north of the city. It consists of various shops and restaurants, an intercontinental hotel, office and event spaces, and even a residential tower. 

places to visit in osaka japan

Typically, the shops inside the complex are open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, while restaurants run from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. As big as it can get, you might need more than 4 hours to visit and roam around the complex. 

#27: Asahi Suita Brewery

๐Ÿ“ 1-45 Nishinoshocho, Suita

One of Japanโ€™s top four beer producers is the Asahi Suita Brewery, located in Osaka. The brewery was the first in Osaka, built in 1891, and is proud of its internationally well-known product, Asahi Super Dry.

places to visit in osaka japan

The brewery offers free tours (till the end of 2022) that last for 90 minutes (including a tasting session). Although most tours are in Japanese, multilingual audio guides are available for download.

By the start of 2023, an admission fee of $7.37 USD from visitors above 20 years old will be asked.

๐Ÿ†š Should I go to Osaka or Tokyo?

Why not do both? You can visit these two places within a week. While Tokyo is a top priority when visiting Japan, the ultra-fast bullet trains will give you the chance to visit these two places, especially if you are traveling for a limited time.

places to visit in osaka

โ‰๏ธ How is Osaka different from Tokyo?

Tokyo is a bustling city while Osaka is a little quieter. I find solo traveling in both places so easy but I have to be honest, I met more people in Tokyo as a solo traveler. Tokyo is full of life and is a very easy terrain if you are traveling alone.

However, Osaka is one of the cultural capitals of Japan with a cuisine unique to them, historical sites, and deep Japanese culture. You may want to go to Osaka anyway because of Universal Studios. This is actually the driving force that made me include Osaka in all my visit to Japan!

places to visit in osaka

๐Ÿ’ต Is Osaka Japan cheap?

In general, Japan is not a cheap country but there are many ways to travel Osaka cheaply. However, I would say that Osaka is way more affordable than Tokyo.

To give you an idea, I listed my personal expenses when I traveled to Osaka below:

  • Lunch at a restaurant (busy area): $8 USD
  • Hostel accommodation (8-bed dorm): $25 USD
  • Monthly train ticket: $84 USD
  • Cocktail in a club: $8 USD
  • Local beer: $4 USD
  • Osaka attractions: $10 USD

Additionally, there are many resources in this blog about travel budgets. Feel free to use the ๐Ÿ” search button that you will find everywhere on this website.

places to visit in osaka

๐Ÿ™‹ Questions about Osaka Japan? Ask me on Tiktok!

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Osaka Travel Resources

๐Ÿš‘ Do I need insurance to travel to Osaka Japan?
Yes, you do! This is the number one requirement when traveling to Japan. I use SafetyWing and I only pay $40 USD per month for my digital nomad travel insurance!

โœˆ๏ธ Where can I find cheap flights to Osaka Japan?
You can find cheap flights to Osaka, Japan by using WayAway. This is my current flight search favorite and I have proven that flights on this website are way cheaper!

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Where can I find cheap hotels in Osaka Japan?
Budget travelers, use Hostelworld when looking for accommodations in Japan. A bed in a hostel dorm starts at $25 USD per night. Booking.com is best for boutique hotels while you will find many luxury hotels on Expedia.

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7 Comments

  1. Great tips for a visit to Osaka. I have visited the city numerous times and seen all of your recommendations, except for the Asahi Brewery Tour. I will be back in Japan in 2023 for several months (work related) – so hopefully I can squeeze in a visit there.

  2. As someone who doesn’t prefer citylife, I think I’d choose Osaka to Tokyo. The prices that you’ve mentioned is at par with major European cities, so it isn’t too much of a shock for me. Chihayaakasaka Mura is absolutely charming and I wouldn’t miss it. With the castles & rice fields, it is totally my kinda place. Shitennoji & Tenjin Matsuri are interesting and very authentic to the place, so I would like to visit & attend them. My daughter would love the aquarium. The bay area feels so much like Singapore. Haha.

  3. I haven’t been to Japan, but it is high on my wishlist. While I would love to see the bright lights of Tokyo, Osaka would be the place I would love to explore. Osaka Castle and the Shitennaji Temple look like incredible attractions and I like the idea of attending a theatre show

  4. This post brought back some great memories of our visit to Osaka. We had two amazing days and knew we could use many more. It would be amazing to go to the top of Abeno Harukas and plan all the places to visit around this fascinating city. We missed seeing a puppet theatre when we were in Japan so it looks like this might be the place for a first experience. I can see why this is a favourite spot!

  5. I haven’t had a chance to see Japan yet, but the country of the cherry blossoms is on my wishlist. Of course, Osaka is also on this list, especially since it offers so many attractions. And I like that this city is a bit quieter than Tokyo. It’s great that you give approximate prices because Japan is not a cheap country. Thanks to such tips, it is easier to plan a budget for a trip. I want to visit Osaka Castle, Universal Studio in Osaka, and Minami. Also, Osaka Aquarium is at the top of my list, as it’s the largest aquarium in the world. It’s great to know that they have 620 animals.

  6. I’ve always wanted to visit Osaka, I never realised that it is so affordable. Great post, Minoo park would be first on my list of places to go.

  7. Osaka is yet another amazing city to explore in Japan if you’re trying to escape the bustling city life of Tokyo. There is so much to see in Osaka. I would love to see the Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine and the Shitennoji temple and the classic Tenjin Matsuri festival.
    Also I would love to explore the Osaka museum of history and The National Museum of art and watch a puppet show at the National Bunraku theater. Watching the glittering cityscape from tallest skyscraper Abenu Harukas and Umeda sky building would be so exciting. Enjoying the fall colors at Minoo park and shopping for goodies at Kuromon market and Tenma is something I definitely want don’t want to miss.

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