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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Osaka: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Osaka
- Osaka, one of Japan's most populous cities, is located on the south coast of western Honshu, where the Yodo River flows into the broad sweep of Osaka Bay, which opens out into the Pacific.
- Has earned the nickname "Venice of the East" for its location on the Yodo delta, with its network of watercourses and canals spanned by more than a thousand bridges.
- While Osaka's origins can be traced back to the early days of the Japanese Empire, it is now unquestionably one of Japan's most modern cities, with a futuristic skyline and numerous impressive examples of contemporary architecture.
- Its many cultural institutions contribute to its world-class status.
- There are numerous excellent museums and art galleries and cutting-edge entertainment, theatre, and music venues, all of which contribute to an endless list of unique things to do.
- Whichever option you choose (but make sure to visit both), you'll have access to an excellent transportation system as you go about your sightseeing and exploring the city's best attractions.
- If possible, visit this popular destination during the off-season, such as winter.
- You'll avoid the crowd at the most popular attractions and have the opportunity to see unique sights like Osaka Castle covered in snow and illuminated at night.
- International Airport: Osaka International Airport (ITM)
- Population: 19,111,000
- Currency: Yen
- Time: GMT+9
- Driving Side: Left
- Main Electricity: 100 V
- Official Language: Japanese
- Religion: Buddhism
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Osaka
- The Tempozan Ferris Wheel offers some of the best views of Osaka, particularly of the port area and the Tempozan Harbor Village.
- Tstenkaku, the older of Osaka's two towers, is one of the city's most well-known landmarks and is located in the city centre.
- The National Museum, one-of-a-kind underground art museum on Nakanoshima, a small island sandwiched between the Tosabori and Djima rivers just minutes from the city centre.
- Tennji Park (Tennji Ken), Osaka's most significant green space, provides a welcome break from the city's bustle.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Osaka
- April is the best month to visit Osaka. Despite many tourists in April, it is an excellent month to visit Osaka.
- April is the ideal time to visit Osaka because it is filled with picnicking families, beautiful weather, and the unparalleled pink of countless cherry blossoms.
- Osaka has around 13 hours of sunlight per day in April, giving you plenty of time to sightsee.
- This is the time to go unless you want to avoid large crowds of other tourists or see a specific event/activity in a different month.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Osaka
Osaka Castle
- The construction of Osaka Castle (saka-j) took only three years and was completed in 1586.
- It was the largest castle in Japan, having been built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a famous Japanese warrior and politician.
- Almost all of Hideyoshi's military commanders were required to contribute stones to its construction, with the Higo-Ishi stone near the south entrance being the largest.
- It was built by the renowned General Kato Kiyomasa from the island of Shodo and stood nearly six meters tall and 14.5 meters long.
Shitennō-Ji Temple
- Shitenn-Ji is Osaka's most well-known temple, dating back to AD 59. It was also the first Buddhist temple in Japan.
- This lovely temple has been rebuilt several times over the centuries (the most recent reconstruction was in the 1960s), but it is still the oldest religious site to be officially administered.
- The site's five-story pagoda and some other exquisitely decorated buildings are highlights of a tour.
- The best of these are the Golden Pavilion (Kond), which has beautiful statues and paintings, the Lecture Hall (Kd), and a lovely covered corridor that connects three of the site's gates.
- Other notable structures in the complex include a teaching area, a pharmacy, and a hospital.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, which looks like it's made of giant Lego blocks, is well worth visiting.
- This walk-through aquarium, one of the world's largest, takes visitors on a fascinating tour of various marine habitats.
- The Pacific Ocean and Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef and Monterey Bay are among them.
- Japanese marine life includes freshwater species and native reptiles and mammals.
- The site has 27 tanks in total, the largest of which is nine meters deep and can easily accommodate significant marine life such as manta rays and sharks.
The Kobe Port Tower
- Osaka is home to two tall towers that have become emblematic of the city.
- The most recent of these, Kobe Port Tower, is located near the city's main harbour on the city's outskirts.
- Despite its distance from the city centre, it is undoubtedly a must-see attraction attracting significant tourists.
- This earthquake-proof structure, built from red steel in 1963 and stood 108 meters tall, has kept its modern appearance.
- Spending time on the observation deck, which offers spectacular views of the city and the Kobe Port area, is a highlight of any visit.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Osaka Off the Beaten Track
Kita and Umeda Area
- Kita (Umeda) is Osaka's, daytime heart. It's the city's a transportation and business hub, with plenty of restaurants and attractions.
- Kita, which translates to "north" in Japanese, is one of the city's two downtown hubs (the other being the Minami district, which translates to "south").
- Umeda is another name for Kita, which is the name of one of the city's main train stations.
- The Midosuji subway line, it's only three stops south of Shin-Osaka Station.
- You'll also arrive here if you're travelling from Kyoto on the JR Line or one of the two private lines that connect the two cities.
- The newly rebuilt JR Osaka Station is the district's beating heart. It is surrounded by all of the city's major department stores and many of the city's largest corporations.
- There are many restaurants in the area that cater to the many workers.
- There are also numerous bars, shops, and hotels to choose from.
- The pleasantly green Nakanoshim-Koen Park, the Hep Five shopping and entertainment complex, and the Umeda Sky Building are available to visitors.
Minami Area
- Minami, one of Osaka's two downtowns, is the city's shopping, dining, and nightlife hub.
- It's a world of neon lights, vibrant people, and some of the world's best food.
- Minami (Japanese for "south") is Osaka's second-largest urban hub (after Kita/Umeda).
- Minami, which encompasses the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba (and a small portion of Minami-Horie), is where Osakans go to have a good time.
- Minami is bisected from north to south by the wide Midosuji boulevard, lined with some of the city's most fashionable shops and department stores.
- The Dotombori Canal, which is surrounded by the raucous Dotombori dining and nightlife district, runs through Minami from east to west.
- Some of Osaka's classic covered shopping arcades run parallel to Midosuji and Dotombori.
- Den-Den Town, Osaka's main electronics and pop culture zone, is located to the southeast.
Central Osaka
- Honmachi and its surrounding districts form the heart of Osaka, sandwiched between the major hubs of Kita and Minami.
- Although there isn't much to see here, it is a convenient location to stay.
- Honmachi is conveniently located on the Midosuji subway line, and both Kita (to the north) and Minami (to the south) are within walking distance (to the south).
- It's not the most exciting part of town, but it's full of mid-range hotels at reasonable prices.
- There are many excellent restaurants and even a few bars in this office district because it is a business district.
- You could even walk from Honmachi to Osaka-jo Castle if you're a keen walker.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Osaka Culture and Traditions
- Like the rest of Japan, Osaka sees itself as a unique society with a culture unlike any other.
- In the 18th and 19th centuries, affirmation of uniquely Japanese culture was reclaimed, even after centuries of infiltration of China's societal mores.
- Morality is governed by "situational ethics" rather than broad, general assumptions of right and wrong, as in Western cultures.
- Honour, obligation, and duty are high on the Japanese priority list, and shame, rather than guilt, has traditionally been seen as a more effective motivator of behaviour.
- Individuality is viewed as selfish because interdependence and social obligation are highly valued and instilled in the collective mind from childhood.
- Many Japanese people find it difficult to adjust to the individualistic mindsets of other countries when they relocate.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Osaka: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Takoyaki
#Food
- Takoyaki is a traditional Osaka snack that is simple to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and is extremely tasty.
- A batter of eggs and flour is filled with sliced octopus, ginger, spring onions, and tempura crumbs in the traditional recipe for these ball-shaped dumplings.
- The dumplings are topped with mayonnaise, powdered nori seaweed, and dried bonito flakes after they've been cooked and pasted with a sweet brown sauce.
Okonomiyaki
#Food
- Okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake made with eggs, flour, shredded cabbage, and grated yam.
- You can add whatever you want to these essential ingredients: pork, squid, shrimp, cheese, tomato, and so on.
- In fact, "okonomiyaki" literally translates to "grilled food you like."
- The dressing comprises brown sauce, mayonnaise, powdered nori seaweed, and dried bonito flakes.
Fugu
#Food
- Blowfish, also known as fugu, is a special delicacy usually eaten raw and is notorious for being poisonous if prepared by inexperienced hands.
- Before applying for a license, all fugu chefs must undergo three years of intensive training in their preparation.
- People nowadays only die from eating fugu if they make the mistake of preparing it at home.
Shinsaibashi-suji
#Fashion
- Shinsaibashi-suji's covered shopping arcade, which runs for about 600 meters between Umeda and Nimbi, is Osaka's oldest and busiest shopping destination.
- Shinsaibashi-suji attracts a wide range of shoppers thanks to its mix of brand name stores, chain stores, independent boutiques, and restaurants.
- Shinsaibashi-suji becomes Ebisubashi-suji in Dotombori, but the shopping atmosphere remains the same.
- The specialised districts of Osaka have some unique shopping.
- Amerikamura is the city's most well-known youth fashion district, with hundreds of small, low-cost boutiques.
- The Horie and Minami-semba districts, both close by, cater to slightly older, more sophisticated shoppers, with prices to match.
Rinku Town
#Fashion
- Rinku Town, located near Kansai International Airport on the city's outskirts, is a whole town dedicated to shopping and shoppers.
- The Rinku Premium Outlet Mall, the Seacle shopping mall, and an Aeon shopping mall are the main shopping destinations in Rinku Town.
Tempozan Marketplace
#Fashion
- Tempozan Marketplace is a shopping mall with entertainment and dining options in the Osaka Bay Area.
- Finally, Expocity, a massive shopping and entertainment complex located just outside Expo '70 Park, north of the city centre, opened in 2015.
Universal Studios
#Fun
- Universal Studios in Osaka, a world-renowned franchise, allows visitors to teleport to fictional parallel worlds instantly.
- Universal Studios, which houses some of Osaka's most well-known theme parks, is a must-see for fans of fictional worlds.
- This studio has a wide range of themes that will leave visitors and locals alike breathless, from Alice in Wonderland and Minions to Hello Kitty and Jaws.
- One of Universal Studios' major attractions is Osaka's Harry Potter theme park.
- The Harry Potter theme park will undoubtedly make visitors feel like they are a part of the wizarding world.
- Furthermore, the food and drinks with a specific undertone add to an already magical experience.
Legoland
#Fun
- This theme park is dedicated to the most popular toys among children, and it has everything Lego!
- This theme park offers both children and adults the opportunity to take a Lego factory tour and learn about creating these magical bricks. Legoland is home to a plethora of unforgettable and treasured experiences.
- This location allows children and their guardians to ride in a chariot whose route is inspired by the movie.
- Legoland has a 4D theatre, a play zone, a Lego shop, a cafe, and a life-size dollhouse, among other attractions, making it one of the most exciting Osaka theme parks.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Osaka: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- This fishing park has two fishing spots: "Kaiyo Fishing Field," where you can catch large fish like red sea bream, yellowtail snapper, and great amberjack.
- Fishing Park has a plethora of natural fish in Wakayama and allows anyone to enjoy dynamic ocean fishing.
- You can rent fishing equipment (for a fee) if you arrive empty-handed.
- This massive zoo is home to over 200 different animal species and over 1000 animals.
- The zoo features a Hippopotamus House where visitors can see the animals in their natural habitat from underwater, an African Savanna Zone with replica scenery, an Asian Tropical Rainforest Zone, and more.
- The only dugong in Japan can be found at the Toba Aquarium.
- The number of animals raised here is the highest in Japan, with around 30,000 animals representing 1,200 different species.
- The aquarium is home to various mammals, including sea otters and finless porpoises and famous sea lion and walrus shows.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Osaka Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- The festival calendar kicks off with Japan's largest lantern festival, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival (), every year in Nagasaki City.
- For 15 days, over 15.000 colourful lanterns and lights adorn the entire city to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which falls from the 25th of January to the 8th of February 2020, according to the Lunar calendar. One of Japan's longest festivals!
- This festival was started by Chinese residents of Nagasaki's Chinatown, one of Japan's three largest Chinatowns, along with Yokohama and Kobe..
- Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, has a lot of snow, especially in the winter.
- And in Sapporo, they decided to make snow sculptures out of it!
- Sapporo Yuki Matsuri began in 1950 with six sculptures created by local high school students. And has since grown to become one of the world's most extensive snow and ice festivals, attracting over two million visitors each year and hosting an international snow sculpture competition.
- Aside from snow sculptures, the festival features food, ice bars, concerts, and my personal favourites: snowball fights and snow slides!!!
- They also light up the snow and ice sculptures at night, adding their beauty and creating a magical atmosphere.
- As Japan's capital for many years, Tokyo is expected to have some of the country's most important temples and shrines, as well as some of the country's most important festivals.
- Kanda Festival, one of Tokyo's most important festivals and one of "Tokyo's big three festivals," takes place at Kanda Myojin Shrine, Tokyo's oldest and most potent shrine.
- Kanda became a key central district of the city when Tokuwaga Ieyasu moved the capital of Kyoto to Edo (Tokyo).
- This festival has begun as a celebration of Tokugawa's victory in the Battle of Sekigahara and has continued as a sign of prosperity for the new regime (shogunate).
- It has evolved into a festival to bless and wish prosperity for the people in the neighbourhood.
- The main parade, which includes over 300 participants carrying 100 Mikoshi (portable shrines), musicians, dancers, and even priests on horseback, travels through Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara before returning to the shrine.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Osaka Holiday
Places similar to Osaka to visit
Places similar to Osaka to visit
Places similar to Osaka to visit