Osaka: what's actually worth it
Top things to do in Osaka
Osaka Castle
Castle · ★ 4.4 (97,635 reviews)
Revered castle dating to 1597 & since rebuilt, featuring gardens & a museum with varied exhibits.
Check tours & tickets →Dotonbori
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.4 (84,651 reviews)
Lively entertainment district known for its soaring illuminated billboards, restaurants & theaters.
Check tours & tickets →Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Aquarium · ★ 4.5 (59,812 reviews)
One of the world's biggest aquariums, with exhibits ranging from Arctic to tropical marine life.
Check tours & tickets →Umeda Sky Building
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.4 (42,449 reviews)
Connected skyscrapers with a rooftop garden observatory, plus a restaurant & lounge with city views.
Check tours & tickets →Tsutenkaku
Observation Deck · ★ 4.1 (42,537 reviews)
Famous for its neon lights, this landmark features an observation deck open to the public.
Check tours & tickets →Sumiyoshi Taisha
Shinto Shrine · ★ 4.5 (13,812 reviews)
Shinto shrine with a peaceful garden, plus structures rebuilt repeatedly since the 3rd century.
Check tours & tickets →Kuchu Teien Observatory
Observation Deck · ★ 4.4 (14,045 reviews)
Contemporary indoor/outdoor observation deck with panoramic city views, an eatery, cafe & gift shop.
Check tours & tickets →Tower of the Sun
Cultural landmark · ★ 4.6 (8,234 reviews)
Huge, offbeat sculpture built for the 1970 World’s Fair & offering tours with advance booking.
Check tours & tickets →Osaka Castle Museum
Castle · ★ 4.5 (5,767 reviews)
Striking, multi-story tower rising above Osaka Castle complex, with gold-leaf detailing & a museum.
Check tours & tickets →Shinsekai
shopping_mall, cultural_landmark · ★ 4.2 (10,292 reviews)
Bustling, colorful district created in 1912 with a 103-m tower, restaurants & souvenir shops.
Check tours & tickets →Where to eat
Onigiri Gorichan
Japanese Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (12,964 reviews)
Website →Gyukatsu Motomura Namba Branch
Tonkatsu Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (13,489 reviews)
Website →Onigiri Gorichan
Japanese Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (10,440 reviews)
Website →Gyukatsu Motomura Dotonbori Branch
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (9,228 reviews)
Website →Tsutenkaku
Observation Deck · ★ 4.1 (42,537 reviews)
Famous for its neon lights, this landmark features an observation deck open to the public.
Website →Kuromon Market
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.1 (20,629 reviews)
Spacious market with vendors selling street food, fresh produce & shellfish, plus souvenirs.
Website →Shawarma House Halal Restaurant
Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (3,123 reviews)
Website →Kobe Beef WANOMIYA Kuromon Sennichimae Store
Japanese Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (2,597 reviews)
Website →Tours worth booking ahead
Tombori River Cruise (Tazaemon Bridge Pier)
Ferry Service · ★ 4.4 (2,361 reviews)
River boat sightseeing trips taking 20 minutes cruising under the city's 9 landmark bridges.
Check tours & tickets →Get outside
Minoh Falls
Scenic Spot · ★ 4.4 (11,035 reviews)
33-m. waterfall amid deciduous trees, with a modest hike & plentiful seating at the base.
Website →Nakanoshima Park
City Park · ★ 4.2 (6,448 reviews)
Founded in 1891 as Osaka's first public park, featuring a library, rose garden & ceramics museum.
Website →Minoh Park
National Park · ★ 4.5 (2,584 reviews)
Waterfalls, Buddhist temples & riverside walks in a forest park popular for vibrant fall foliage.
Website →Oizumi Ryokuchi Park
Park · ★ 4.2 (3,687 reviews)
Park with many species of trees, plus lawn areas, a pond, playground, sport courts & BBQ facilities.
Website →Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Park · ★ 4.2 (2,595 reviews)
Sprawling city park on the banks of the Osaka River with landscaped greens & cherry blossom trees.
After dark
THE PINK
Night Club · ★ 4.8 (2,995 reviews)
Website →Night Club 【CRAZY LAND by CHEVAL】 Osaka
Night Club · ★ 4.9 (2,205 reviews)
Website →Octave Osaka
Bar · ★ 4.9 (1,792 reviews)
Website →Bar Nayuta
Cocktail Bar · ★ 4.7 (1,428 reviews)
Intimate, relaxed bar with a hidden entrance pouring creative cocktails.
Website →More guides
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