Osaka

Travel Guide
Dotonbori which includes boating, a city and a river or creek
Experience fast-moving modern entertainment alongside peaceful temple gardens in Osaka, a city whose culture is rich with anime, fashion and comedy shows.

Osaka not only provides access to popular destinations like Kobe, Kyoto, Sakai and Nara, but is a glitzy entertainment powerhouse itself. Shop in the city’s northern Kita area while you explore the business district, see wildlife enclosures to the south or savor a show in the glamorous Namba district.  

Start in Kita, where you can learn about Japan’s post-World War II art scene at the subterranean National Museum of Art. Kids will love the Osaka Science Museum across the road. Here they can perform experiments, watch the wonders of physics and delight in daily science shows. Nearby, find the Umeda Sky Building, an iconic silver spire that offers great views from below or from its high observation deck.

Cab downtown to the Tennoji area and enjoy its family-friendly zoos and temples. See fascinating species from Japan and beyond at the city’s animal attraction, the Tennoji Zoo. Walk around the Tennoji Park and find a quiet moment among its artistic monuments. Nearby, the Shitennoji Temple features ruins from the sixth century, while the Tsūtenkaku Tower stands as a symbol of Osaka’s prosperity.

Around the bay, find the gargantuan Osaka Aquarium. With over 29,000 underwater inhabitants, including a whale shark, it is one of the world’s largest aquariums. Afterwards, jump on a 10-minute ferry to Universal Studios Japan. Here you can spot famous movie characters while you hold your stomach on wild amusement rides.

Take a moment for reflection while you admire the pretty Osaka Castle, a construction built in the 16th century. Alternatively, find a Zen moment surrounded by color in the rose garden at Nakanoshima Park.

Shoppers of all tastes will find their prized souvenir in the Minami district. This commercial suburb hosts a range of retailers, from high-end boutiques to local sweet shops. As evening falls, join the excitement at Namba Grand Kagetsu, Osaka’s favorite comedy theatre. After a show, find a bar amongst the glitzy neon lights of the Namba area and reflect on a busy day.

Where to stay in Osaka

Namba featuring a city

Namba

4.5/5(906 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(103 area reviews)

Umeda is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Herbis Plaza and Sankei Hall Breeze. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Nishi-Umieda Station or Umeda Station (Hanshin).

Umeda
Shinsaibashi featuring street scenes

Shinsaibashi

4/5(1 area review)

Shinsaibashi is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Shinsaibashi-suji and Tombori River Walk, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Osaka.

Shinsaibashi
Umeda Sky Building showing modern architecture and a skyscraper

Kita

4.5/5(312 area reviews)

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living and Umeda Arts Theater are top sights in Kita, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nakazakicho Station or Nakatsu Station to see more sights in the area.

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

Minami

4.5/5(59 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(192 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
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 NT$1,779 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
NT$1,779
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,053 reviews)
"Wonderful stay. Staff was friendly & made an effort to try to help us when we had questions. The free breakfast was good. Room is small as expected (note that you cannot open your luggage all the way unless it’s in the bed) you make it work though and it’s not too bad. Location is great close to ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
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 NT$2,354 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
NT$2,354
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,379 reviews)
"Conveniently located near train and bus station. Multiple people at reception to help so no wait time to check in. Great view from my room."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

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 NT$3,115 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
NT$3,115
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,360 reviews)
"The proximity to shopping, dining and entertainment"

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
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.
Bon Condominium Umeda
Bon Condominium Umeda
3.5 out of 5
3-1-4 Nakazaki Nishi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, bicycle rentals on site, and a balcony. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (252 reviews)
"We love this place. The room is big and clean. The area is close to all shopping and train station. We can not wait for our next visit to Bon Condominium."

Reviewed on 2024/3/15

Bon Condominium Umeda
Hotel Abitare Namba West
Hotel Abitare Namba West
3 out of 5
2-chome-2-44 Saiwaicho Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a kitchen. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (255 reviews)
Convenient and good location.
"Hotel was good with ample facilities. However, all instructions were in the Japanese language, such as aircon remote, washing machine, toilet heater control unit etc. English translation would have been most helpful. It’s was hard to setup the heater in the room. Other than that, the hotel was clean ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/23

Hotel Abitare Namba West
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! (138 reviews)
"Great location, close to everything, roomy enough for family of 4"

Reviewed on 2024/1/27

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
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

Reviews of Osaka

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1020
" "5 - Excellent 60.106069534472596%
4 - Good
577
" "4 - Good 34.00117855038303%
3 - Okay
83
" "3 - Okay 4.890984089569829%
2 - Disappointing
10
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5892751915144372%
1 - Terrible
7
" "1 - Terrible 0.41249263406010606%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 3, 2020

I enjoyed my time in Osaka very much, the Umeda Sky Building was fantastic, great views of the city and harbour, also the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Osaka Aquarium was very interesting, and Universal Studios was great fun.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 3, 2020

You should forget about your diet while you are in Osaka. Eat until you drop!

5/5 - Excellent

Erol
Mar 25, 2020

Osaka is famous in Food likes takoyaki, okonomiyaki and etc. and the people are most friendly

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 24, 2020

Amazing and friendly people. Outstanding food and many shops to go to. Train will take you anywhere you want to go.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 23, 2020

I vastly prefer Osaka to Tokyo, it has a much more casual and laid back atmosphere to it.

4/5 - Good

Kenny
Mar 11, 2020

Food is good and cheap!!

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