Osaka

Travel Guide

Tsutenkaku Tower which includes markets, a city and street scenes
Dotonbori which includes boating, a city and a river or creek
Tsutenkaku Tower which includes night scenes, signage and a city
Shinsekai featuring night scenes, street scenes and outdoor eating
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine showing a bridge as well as a small group of people

Osaka Travel Guide Video

Japan’s third-largest city is rich with traditional and modern culture, from temples to anime, and is famous for its food, fashion and family fun.

Osaka is a Japanese tourism hub providing access to popular destinations Kobe, Kyoto, Sakai and Nara. But there’s much to see in Osaka itself visit the northern Kita area for great shopping within the business district, find colorful attractions in the downtown area, and see a spectacular show in the glitzy Namba district to the south.

Begin at Kita, home to the subterranean National Museum of Art where you’ll see multiple post-World War II Japanese art forms and famous international exhibits. Directly adjacent is the Osaka Science Museum, an attraction designed with children in mind, where science shows are held several times a day. Visit the Umeda Sky Building and see the spectacular business district skyline from its unique observatory deck.

Find more family-friendly attractions in the downtown Tennoji area. Visit Osaka’s only animal attraction, the Tennoji Zoo, or take a quiet moment in the colorful Tennoji Park. Alternatively, get a taste of history at the Shitennoji Temple, which features ruins from the sixth century, or climb the Tsūtenkaku tower, which has been a symbol of Osaka’s prosperity for decades.

In the Bay Area, explore the sprawling Osaka Aquarium, one of the world’s largest. Gaze at the 29,000 underwater inhabitants, including a whale shark. From the aquarium, jump on a ferry for a 10-minute journey to Universal Studios Japan, where you can see your favorite movie personalities and go on thrilling amusement rides.

For some tranquility, take in the beauty of the Osaka Castle, which was originally built in 1585. Otherwise, take a moment to stretch out and relax in the rose garden at Nakanoshima Park.

Serious shoppers will want to spend time in the Minami area. Retailers range from high-end luxury stores to historic local shops. In the evenings catch an entertaining show at theNanba Grand Kagetsu, Osaka’s favorite comedy theatre. After a show, explore the neon-lit, energetic Namba area and reflect on a day with so much achieved.

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)

Major commercial and entertainment hub, Umeda offers shopping, dining, sports centers, and movie theaters. Don't miss the HEP Five Ferris wheel, Umeda Sky Building, and the underground city with retailers and eateries.

Umeda
Shinsaibashi featuring street scenes

Shinsaibashi

4/5(1 area review)

Discover Osaka's main shopping hub, featuring the covered Shinsaibashi-suji street and Amerika-mura, a youth culture hotspot. Shop at luxury brands and popular stores, easily accessible via subway stations.

Shinsaibashi
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
Umeda Sky Building showing modern architecture and a skyscraper

Kita

4.5/5(312 area reviews)

Explore Nakanoshima Park, Yodogawa riverside park, and numerous other green spaces, while visiting attractions like Osaka Temmangu Shrine and Osaka Science Museum. Enjoy shopping at Hanshin Department Store and easily navigate with multiple transport options.

Kita
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
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower

3 out of 5
1-2-13 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is $77 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$77 total
per night
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,064 reviews)
"The gym wasn't good. Too expensive and difficult to access so no one used it."

Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi

3 out of 5
2-4-10, Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Great location and value. Hotel is older and bathroom smells of sewage. It is clean though, just old; it might be due to ventilation issues. No smart tv."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is $108 total per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
$108 total
per night
Jul 22 - Jul 23
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,153 reviews)
"Good value"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
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.
Minn Juso

Minn Juso

3 out of 5
Jusohon-machi 1-17-20, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (645 reviews)
"perfect"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Minn Juso
Eslead Hotel  Namba Daikokucho

Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho

4 out of 5
2-4-19, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, and in-room soaking tubs. Popular attractions Nipponbashi and Spa World are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (104 reviews)
"It was ok. Clean and more space. No breakfast available inside."

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025

Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho
MONday Apart Premium Osaka Namba WEST

MONday Apart Premium Osaka Namba WEST

4 out of 5
3-chome-1-14 Motomachi, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and Netflix. Popular attractions Nipponbashi and Dotonbori are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (112 reviews)
"This was a very clean and very spacious place for my family of 4 to stay at. Very large living room!"

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

MONday Apart Premium Osaka Namba WEST
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.

Getting around Osaka

Osaka is well connected by public transit, with metro, train and bus networks. The Osaka Metro has nine lines, which connect many of the city’s most famous sights. Lines are color coded and easy to navigate, and ticket machines can be used in English. For journeys outside the center, use the extensive train network. Osaka also has an efficient and wide-reaching bus system, and lots of taxis. Visit the Osaka Municipal Transportation BureauOpens in a new window website.Browse Osaka rental cars.

Best time to visit

As is the case across Japan, Osaka is a beautiful place to visit in spring, when you'll find its parks a riot of pink with blossoming cherry trees. This is also when the city enjoys some of its best weather, along with fall; May and September are particularly good months to visit. Winter in Osaka is quite (though not bitterly) cold, while summer tends to be very hot and humid, especially in August.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Osaka

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1020
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
577
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
83
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
10
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
7
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Erol

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

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

4/5 - Good

Kenny

Food is good and cheap!!

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