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

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
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
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
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 $78 total per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
$78 total
per night
Aug 25 - Aug 26
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,454 reviews)
"This hotel is very modern and comes with lots of useful in-room technology. Although the room is small, it’s very comfortable. The views from the pool and restaurant area on the top floor are truly impressive, and the hotel is taller than I expected. Dotonbori is just a few minutes’ walk away, and ..."

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is $99 total per night from Aug 29 to Aug 30
$99 total
per night
Aug 29 - Aug 30
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! (2,266 reviews)
"Breakfast is healthy and decent but wish they can mix it up. Eating the same breakfast every day gets boring. Check out time at 10am is too early. Maybe 11 or 12 is reasonable with other hotels."

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA

4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is $146 total per night from Sep 16 to Sep 17
$146 total
per night
Sep 16 - Sep 17
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,725 reviews)
"Hands down great not as good as the Shearaton Grande Hotel but a VERY close 2nd"

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2025

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.
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 Tsutenkaku Tower are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (114 reviews)
"Clean and big room for family. Had a good stay ."

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025

Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho
THE RISE OSAKA UNIVERSAL BAYSIDE

THE RISE OSAKA UNIVERSAL BAYSIDE

4 out of 5
3-2-27 Kasugade Minami, Konohana-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and hot springs on site. Popular attractions Universal Studios Japan and Kyocera ...
9/10 Wonderful! (21 reviews)
"Amazing place to stay especially if you want access to the train , 5 min walking"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

THE RISE OSAKA UNIVERSAL BAYSIDE
Hotel LEGALIE Osaka Shinsaibashi East

Hotel LEGALIE Osaka Shinsaibashi East

3 out of 5
1-8-11 Minamisemba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi and climate control. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Osaka Castle are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (15 reviews)
"It was near everything."

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025

Hotel LEGALIE Osaka Shinsaibashi East
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

Cities near Osaka

Other places like Osaka