Follow The Amazing Race to Osaka
Has season 37, episode 2 left you raring for your own Osaka adventure? Slow the pace and savor the place with our food and culture-packed guide, inspired by the show
Warning: The Amazing Race season 37 spoilers ahead! Bookmark this page and come back later if you’re not caught up...
“Japan, here we come!” The Amazing Race contestant Jonathan beams with excitement as he discovers the contest’s 12 remaining teams will head to Osaka for the second leg of the race. Season 37 marks the second time The Amazing Race has visited Japan’s former imperial capital, and the episode is filled with hands-on cultural highlights.
From an Intersection obstacle where teams swap partners and survive a Roadblock—this time a traditional taiko drumming challenge—to a Detour that saw teams choose between taking on sumo wrestlers or pounding out mochi (sweet rice cakes), it’s a colorful race to the finish line at the beautiful Katsuō-ji temple.
Contestants were eager to explore pretty city scenes, too: “I just want to see Osaka; I know it’s going to be gorgeous,” says Mark.
So when’s best to plan your own trip? Most people will think of April to see the sakura bloom, when light-pink cherry blossoms cover Expo’ 70 Commemorative Park and Okawa River (tours are available).
But early December is just as memorable, when the fiery autumn leaves are at their peak in Osaka Castle Park and Daisen Park Japanese Garden. Meanwhile, summer in Osaka means hot weather—but also the chance to check out one of the city’s dazzling festivals, including Tenjin Matsuri, held in late July, famous for its fireworks.
A cultural guide to Osaka
To follow the teams’ high-energy trek across the city, as well as a few bonus spots, you’ll want to check out Osaka’s most famous sites, from Shitennō-ji, regarded as the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, to Dōtonbori, where taking a selfie with the iconic Glico Man sign is a must. Be sure to stick around until the top of the hour when Hachikō—Japan’s most famous and loyal dog—makes an appearance on the digital billboards above the river (you may remember his bittersweet story from the 2009 film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale).
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The Amazing Race-inspired Osaka experiences
If you don’t mind heights, ride the Umeda Sky Building’s glass elevator 40 stories up for breathtaking views that only get more dramatic after dark. Then head to Shinsekai, a party district where during the day you can experience the Shangri-la of public baths, Spa World, and by night soak up the carnival-like vibes around Tsūtenkaku Tower.
Ready to plan your own race through Japan? Scroll down for maps to help you plan the ultimate Amazing Race-themed Osaka itinerary.
Find new episodes of The Amazing Race on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m./8:30 p.m. Central on CBS/Paramount+
Guests of Hotel New Otani Osaka rave about the property’s dining options—many of which come with views of Osaka Castle. For a great-value stay, Hotel Keihan Tenmabashi Ekimae offers modern perks, like an on-site laundromat that can be monitored from in-room televisions. Families will love the city’s three Mimaru Apartment Hotels, equipped with bunk beds for kids, kitchenettes, and in-room projectors for movie nights. And those looking for luxury can opt for the Four Seasons Hotel Osaka, the iconic brand’s first property to feature traditional ryokan-style, tatami-floored rooms.
Prepare for some memorable meals: Osaka’s well-earned nickname is “the kitchen of Japan.” As a major port city, it became a melting pot of ingredients imported from overseas, many of which are still used in traditional dishes. To get the full food experience, lean into the region’s signature snacks like takoyaki (octopus balls) at Aiduya, top okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) with your favorite meats and vegetables at Mizuno (or get a totally vegan version at OKO), and slurp kitsune udon (thick noodles with sweet, deep-fried tofu) at Kasuya. Still hungry? Fill up on oversized onigiri (rice balls) at Onigiri Gorichan.
The Amazing Race contestants are always in a hurry, but you can slow down with the help of a local guide well-versed in showing off Osaka’s hot spots and hidden gems, like the Dōtonbori canal, a former shipping route turned nightlife hub. Beat the crowds with a private morning tour of Osaka Castle. Or get creative at a traditional Japanese ceramics workshop, where you’ll learn more about the culture while making the ultimate souvenir. And while there’s plenty to see in Osaka, be sure to get out of town and into nature with a trek up Mount Inunaki followed by a dip at Fudouguchikan hot springs.
Laura Studarus is a Los Angeles-based writer, traveler and tea drinker who has contributed to Lonely Planet, Wired, and The Daily Beast among others. Sometimes she can go for several hours without a cup of tea.
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