Osaka is well-known for its friendly residents, exciting nightlife, and delicious cuisine. It is a well-known destination on most Japan itineraries. And, while being Japan’s third-largest metropolis, it lacks the old-world elegance found in Kyoto.
Furthermore, in comparison to Tokyo, it is less flamboyant. Although it lacks in beauty and glitz, it makes up for it in personality. It’s a welcoming city with everything you might want in a tourist destination. This information will assist you in planning your vacation to Osaka, Japan. Let’s get this party started!
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10 Exciting Things to Do in Osaka
If you’re looking for things to do in Osaka, we’ve got you covered with a variety of options. Whether you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path locations, free things to do in Osaka, or activities to do at night, we’re confident you’ll find all you need in our article. Let’s have a look at it!
1. Shiteno-ji TempleÂ
It is one of Japan’s oldest temples, as well as Osaka’s most important Buddhist edifice. It’s a terrific site to get a glimpse of the country’s religion. Prince Shotoku established Shiteno-ji Temple in the 6th century in order to accelerate the spread of Buddhism in Japan.
As the century progressed, the temple was subjected to numerous fires and was subsequently renovated to mirror its original design. It is free to attend, but two of their onsite attractions, the treasure house and gokuraku jodo Garden, need a nominal fee. The following is the cost of these two attractions:
500 yen for the Treasure House
300 yen for Gokuraku-jodo Garden
The treasure house has antique paintings and texts.
2. Minoo ParkÂ
After a few days of surviving the city’s congested streets, we had a strong desire to spend time in nature. After doing some research, we discovered that 45 minutes north of the city centre, there is a park that is a true nature lover’s paradise.
This park is a popular destination for families and local couples looking to get away from the city and have a good time. It has a paved walking trail that winds through forested mountains to a waterfall.
Because the path is mostly level, it takes around 45 minutes to reach the waterfall (ish). This trail comes to a close at the waterfall. Along the journey, there will be bathrooms and vending shops selling refreshments.
Because it wasn’t too crowded, the holiday weekend was the greatest time to visit Minoo. It was only crowded with locals. Furthermore, we only saw a few foreigners, making it feel fairly tranquil. Don’t forget to taste the deep fried maple leaves while you’re there, as they’re exclusively available here.
The tiny maple leaves are covered in a sweet batter before being deep fried in hot oil. It’s similar to what you’d get if you ate a waffle cone. It’s a little sweet and crispy. When it comes to taste, the leaves don’t have much flavour, but you can kind of feel them, if that makes sense.
3. Try Your Hand at Pachinko
Many noisy, perplexing, flashy, and glitzy gaming devices may be found all across the country. No one can deny that Pachinko is a big issue in Japan, from the vast pompous places in major cities to the modest venues in rural communities.
Pachinko is still a multibillion-dollar enterprise, but its popularity is waning. Although Pachinko parlours do not offer genuine gambling, they do have a comparable feel to the smokey casinos of Las Vegas. Gambling is, in fact, prohibited in Japan.
As a result, instead of winning money, you will receive silver balls. With the help of these metal balls, you can continue playing or purchase products such as pokey sticks, cuddly animals, plastic toys, and Pringles. You can even buy electronics if you accumulate enough of them.
The majority of Pachinko parlours are packed with middle-aged males. It appears unusual, and to be honest, I am not the best judge because I am not a big fan of machines or arcades. It’s not a pastime I see myself engaging in, but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
Nonetheless, I believe you should give it a shot. In reality, it is one of the most authentically Japanese activities available, and it is also rather inexpensive.
4. Pay a visit to Osaka-Jo
The Osaka Castle, which was built in 1583, required 100,000 workers. But, like many other Japanese castles, it was demolished. The current structure was completed in 1931 and is also being rebuilt.
Despite the fact that it is no longer the old castle, the castle remains one of Osaka’s most impressive structures, and it is situated in the heart of a lush park surrounded by a lovely moat. On the 8th story, there is a display of weaponry, artwork, and an observation deck with his present.
5. Pay a Visit to Sumiyoshi Shrine
It is one of Japan’s oldest Shinto temples. Built over 1800 years ago, this shrine is one of the most beautiful Shinto shrines. Its intricate architecture and delicate architectural aspects contribute to its charm. When you visit a shrine, you can also find a park with a bridge crossing a glassy pond.
6. Have a Night Out at Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a great area to go out and enjoy yourself in Osaka. In the evening, visit Dotonbori to enjoy the casual atmosphere and a plethora of restaurants, pubs, and cafés. You can even sit and stare at the shimmering stars while listening to live music from adjacent cafés and restaurants with roof terraces.
7. Take a Spin on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel
The Tempozan Ferris Wheel in Osaka is one of the city’s most famous attractions. It is situated on the outskirts of the beautiful Osaka Bay. The chance to spin the wheel and check out the pretty sides of the city is one of the reasons why people are drawn to it.
Even if you come to Osaka in the evening, you can enjoy a spin on the wheel while taking in a calm view of the city.
8. Take a Break at Spa World
In Osaka, there is a large complex with a variety of baths, saunas, and pools. You can visit the spa world at any moment because the facility is open 24 hours a day. You can go there and try onsen, which are outdoor binding pools.
At the same time, you can breathe fresh air while bathing and enjoying beautiful vistas. You have a wide selection of spa services from which to pick. Because the spa world is open 24 hours a day, you can remain overnight if you purchase a complete pass.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you have any visible tattoos on your body, you will not be able to use this facility. It’s because Japan’s tattoo laws are quite tight.
9. Attend a Sumo Grand Tournament in the Spring
In Osaka, you may watch the Sumo Spring Grand tournament, which takes place every spring. It urges you to learn more about sumo wrestling, a Japanese sport.
These competitions begin in March and take place in the Osaka prefectural gymnasium, where you can watch some of the top sumo wrestlers compete in the ring. Because their calendar is frequently subject to change, you must continually checking all of their lists to see impending events.
10. Have a Good Time at Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is the country’s second-largest and most important theme park, after Tokyo’s Disneyland. You can visit Universal Studios Japan to see anything and everything related to your favourite films.
It’s claimed to be extremely comparable to the Universal Studios theme park in the United States. One thing to keep in mind is that, because it is set in Japan, there will be more Japanese local characters in the studio.
Conclusion
So there you have it, some of the top locations to see in Osaka, Japan. Even if you only visit half of them, your trip will be remarkable. We hope you found this post helpful. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
