Osaka is the third largest city in Japan, after Tokyo and Yokohama. It is located at the mouth of the Yodo River in Osaka Bay. The city is one of Japan’s most important ports and industrial centres.
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01. Osaka Castle (大阪城)
Osaka Castle was built from 1583 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi on the site of the former Hogan-ji Temple.
In 1615, the shōgun Tokugawa Iyeasu destroyed the castle during the Siege of Osaka after he moved the government to Edo (Tokyo). Between 1620 and 1629 it was rebuilt again by Tokugawa.
In 1868 it was destroyed again during the Boshin War and rebuilt in 1931. Nice history of the tower…
In the park in front of the castle are the two time capsules that were installed during the 1970 World Exposition.
One is buried 14 metres underground and will be opened in the year 6970, if the human race is still on earth, which I rather doubt at the rate we are going.
The other is buried 9 metres underground and is opened at the beginning of each century. It was opened for the first time in the year 2000.
Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Price: 600¥.
How to get there: next to JR Morinomiya station and Osaka metro (Chuo metro line / JR Osaka Loop line). Exit 3B.
A MUST-SEE!
02. Hōzen-ji Temple (天龍山 法善寺)
Hōzen-ji Temple is a small temple tucked away in a quiet alley in bustling Dōtonbori.
It was built in 1637 and is dedicated to Fudo Myoo, one of the five guardians of Buddhism. If you find his statue covered in a thick layer of moss and sprinkle it with water, it will bring you good luck.
Opening hours: open 24h.
Price: free of charge.
How to get there: Osaka Metro Namba Station and JR Namba Station.
03. Take a photo with the Glico sign in Dōtonbori (道頓堀)
Dōtonbori is Osaka’s major shopping and tourist centre. A shopping street that runs along the Dōtonbori waterway from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge.
You’ll be amazed by the restaurant signs and, of course, the food. You can choose from a million restaurants and stalls per square metre.
The classic thing to do is to take a photo of yourself imitating the Glico poster runner. There you’ll find many people doing the same (these tourists…).
The original sign was installed in 1935 and was 33 metres high at the time. The current sign was installed in 2014 and is now 20 metres tall.
How to get there: 5 min walk from JR Namba Station and Osaka Metro Namba Station.
A MUST-SEE!
04. Eating fresh sushi at Kuromon Ichiba Market (黒門市場)
The Kuromon Ichiba market was founded in 1902 and became a landmark thanks to its high quality products. Today, with the rise of tourism, restaurants have opened and you can even eat at the stalls themselves.
How to get there: 10 min walk from Osaka Metro Namba Station.
A MUST-SEE!
05. Yasaka Namba Shrine (難波八阪神社)
It is not known exactly when the shrine was founded. It is known as an ancient shrine that enshrined Gion Gozu Tenno from the time of Emperor Gosanjo’s Enkyu era (1069 to 1073).
It was originally a mixture of Shinto and Buddhism, but after the Meiji Restoration, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the shrine was abolished and became a local shrine in 1872. The present main shrine was completed in May 1974.
The shrine is notable for its spectacular lion’s head hall, which depicts a giant lion’s head with its mouth open to eat evil spirits.
Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 17:00.
Price: free of charge.
How to get there: 7 min walk south of Osaka Metro Namba Station and JR Namba.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
06. Tenjimbashisuji Street, Japan’s longest shopping arcade
Tenjimbashisuji is the longest Shōtengai (covered street) in Japan, at 2.6 km long. Here you will find more than 500 restaurants, clothing shops and recreational facilities.
How to get there: Osaka Metro Tenjimbashisuji Station (Sakaisuji Line / Tanimachi Line) at the north end and Minami-Morimachi Station almost at the south end (same lines).
JR Ōsakatemmangū Station almost at the southern end (JR Touzai-Gakkentoshi Line). Valid for JR Pass.
07. Shitennō-ji Temple (四天王寺)
Founded by Prince Shotoku in 592, it is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. Its name refers to the Four Heavenly Kings of the Buddhist pantheon who protect the world from all evil, the Shitenno.
Legend has it that Shotoku promised to build a temple in their honour if he could defeat the rival Monobe clan. This clan wanted to ban Buddhism in Japan.
Shotoku won the war and fulfilled his promise by making Buddhism official as a state religion.
Opening hours: daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Entry fee: Free to enter the temple, but you must pay to enter the main hall (300¥); gardens (300¥) and the treasure museum (500¥).
How to get there: a 10-minute walk north of JR Tennōji Station and Osaka Metro.
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08. Shinsekai
Shinsekai is Osaka’s entertainment district par excellence.
After the Second World War, Shinsekai was degraded to become the most dangerous and poorest area in Japan.
It is very curious to stroll through its lively streets full of restaurants with impressive ornate facades to attract the attention of passers-by.
How to get there: JR Shin-Imamiya Station (Osaka Loop line) and Osaka Metro Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Midosuji Line / Sakaisuji Line).
RECOMMENDED VISIT!
09. Tsutenkaku Tower (通天閣)
Tsutenkaku Tower was erected in 1912 as part of an amusement park. It was badly damaged by fire in 1943 and was dismantled and rebuilt in 1956 by the Hitachi company.
At 103 metres, the tower is one of the symbols of the city.
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Price: 900¥ (viewing platform).
How to get there: JR Shin-Imamiya Station (Osaka Loop line) and Osaka Metro Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Midosuji Line / Sakaisuji Line).
RECOMMENDED VISIT!
10. Umeda Sky Building
The Umeda Sky Building is one of the most recognisable images of Osaka. At 173 metres high, it is the 19th tallest building in the city.
It was designed by Hiroshi Hara and opened in 1993. It has many restaurants, a simulation of a traditional alley and, the star of the building, a spectacular open-air observation deck.
Opening hours: daily from 9.30am to 10.30pm.
Price: 1,500¥.
How to get there: 10 min walk northwest of JR Osaka station.
A MUST-SEE!
11. Osaka Tenman-gu Shrine (大阪天満宮)
A famous (and touristy) Shinto shrine founded in 949, it was built to appease the angry spirit of Sugawara no Michizane, who had been wrongly sent into exile.
Every year, on July 24-25, the Tenjin Festival, which has been held for more than 1,000 years, takes place. It features 3,000 people parading in ancient costumes and more than 100 boats plying the city’s canals.
Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 17:00.
Price: free of charge.
How to get there: next to JR Ōsakatemmangū Station (JR Touzai-Gakkentoshi Line). Valid for JR Pass.
RECOMMENDED VISIT!
12. A motorway through the Gate Tower Building
It is a 16-storey building that stands out because it is crossed by a motorway interchange. Yes, you read that right, an motorway.
At the exit of the 11 Ikeda Route of the Hanshin Expressway system (阪神高速道路) for the 11-03 Umeda interchange, it passes through the fifth, sixth and seventh levels of the building.
It really is a curious thing to see.
How to get there: JR Osaka Station / JR Fukushima Station (Osaka Loop Line).
13. Shopping at Nipponbashi Den Den Town
Den Den Town is Osaka’s Akihabara, the electronic quarter. Here you’ll find all kinds of electronic gadgets, cameras, pop culture, games and anime from the city.
Shops are concentrated along two long main streets: the Nipponbashisuji shopping centre on Sakaisuji and Ota Road, which runs parallel to it.
How to get there: Ebisucho station on the Osaka Metro (Sakaisuji Line).
14. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (住吉大社)
The shrine was founded by the empress regent Jingū in the 3rd century. It pays homage to four deities: a trio of sea gods named Sumiyoshi Sanjin and Empress Jingū herself, whose spirit was enshrined with them after her death.
Since its foundation, Sumiyoshi Taisha has been linked with the sea. People involved in fishing, shipping and other maritime industries still come to pray to Sumiyoshi for safe travel.
Strolling through its gardens is a delight.
Opening hours: every day from 6:00 to 17:00.
Price: free of charge.
How to get there: Sumiyoshitaisha Station (Nankai Line). Private line.
RECOMMENDED VISIT!
15. EXTRA: enjoying Hanami in Kemasakuranomiya
It is a riverside park with a length of 4.2 km. It runs from Kemaaraiseki on the Okawa River to Tenmabashi Bridge downstream.
Along the right bank, there are buildings representative of the early Meiji period, such as the Japan Mint and Senfukan, and the promenade along the Okawa River is lined with cherry blossom trees.
How to get there: next to JR Sakuranomiya Station (Osaka Loop Line). Valid for JR Pass.
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