Osaka travel blog — The fullest Osaka travel guide for first-timers

Sumiyoshi-taisha
Address: 2 Chome-9-８９ Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 558-0045, Japan
Hours: 6am to 5pm (from 6:30am from October through March)
Free entrance
Phone: +81 6-6672-0753

Taiheiji Temple (Jusan-mairi-no-tera)

This temple is associated with many historical stories. In particular, according to the people here, Taiheiji Temple is the 13th stop of the Buddha and is one of the 13 largest Buddhist lands in the world. When you come here, not only will you admire the unique architecture of the temple but also enjoy the space, tranquility of this place.

Address: Nishi Ward, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture 593-8314, Japan
Phone: +81 6 6779 9133
Free entrance

Shitennō-ji Temple

Shitennōji is one of Japan’s oldest temples and is the first temple built by the state. It was built in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported bring Buddhism to Japan. Although it was burned many times, but the temple always is repaired and renovated, so that It retained the original architecture as it was built in the 6th century.

Step into the temple, right in front of your eyes will be a very beautiful Honbo Teien garden in the middle of a peaceful landscape. One interesting point here is that if you come to Shitenno-ji on the 21st and 22nd, you will have the opportunity to buy secondhand or antiques items sold by the locals right in front of the temple.

Shitennoji Temple
Address: 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 543-0051, Japan
Phone: +81 6-6771-0066
Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm (until 4pm from October through March)
Entrance fee: 300 yen

Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is the first theme park under the brand name Universal Studios built in Asia. Opened in March 2001 in the Osaka Bay Area, the 39-hectare amusement park and the second-largest amusement park in Japan is just after Tokyo Disneyland.

Universal Studios Japan currently has 8 areas: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Travelers can enjoy a variety of entertaining games, participate in the action adventure games featured in the movie, participate in modeled games based on popular films such as Spider Man, Back to the Future, Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park … In addition, visiting this park you also have many opportunities to take pictures with celebrities such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty … Sometimes , you will also see a parade with brightly colored flares passing each night.

Just outside the park entrance is Universal Citywalk Osaka Shopping Center with its many hotels and souvenir shops. Moreover, there is also the Takoyaki Osaka Museum, which displays local dishes, their origins and how they are processed. This museum is located on the fourth floor of the mall.

Read more: Explore Wizarding World of Harry Potter Osaka — One of the best places to visit in Osaka.

Universal Studios Japan
Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 554-0031, Japan
Hours: Varying hours, typically at least 9am to 7pm.
Entrance fees: 7,900 yen (12-64 years old) / 5,400 yen (4-11 years old) / 7,100 yen (65 years or older)
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/e/

Shinsekai

Shinsekai is considered to be the “new world” of Osaka, a district that was developed before the war and then forgotten in the decades that followed. After the industrial revolution of 1903, people started coming here more and more and helped Shinsekai have the opportunity to grow prosperous, bustling as today. In the northern half of Shinsekai, Paris was chosen as a model for the region, while the southern half chose New York’s Coney Island. In the center of Shinsekai District is the Tsutenkaku Tower, built in 1912 after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Although the tower was damaged during World War II, it was restored in 1956. The tower is currently 103 meters high, with the main observatory at 91 meters altitude.

Another attraction in Shinsekai District is the Kushikatsu food, one of Osaka’s most famous specialties. It is a dish made from a variety of ingredients: chicken, beef, pumpkin and asparagus … they are sliced, skewed, marinated and fried. The Kushikatsu restaurants in Shinsekai are open 24 hours, but the busiest and most crowded is still at night.

Shinsekai is also famous for its Spa World, a large area of heated bathing with lots of swimming pools, hot water source that is taken directly from deep underground so it is good for the body. In this bathing area, there are two floors designed with two different Asian-European style. Each month, it will changes the gender used in each room so that guests can experience both styles.

Spa World Osaka
Address: 3 Chome-4-２４ Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0002, Japan
Phone: +81 6-6631-0001
Hours: 10AM–8:45AM

Minoo Park

Minoo Park (Mino Kōen, also spelled Mino or Minoh) is a forest located in northern Osaka. In the fall, this is one of the best places in the Kansai area to experience the brilliant autumn in an attractive natural setting. The best time to admire the yellow leaves is from around the end of November onwards.

Although only about 30 minutes drive from downtown Osaka, the natural scenery here is very well protected, wild with many diverse animals and plants. Therefore, this is a large natural resort ideal near Osaka.

In addition, the Minoo waterfall can not be missed. With a width of 5 meters, a height of 33 meters, the waterfall is the main attraction of the park. You can come here to admire the majestic beauty of the waterfall in a beautiful and romantic natural setting.

Minoo Park
Address: Japan, 〒562-0002 Osaka Prefecture, Minoh, 箕面公園１−１８
Phone: +81 72-721-3014
Hours: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

National Museum of Art, Osaka

The Osaka Art Museum (Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan) is designed in the underground of Nakanoshima Island in central Osaka, so the galleries are located in the basement.

The museum focuses on displaying contemporary Japanese art, Including foreign collections by every country and by different periods. The museum was opened in 2007 and is designed to represent for development. The former museum was housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, which was built for the Osaka Exhibition in 1970.

National Museum of Art, Osaka
Address: ４丁目-2-55 Nakanoshima, Kita, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0005, Japan
Phone: +81 6-6447-4680
Hours: 10am to 5pm
Admission: 430 yen

Minami (Namba)

Located near the Namba train station, Minami is considered one of Osaka’s largest playing and eating spots. This is the city’s most famous entertainment district, with a variety of dining and shopping options, the goods are sold with many items and different prices for you free to choice.

The best bars, nightclubs in Osaka are also here, so you can be assured of fun here without being bored. The area is very famous so the traffic here is very convenient, you can easily move here through metro lines and high-speed bus routes.

Address: Namba Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076, Osaka Prefecture
Hours: Open 24/7

Umeda Sky Building

The Umeda Sky Building, also known as the floating garden observatory, was completed in 1993, and the building located at the heart of Shin Umeda prefecture is growing rapidly. Umeda Sky is one of the most prominent buildings in the world and is an attractive place for those who travel to Osaka.

Two immeasurably high tower with 40 floors of the building, the terrace of the building is floating observatory, and between the two towers there is a bridge at the top floor. A tip for visitors is to choose to visit Umeda Sky on a beautiful day to admire the image of the sky reflecting on the shiny walls like the glass of the towers, feeling like the garden is drifting floating in the air.

Umeda Sky Building
Address: 1 Chome-1-８７ Oyodonaka, Kita, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 531-6023, Japan
Phone: +81 6-6440-3900
Hours: 9:30am to 10:30pm (entrance until 10pm)
Entrance fee: 1000 yen

Osaka blog: What to eat in Osaka?

The cuisine of Osaka in particular and Japanese cuisine in general are toward to refined, harmonious and flavorful top notch. And below there are some delicious foods you definitely have to try when visiting Osaka such as: Sushi, Tempura, Soba noodles, Gyaoza, Shabu Shabu, Okonomiyaki, …

Takoyaki

Takoyaki must say is the most famous and most typical dish in Osaka. Although it is a street food but its taste really can not be ignored. The name of the dish has also revealed a lot of ingredients and how to cook. Takoyaki is a round cake that made from wheat flour and contains octopus inside. The dish is often served with Takoyaki sauce, onion, mayonnaise, katsuobushi (bonito flakes), dry seaweed, tempura and many more dishes. It is so popular so you can easily find it on any street of Osaka.

Kushikatsu

This is one of the favorite foods of many people living in Osaka. Although they had eaten before, but they irresistible enjoy Kushikatsu. Although it is only a fried skewered dish but there are many options for you. Most popular are meat and vegetables but many places also make it with a variety of other specialties. Enjoying Kushikatsu with tonkatsu sauce is truly a wonderful taste experience.

Okonomiyaki

Talking about Osaka cuisine without mentions to Okonomiyaki is probably a big mistake. Along with Osaka’s famous Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki is also one of specialties of Osaka’s culinary. You can also call this dish with names such as Japanese pizza or Japanese pancakes. Okonomiyaki ingredients consist of eggs, dough, sliced cabbage, meat, vegetables, cheese, seafood … Combined with Takoyaki sauce and a little mayonnaise, the flavor of the dish is multiply increases.

Kitsune Udon

Kitsune Udon is a dish that appears throughout Japan, but its true origin in Osaka. So enjoying right here will definitely bring the best taste experience. This udon noodles are super delicious when added a piece of aburaage (fried tofu marinated sugar soy sauce) on top. Kitsune Udon is served with a simple hot broth but so tasty.

Yakitori

Yakitori is a dish that you should try while traveling Osaka. Although, It is not a exclusive dish of this land but it is also worth to experience. “Yaki” means a grilled dish and the main ingredient is chicken. A lot of options from chicken like chicken heart, chicken breast, chicken meat… depending on your preference.

Read more: Chicken Yakitori — How to make, enjoy Chicken Yakitori in Japan.

Hakozushi

One dish that you definitely have to try while visiting Osaka is Hakozushi. This is a delicious dish with a similar decoration to the famous Sushi in Japan. However, the taste of Hakozushi is completely different from the familiar sushi by ingredients Hakozushi is cooked or smoked to create a delicious taste, unique.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Osaka you can refer to

• Osaka Amazing Pass (Osaka Pick Up & HK/TW Delivery)
• OSAKA Unlimited Travel Pass (1 or 2 Days)
• Osaka Amazing Pass (HK/TW/ICN/Osaka Pick Up & MY Delivery)
• Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (1 Day/2 Days, Kyoto Pick Up)
• JR West Kansai Pass (1, 2, 3 and 4 Day Rail Pass)
• Kyoto Temples & Shrines Day Tour from Osaka: Fushimi Inari-taisha, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera & More
• Limousine Bus Transfers between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka or Kyoto
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)
• Osaka One-Day Walking Tour
• Arashiyama, Nara & Yasaka Shrine & Hanakomiji OneDay Tour from Osaka
• Osaka Amazing Pass & Osaka e-Pass
• teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka Ticket
• Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto
• Arashiyama & Nara Todai-ji Day Tour from Osaka
• Solaniwa Onsen Ticket in Osaka
• Nara, Todaiji Temple & Kuroshio Market One Day Tour from Osaka
• Sanda Outlet Market, Nara Park & Todaiji Temple Day Tour from Osaka
• ICOCA IC Card
• The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living Ticket

Are you looking for more Osaka travel guide and top things to do in Osaka: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Osaka itinerary 3 days — What to do in Osaka for 3 days?