Namba Yasaka Shrine, Osaka, Japan. Rintaro Kanemoto for Lonely Planet
Osaka may come in second to Tokyo on the list of must-visit places in Japan, but it has a big and bold personality all its own. As the country's second-largest metro area – also behind Tokyo – it's a major commerce center that shows off through its tantalizing street food scene, hip shopping and impressive skyscrapers.
You won’t be able to explore every nook and cranny of the city’s 24 wards or hit up all the okonomiyaki joints (just do your best in the "the city of kuidaore" – eating until you drop), but with some effort, you can make a dent in getting to know this vibrant urban enclave.
Osaka isn’t a seasonal destination, although visitors are unsurprisingly drawn in the spring for the cherry blossoms – catch the blooms at the Osaka Mint Bureau and in Kema Sakuranomiya Park. Year-round, you can enjoy a tea ceremony in Sakai and make time for a swordsmith visit in Kishiwada. In nice weather, break from the fast pace of the bustling city with a hike at Minoh Waterfall or even plan a day trip to the Hokusetsu Prefectural Natural Park for an afternoon of trekking followed by relaxing in the onsen (hot springs).
1. Travel back in time at the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses
Want to see how the Japanese people lived in the Edo period during the 17th to 19th centuries? This museum, Japan's first open-air museum, is inside Hattori Ryokuchi Park in Toyonaka City. It's a collection of 12 architecturally distinct farmhouses that have been transported from various parts of the country and then carefully rebuilt for this immersive experience. For example, there’s one called Nambu Magariya from as far north as Iwate, and one called Takakura, from Amami Oshima down south.
Planning/local tip: The museum is closed on Mondays, and the last admission is at 4:30pm. How much time you need depends on your level of interest in the history and culture, but plan for at least two hours inside, more if you want to take your time exploring the farmhouses.
2. Don’t overlook the Osaka Castle
You would do yourself a huge disservice if you visited Osaka and didn't make it to this popular attraction, even if it is one of those things all the other tourists have on their list. There’s a reason it tops every list of things to do in Osaka, though: The castle is one of Japan’s (not just Osaka’s) most famous landmarks. Reconstructed in the 1990s, decades after the WWII bombings, the castle’s exhibitions and events help explain the country’s history, culture and art.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a samurai and feudal lord, as well as the builder of the castle, is credited as the second unifier of Japan; the seventh floor is dedicated to his story. The observation deck is one floor up from Hideyoshi’s history, and this is where the panoramic views do their best to woo visitors.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during cherry blossom season, you’ll be duly rewarded. There are roughly 3000 cherry trees on the castle grounds, along with over a thousand plum trees.
Planning tip: Visit at night when all the lights are turned on so you can see the magnificent castle in its lit-up glory.
3. Chill out at a cat cafe
The Japanese belief in the healing power of cats is emphasized in Osaka’s cafes. Neko no Jikan (Kita Honten) is the city’s first cat cafe, but you won’t have to wander far to find one. Some cafes have a time limit to ensure the space is never too crowded with humans, and others charge one price that includes a coffee or tea drink. The best experiences are those with lap cats; you’ll be hooked forever after.
Detour: Stay at OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts, a 436-room hotel close to Shin-Imamiya Station, and opt for one of its OMO Ranger tours that take guests through local markets and Shinsekai canals. Led by locals, you’ll get the top tips on where to shop, where to find the best sushi, and how to bargain with chatty vendors.
4. Spend the day with your favorite characters at Universal Studios Japan
Meet baby dinosaurs, see the formidable T. Rex on a boat tour, and get an adrenaline rush during a raptor encounter; it’s all part of the Jurassic World Journey at Universal Studios Japan. Get a move on at Let’s Rock, a unique rock festival venue that features live singing and dancing with all your park pals.
Although the park is not new (it opened in 2001), it’s constantly adding attractions like Donkey Kong Country, which opened in 2024, and the famous Super Nintendo World.
5. Harukas 300 Observatory
Many major cities have an observation deck of some sort, and the one in Osaka is not to be missed. From the 300m tall Abeno Harukas building, you can see all the way to Kyoto in the north. Three floors – 58, 59 and 60 – offer panoramic views of Osaka and well beyond to the Rokko mountain range, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Awaji Island, and the Ikoma mountain range.
If you’re scared of heights, you might not find the experience so relaxing. But if you’re the type that finds something soothing in being so high up, you’ll appreciate the many chill spaces available to hang out. A special tour involves a heliport on the rooftop of Abeno Harukas.
6. Embark on a day of shopping
Osaka has many of the big name luxury brands (Prada, Chanel, Coach) you’d expect from the world’s tenth-largest city, but there’s a whole world of shopping, including a vast array of kitchen supplies in Doguyasuji Arcade and myriad tech and electronics at the Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Umeda. For one-of-a-kind finds, you’ll want to hit the vintage shops in Nakazakicho (also a great area for cafes when you need to refuel). Full of chic shops, stylish cafes, and funky art spaces, this area will also delight photography lovers. Head to Karahori Shopping Street for a nostalgia fashion hit, and STUDIOUS and United Tokyo for tailored Japanese apparel.
Planning Tip: On weekends Sankaku Koen, the center of Americamura (American Village), hosts street performances, fashion shows and flea markets. Tattoo parlors and body piercing shops are easy to find here too.
7. Snack on street eats and wine and dine at Michelin-starred spots
Ah, welcome to Japan’s Kitchen! When it comes to eating in Osaka, you cannot go wrong – and you definitely won’t go hungry. The street stalls and vendors, famous in Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, are the lifeblood of the city. Takoyaki are everywhere, as are kushikatsu, which are skewers of panko-crusted, fried vegetables, chicken parts (liver lovers, rejoice!), bacon and even cheese; typically, they’re served after a single dip in a tonkatsu sauce, a perfect precursor to a late-night multicourse meal at one of the city’s award-winning restaurants. Reserve at either Tempura Sakugetsu (name means new moon) or Tempura Fukana and see what authentic tempura tastes like.
Detour: Head to Ura-Namba, a lively area with local izakayas (pubs) for something a little off the beaten path.
8. Catch a fly ball at Koshien Stadium
Watch the Hanshin Tigers round the bases and catch fly balls at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, an easy train ride from the city center, and see just how passionate the Japanese are about baseball. The country’s love for Shohei Otani, the Los Angeles Dodger all-star from Ōshū, a city in northern Japan's Iwate Prefecture, will be evident throughout your travels in Osaka. And who knows? You might catch a game with a future World Series player.
Raucous cheering and great eating is the name of the game here. Skip the hot dogs and popcorn in favor of regional delights like takoyaki (octopus balls), and karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and don’t be shy about ordering a beer from the uriko, or beer girls – their backpacklike pony kegs and bright energy are simply a part of the full Koshien Stadium experience.
9. Stay up past your bedtime for a nightcap (or two or three!)
Have we mentioned Osaka is lively? As such, you won’t have to go far to find great nightlife. Chances are your hotel or hostel has an upscale bar or a pub area, respectively. But from there, head to Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow, historic alleyway known for traditional, standing bars where locals and tourists go for an intimate imbibing venue. You can also find excellent bowls of ramen and savory okonomiyaki here. If you’re after a meticulously crafted cocktail, make your way to Umeda; Bar, K gets the classics just right, and Bar Craftman’s bartenders customize drinks based on your personal preferences. And if you’re not sure what you like, well, they’re happy to help you figure it out.
10. Learn about Japan’s sea creatures at the Kaiyūkan Aquarium
For a deeper understanding of what's beneath the Pacific Ocean, plan a day at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyūkan. There are 15 large tanks here, and each is essentially a recreation of a specific region of the Pacific Rim, from “Japan Forest,” showcasing a Japanese forest to the icy, snow-covered “Antarctica.” The aquarium’s piece de resistance is a tank aptly named “Pacific Ocean,” a 29-foot deep, 34-mile-long structure that holds 5,400 tons of water – and whale sharks, the world’s largest fish. You’ll need about two and a half hours to tour the Pacific’s waters and creatures, but brave types will want to save time for a new exhibition area where touching sharks is on offer.