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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Osaka [2025]
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Universal Studios Japan
4.7
/5
33103 reviews
10
From IDR 949630
Based on 11,295 reviews
Osaka Bay | 7.1 km from downtown
Phone +810664654005
Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
A 1:1 recreation of the Super Mario game world
10 themed lands | Asia's first Universal Studios
Saved by 40273 users23637 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
At any Universal Studios location, it's worth spending a whole day with the whole family. A special reminder: Mario rides are the most popular, so allow plenty of time to explore them. Expect queues of about an hour for each ride. Here are some things everyone should be aware of.
Fantastic thrill rides here and the best attraction is none other than Super Mario World! Harry Potter was amazing as well and overall, a fantastic place to bring the children out for a great day of fun and family bonding!
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
4.7
/5
3582 reviews
8.3
From IDR 291279
Based on 6,817 reviews
Osaka Bay | 8 km from downtown
Phone +810665765501
Address: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka City, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Get up close to whale sharks and dolphins
Japan's largest aquarium | 16 exhibits (10M liters)
Saved by 10965 users2494 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Aquarium is amazing and well maintained, my only problem were people who kept taping on glass and sticking their faces bothering fishes. There should be sign that glass should not be touched (especially for all grown up people who were doing it)
This place is worth to visit! undefinedOsaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the world's largest aquariums. The spiral path descending around a large central tank that replicates the Pacific Ocean, home to a whale shark will make you like that you are in the middle of the ocean.
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Osaka Castle Park
4.8
/5
6628 reviews
8.0
Based on 7,036 reviews
Osaka Castle/Kyobashi/Eastern Osaka | 2.3 km from downtown
Phone +81667554146
Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5–3 hours
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Climb to the top of Tenshu to see a panoramic view of Osaka in autumn
Urban escape | 440-yr-old castle
Saved by 7730 users5971 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
There weren't many highlights. It was a reconstruction of an old building, which explains why there were so many modern architectural details. There was a lot of explanatory material, but not many original artifacts; it seems that apart from the foundation, there's not much from the Toyotomi Hideyoshi era.
The extra stone museum ticket wasn't really worth it. You just go in, look at the pile of stones from the foundation, and then leave. The Japanese are really something—they managed to put together an exhibition of such a small amount of material.
There is a large park surrounding the castle, perfect for a pleasant walk. The castle is a popular tourist destination, so it’s best to plan your visit in advance, as there are often long queues. Unfortunately, the interior has not preserved its historical appearance and now resembles an office building from the late 1990s. Inside, there are small exhibitions, but photography is not allowed. From the castle roof, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the city and the park below.
No.
4
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Tsutenkaku
4.6
/5
1150 reviews
7.8
From IDR 129458
Based on 1,879 reviews
Shinsaibashi/Namba/Yotsubashi | 4.6 km from downtown
Phone +81666419555
Address: 1 Chome-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Osaka landmark (338 ft high) | 360° observation deck
Osaka Castle & Lucky God statue
Saved by 5450 users663 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Tickets are 55 yen, and each person gets a box of cookies. The view from the top of the tower is great, overlooking the entire city of Osaka. It's highly recommended to go up on a clear day for better value; otherwise, the view may be significantly diminished. The super observation deck at the very top, costing 300 yen per person, is definitely worth it. Be aware that the glass reflects light when taking photos inside.
The Tsutenkaku Tower is a nice and highly recommended place to visit. It's value for Money and it's can view many Osaka buildings and architecture from top. It's very beautiful at nice. The tower is a bit small. For observation, it had 2 levels to visit. It's can see Osaka City.
No.
5
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Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory
4.8
/5
788 reviews
7.7
From IDR 215762
Based on 312 reviews
Uehommachi/Tennoji/Southern Osaka | 5.4 km from downtown
Phone +81666210300
Address: 1-chōme-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward, Osaka, 545-0052, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Osaka Night Views (984ft high)
Savor delicacies & enjoy Osaka views
Saved by 4752 users735 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Abeno Harukas 300 is the tallest tower in Osaka, located right next to Tennoji Station. It offers a spectacular, full 360-degree view of the whole city from its observation floors (58th to 60th).The best time to visit is around sunset watching the city lights turn on is incredible. You can enjoy the view from the glass-walled main deck, or head to the Sky Garden on the 58th floor for fresh, open-air seating, drinks, and snacks. If you want a huge thrill, you can pay extra for the Heliport Tour to stand directly on the roof! It’s an essential and fantastic stop in Osaka.
The best place to see the Osaka night view is the Tennoji Kintetsu Department Store Kaikaku Tenka Main Store. Enter from the underground level of Tennoji Kintetsu Station, follow the signs and take the elevator to the 16th floor ticket counter. Children over 3 years old need tickets; we bought a separate child ticket for 500 yen. The night view is decent, but not as good as the Oriental Pearl Tower in China, as it's only 60 stories high. However, the prices are really reasonable. After the view, we went to the 58th floor and ordered drinks and ice cream for only about 60 RMB.
No.
6
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Shinsekai
4.6
/5
315 reviews
7.7
Based on 1,566 reviews
Shinsaibashi/Namba/Yotsubashi | 4.7 km from downtown
Phone +81666436322
Address: 2 Chome-5 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Tsutenkaku Tower views | Vintage streets | Nightlife
Nostalgic alleys & WWII history
Saved by 3938 users109 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It is a shopping street with a long history.
It is an excellent place to explore the common people’s culture in Osaka, Japan.
The small shops on both sides are full of nostalgic style of the times.
A dazzling array of products and various specialty shops,
There are also very exaggerated signboards, which can take many good photos.
It is also a concentrated place for fried skewers.
You can feel the local people’s eating and party habits.
came here because of the slide, it’s popular so it took quite a long time to queue for the slide, but it was fun, just took seconds from top to bottom. there were also some shops around, you could find some to eat and some to buy for souvenir, worth spending a day there to have fun.
No.
7
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Shinsaibashisuji
4.7
/5
4067 reviews
7.4
Based on 23 reviews
Shinsaibashi/Namba/Yotsubashi | 2.4 km from downtown
Address: Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0085, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Osaka landmark | Giant billboard | Neon nights
Historic Shinsaibashi landmark sign
Saved by 7745 users1190 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Route Planning: Shinsaibashi is a large area with a dense concentration of shops. It's recommended to determine your main destinations in advance and roughly follow the route: "Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street → Daimaru/PARCO → American Village → Dotonbori" to avoid backtracking.
Payment and Tax Refund: Most shops and restaurants now accept Alipay and WeChat Pay, which is very convenient. Large department stores and drugstores generally offer tax-free shopping; remember to bring your passport.
Best Time to Visit: It's recommended to start your visit in the late afternoon. This allows you to experience the daytime hustle and bustle while also enjoying the most dazzling night view – a win-win situation.
Transportation: The subway is very convenient. Shinsaibashi Station is a transfer station for multiple lines, and the shopping area is directly accessible from the station exit.
🌟Must-see photo spots (with best times)
1. Glico Sign
- 👉Camera locations: Middle of Ebisu Bridge (front view for panoramic shots), Riverside under the bridge (upward view with street view), 3rd floor of the drugstore across the street (close-up shots to avoid crowds)
- ⏰Time: No one's around before 9:00 AM! The atmosphere is even more dramatic at night when the lights are on (brightest from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM).
- ✨Tips: Wear light-colored clothing; the neon background is incredibly vibrant!
2. Dotonbori Canal
- 👉Camera locations: Walk along the riverside promenade, using the giant Crab Doraku sign or takoyaki model as your backdrop.
- ✨Tips: Have a friend take a photo from the other side, capturing the canal, lanterns, and you in the frame for a truly Japanese movie-inspired look! 3. American Village Graffiti Wall
- 👉Address: West side of Shinsaibashi (near Tanimachi 4-chome Subway Station)
- A variety of street-style graffiti and colorful shipping containers. Styling in trendy, cool clothes will make you look like you're in a magazine shoot!
4. European Village Cobblestone Street
- 👉Suochosuji Street, with its British-style streetlights and brick buildings. Strolling in a short skirt and snapping a few photos will instantly transform you into the streets of London~
👗Outfit Tips
- Japanese-Sweet Girl: Light-colored JK skirt/floral dress with white sneakers and a canvas bag.
- Street Style: Loose T-shirt, overalls, and sneakers. A baseball cap is even more striking.
- Retro Style: High-waisted jeans and a crop top. The retro poster wall at the entrance of Shinsaibashi PARCO is a perfect spot for photos!
📌 Tips
- Many drugstores have cartoon figures in front of them (like Matsumoto Kiyoshi's Kumamon), offering free photos with them—super cute!
- The cherry blossom season (March-April) and Christmas decorations (November-December) in front of Daimaru Department Store are great hidden photo spots.
- Go in the evening to take photos against the light—your hair will glow! Remember to use live mode to capture some moments!
Food and Prices
- Mizuno Okonomiyaki: Located at 1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka, this okonomiyaki restaurant has been recognized by Michelin Guide for eight consecutive years. Both the yamanomiyaki and yakisoba okonomiyaki are highly recommended. The ingredients are plentiful and the portions are generous. The price per person is around 1,500 yen (approximately RMB 75).
- Shabucho: Located at 1-15-25 Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, the sukiyaki here is tender and the vegetables are well-seasoned. The lunch hour is a great value, with prices around 3,000 yen (approximately 150 RMB) per person.
- Kibitaki: Located on the 3rd floor of Samboa Bldg, 2-1-10 Shinsaibashisuji, this is a highly rated yakitori restaurant in Shinsaibashi. The yakitori is cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Prices are around 2,000 yen (approximately 100 RMB) per person.
- Daiki Suisan Conveyor Belt Sushi: Located on the 10th floor of Daimaru Department Store, the sushi is fresh, with prices ranging from 10 to 20 RMB per plate, or around 80 RMB per person.
- Yoshinoya: Across from Shinsaibashi-gu, they offer tempura, oden, udon, and more, with prices ranging from 35 to 60 RMB per person.
No.
8
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Solaniwa Onsen Osaka Bay Tower
4.6
/5
437 reviews
7.4
From IDR 250745
Osaka Bay | 4.7 km from downtown
Phone +81676705126
Address: 1-chōme-2-3 Benten, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0007, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Kansai hot spring theme park
Instagram hotspot & private hot springs
Saved by 5750 users406 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's good value for money, and guests staying at the ART Hotel get a 50% discount. The onsen (hot spring) is open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; don't go too early. There's a local Japanese supermarket and a duty-free shop down the escalator at the onsen entrance. Nearby are also Wagyu beef barbecue and a delicious conveyor belt sushi restaurant (it's very popular, so be prepared to queue).
There were a total of around 8 different spring pools with different temperatures and ingredients? There’s one that’s herbal infused, another appeared to be milk like and another one felt like mineralised soda water?🤣 the food is good as well. You get a bracelet with an NFC tag you can use to pay for things inside the establishment and pay for after check out
No.
9
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Umeda Sky Building
4.7
/5
1202 reviews
7.4
Based on 1,242 reviews
Osaka Station/Umeda/Yodoyabashi/Hommachi | 1.7 km from downtown
Phone +810664403899
Address: 1 Chome-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-6023, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Featured in 2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions
Highlights:
Panoramic views of Osaka (567ft)
Osaka's 40-story twin towers
Saved by 5176 users721 positive reviews
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Esperienza molto piacevole, dalla tosse si ha una vista pazzesca di Osaka
I booked the viewing tickets on Ctrip in August. To get to the top-floor terrace, you need to change elevators twice. There were a lot of people watching the view, and waiting for the sunset was quite exciting, even though I've seen countless sunsets all over the world 🌅.
No.
10
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Dotonbori
4.7
/5
2677 reviews
7.1
Based on 12,701 reviews
Shinsaibashi/Namba/Yotsubashi | 2.8 km from downtown
Phone +81662114542
Address: 1 Chome Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Osaka landmark | Giant billboard | Neon nights
Osaka's culinary culture hub
Saved by 8509 users1292 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
You absolutely have to take a picture of the Glico sign! [Smart!] It's a great photo opportunity! Dotonbori Street is bustling with restaurants and shops, and everyone eats and shops. Along the street, you'll see all sorts of eye-catching giant 3D signs—crabs, octopuses, and so on—with unique designs that you can tell what they sell right away. Hahaha.
Walking all the way from Namba, the road is very prosperous, with commercial streets on both sides, various restaurants, supermarkets, game halls, and drug stores. The prices are similar. It is better to buy things in Osaka. It is indeed cheaper than Tokyo. But be careful of Chinese shopping guides. They are really good at deceiving people and only recommend buying expensive things. You must stick to yourself and don't buy what you don't want. Get your passport ready for tax-free use.
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