Things to do in Izumisano

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Studios Japan

Here you'll find not only heart-pounding attractions themed around Hollywood blockbuster movies, but also live shows featuring popular cartoon characters—fun for everyone from kids to adults! This is home to the world's first Nintendo theme park, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! Here we have holiday-exclusive parades and float tours! Everyone here is the star—join the passionate parade, ignite your excitement together, and feel full of energy! Located in OsakaUniversal Studios Japan("Universal Studios Japan") is one of the Universal Studios theme parks. It opened in 2001 and is a classic and wonderful world of fun in the hearts of many visitors. Its design is similar to Universal Studios Orlando in the United States, and it features popular areas such as "Jurassic Park," "Hollywood," and "Waterworld." With more than 60 fun attractions, you can keep playing and exploring all day long. Universal Studios JapanThere are also much-loved themed IP areas such as "Super Nintendo World (Mario/Super Mario)", "Minions", and "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Whether you're having fun interacting with the Minions, racing through the Mario Kart adventure, or weaving through the magical world of Hogwarts, these are all wonderfully unforgettable experiences. △The Nintendo area is a collaboration between Nintendo andUniversal Studios JapanThe world's first Nintendo theme park, jointly built, features the globally popular Super Mario as its main character. It offers a 1:1 ultra-realistic recreation of Bowser's Castle, Princess Peach's Castle, and the Mushroom Kingdom from the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! △"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Freeze Ray Sliders" pull you into the Minions' gigantic chaos and whip up a heatwave! A huge swarm of Minions is running wild and turning everything upside down in every street, alley, and corner! In the joyful and boisterous Minion Park, every visitor can't help but join in the mischievous mayhem! △Welcome to the magnificent area—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, which faithfully recreates the world of the Harry Potter™ stories with overwhelming scale and meticulous attention to every detail. The towering Hogwarts™ castle stands tall, and in front of it lies the vast Hogsmeade™ where wizards live, along with many ride attractions and various shops. Here, you can step into "that world" from the films, as if everything is happening right before your eyes.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Izumisano

Rinku Town

Rinku Town is located on the coast of Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, adjacent to Kansai International Airport. It is a comprehensive area integrating shopping, leisure, and natural landscape. As the gateway to the airport, it has convenient transportation. JR and Nankai Electric Railway intersect here, and you can quickly travel between the airport and downtown Osaka. In terms of shopping and entertainment, Rinku Town is centered on Rinku Premium Outlets, which brings together more than 200 international brand discount stores and is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. In addition, AEON MALL Rinku Izuminan and Rinku Amusement Park Seacle offer a wealth of dining and entertainment options, including Ferris wheels and hot spring facilities; in terms of natural landscape, Rinku Park is famous for its "Marble Beach", which is a good place to watch the takeoff and landing of planes at Kansai Airport and the sunset. Whether it is the first or last stop of a trip, Rinku Town can meet the multiple needs of tourists for shopping, leisure and sightseeing, and is a destination not to be missed in the Kansai area.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a large aquarium themed around the Pacific Ocean, with a visitor route designed as a journey of "diving from land to the seabed": upon entering, you first pass through the tunnel-shaped tank "Water Gate" and watch tropical fish swim overhead; then take a long escalator directly to the top floor, starting from the sunlit "Japan Forest" tank, searching for stream creatures amid the sound of waterfalls and the greenery of streams; then descend floor by floor along a spiral ramp, circling the central "Pacific Ocean" giant tank and passing in sequence through exhibition areas such as the Tasman Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Japan Trench. The same tank reappears repeatedly as you move between floors, offering different views from above, at eye level, and from below, so that walking the whole route feels like diving a full circle around the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium is home to over 600 species and tens of thousands of marine creatures. The core "Pacific Ocean" tank is approx. 9 m deep and holds over 5,000 tons of water, where the iconic whale shark swims leisurely, accompanied by large manta rays flapping their "wings" and schools of silver fish circling in the current; in the "Tasman Sea" tank, bottlenose dolphins swim with agile, dynamic grace; the "Arctic Circle" exhibition area uses two levels to recreate the ice surface and the seawater beneath it, with ringed seals darting near the ice edge; in the dimly lit "Sea Moon Galaxy," jellyfish glow and fade slowly like suspended star clusters, making it a popular photo spot in the aquarium. It is recommended to set aside at least half a day for your visit. Crowds tend to gather around the central large tank, so as you walk down the ramp, pay attention to the small and medium-sized tanks on both sides. Exhibits such as the penguins and sea lions are scattered along the route, and it is easy to miss them if you rush through.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory

Located on the 58th to 60th floors of the Abeno Harukas Building in Osaka, Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory is a 360-degree observation platform standing 300 m above ground. Take the high-speed elevator from the 16th floor directly to the top, where starlight projections flow along the elevator walls as it ascends, adding a sense of ceremony to the journey to the summit. The "Sky Corridor" on the 60th floor is the centerpiece of the observation deck, encircled entirely by floor-to-ceiling glass that offers a 360-degree view over the whole of Osaka. On clear days, the view stretches to distant mountains and the Kansai Plain; by day you can watch the city's texture unfold, and at night the lights merge into a sea of illumination—each face has its own appeal. The 58th floor houses the semi-outdoor Sky Garden 300, where tables and chairs are set on a wooden terrace with coffee and desserts available, letting you rest and take in the scenery in the open air; the 59th floor is a souvenir shop selling merchandise from the Abeno Bear series. What is rather unusual is that the walls of the observation deck's restrooms are also fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, which many visitors jokingly call the "sky-view toilet," making it an unexpected photo spot. The observation deck also features an outdoor skywalk, where visitors can experience the thrill of walking high above the building's exterior. There is also a helipad tour experience, suitable for visitors seeking high-altitude views. The building's name "Harukas" comes from the ancient Japanese word "harukasu," meaning "clear and bright," which perfectly echoes the feeling of looking down from the observation deck with its expansive, open view. Abeno Harukas is a 300m-tall super high-rise complex located near JR Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station Directly connected to Tennoji Station on the Osaka subway. There are various shops, the Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory, art museums, and hotels here, so you can enjoy the area all day long. A variety of exquisite cuisines are also available, including lunch and desserts, which you can enjoy while taking in the magnificent views of Osaka.

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Osaka Castle Park

Located in central Osaka, Osaka Castle Park is a historical park centered around the ruins of Osaka Castle. The park's most striking structure is the Osaka Castle Main Tower, and from its top floor you can take in a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain and the surrounding cityscape. The park is also a well-known flower-viewing spot in Osaka. Nishinomaru Garden is famous for its cherry blossoms and offers evening cherry blossom viewing in spring; the plum grove is planted with many varieties of plum trees that often bloom first in early spring; the northern area also has a peach grove and the densely wooded Forest of Remembrance. Flowers bloom in turn throughout the four seasons, so visitors at different times can enjoy different scenery. The park also has performance venues such as the Osaka Castle Hall and the Music Hall, as well as sports facilities including a softball field, a rugby and soccer field, an archery range, and the Shudokan. Residents often come here to exercise and relax on ordinary days, and visitors can also feel the everyday life of this historical park. The walkway beside the moat's stone wall offers a wide open view, making it a great spot to capture the castle keep and flowers in the same frame. Around the main keep, many stone walls built of massive boulders remain, and the stone walls on both sides of the moat rise steeply, majestic and imposing, making them important remains of the Osaka Castle defensive system from the Tokugawa period.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Kansai Region

Kobe Suma Seaworld

Kobe Suma Seaworld is located on the Suma coast. It opened in June 2024 on the original site of the former Kobe Municipal Suma Seaside Aquarium and can be reached by train from Osaka in about 50 minutes. The venue adheres to the concept of edutainment, showcasing over 500 species of marine life. The tour route combines viewing, educational exhibits, and interactive activities, making it suitable for family-friendly travelers and marine life enthusiasts. The venue highlight is the killer whale performance arena. Few venues in Japan house killer whales, but here you can see a mother-daughter pair: Stella, approx. 40 years old, and her daughter Ran, both measuring over 5 m in length. The orcas leap into the air, coordinating with trainers to complete performances against the backdrop of the open Suma Sea, with front-row spectators often getting splashed. The arena's first floor features a killer whale science zone displaying skeletal specimens and educational videos; the same-level cafeteria has giant acrylic viewing windows for observing the orcas while dining. The dolphin show venue is also worth visiting. The first-floor dolphin hall features an underwater viewing window over 10 m wide, where you can watch dolphins swimming underwater. On the second floor, dolphin beach offers close encounters with dolphins. The main exhibition hall "Aquatic life" uses water's journey as its narrative thread: the local life exhibit recreates the Rokko mountain streams and Seto Inland Sea coastal environment, continuing the former facility's endangered fish conservation displays. The tropical life zone introduces natural light paired with real palm trees to replicate a Pacific coral atoll lagoon, with a visually stunning 600-ton water tank. The coral message area introduces living corals and reef conservation status. The jellyfish habitat displays jellyfish in low-light conditions. The rocky life zone houses Magellanic penguins, California sea lions, spotted seals and sea turtles, with opportunities to see penguin chick-rearing in spring. The third floor features a touch pool where you can gently interact with intertidal creatures like starfish and sea cucumbers. The first-floor Suma collection exhibit showcases freshwater species such as arapaima, while preserving historical materials from the former Kobe municipal Suma seaside aquarium. Visiting tips. Check the performance time schedule upon entry, as seats for orca and dolphin shows are limited - arriving early during peak season is recommended. For orca shows, bringing your own raincoat or purchasing one on-site is advised if choosing front-row seats. Penguins, sea lions and seals have fixed feeding times. Experience programs like dolphin interactions and turtle feeding have limited spots and require advance planning.

No. 4 of Activities in Japan

Hot Springs in Osaka

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Tsutenkaku

Tsutenkaku is located in the northern part of Shinsekai, Osaka, with a total height of 103 m. Although it is not as charming and dreamy as Tokyo Tower, both were designed by architect Tachu Naito. In the Conan movie "The last wizard of the century," the "sky pavilion" referred to by the phantom thief Kid in the riddle is Tsutenkaku. Standing at the foot of Tsutenkaku and looking up, you'll notice an 8-sided weather forecast light at the top of the tower. Though inconspicuous during the day, it transforms into magical colors at night to indicate tomorrow's weather. White represents sunny weather, orange means cloudy, blue indicates rain, and pink signifies snow, which is quite interesting. If you see half white and half orange, it means the weather will change from sunny to cloudy. Tsutenkaku has 5 floors, and the large observation deck at the top offers a beautiful view of Osaka. There are 2 entrances next to the base of the tower, one is the observation deck entrance and the other is the underground shopping street entrance. The ticket office of Tsutenkaku is located underground, so you need to go down to the B1 floor to buy tickets. There are also many specialty shops here. Muscle man museum on the second floor After purchasing tickets, take the elevator to the second floor and pass through a corridor to reach the exhibition level of Tsutenkaku. The second floor features a muscle man museum (Kinnikuman museum) with various interesting exhibits related to muscle man, and no additional ticket is required. You can also see a retro model of the Hankai tram on the second floor. Observation deck on the fifth floor On the 2nd floor, you need to transfer to the elevator that goes directly to the 5th-floor observation deck. When you reach the observation deck on the top 5th floor, you can overlook the entire cityscape of Osaka, such as the Osaka Castle tower in the distance and the nearby zoo. There are also 8 adorable statues of the Seven Lucky Gods, with the most popular being the pointy-headed Billiken. It is said that rubbing the soles of Billiken's feet brings good luck, especially for academics and love, which is why one foot has been rubbed to a shine. You can spend 300 yen to buy a Goshuincho (stamp book) of the Eight Lucky Gods and then stamp the commemorative seals representing each god in the booklet. Observation deck on the fourth floor Go down to the fourth floor, where there is also an observation deck. At night, this space displays dreamy cosmic patterns. Reference room on the third floor The 3rd floor houses an archive where you can see many miniature models and videos showcasing the appearance of the New World 100 years ago. This floor also features two Glico models, and it's great fun to take photos by crawling into the box.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Umeda Sky Building

•Unfind with the sky •A building connected by the Kuchu Teien Observatory •Take in the Osaka cityscape with a bird's-eye view from the 360-degree open air rooftop The Umeda Sky Building is located in the Umeda district of north Osaka. A rather uniquely designed building, it consists of two towers that are connected at with a rooftop observatory deck, from which visitors can view the dazzling streets below. The building has become a landmark in Osaka, with visitors coming to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. △ Space filled with excitement on the way to the sky  △ A 360-degree open air rooftop observation floor for changing views at any time △ Stand at the 173-meter-high Sky Garden Observation Deck and enjoy the dynamic night view of Osaka City

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Kansai Region

Shinsekai

Shinsekai is a famous old district in Osaka. Including Tsutenkaku and many historic shops, it is an iconic scene that embodies the spirit of Osaka. This area is filled with a strong "shitamachi" (downtown) atmosphere, and the image of the street's blowfish lanterns set against the backdrop of Tsutenkaku has appeared in many films and television shows. The northern part of Tsutenkaku The northern part of Shinsekai was modeled after Paris, while the southern part was modeled after Coney Island in New York. Tsutenkaku, one of Osaka's landmarks, is located in the northern part of Shinsekai. Although this tower, which reaches toward the sky, may look a bit simple and worn, it holds a place of nostalgia for many Osaka residents. Dining and shopping street—Janjan Yokocho Shinsekai has many nostalgic alleys, and Janjan Yokocho in the southeast is one of them. It is said to be named after the "jan-jan" sound of the Taisho koto played by geishas in the area back in the day. Its official name is now Nanyodori Shopping Street. During the reconstruction of Osaka after World War II, Janjan Yokocho was a popular dining and shopping street for locals. It still retains its original appearance today, with izakayas, Japanese barbecue restaurants, variety stores, and shogi parlors filled with older men lining both sides, making it very lively. Osaka specialty—Kushikatsu When you come to Shinsekai, another thing you cannot miss is kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), one of Osaka's most famous snacks. This delicacy comes in a wide variety of options, including chicken, beef, pumpkin, asparagus, banana, and even ice cream desserts. There are kushikatsu shops almost everywhere in Shinsekai, and they are bustling with customers after nightfall.