There are so many activities to add to your list when it comes to Osaka! Osaka is a huge metropolis in western Japan that has a lot of interesting things to see, do, and eat. It’s a paradise for fashionistas because of the number of shopping districts and outlets available. Beautiful nature can be found on its outskirts, including historical structures, which you’ll enjoy exploring.
Let’s go right to the top with our list of the best things to do in Osaka. We’ve gathered up a few of the amusing activities available in Osaka for your enjoyment. Let’s get started!
Want to feel like a feudal Japanese warlord? Try Osaka Castle’s Tenshukaku!
Osaka Castle is well-known throughout Japan as a symbol of the city. The castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a powerful warlord during the Sengoku era. It has been destroyed and rebuilt twice, once after a battle and once due to an earthquake. It was renovated again in 1995-1997, making it more accessible for visitors.
The fourth-floor elevator to the Observation Deck in the Tenshukaku (Main Tower) includes all manner of documents, allowing you to research Osakan history. The Sakura-mon Gate, Takoishi, and Kinzo are three sights that may be seen in the main area surrounding Tenshukaku. You can see the designs in the Kokuinseki Clearing – patterns carved by daimyo when it was reconstructed during Edo period – as well as the Tomb of Yotaka Howa no Mori at Mt. Togakushi Park.
Go window shopping in Kita’s trendy department stores!
Kita’s most primary location is Grandfront Osaka, a large commercial building by JR Osaka Station. Found on the north side of the station, inside there is: Great food, fashion, and culture.
Lucua, another popularJR Osaka Station building for young people to shop at ,is filled with shops . Paruchika in the second basement floor being one of them , boasts a variety of food and drinks..
The Hankyu Department Store in Osaka is connected to the Hankyu Umeda Station, which is also connected to the Hanshin Department Store, both of which are packed with well-known brand outlets and other notables. They also have department store-specific goodies that make for great gifts.
Explore Dotenbori’s thriving commercial street and waterways
Minami’s bustling commercial center is Dotonbori, known for its dramatic, ornate signage such as Kani Doraku’s and Glico’s. It’s a crowded location no matter the hour. During the Meiji period, the Five Dotonbori Theaters lined the area, as well as numerous restaurants looking to profit from those audiences.
The Tombori Riverwalk is one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions. The path runs along both sides of Dotonbori River and offers breathtaking views day or night. You can relax in a nearby restaurant or café, watching ferries full of tourists slowly go by, or enjoy the sight of neon lights reflecting in the water at night.
Want to walk with Osaka’s best food? Try Kuromon Market!
The Kuromon Ichiba Market, a marketplace with a wide range of foods for sale, is five minutes southeast of Dotonbori. It was established in 1822 as a place where professional chefs would come to purchase ingredients. It is now a popular spot for tourists to stroll around and eat. At Kuroman, you can find all sorts of seafood dishes – from sushi and fish to delectable skewers. And what’s more, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere as vendors hawk their wares!
Try Osaka’s classic food: Takoyaki!
Takoyaki balls are round and fried, containing octopus inside them. They represent the city of Osaka and used to be flat with red meat instead of seafood. In 1948, after the creation tonkatsu sauce, this dish rapidly became popular throughout all of Osaka. Now, it is known as the soul food for the city.
If you’re walking around a business district or shrine in Japan, you’ll likely come across stalls selling takoyaki. These fried balls of batter are commonly eaten as a light snack, and can be served with octopus, green onions, or konjac.
The takoyaki landscape varies greatly, with diverse toppings such as bonito flakes and seaweed in a slightly sweet sauce, or more recent additions like salty lemon, ponzu sauce, and pepperoncino spices.
Go out at night and grab some kushikatsu!
The popular dish kushikatsu is rumored to have started in Osaka’s Shinsekai district. While there are many types of kushikatsu, such as those made with meat, seafood, or vegetables, the most iconic is the beni shoga kushikatsu. The addition of spices like ginger and plum vinegar give the dish a crunchy texture and distinct flavor that has come to be associated with Osaka itself.
Most places that serve kushikatsu will also give you free cabbage leaves. These let you cleanse your palate in between skewers and, if you double-dip by accident, avoid getting sauce on the bites you’ve already taken.
Get some fun souvenirs with Osakan humor
Osakans adore to laugh! Merchandise based on renowned Osakan personalities is a fantastic method to convey this. Take, for example, Kuidaore Taro from Dotonbori and his sandals and snacks designed after him. With tourists in tow, they have a significant impact and popularity.
In the Nanba Grand Kagetsu in Sennichimae, you’ll find the Yoshimoto Entertainment Shop. This store dealt in snacks and stationery that are fashioned after popular performers. Even if you’re not familiar with celebrity culture, you’ll still enjoy the humorous designs!
Not to mention, most department stores have entire food courts on their basement floors. You’ll find branches of famous places from all around as well as national chains. They’ve got Osaka-exclusive snacks, Japanese sweets from experienced makers, popular western treats.With so much variety, you’re sure to find the perfect souvenir for anyone!
Browse around Osaka’s funky shopping streets!
Osaka is home to many department stores and appliance shops near its terminal stations, making it a convenient place to do some shopping. Additionally, the city has plenty of commercial districts located next to its railway stations.
They each have their own traits and qualities, enough to make them tourist spots in their own right. They have an old-timey Osaka feel to them and burgeoning popularity, enough to draw major drugstores to them, which draw tourists in turn. There are many more duty-free stores nowadays, which means that more people want to buy Japanese brand items.
