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Top things to do in Osaka

Attractions, tours and activities in Osaka

Osaka: the city's best neighbourhoods

Find a great area to stay in Osaka

About Osaka

Including tips for the best time to visit Osaka

A city celebrated for its lively nightlife, top restaurants and delicious street food, Osaka combines dynamic development and longstanding traditions.

When cherry blossom season starts in spring, the city blooms with vivid pink. Take a walk along the Okawa River or through the extensive grounds of Osaka Castle for the best views. This 16th-century citadel overlooks scenic surroundings, and features an ancient collection of art, armour and everyday objects inside. Its eighth-floor observation deck boasts wonderful 360-degree views.

For more sweeping vistas amid lush scenery, head to the top of the 173-metre-tall Umeda Sky Building, whose two towers are linked at their summits by a beautiful ‘floating garden’.

Filling, tasty and affordable – street food is another of Osaka’s biggest attractions. Try Okonomiyaki, a local favourite that’s like a cross between a pancake and a pizza, or Takoyaki – grilled balls of batter with octopus chunks inside.

Osaka and Umeda train stations are linked by underground shopping centres, while the edgier enterprises of Shinsaibashi’s America Village appeal to a younger crowd. Down by the river, Dotonbori’s neon lights promote more shops and eateries considered to be among the best in the city.

Those wanting to travel from Osaka to Tokyo can do so by taking the bullet train from Shin-Osaka station, which also has a direct line from Osaka to Kyoto. The city airport serves only as a domestic terminal, although international flights depart from the regional Kansai Airport.

Tonight

From £81 per night

Next weekend

From £82 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency ¥1,000 = £5.44
Language Japanese
Average weekend price £88 per night
Average weekday price £85 per night
Typical stay 1 night

Points of interest in Osaka

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Osaka

Osaka reviews

What other travellers say about Osaka

10

Nice city, very dynamic with crowded areas all around.

7 August 2023

Nice city, very dynamic with crowded areas all around. Disappointed by the castle (better from outside, inside has no real interest except the view from top) and desparate that we could not experience green Labs Team (show in the evening in south western gardens) We enjoyed the Universal Studios within Osaka during our stay. Fantastic day out there

Philippe
Philippe France
10

Osaka was a great starting point for our first trip to Japan.

7 August 2023

Osaka was a great starting point for our first trip to Japan. It’s really quite big so there is ton to see and do but no where near as big as Tokyo. The food scene is amazing and the shopping is to die for. 4 days was just right before moving on to Kyoto. We enjoyed seeing Osaka Castle, Himeji Castle, Akiba Kart racing and the Backstreet Food Tour. Avoid in August unless sweating is your favorite pastime! Get the Osaka Amazing pass to save on entry fees to the most popular tourist spots and get the subway pass to save on transportation!

Reed
Reed United States
10

Tokyo is cool and Kyoto is gorgeous.

31 July 2023

Tokyo is cool and Kyoto is gorgeous. Then there is Osaka, which is just incredibly fun. The lively streets, incredible shopping centers, quirky and less-conservative culture, incredible day trip destinations and of course, all the incredible food just make for a really great time. If I went back to Japan, I think Osaka would be the place I'd want to live. P.S. While USJ was a lot of fun, Osaka is so incredible that I may have actually skipped the theme park if I went back and just spent an extra day in the city. The good news is, you can't lose either way.

Shima
Shima Australia
10

Japan is japan and Osaka just has too much to offer.

30 July 2023

Japan is japan and Osaka just has too much to offer. Just give time your self, as you can't jump from one place to another without hurting your feet.. Visit the famous places you see online. Theres a reason for it. I enjoyed ramen, eating in random restaurant, the food is just good.

Joe Ando
Joe Ando United States
10

Shopping in osaka is different, cloths you find in their...

24 July 2023

Shopping in osaka is different, cloths you find in their local market might not found anywhere else, people are friendly and would easily have a chit chat with them. from osaka you can reach many destinations for day-trip plans, many Halal restaurants for muslims,

Laila
Laila United Arab Emirates
10

Experience is Marvelous!

20 July 2023

Experience is Marvelous!. Food was phenomenon. Sights were amazing and people were simple the best. Osaka is also a great base to explore other Kansai prefectures...We love Japan and can't wait to visit again next year.

Rachelle
Rachelle Philippines

Popular places to stay in Osaka

Stay in some of the best accommodation Osaka has to offer