Namba
2.8 miles from downtown
Hit your funny bone at Namba Grand Kagetsu, where famous comedians take center stage. Osaka’s showbiz is the country’s largest and it tends toward the comedic. Subverting Japanese stereotypes, these locals are far from shy. Head to the red lantern-lined streets and eat your way through this district to find out why Osaka’s called “Japan’s stomach.”
Places to stay from $10 a night
Dotonbori
2.4 miles from downtown
Larger-than-life crustaceans and illuminated ads – sound appealing? Then you’ll love Osaka’s nightlife: surreal, chaotic and too trendy for its own good. Festive lights reflect in the Dotonbori-gawa canal to create a neon ambiance. Don’t leave without eating a hot octopus ball (takoyaki) from Kukuru Takoyaki (they’re kind of a big deal).
Places to stay from $15 a night
Shin Osaka
2 miles from downtown
Osaka’s gateway, Shin Osaka whisks travelers to Kyoto and beyond on the Shinkansen (bullet train). Entertainment and shopping options are sparse, but the sleepy town’s a favorite among locals who are looking to be near the hubbub of Kita, but far enough away for some privacy.
Places to stay from $17 a night
Umeda
0.2 miles from downtown
Trendsetters, tip your hats to Umeda’s funky fashion. There’s enough in this urban maze to delight all stripes, no matter what color your collar. Photograph your way through the Floating Garden Observatory or get even higher by taking a turn on the HEP Five Ferris Wheel that’s perched atop a building. Hello, stunning Ikoma Mountain view.
Places to stay from $17 a night
Kita
In downtown
Punch the clock right next to Osaka’s busiest. This transportation hub buzzes with worker bees. But the 9 to 5ers know how to let loose after hours. Eat or imbibe at Dojima Center and satisfy your retail cravings away from the sun in one of Kita’s underground malls. For luck in future travels, as well as love, head to Tsuyunoten Shrine.
Places to stay from $17 a night
Shinsaibashi
2.2 miles from downtown
Shinsaibashi is synonymous with shopping. High-fashion brands like Prada dominate on Midosuji Street, and Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Center has a plethora of boutiques between its box shops. Pinch a penny by purchasing a bento box in the basement of Daimaru Department Store and eat outdoors on the roof.
Places to stay from $11 a night
Minami
2.8 miles from downtown
Hang with the thespians. From kabuki (dance-drama) to bunraku (Japanese puppet theater) to comedy plays, this area scratches your entertainment itch. Once better known for its underworld charm and colorful nature, cultural shifts have turned it into a new hipster hangout. Peruse Kuromon Ichiba market for some fresh sashimi and strawberry mochi.
Places to stay from $5 a night
Osaka combines innovative developments and timeless traditions, all culminating in its top restaurants, tasty street food, and vibrant nightlife.
When cherry blossom season starts in spring, a cotton-candy pink blooms across the entire city. Walk along the Okawa River or through the grounds of Osaka Castle for the best views. This 16th-century citadel overlooks beautiful surroundings and features an ancient collection of art, armor, and artifacts. Its 8th-floor observation deck offers great 360º views.
For more panoramic views and lush scenery, head to the top of the 570-foot-tall Umeda Sky Building, whose two towers are connected at the top by a beautiful floating garden.
Delicious yet affordable street food is another of Osaka’s biggest attractions. Try local favorites like Okonomiyaki—a cross between a pancake and a pizza—or Takoyaki, a grilled ball of batter with octopus chunks inside.
Osaka and Umeda train stations are linked by underground shopping centers, and the Shinsaibashi’s America Village draws in a younger, edgier crowd. Down by the river, Dotonbori’s neon lights signal all the shops and eateries considered to be some of the best in the city.
If you want to visit Tokyo, you can hop the bullet train from Shin-Osaka station, which also has a direct line from Osaka to Kyoto. The city airport is only a domestic terminal, but international flights depart from the regional Kansai Airport.
Tonight
From $103 per night
Next weekend
From $66 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | ¥1,000 = $6.93 |
| Language | Japanese |
| Average weekend price | $112 per night |
| Average weekday price | $109 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Osaka-jō Hall
2.4 miles from downtown
Tsutenkaku
3.6 miles from downtown
Osaka Castle
2.2 miles from downtown
Shinsekai
3.7 miles from downtown
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
6.2 miles from downtown
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
1.2 miles from downtown
Umeda Sky Building
0.2 miles from downtown
Nice city, very dynamic with crowded areas all around.
August 7, 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
Osaka was a great starting point for our first trip to Japan.
August 7, 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!
Tokyo is cool and Kyoto is gorgeous.
July 31, 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.
Japan is japan and Osaka just has too much to offer.
July 30, 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.
Shopping in osaka is different, cloths you find in their...
July 24, 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,
Experience is Marvelous!
July 20, 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.
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