JJapan Trips

Looking for activities in Osaka

I am planning an itinerary for my solo trip in Japan (Year not defined, probably Spring season). The trip consists of the probably common Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto route, but I am rather interested in other lesser known activities in Osaka specifically. What I already have:

– Umeda Sky Building

– Osaka’s Aquarium & Ferris Wheel

– Osaka Castle

– Central Osaka (Like Dotonbori, etc)

The last item is meant to cover the walk around and explore the city’s core, but I wanted to know if you can recommend anything inside the city, or even a bit further away (not too much though).

PS: Unless there’s something special about it, Universal Studios is kind of out for me.

22 comments

  1. Really depends on how much time you have and whether or not you’re considering day trips as part of Osaka. Within central Osaka, I would consider Shinsekai, Kuromon, the Namba Arcades, Namba Parks, Dotonbori, Tenjinbasuji to be top highlights. Things like the castle and Nakanoshima can be really fun to bike around if you’re looking for some nice scenery. Korea Town in Tsuruhashi and Nakazakicho are really cool if you’re into good food and tight alleyways with older streetscapes. Umeda itself (not just the sky building) is really cool explore on foot since it’s basically a gigantic multi-layered underground and above-ground maze (if you every wanted to see what the Arcologies in Simcity 2000 would be like in real life, this is about as close as you’re getting). Osaka also has a ton of old shopping arcades, which are really a big part of the city’s feel. Tenjinbashisuji, Shinsekai, Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Kuromon are the famous ones, but there are a lot of others that are very worth checking out–especially if you like the idea of renting a bike and exploring.

    Outside of the city center, there are things like Sumiyoshi Taisha, Minoh, Expo Park, and the Kofun in/around Sakai. There are also more museums than I care to list, and loads more stuff closer to Kobe, Nara, and Kyoto–but that’s maybe further out than you’re talking.

  2. If you’re planning to be in Osaka for 5 or so days, I’d suggest shooting over to Himeji for a half-day trip and see Himaji Castle. The street leading up to the castle from the train station is a fun walk with all sorts of fun stuff to see right along the main drag.

  4. Sounds fun, I’m excited for you. If you haven’t already checked out youthbrrs like MadeInJapan and PaoloFromTokyo you should cuz they also sometimes share less known spots. Hope that helps

  5. Not anything specific, but I bought a bikeshare pass while I was in Osaka and completely loved just biking around the city. They have the electric pedal assist bikes.

  6. We went to a ball game at the dome last summer. It was so much fun! Tip: if you buy beer before you enter the stadium, they’ll pop them into cups before you enter. 🙂

  7. Go see a Hanshin Tigers game in Nishinomiya (short train ride) unless you especially dislike baseball. Nothing better on a spring afternoon than some takoyaki and beer surrounded by the most enthusiastic fans in Japan. You’ll make like a million new friends, especially if the tigers are winning.

    I’ve only been to Osaka once for like 4 days and I reckon it’s probably one of the most underrated cities in the world. I’ve got a document around here somewhere with a bunch of shit I intend to check out next time I’m in town (couple of museums (pinball, fugu, ceramics), bootleg Star Wars toy-themed dive bar, HELLA ramen shops and a couple of fancier restaurants), lemme find that and send it to you.

  9. minnoh waterfall is cool. Tobita shinchi is a crazy place to check out. Shinsekai has good food. Den den town has all the anime stuff.

  10. I loved the area around Tsutenkaku tower. Lots of nice little food areas, the tower itself is interesting to look at and it feels like youre in a different city from the modern high rise Osaka.

    I also loved going to the top floor of the Abenk Harukas building. 300m high with floor to ceiling plate glass windows. Amazing view ls and definately my favourite high view of japan!

  11. Spa World in Shinsekai is great. Like a bath house theme park. Super way to relax for a few hours.

    Also, go to Kobe and hike up from Shin Kobe Station to the Kobe herb gardens. When you get up you’ll see breathtaking views of the city and nature all at once. Waterfalls along the way too.

  12. In the basement of Umeda Sky Building, there’s an awesome okonomiyaki place called Okonomiyaki Kiji ([google maps page](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1MSIM_enUS787US787&sxsrf=ALeKk00Erik2PvwTlHEBCLIgiiMjJ2r88w:1600660618453&q=okonomiyaki+kiji&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=34704111,135494199,336&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahUKEwj6hMa8rfnrAhUKr54KHWmnAQUQtgN6BAgMEAc&rldoc=1#rlfi=hd:;si:16710215185814148984,l,ChBva29ub21peWFraSBraWppSOHH6dHlgICACFosChBva29ub21peWFraSBraWppEAAQARgAGAEiEG9rb25vbWl5YWtpIGtpamk,y,GwGQVkvDm5Y;mv:[[34.704807699999996,135.49823569999998],[34.7034155,135.4901643]]))

  14. my hometown in japan is Minoh, the waterfall (minoh-no-taki) was always my favorite place to go when I had the time, the walk isnt bad and there’s food vendors at the top 🙂

    its a small-ish town and I love it (though I am biased)

  16. If you end up staying near Amerika-mura, I recommend chilling at the triangle park while imbibing on drinks from the family mart across the street. It’s fun to chill, people watch, and make friends with strangers. The skater crowds are cool and friendly.

  17. The view from Abe no Harukas was fantastic.
    Try going to Izakaya Toyo, it was featured on a Netflix series, delicious unagi and tuna.
    Near Namba station I tried Tonkatsu Naniwa, delicious tonkatsu curry.

  18. The hills around Osaka have some amazing walks. I did minoo (I think, cant remember exactly) falls and my partner and I felt like we were the only ones there and were accompanied by a very patient monkey for at least 500m. There’s a random bug museum on the rd that kinda screams “ACNH” if you’re into that 🥰. Nara, while overdone, is a must in terms of historical significance and just the shear amount of interesting things to see.

  19. One of the few cities with sake in vending machines. I recommend you walk around the entire day while drinking sake and eating street food.

  22. Go down to the ghetto in Nishinari and visit the [Suzunariza theater](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Suzunariza/@34.6456359,135.4913767,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNhas4mVhdWJE_WFPqlcpcLtOrtMzoj2y2oIBZ6!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNhas4mVhdWJE_WFPqlcpcLtOrtMzoj2y2oIBZ6%3Dw397-h298-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m15!1m7!3m6!1s0x6000e6553406e2e1:0xc55bc16ee46a2fe7!2sOsaka,+Japan!3b1!8m2!3d34.6937249!4d135.5022535!3m6!1s0x6000e77e68f23e03:0x67a28d63858bb897!8m2!3d34.6456359!4d135.4913767!14m1!1BCgIgAQ) and watch a [Taishu Engeki](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6fEVs16gS0&t=25s) show

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