Chaotic, bustling, a bit flashy… that’s Osaka to me. Japan’s third-largest city, just 40 minutes from Kyoto, is as far removed as possible from the refined elegance of the ancient capital and diametrically opposed to the modern capital, Tokyo, where everything appears impeccable, orderly, almost cold and sterile. Osaka, on the other hand, is warm, messy, “Italian-like.”
Also known as the “kitchen of Japan,” a paradise for street food and a mecca for “greasy” dishes, this city in the Kansai region is often the starting (or ending) point for trips to Japan, thanks to the Kansai International Airport. Until October, it will be in the spotlight due to EXPO 2025.
While not an unmissable must-see like the iconic Kyoto and Tokyo, Osaka is a stop where I recommend spending a night, perhaps the last before saying goodbye to Japan. It can also be a strategic base for exploring the Kansai region, thanks to its logistical convenience and numerous connections to surrounding areas.
What to see and do in Osaka
Osaka doesn’t have many must-see attractions. It’s primarily a city to experience, where you can stroll and observe the quirky humanity that inhabits it, amidst giant signs and kitsch elements popping up here and there. Osaka is gaudy, and while it’s not one of my favorite cities in Japan, I must admit it has its charm. Spending one last evening here before leaving Japan is certainly a good idea, just in time to see Osaka’s main attractions.
Osaka Castle
A symbol of the city and one of Japan’s most famous castles, Osaka Castle was originally built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord who sought to unify the country. It was the site of the final battle that granted the title of Shogun to Ieyasu Tokugawa.
Destroyed multiple times over the centuries, the current castle is a concrete structure housing a museum dedicated to its history. From the top floor, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
However, if you’re not particularly interested in history, you might skip the interior and admire it from the outside, along with the surrounding park that begins to bloom in late February with the blossoming of ume, Japanese plum trees.
Admission: 1,200 JPY
Hours: 09:00–17:00, open daily
Shinsekai
Shinsekai, literally “new world,” was built in 1912, inspired by Paris and Coney Island. Today, it’s a neighborhood with a decadent charm, full of bright and often giant signs, historic eateries, and a retro Showa-era atmosphere. Its symbol is the Tsutenkaku Tower, rising among the signs and neon lights of the area’s numerous izakayas. It’s said that kushikatsu, a type of fried skewers dipped in a special sauce, originated here. I highly recommend stopping by one of the small street-side eateries to try them!
Speaking of quirky attractions, inside the Tsutenkaku Tower, they’ve recently opened a 60-meter-long slide descending from the third floor… 10 seconds of “adrenaline” for 1,000 yen.
A short walk from Shinsekai is Abeno Harukas, a 300-meter skyscraper that, until the inauguration of the new Mori JP Tower in Tokyo, was Japan’s tallest skyscraper. It houses a shopping center, a hotel, an art museum, and an observation deck offering a 360° view between the 58th and 60th floors.
Admission: 1,800 JPY
Hours: 10:00–22:00, open daily
Namba – Dotonbori – Shinsaibashi
The commercial and nightlife heart of Osaka. It’s hard to distinguish the exact boundaries between these three areas, which blend into a continuous stream of neon signs, karaoke bars, pachinko parlors, and various eateries.
Shinsaibashi is a shopping paradise, home to the Parco shopping center with stores like the Pokémon Center, Nintendo, and the Ghibli photo spot.
Dotonbori is the area along the canal of the same name, a showcase of flashy tourism, featuring the famous Glico Man, the giant crab, the oval Ferris wheel of Don Quijote, and animated signs.
Namba is the transportation hub and the access point to all this chaos. Amidst this maze of lights and colors, be sure not to miss the tiny Hozenji Temple with the moss-covered statue of the deity Fudomyoo, and the Yasaka Namba Shrine, uniquely shaped like a lion’s head.
Kuromon Market
Of course, in what’s considered Japan’s kitchen, we can’t overlook its most famous market! Although I must admit it’s become much more touristy and crowded… if you’re up for facing this chaos, you’ll find plenty of street food here, from fresh fish to wagyu beef, as well as fruits and Instagrammable sweets. Prices are, in my opinion, higher than in other areas, and given the crowd, mostly of Asian tourists, I’d suggest skipping it. You’ll find excellent street food in Shinsekai and Dotonbori as well.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is located a bit outside Osaka’s city center, on the way to Kansai Airport, but it’s still easily accessible with a short metro or tram ride. It’s one of Japan’s oldest shrines and is dedicated to the deities of navigation. It’s a tranquil oasis, featuring a very scenic red arched bridge and a lovely local atmosphere. Take your time to explore the entire complex: besides the main building, there are several other structures dedicated to, for example, couple prosperity or… cats!
Few tourists, lots of “authentic” Japan—this was probably my favorite spot in Osaka.
By the way, from here it’s also easy to reach the TeamLab Botanical Garden, an open-air installation inside the botanical gardens created by the renowned digital art collective. As with all TeamLab exhibits, tickets must be booked in advance.
Universal Studios Japan
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to visit it myself yet, but I couldn’t leave Universal Studios Japan (USJ) out of a list of things to see in Osaka!
If you want to visit the park, plan to spend a whole day there, especially because it’s extremely popular and there are often long lines for the rides. The most iconic areas are definitely The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. Tickets must be purchased in advance (either from the official website or via platforms like Klook if you have trouble with payments), and if you want to skip the long queues for the most popular attractions, I highly recommend buying an Express Pass for the specific zones you’re interested in.
Admission: Around 8,600 JPY, depending on the date
Opening hours: 9 AM to 9 PM, but may vary depending on the season or events
Osaka EXPO 2025
From April 14 to October 13, 2025, Osaka will host EXPO 2025, one of the most anticipated global events in Japan. This year’s theme is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, focusing on sustainable innovation, technology, and health.
If you visited Milan’s EXPO in 2015, you know exactly what I’m talking about! I’ll be visiting Osaka’s EXPO at the end of this month and will update this post with useful tips and practical advice—so far, the system for accessing the pavilions seems far more complex than in Milan, with timed reservations and even lotteries to enter some of them…
What to See Around Osaka
One day is enough to see the main attractions in Osaka, but since the city really comes alive at dusk, you might consider using it as a base for day trips to places like Kobe, Himeji, or Awajishima.
If you only have half a day, you could visit the town of Sakai, famous for its handmade kitchen knives, or Katsuoji, the Daruma temple located in the northern part of the city.
I’ll talk more about day trips from Osaka in a dedicated article—make sure to leave your email in the box on the side to get a reminder when the new post is published!
What to Eat in Osaka
In the “kitchen of Japan” food is an essential part of the city’s identity: informal, direct, with no frills. You eat on the street, in tiny restaurants, covered alleyways, or smoky, noisy izakaya. And you eat well—and cheaply.
A great way to explore the flavors of Osaka is to join a food tour, but even just wandering around the alleys on your own, you’ll find some delicious bites. Here are a few must-tries:
Takoyaki
The ultimate Osaka street food—and I can confirm that you won’t find them as good anywhere else! These are round balls of batter cooked on special griddles, filled with chunks of octopus and topped with sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes. You’ll find them all over the city, but I especially recommend trying them around Dotonbori and Namba.
Kushikatsu
As mentioned earlier, Shinsekai is the go-to area for these deep-fried skewers of meat, fish, and vegetables, which are dipped into a special sweet-sour sauce. Daruma is an institution—while they have other branches around the city, the original one in Shinsekai is the real deal.
Okonomiyaki
The famous “Japanese pancake” made with cabbage, flour, eggs, and various toppings (meat, seafood, cheese…), cooked on a hotplate and served with sauce and mayo. Every city has its own version, but Osaka’s is considered the “classic” style. Again, Namba and Dotonbori are the best areas to try them.
Kitsune Udon
One of many regional udon variations, said to have originated right here in Osaka: thick wheat noodles served in a light broth with aburaage (sweet fried tofu). Dotonbori Imai is a traditional soba-ya with a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Osaka
Since Osaka also provides easy access to places like Koyasan, Kinosaki Onsen, and Mie Prefecture, it makes sense to spend a night here for logistical reasons—and to soak in the city’s unique vibes.
Accommodation options in Osaka are virtually endless, from apartments and guesthouses to higher-end hotels. But if you’re only staying one night, it’s important to choose the right area.
As mentioned, the best spot to enjoy the Osaka nightlife is between Namba and Shinsaibashi, ideal for street food, the neon lights of Dotonbori, and also very convenient for getting around, since many train lines depart from Namba. Most of the budget accommodations are located here too (though rooms can be small!).
Recommended options are:
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Sotetsu Grand Fresa Namba – compact rooms, but excellent location and great value, right near the metro and Dotonbori entrance.
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Hotel Unizo Osaka Shinsaibashi – equally affordable and stylish.
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The Flag Shinsaibashi – more modern, with larger rooms and great design.
A quieter but still convenient area is Umeda, perfect if you’re heading to USJ or catching a train from Shin-Osaka station, where the shinkansen stops. This is more of a business district and less touristy than Namba, and it’s also where you’ll find some fancier hotels:
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Harmonie Embrasse – offers elevated views of the city; higher-category rooms even have private outdoor jacuzzis.
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Hotel Granvia Osaka – a slightly more upscale business hotel, right in the station.
So in the end, no, Osaka is not a dream destination: it’s not as elegant as Kyoto, not as orderly as Tokyo, and it doesn’t boast Japan’s most beautiful temples or scenic landscapes. It’s messy, chaotic, a little rough around the edges.
But it has personality. And even if it doesn’t completely win you over, it’ll offer a few quirky corners, a perfectly greasy dish, and that satisfying sense of having discovered one more little piece of Japan.
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