Osaka

Travel Guide

Osaka
Osaka
Osaka
Osaka
Osaka

Osaka Travel Guide Video

Experience fast-moving modern entertainment alongside peaceful temple gardens in Osaka, a city whose culture is rich with anime, fashion and comedy shows.

Osaka not only provides access to popular destinations like Kobe, Kyoto, Sakai and Nara, but is a glitzy entertainment powerhouse itself. Shop in the city’s northern Kita area while you explore the business district, see wildlife enclosures to the south or savor a show in the glamorous Namba district.  

Start in Kita, where you can learn about Japan’s post-World War II art scene at the subterranean National Museum of Art. Kids will love the Osaka Science Museum across the road. Here they can perform experiments, watch the wonders of physics and delight in daily science shows. Nearby, find the Umeda Sky Building, an iconic silver spire that offers great views from below or from its high observation deck.

Cab downtown to the Tennoji area and enjoy its family-friendly zoos and temples. See fascinating species from Japan and beyond at the city’s animal attraction, the Tennoji Zoo. Walk around the Tennoji Park and find a quiet moment among its artistic monuments. Nearby, the Shitennoji Temple features ruins from the sixth century, while the Tsūtenkaku Tower stands as a symbol of Osaka’s prosperity.

Around the bay, find the gargantuan Osaka Aquarium. With over 29,000 underwater inhabitants, including a whale shark, it is one of the world’s largest aquariums. Afterwards, jump on a 10-minute ferry to Universal Studios Japan. Here you can spot famous movie characters while you hold your stomach on wild amusement rides.

Take a moment for reflection while you admire the pretty Osaka Castle, a construction built in the 16th century. Alternatively, find a Zen moment surrounded by color in the rose garden at Nakanoshima Park.

Shoppers of all tastes will find their prized souvenir in the Minami district. This commercial suburb hosts a range of retailers, from high-end boutiques to local sweet shops. As evening falls, join the excitement at Namba Grand Kagetsu, Osaka’s favorite comedy theatre. After a show, find a bar amongst the glitzy neon lights of the Namba area and reflect on a busy day.

Where to stay in Osaka

Namba featuring a city

Namba

4.5/5(62 area reviews)

Namba is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Dotonbori and Namba Parks, and you can get around town on the metro at Namba Station (Nankai).

Namba
Umeda which includes a city and night scenes

Umeda

4/5(1 area review)

Umeda is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Herbis Plaza and Osaka Shiki Theater. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Nishi-Umieda Station or Umeda Station (Hanshin).

Umeda
Shinsaibashi featuring street scenes

Shinsaibashi

Shinsaibashi is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and Mitsutera Temple, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Osaka.

Shinsaibashi
Tsutenkaku Tower which includes night scenes, signage and a city

Minami

5/5(4 area reviews)

Minami is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Dotonbori and Nipponbashi. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Nippombashi Station or Namba Station.

Minami
Umeda Sky Building showing modern architecture and a skyscraper

Kita

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living and Umeda Arts Theater are top sights in Kita, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nakazakicho Station or Nakatsu Station to see more sights in the area.

Kita
Osaka Castle which includes a city

Chuo

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Chuo is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Dotonbori and Osaka Castle. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Sakaisuji-hommachi Station or Matsuyamachi Station.

Chuo
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
3 out of 5
1-2-13 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P4,452 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
P4,452
P5,387 total
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,337 reviews)
"Excellent !"

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
3 out of 5
2-4-10, Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Close to everything"

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2025

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
HOTEL UNIVERSAL PORT
HOTEL UNIVERSAL PORT
4 out of 5
1-1-111 Sakurajima, Konohana Ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,115 reviews)
"Stayed for proximity to the theme park. Very comfortable. Free luggage storage with early check-in and day of departure. Room service was very tasty and reasonable. My son thought the chicken tenders and fries were some of the best he’s ever tasted!"

Reviewed on May 8, 2025

HOTEL UNIVERSAL PORT
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
MONday Apart Premium Osaka Namba WEST
MONday Apart Premium Osaka Namba WEST
4 out of 5
3-chome-1-14 Motomachi, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and Netflix. Popular attractions Nipponbashi and Dotonbori are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
"Customer service was excellent! Staff was very helpful and kind. 4 of the employees we encountered were always so warm, cheerful, and nice! I wish I got their names. The room was spacious and clean. Easy walk to food, shopping, and train station. My family would love to return and stay here the next ..."

Reviewed on May 6, 2025

MONday Apart Premium Osaka Namba WEST
Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
3 out of 5
Nippombashi Naniwa-ku, 3-6-24, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
"We loved the location and the setting of this Mimaru. This Mimaru has a free drink station and lobby area with tables and mats. They also had a hair straightener/curler available for rent. The rooms had ample space and was a great set up. It was close to shops and the station as well as lots of eateries. ..."

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2025

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
PG Kuromon
PG Kuromon
3 out of 5
3-3-22 Kozu, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room soaking tubs. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (240 reviews)
"Great location for everything a families and couples need. Walking distance to everything in Osaka"

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2025

PG Kuromon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Osaka

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
68
5 - Excellent 74%
4 - Good
20
4 - Good 22%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The hotel is so clean, sumptous breakfast, love the place, recommendable to travellers

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We love osaka

5/5 - Excellent

Virginia

Many places to see that you would need more days of stay.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We love almost everything in Osaka!❤️ Though we’ve experienced how to get lost and be left by the train, still we end up finding our destination! Definitely, we’ll be back!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

free airport shuttle please...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Osaka is great