Translated by Tomoka Aono
10 Places To Visit in Osaka - Delicious Foods and Amazing Views!
Written by Mami Wakamatsu
Osaka is one of Japan's major cities, visited by people from all around the world. The delicious Osaka food specialties, the great views and the vibrant atmosphere of the streets make Osaka a very appealing destination. We have select 10 places where you can enjoy and taste Osaka to the fullest.
Osaka - Fun, Exciting, and Tasty
From Top 5 Local Osaka Foods You Should Try In Dotonbori
Osaka is one of the major cities in Japan, visited by people from all around Japan and the world. Visitors enjoy Osaka's authentic gourmet dishes, which are usually a bit different from the ones in other parts of Japan, as well as the vibrant atmosphere in the streets. While there are many attractions to enjoy in this city, we have selected 10 places where you can enjoy and taste Osaka to the fullest.
Read also: Osaka Special Feature
1. Osaka Castle at Night
From Osaka Castle Park - A History Walk Through Nature's Timeless Beauty
Osaka Castle is located in the center of the city. The castle is a popular spot to visit during the daytime. However, it is a little know fact that it is also stunning at nighttime.
Every night at sunset, Osaka Castle is lit up to shine in the dark like a sapphire. It appears to be a different building entirely compared to the daytime.
You can also still enjoy taking a walk in Osaka Castle Park, which is partially lit up as well. You will find various seasonal plants and other historical buildings there which just appear so much more mysterious at night.
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2. Mount Iimori and it's Historical Sights
From The Edo Period Lives On! Nozaki-Kannon Temple At Mt. Iimori In Osaka
Mount Iimori is located in the Daito area of Osaka. It is a great place for hiking as it its full of beautiful nature. If you want to add some cultural and historical element to your trip, you should follow the Mt. Iimori hiking trail.
From The Edo Period Lives On! Nozaki-Kannon Temple At Mt. Iimori In Osaka
Start at the Nozaki Kannon Temple, which is 10 minutes away from the JR Nozaki station. Make sure to stop by historical places such as the Shijonawate Shrine during the hike.
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3. Abeno Harukas Great View over Osaka
From What You Can Do At Abeno Harukas - Japan's Tallest Building
The 300 m high Abeno Harukas is the tallest building in Japan. It opened in 2014 and offers a viewing deck, hotels, shops and many things to explore.
From What You Can Do At Abeno Harukas - Japan's Tallest Building
Harukas 300 is the name of its observatory deck. With glass windows in all directions, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of Osaka. On clear days you might even be able to spot Kyoto and Nara from here.
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4. The Tsutenkaku Tower's famous Parfait
From The Tsutenkaku Tower In Osaka - 7 Fun Activities Including Area Guide
Tsutenkaku Toweris one of the most famous landmarks of Osaka. It is a 103 m high observation tower which also offers places to shop and eat.
From The Tsutenkaku Tower In Osaka - 7 Fun Activities Including Area Guide
Naturally, the most popular activity is enjoying the observatory platform but if you want to take a break make sure to drop by the Café de Luna Park inside the tower. Here you can enjoy the Tsutenkaku Parfait which is supposed to portray the tower itself with its magnificent twenty-one centimeters in height. This parfait is only available only at the cafe at the Tsutenkaku Tower.
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5. Taste Osaka at Shinsekai
Shinsekaimeans "New World" in Japanese. It is a neighboring area of Tsutenkaku Tower and very popular for its variety of local food. The streets are vibrant with the restaurants and bars colorful signs and glowing lanterns.
From Real Osaka Food! Kushi-Katsu Beneath The Lights Of Shinsekai
Shinsekai is where you can enjoy the taste of Osaka in a nostalgic atmosphere. The traditional signs advertise authentic Osaka dishes such as kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables) or takoyaki (fried dough balls filled with octopus).
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6. Expo’70 Commemorative Park's Tower of the Sun
From “Tower of the Sun” – A Symbol of Japanese Art in the Expo Park, Osaka
The Expo’70 Commemorative Park, where the Japan World Exposition took place in 1970, offers natural gardens full of flowers and plants, barbecue facilities, a Japanese garden, sport facilities, and even a hot spring. It is one of Osaka's most popular places for the locals.
“Tower of the Sun” – A Symbol of Japanese Art in the Expo Park, Osaka
The pictures show the Tower of the Sun by Taro Okamoto, an internationally acknowledged Japanese artist. The symbol of the Expo’79 Commemorative Park is in total seventy meters tall, has a base diameter of twenty meters and an arm stretch of twenty-five meters. It is one of Osakas most impressive sights.
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park
7. Meet Pokémon at EXPOCITY
Expocity: Experience Unknown Thrills At Osaka’s Largest Shopping Center
EXPOCITY is composed of a large entertainment complex and the Lalaport EXPOCITY, which is a shopping park with about 305 shops. Here, you can enjoy leisure and shopping at the same time.
Expocity: Experience Unknown Thrills At Osaka’s Largest Shopping Center
There are a lot of facilities for kids such as Pokémon EXPO Gym, where you chat with the incredibly popular Pokémon and can learn how to become a master trainer. If you are hungry, feel free to enjoy gourmet foods from around the world at the Lalaport EXPOCITY Food Pavilion food court.
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shopping_mallstore
8. Delicious Streetfood at Dotonbori
From For Osaka Newbies – How To Enjoy Dōtonbori, Osaka’s Downtown
Dotonbori is such a famous destination that nearly everyone visiting Japan has at least heard about the place. It is a downtown area where you can taste authentic Osaka gourmet dishes at thousands of unique restaurants.
From Top 5 Local Osaka Foods You Should Try In Dotonbori
Dotonbori is especially popular for its street foods. Popular dishes such as takoyaki, gyoza (fried dumplings) and yakisoba (fried noodles) can all be ordered as take out and be enjoyed outside the shop while watching the bustling street.
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9. Umeda's Floating Garden Observatory
From Osaka From Above: Umeda Sky Building’s Floating Garden Observatory
Umeda Sky Building is a world-famous building that was chosen as one of the Top 20 Buildings in the World by the British paper THE TIMES. The Floating Garden Observatory is located on the top floor of this building. It offers a breathtaking view of Osaka's landscape with its impressive skyscrapers around the Umeda area.
From Osaka From Above: Umeda Sky Building’s Floating Garden Observatory
Unlike other skyscrapers, Umeda Sky Building offers access to an outdoor viewing deck as well. The open-air rooftop is known as the Sky Walk. It lets you enjoy a refreshing breeze and an unobstructed view of Osaka.
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10. Tempozan Ferris Wheel
From Ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel For a Sky-High View of Osaka
The Tempozan Ferris Wheel at the Tempozan Harbor Village, a large leisure complex in Osaka, is one of the largest Ferris wheels in Japan. It is 112.5 meters in height and 100 meters in diameter. It gives you seventeen minutes to enjoy in the sky while the Ferris wheel goes around.
From Ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel For a Sky-High View of Osaka
Not only the impressive landscape of Osaka is visible from the Ferris wheel but also the vast ocean. It is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy a view of Osaka.
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The Flavor of Osaka
We hope these ten suggestions will help you to enjoy Osaka to the fullest. Osaka is full of exciting things to do and taste and it never gets boring.
Make sure to enjoy different sides of the vibrant city when you visit!
