Guidebook for Ōsaka-shi
Food Scene
Born in Osaka, kushikatsu is yet another home-grown Japanese food that’s wildly popular in Osaka. Kushi in Japanese means skewers, and katsu means breaded and deep fried things. The result of this popular street food is a bunch of vegetables and even meats, all skewered, coated in a light batter, and deep fried until golden brown. Kushikatsu Daruma is legendary when it comes to kushikatsu in Osaka.
45 locals recommend
Kushikatsu Daruma Dotonbori
1-chōme-6-8 DōtonboriBorn in Osaka, kushikatsu is yet another home-grown Japanese food that’s wildly popular in Osaka. Kushi in Japanese means skewers, and katsu means breaded and deep fried things. The result of this popular street food is a bunch of vegetables and even meats, all skewered, coated in a light batter, and deep fried until golden brown. Kushikatsu Daruma is legendary when it comes to kushikatsu in Osaka.
Japanese restaurant chain that specialises in crustaceans and other seafood. The restaurants are known for their traditional appearance and the large, mechanical, red crab that moves above the main entrance.
601 locals recommend
Kani Doraku Dotombori Honten
1-chōme-6-18 DōtonboriJapanese restaurant chain that specialises in crustaceans and other seafood. The restaurants are known for their traditional appearance and the large, mechanical, red crab that moves above the main entrance.
Kaiseki TAMA, located in Ame-mura, is one of the most popular kaiseki restaurants in Osaka, hitting #4 of all restaurants in Osaka on TripAdvisor. They are generally fully booked so they recommend calling at least two days in advance. Once you’ve chosen your price bracket, you’ll start to receive beautifully presented dishes that are all quite filling. Each course is explained in English and, though the ingredients are simple, each dish is unique. Kaiseki TAMA is renowned for its high quality service and sake.
Price: fine dining
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 8pm
25 locals recommend
kaiseki TAMA
1-chōme-13-17 ItachiboriKaiseki TAMA, located in Ame-mura, is one of the most popular kaiseki restaurants in Osaka, hitting #4 of all restaurants in Osaka on TripAdvisor. They are generally fully booked so they recommend calling at least two days in advance. Once you’ve chosen your price bracket, you’ll start to receive beautifully presented dishes that are all quite filling. Each course is explained in English and, though the ingredients are simple, each dish is unique. Kaiseki TAMA is renowned for its high quality service and sake.
Price: fine dining
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 8pm
An awesome Okonomiyaki place! The food is cooked right in front of you. So grab a seat at the kitchen bar and prepare yourself for a really authentic and delicious experience.
65 locals recommend
Ajinoya honten
1-chōme-7-16 NanbaAn awesome Okonomiyaki place! The food is cooked right in front of you. So grab a seat at the kitchen bar and prepare yourself for a really authentic and delicious experience.
Drinks & Nightlife
This club is certainly not the biggest venue but it can get pretty wild on the weekends. The club plays all kinds of music, so you will probably get your jam sometime during the night. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, usually 1000-2000 yen (1 drink included). It’s also conveniently located very close to Giraffe and Club Pure. Time: PM22:00 – morning
89 locals recommend
Sam and Dave One
2-chōme-7-20 HigashishinsaibashiThis club is certainly not the biggest venue but it can get pretty wild on the weekends. The club plays all kinds of music, so you will probably get your jam sometime during the night. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, usually 1000-2000 yen (1 drink included). It’s also conveniently located very close to Giraffe and Club Pure. Time: PM22:00 – morning
Club Pure is known for primarly three things, Hip Hop, RNB & All You Can Drink. They charge a bit higher than the other night clubs but included in the price is free drinks all night. You can even exit the venue and come back. So if you like Hip Hop and don’t want to pay for drinks this could be for you. Price is usually around 3000-4500 yen for guys and about half price for girls. Finding the venue is quite easy even for non locals. Time: PM22:00 – AM5:00
79 locals recommend
Pure Osaka
心斎橋筋-2-3 中央区Club Pure is known for primarly three things, Hip Hop, RNB & All You Can Drink. They charge a bit higher than the other night clubs but included in the price is free drinks all night. You can even exit the venue and come back. So if you like Hip Hop and don’t want to pay for drinks this could be for you. Price is usually around 3000-4500 yen for guys and about half price for girls. Finding the venue is quite easy even for non locals. Time: PM22:00 – AM5:00
Great atmosphere and music for R&B and hip-hop lovers! 600¥ w/one drink if you enter before midnight, and then you can dance all night.
115 locals recommend
GHOST ultra lounge
2-chōme-17-3 NishishinsaibashiGreat atmosphere and music for R&B and hip-hop lovers! 600¥ w/one drink if you enter before midnight, and then you can dance all night.
Entertainment & Activities
Fantastic comedy club with great regulars on rotation, along with guest performers. Comedians are very funny, with a wonderfully cozy and intimate audience that allows you to feel to be part of the show.
84 locals recommend
ROR Comedy Club
2-chōme-16-13 NishishinsaibashiFantastic comedy club with great regulars on rotation, along with guest performers. Comedians are very funny, with a wonderfully cozy and intimate audience that allows you to feel to be part of the show.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
4440 locals recommend
Universal Studios Japan
SakurajimaUniversal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
Marine life is displayed in 15 tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium's main attraction.
1923 locals recommend
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
1-chōme-1-10 KaigandōriMarine life is displayed in 15 tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium's main attraction.
Spa World, a huge bath complex with a large number of pools on a European themed floor and an Asian themed floor (enjoyed naked and gender separated). The floors are switched between genders each month. Natural hot spring water is pumped up from far below the earth's surface.
1135 locals recommend
Spa World
3-chōme-4-24 EbisuhigashiSpa World, a huge bath complex with a large number of pools on a European themed floor and an Asian themed floor (enjoyed naked and gender separated). The floors are switched between genders each month. Natural hot spring water is pumped up from far below the earth's surface.
Sightseeing
The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers a great view of the city for a 700 yen admission fee.
1337 locals recommend
Umeda Sky Building
1-chōme-1-88 ŌyodonakaThe 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers a great view of the city for a 700 yen admission fee.
The observation deck is called "Harukas 300" and occupies the building's top three floors (floors 58 to 60). The observation deck is accessed by elevators from the 16th floor. With large floor-to-ceiling glass panels all around, the 60th floor offers 360 degree views of Osaka, while the 58th floor features an attractively designed inner court with a wooden deck and cafe. A souvenir shop and restrooms with views are also available.
2395 locals recommend
Abeno Harukas
1-chōme-1-43 AbenosujiThe observation deck is called "Harukas 300" and occupies the building's top three floors (floors 58 to 60). The observation deck is accessed by elevators from the 16th floor. With large floor-to-ceiling glass panels all around, the 60th floor offers 360 degree views of Osaka, while the 58th floor features an attractively designed inner court with a wooden deck and cafe. A souvenir shop and restrooms with views are also available.
Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travelers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbors.
503 locals recommend
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
2-chōme-9-89 SumiyoshiSumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travelers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbors.
Osaka Tenmangu is famous for its festival, the Tenjin Matsuri, which is held annually on July 24 and 25 and is ranked as one of Japan's top three festivals besides Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri. During the festival, the shrine's deity is paraded in a divine palanquin (mikoshi) through the city in a joyful land and river procession, accompanied by fireworks.
Minamiokajimatenmangu
1-chōme-13-41 MinamiokajimaOsaka Tenmangu is famous for its festival, the Tenjin Matsuri, which is held annually on July 24 and 25 and is ranked as one of Japan's top three festivals besides Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri. During the festival, the shrine's deity is paraded in a divine palanquin (mikoshi) through the city in a joyful land and river procession, accompanied by fireworks.
In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).
3465 locals recommend
Osaka Castle Park
Ōsakajō-1 Chuo WardIn the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).
Shinsekai (新世界) is Osaka's "new world," a district that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia evoking symbol of Shinsekai. Many of Shinsekai's Kushikatsu(Osaka's best known specialties) restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night.
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834 locals recommend
Shinsekai
Ebisuhigashi-8-2 Chome Naniwa WardShinsekai (新世界) is Osaka's "new world," a district that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia evoking symbol of Shinsekai. Many of Shinsekai's Kushikatsu(Osaka's best known specialties) restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night.
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Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Although it was scrapped during WWII, the tower was reconstructed soon afterwards in 1956. The current tower is 103 meters high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters. A new open-air deck on top of the main observatory was opened in late 2015.
2055 locals recommend
Tsutenkaku
1-chōme-18-6 EbisuhigashiTsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Although it was scrapped during WWII, the tower was reconstructed soon afterwards in 1956. The current tower is 103 meters high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters. A new open-air deck on top of the main observatory was opened in late 2015.
Originally installed in 1935, the sign depicting a giant athlete on a blue track is a symbol of Glico candy. The sign has been altered on several occasions to celebrate events such as the World Cup and to show support for the Osaka baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers. The current version is the sixth, which uses LEDs. The previous five incarnations of the sign used neon lights.
426 locals recommend
Dotombori Glico Sign
Originally installed in 1935, the sign depicting a giant athlete on a blue track is a symbol of Glico candy. The sign has been altered on several occasions to celebrate events such as the World Cup and to show support for the Osaka baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers. The current version is the sixth, which uses LEDs. The previous five incarnations of the sign used neon lights.
One of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards.
3588 locals recommend
Dotonbori
Dotonbori-9-1 Chome Chuo WardOne of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards.
This place is good for family activities. You can ride the ship or the ginormous ferris wheel, or just spend your time inside the aquarium. It spells FUN, FUN.
49 locals recommend
Tempozan Harbor Village
1-chōme-1-10 KaigandōriThis place is good for family activities. You can ride the ship or the ginormous ferris wheel, or just spend your time inside the aquarium. It spells FUN, FUN.
The Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to Ebessan, the God of business and prosperity and was established around the year 600. Just few steps from there it's a very small temple named Naniwaji temple, built in the Meiji era so don't forget to turn right once you leave Imamiya Ebisu.
468 locals recommend
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
Ebisunishi-1-chōme-6 Naniwa WardThe Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to Ebessan, the God of business and prosperity and was established around the year 600. Just few steps from there it's a very small temple named Naniwaji temple, built in the Meiji era so don't forget to turn right once you leave Imamiya Ebisu.
Arts & Culture
The museum was designed with children in mind and takes visitors through displays on the universe, chemistry, electricity and energy. A science show is held three times a day (in Japanese only).
108 locals recommend
OSTEC Exhibition Hall
1-chōme-8-4 UtsubohonmachiThe museum was designed with children in mind and takes visitors through displays on the universe, chemistry, electricity and energy. A science show is held three times a day (in Japanese only).
The museum focuses on Japanese and foreign contemporary art, with exhibitions from the museum collection and special exhibitions.
701 locals recommend
The National Museum of Art, Osaka
4-chōme-2-55 NakanoshimaThe museum focuses on Japanese and foreign contemporary art, with exhibitions from the museum collection and special exhibitions.
The museum exhibits are visually oriented with several large models. They chronicle the city's history, beginning in ancient times when Osaka served as Japan's first capital and site of the Naniwa Palace and ending with exhibits on the city's bustling shopping arcades of the early Showa Period.
979 locals recommend
Osaka Museum of History
4-chōme-1-32 ŌtemaeThe museum exhibits are visually oriented with several large models. They chronicle the city's history, beginning in ancient times when Osaka served as Japan's first capital and site of the Naniwa Palace and ending with exhibits on the city's bustling shopping arcades of the early Showa Period.
The Shochikuza Theater is the prime location to see kabuki performances in Osaka. It is a Western style theater that opened in 1923 and has a seating capacity of just over 1000. English headsets are unavailable at Shochizuka Theater, but English program books can be purchased at the information counter.
352 locals recommend
Osaka Shochikuza
The Shochikuza Theater is the prime location to see kabuki performances in Osaka. It is a Western style theater that opened in 1923 and has a seating capacity of just over 1000. English headsets are unavailable at Shochizuka Theater, but English program books can be purchased at the information counter.
The complex was opened in 1984 as the fourth national theatre of the country, to become the headquarters of bunraku. Bunraku (traditional puppet theatre), Kabuki, Buyo (Japanese traditional dance), Hogaku (Japanese traditional music), Mizoku Geino(folk performing arts), Engei(traditional popular performing arts)
1339 locals recommend
National Bunraku Theater
1-chōme-12-10 NipponbashiThe complex was opened in 1984 as the fourth national theatre of the country, to become the headquarters of bunraku. Bunraku (traditional puppet theatre), Kabuki, Buyo (Japanese traditional dance), Hogaku (Japanese traditional music), Mizoku Geino(folk performing arts), Engei(traditional popular performing arts)
Shopping
Built to resemble a natural canyon, Namba Parks is designed to be a break of nature amidst the sprawling urban landscape. It features a 120 tenant shopping mall including a cinema, amphitheater, and a rooftop garden. The 6th floor is made up of numerous restaurants including some Korean, Italian, and Vietnamese places. Shops are open 11:00-21:00. Restaurants vary but most are open 11:00-23:00.
2406 locals recommend
Namba Parks
2-chōme-10-70 NanbanakaBuilt to resemble a natural canyon, Namba Parks is designed to be a break of nature amidst the sprawling urban landscape. It features a 120 tenant shopping mall including a cinema, amphitheater, and a rooftop garden. The 6th floor is made up of numerous restaurants including some Korean, Italian, and Vietnamese places. Shops are open 11:00-21:00. Restaurants vary but most are open 11:00-23:00.
Located in the Nipponbashi area, Den Den Town is an electronics district comparable to Tokyo's Akihabara, and you may be able to bargain to a better deal. Den Den Town is becoming known as an otaku paradise with numerous manga and anime retailers as well as maid and cosplay cafes located there. Hours vary by store; typically from around 10:00-11:00 to around 19:00-20:00.
271 locals recommend
Nipponbashi
Nipponbashi Naniwa WardLocated in the Nipponbashi area, Den Den Town is an electronics district comparable to Tokyo's Akihabara, and you may be able to bargain to a better deal. Den Den Town is becoming known as an otaku paradise with numerous manga and anime retailers as well as maid and cosplay cafes located there. Hours vary by store; typically from around 10:00-11:00 to around 19:00-20:00.
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding Shinsaibashi area is Osaka's premiere shopping center. Approximately 600 m long, this area is unique as it combines chain retail stores and trendy boutiques with expensive department stores and top designer fashion labels.
1409 locals recommend
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
2-chōme-2-22 ShinsaibashisujiShinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding Shinsaibashi area is Osaka's premiere shopping center. Approximately 600 m long, this area is unique as it combines chain retail stores and trendy boutiques with expensive department stores and top designer fashion labels.
Everything Else
a shopping mall with multiple official Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs.
79 locals recommend
Universal City Walk Osaka
6-chōme-2-61 Shimayaa shopping mall with multiple official Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs.