Osaka: Must-Do Experiences for Your First Trip

Getting to Osaka from Tokyo and public transport in the city

Getting to Osaka from Tokyo

The most convenient and fastest way to get from Tokyo to Osaka is the Shinkansen (bullet train). We travelled this way and were thrilled — comfortable, fast, and with stunning views of Japan outside the window.

Train tickets here or here

Public transport in Osaka

Around Osaka itself, we travelled exclusively by metro — it’s convenient, clean, and covers all the key points of the city. No difficulties with navigation: just open Google Maps, enter your destination — and the app will show you the right line, station, and travel time. Everything is very intuitive.

Places to visit in Osaka

1. Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous historical landmarks and a symbol of Osaka. The castle is surrounded by massive stone walls, water moats, and a spacious park that is especially beautiful in spring during cherry blossom season. Inside is a museum dedicated to the history of the castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, while the top floor offers a panoramic view of the city.

Official castle website.

2. Namba Yasaka Shrine

Namba Yasaka Shrine is a unique Shinto shrine known for its enormous lion head, which serves as a stage for various religious and cultural events. The lion’s head symbolises the expulsion of evil spirits and attracts good fortune. The shrine is located in the Namba district, making it easy to combine a visit with a stroll through central Osaka.

Namba Yasaka Shrine website.

3. Shitennō-ji Temple

Shitennō-ji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku. The temple features traditional Japanese architecture with a five-storey pagoda, main gates, and inner courtyards. Here you can feel the peaceful atmosphere of ancient Osaka and witness classic Buddhist religious ceremonies.

Shitennō-ji Temple website.

4. Katsuo-ji Temple

Katsuo-ji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple founded in 727, set among the Minoh mountains north of Osaka. The temple is famous for its hundreds of daruma dolls — vivid symbols of victory and perseverance — scattered throughout its picturesque forest grounds. The tradition is simple: a visitor buys their own daruma, makes a wish, and leaves it at the temple; if the wish comes true, they return with gratitude. Surrounded by dense forest, the temple is especially stunning in autumn when the leaves turn rich shades of red and orange.

Katsuo-ji Temple website.

5. Shinsekai

Shinsekai (新世界, “New World”) is one of Osaka’s most colourful and authentic neighbourhoods. It blends the spirit of old Osaka with retro aesthetics: narrow streets with bright signs, restaurants serving fugu and kushikatsu (fried skewers in breadcrumbs), arcade machines, small barbershops, and souvenir shops. There are far fewer tourists here than in Namba, and far more genuine city atmosphere.

6. Tsūtenkaku

Tsūtenkaku is an iconic 103-metre tower and the main symbol of the Shinsekai district. You can go up to the observation deck for a panoramic view of the city. But the real highlight is the Tower Slider — an exhilarating slide that takes you from the 22nd floor inside the tower all the way down to the street. It’s a unique and incredibly fun experience you won’t forget.

Official Tsūtenkaku website.

7. Shopping in Osaka: Shinsaibashisuji, American Village and Orange Street

Osaka is one of Japan’s best cities for shopping. Three locations close to one another form a complete shopping route that can be covered in a single day.

• Shinsaibashisuji – Osaka’s most famous covered shopping street, stretching over 600 metres. It gathers shops for every taste: from Japanese chain brands and cosmetics stores to souvenirs and street food. This is the heart of the Minami shopping district, always busy and lively.

• American Village (Amerikamura) – a youth district near Shinsaibashisuji with the atmosphere of American pop culture from the 80s and 90s. It’s home to vintage clothing shops, street fashion brands, independent boutiques, and cafés. At the centre of the neighbourhood is the small Triangle Park square, where young people always hang out.

• Orange Street (Minami Horie) – a quiet and stylish street for those looking for something special. It features designer furniture showrooms, galleries, concept cafés, and shops with unique handcrafted items. The atmosphere is much calmer than in neighbouring American Village — the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

8. Kuromon Ichiba Market

Kuromon Ichiba is a covered food market stretching about 600 metres, known since the 19th century as the “kitchen of Osaka”. It has over 170 stalls and kiosks offering fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit, and ready-made dishes. Crabs, scallops, oysters, tako, yakitori — most vendors prepare food right on the spot, and you can eat as you walk.

9. Dotonbori and Ebisu Bridge

Dotonbori is Osaka’s main tourist street, stretching along the canal of the same name. Bright neon signs, giant advertising figures — a crab, an octopus, ramen — and an endless choice of street food: it’s loud, colourful, and incredibly atmospheric all at once. Dotonbori is the image most often found on photos in Osaka guidebooks.

At the centre of the street is Ebisu Bridge, probably the most famous photo spot in the entire city. From the bridge you get the iconic view of the canal and neon signs. Directly opposite the bridge, the Glico Man glows brightly on a building — a runner with arms raised in triumph, the Glico company’s logo since 1935. Posing like him with arms outstretched is an unofficial tradition for every visitor to Osaka.

10. Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is one of Asia’s most popular theme parks, located in Osaka. It features rides and attractions based on iconic franchises: Harry Potter, Mario, Minions, Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, and more. The park is huge — a full day is needed to see everything, and ideally two.

The main highlight is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: a full-scale replica of Hogsmeade with shops, magic wands, and a ride inside Hogwarts Castle. Also worth visiting is the Super Nintendo World zone — a vibrant interactive world of Mario with rides and quests.

Official Universal Studios Japan website.

11. A Day Trip to Nara Park

From Osaka, it’s very easy to make a day trip to Nara — an ancient Japanese capital where sacred deer roam freely through the streets. Nara Park, the giant Buddha statue in Todaiji, and peaceful temples surrounded by forest — all just 40–50 minutes from Osaka.

Full guide to Nara — route, temples and tips.

Cafes and restaurants

• #ROKUROKU餃子バル – delicious fried dumplings (gyoza) in Japanese style.

  ROKUROKU on the map

• pablo-cheese tart – famous Japanese cheese tarts with a delicate texture and rich flavour.

  pablo-cheese tart on the map

• Komugi Umare Men Sodachi – incredible ramen with rich broth and fresh noodles.

  Komugi Umare Men Sodachi on the map

• DAIBAN COFFEE nanoniwa – a café with a wide selection of coffee varieties and special brewing methods.

  DAIBAN COFFEE nanoniwa on the map