The 10 Best Things to do in Osaka – on Your First Trip

If you’re adding Osaka to your Japan trip itinerary, you probably wonder what you should do there. Well, here are the 10 best things in Osaka that we’d suggest if it’s your first trip to the city – there’s food, there’s culture, and there’s rollercoasters!

Osaka, Japan’s third-biggest city, is a great choice if you want to combine Tokyo with a second destination. I’ve been to it five times now, and it’s probably my favourite city after Tokyo, so trying to pick a top ten was pretty tough – and I’ve added and deleted a couple since I first wrote it!

But here they are. The 10 best things to do in Osaka if you’re visiting for the first time – according to me!

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

This post was originally published in August 2021. It is updated yearly, the facts are checked, and any new ‘must-sees’ are added. The latest update was July 2025

1. Explore Shinsekai

Shinsekai is an older part of Osaka. It contains the city’s original tourist attraction, the Tsutenkaku Tower, which was built in 1958 (a replacement for the original that was destroyed by fire in 1943).

As you might guess from looking at it (below), it was modelled on Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

You can go up Tsutenkaku, there’s a viewing platform on the 5th floor that looks out over Shinsekai.

At 87 meters, it’s not the tallest view in Osaka, but it’s fascinating to note that when the original tower was built in 1912, it was the tallest structure on the continent and a remarkable feat of engineering.

It is pretty at night, though, as the lower height allows you to see more detail below.

Oh, and talking about night. The lights on the tower change colour, and the circle at the top actually reveals the weather forecast for the city. If it’s white, it’s sunny; if it’s red, it’s cloudy; if it’s blue, get your umbrella ready!

You’ll also find some fun shops on the lower levels of the tower.

Tsutenkaku is open from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm, seven days a week. Queues can be quite long, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance.

But visiting the tower (and then sliding down it) is not the only thing to do in Shinsekai.

The rest of Shinsekai teams with izakayas and restaurants, and fun stops like the Magic Bar, and it’s a good place to eat Kushi Katsu – one of Osaka’s must-eat dishes.

It’s also a photographer’s dream with bright-colored signs, giant hanging models, and the shape of Tsutenkaku hovering in the background, and the cute Billiken statues that are an unofficial mascot of Osaka are everywhere.

If you have more than one day in Osaka, you might want to visit Spa World, which, while perhaps not the most authentically Japanese onsen you might visit on your trip, is a fun way to soak away half a day.

It contains different themed pools and other treatments from around the world.

How to Get To Shinsekai

Ebisucho is the nearest station, which is located on the brown Sakaisuji line on the Osaka Metro. Take exit 3, and you’ll arrive at the North end of Shinsekai. You can also catch the red Midsouji Line or the Sakaisuji line to Donbutseun-Mae station, which will bring you to the southern end by SpaWorld.

2. Nibble Your Way Round Kuromon Ichiba

Tokyo has Tsukiji Market, Kyoto has Nishiki Market, and Osaka has Kuromon Ichiba (ichiba means market). And it’s probably my favorite of them all – mostly because of the design.

What I love most about Osaka is that it seems to err on the side of kitsch.

If they can stick a giant model of something on the front of the building or hang it from the ceiling, they will, which makes Kuromon a really fun place to wander around, even if you don’t want to eat anything. It’s full of giant pufferfish and mega crabs!

A lot of the market is aimed at local shoppers who pick up their groceries and other goodies here, but other stalls sell ready-to-eat and freshly cooked dishes that you can sample on your visit.

Basically, just wander around and see what you fancy – you’ll find lots of freshly cooked shellfish, sushi, and fried goods. Stand by the stall to try them, or head to the dining area close to the information centre. It’s not polite to eat and walk in Japan, even in an area like this.

There’s also a branch of Takoyaki Wanaka (see below in the foodie section) at the north end of the market. If you’re here later in the day, you’re also close to Superjap, one of our favourite standing bars in Osaka. Head there for a well earned beer after all the walking you’re likely to have done!

How to Get To Kuromon Market

The closest station to Kuromon Market is Kintetsu-Nippombashi on the Kintetsu-Nara line (take exit 10) or the Nippombashi station on the pink (Sennichimae) or brown lines.

One mistake not to make is assuming the market opens really early – it doesn’t. 9 am is opening time, but some of the more ‘restauranty’ stalls or shops in the market might not open until 11ish.

3. See the Bright Lights of Dotonbori

One of Osaka’s most popular tourist areas, Dotonbori is most famous for its nighttime display of bright-colored lights along the river. It’s definitely one of the must-see Osaka sights.

The bright lights are best seen from either the Ebisu Bridge or the bridge on Mido Suji dori. The closest station is Namba, exit 14.

But looking at the lights isn’t the only thing to do here.

You’ll find lots of restaurants and bars in this area – and, if you can snag one of the outside seats, you can’t really go wrong starting your evening at one of the bars along to Totomburi River Walk, like the fantastically named Dotonbori Riverside Grill Wonder which is located right on the canal.

Take a detour in the backstreets to find the interesting Hozenji Temple, home to the moss-covered statue of the god Fudo Myoo (we also talk about him in our guide to Tokyo’s best temples). You can also ride the unique oval Ebisu Ferris Wheel located on top of the Don Quixote shop, eat crab-flavoured ice cream and enjoy all the giant statues on top of the stores and restaurants here.

Related Read: Find more things to do in Dotonbori in our three-day Osaka guide.

4. Visit the Amazing Namba Yasaka Shrine

I had visited Osaka three times before I became aware of the existence of this shrine. At least social media has been good for something.

I’m not sure how I managed to miss it, though, as it’s pretty immense.

Rather than go into all the details here, I’ve written a longer post about the shrine and the legend behind it – plus, it pinpoints some of the smaller things to look for while you’re here. Find our guide to Namba Yasaka here.

How to Get to Namba Yasaka Shrine

The closest station is Namba, which is technically about four different stations. This can be a bit of a maze, so consider going instead to Daikokucho, which is about an eight-minute walk away.

You can easily detour via Namba Yasaka as you’re walking from Dotonbori to Shinsekai. It’s also not too far away from Kuromon Market, and it’s near Den Den Town, Osaka’s mini version of Akihabara.

5. Embrace History at Osaka Castle

The original castle on this site was built in 1563 by the feudal lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi, but this is not that castle!

That castle was destroyed after Hideyoshi’s death, and a new structure was built, but it was later destroyed by fire. It took until 1931 for the version you see today to fully take shape.

Despite its modern origins, the castle remains an important building of national significance and, arguably, the easiest Japanese castle to visit if you don’t have time for a day trip to other sites like Himeji or Okayama.

If you have an interest in samurai history, you might also want to stop at the Castle Museum, which contains over 10,000 artifacts, many of which have samurai or feudal origins.

The castle opens from 9 am, and so is one of the best things to do early in the morning in what’s generally a quite late-waking town.

If you’re here in cherry blossom season, the grounds of the castle are one of the best places to see the cherry blossoms in Osaka. Continue your deep dive into Osaka’s history at the Osaka Museum of History, which is close to the castle. Or jump on the train to the Museum of Housing and Living – which is a lot more fun than its name might suggest!

How to Get to Osaka Castle

The castle is located on large grounds, and while you can come in from any direction, the best entrance to the castle is via the Oteman gate, so the nearest station is Tanamachi on the purple and darker green (Chuo) line. Take exit 2,

6. Eat All the Things

When you’re talking about what to do in Osaka, eating comes very high on the list. The city is known for its food, particularly all things deep-fried, and there are three dishes pretty much every first-time visitor should try…

Okonomiyaki: A deep-fried pancake filled with meat, seafood, and cabbage and topped with a sweet sauce.

Takoyaki, is deep-fried octopus balls served with a dash of mayonnaise and eaten with a toothpick.

Good ones are very moreish, and while you might look at the big pile you’re served and think you can’t eat all of those, you’ll be surprised how easy it is!!!

Kushikatsu, deep-fried meat and vegetables on a stick, dipped into a thick black sauce.

You’ll find more info on all of these – plus suggestions of the best places in Osaka to try them in our guide to Osaka for foodies.

7. Take in the View from Abeno Harukas

It might sound like something you’d shout in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (see below), but this is actually the name of Osaka’s tallest building (it was the tallest in Japan, but the new Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower in Tokyo took its crown at the end of 2023).

Still, the building is an impressive 300 meters high. The observation deck is located on the 60th floor and, in addition to having floor-to-ceiling windows that test the nerves, also offers an optional extra walk up two sets of steps to a glass wall and onto a walkway on top of the building known as The Edge.

My head swims just looking at it!

Top tip – if you’re up here, don’t miss the bathroom!

How to Get To Abeno Harakus

Abeno Harakus is located directly above Osaka Abenobashi Station on the Kinsetsu-Limited Express or Minami-Osaka lines, exit 10.

Alternatively, take the metro to Tennoji Station, located on the red (Midosuji) and purple (Tanimachi) lines, and then use the pedestrian walkway to reach Abeno Harakus.

It’s a good idea to combine a trip to Abena Harakus with exploring Shinsekai.

8. Spend a Day at Universal Studios Japan

If you’re traveling with children, or thrill-seekers, USJ, as it’s also known, is likely to be on your must-do list (or at least on their one!). It’s one of the most popular attractions in Osaka.

The park contains ten main areas in which you’ll find versions of many of the rides you might be used to from the US parks, like Jurassic Park and the JAWS ride with a Japanese spin.

However, it’s probably most famous for its Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, which offers a replica of Hogwarts, and the incredibly popular Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, Super Nintendo World, based on the escapades of your favorite plumber and the adjoining Donkey Kong area. It’s also a must-see for Minion fans with a new ride and the expansion of this area in Summer 2025.

Related Read: USJ can be confusing – particularly when it comes to buying tickets, choosing Express Passes and working out how to enter Super Nintendo World, so take a look at our USJ Tips for Beginners, which covers everything you need to know on a first visit.

How to Get To Universal Studios Japan

The closest station is Universal City, which is about a 5-minute walk from the park gates.

This is connected to a number of stations in Central Osaka, and the best guide to find your quickest route is the one on the official USJ site here.

It will take about 15 minutes to get to Universal City from most of Osaka. Note, though – I’d definitely recommend using Google Maps at the station. The line that goes to Universal has a couple of branches, and on one trip, I wasn’t paying attention and got on the wrong one – and it took me a very long time to get back on track again. Even if you’re on the right platform, make sure the train you’re getting on stops at Universal City.

9. Visit the Amazing Daruma Shrine

Katsouji is a little way out from the centre of Osaka, but it’s worth the trip. This shrine is teeming with thousands of bright red Daruma dolls left by people hoping the dolls will grant their wishes, and is an amazing sight to behold.

I’ll be publishing a longer guide to Katsouji soon as part of the updated Osaka content from my last trip, but the highlights include the sheer number of Daruma dolls and the fun stamp trail around the shrine. As you can see the views are also pretty good – and during the autumn leaves season here, the maple leaves glow bright red.

How to Get to Katsouji

Take the Midosuji Line train north of Osaka to Minoh Kayano Station. From here, you can catch the No. 30 bus through the winding hills to the shrine. The buses run about every 20 minutes, but they get very busy, so make sure you check your journey timings and arrive at the stop in plenty of time, especially if you want a seat for the 22-minute drive.

If you miss the bus or would prefer to take the easy route, a taxi to or from the shrine, back to the station, will cost around 3000 yen. We took the bus there, but opted for the easy way back.

10. Find Your Shopping Area

Tokyo has Harajuku, Osaka has Amerikamura – it’s home to the best in street fashion and cool old vintage shops – but unlike Harajuku, Amerikamura is also a good place to spend an evening, and you’ll find lots of small, interesting bars here.

Good places to stop at are Big Step, which is full of vintage and new fashion, and Mittera Kaikan, which mixes shops and bars with a more alternative vibe.

If Akihabara is more your vibe, you’ll want to gravitate toward Den Den Town, Osaka’s mini version. I couldn’t possibly write a better guide to the area than the team at Inside Osaka. If you want specific details on exactly which shops to visit, I recommend checking out their guide to Den Den Town.

If you’re a foodie and Tokyo’s Kappabashi Street was on your must-see list, head to Kitchenware Street – it’s right by Den Den town.

Or, if you want a bit of everything, go to Tenjinbashi suji – Osaka’s longest covered shopping street.

Finally… Just Wander…

This is a Top 10 guide, and I’ve run out of numbers, but there are still so many things to do here.

You can visit a cute love shrine (find it in our 3-Day Osaka plan), head out of town a bit to go to the Cup Noodle Museum (I admit, that nearly made it, but I haven’t got there yet so, I didn’t feel I could definitively add it to the list), go to the famous Kaiyukan Aquarium, or simply take time to do what I love to do in Osaka.

And that’s just wandering around a neighbourhood, soaking up the atmosphere and seeing what I find.

I’ve never been disappointed doing this: from finding cool old buildings to photograph to exploring independent shops selling everything from sake to teddy bear donuts.

I’ve stumbled across a cafe full of rescue dogs that you could play with and then potentially adopt, some amazing temples full of stone figures, or offering fire rituals, and food trends like giant ice cream. I think there’s almost something around every corner.

I do this in Tokyo too, but, because Osaka is more compact, I tend to find a greater variety of things in shorter walking time on my Osaka wanders. If you’re here for more than one day, you definitely need to add some wandering time to your schedule!

And if at this point you’re wondering whether you’ve left yourself enough time in Osaka, take a look at our guide to how long you should spend in Osaka – it might be longer than you think.

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