24 Unique Things To Do In Osaka (2025)
Last Updated on August 11, 2025 by Kay
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Visiting Osaka and wondering what to do?
Despite being the third largest city in Japan, Osaka is one of those cities that used to be underrated by travelers. I traveled to the city a few times while I lived in other cities, mainly interested in Osaka’s food culture. However, after moving here four years ago, I was surprised to find out how much there is to do. In fact, my family loved Osaka so much that we’re now living here permanently!
In this article, I’ll share my personal picks as a local of the best things to do in Osaka, so that you can see the city through my eyes. This includes some typical things that everyone should see and do (I mean, you want to cover the basics, right?), as well as unique gems that most travelers don’t know about (yet).
Table of Contents
What To Do In Osaka: Top Attractions
I’m going to start this article off with a list of things that every traveler to Osaka should do. These might seem “touristy,” but there’s a reason why they’re famous, and even Japanese tourists make sure to cross these off their list when visiting the city.
Learn About the History of Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle carries a rich history that all Japanese nationals know about, making it a must-visit destination. It was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a feudal lord and prominent figure in Japanese history who is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Unifiers.
The original castle dates back to 1586 but has been reconstructed several times due to damage from fires or war, the most recent being in 1931. It was last restored in 1997.
Although the outside of the castle is absolutely stunning, especially during cherry blossom season in spring, the inside is more of a museum, if anything. But at least
Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance because once at the castle, the ticket line is quite long.
If you purchase the Osaka Amazing Pass, you can also do a boat ride around the castle and visit the Kaiyodo Figure Museum on the castle grounds as well.
Walk and Eat Along Dotonbori
This is probably one of the most famous streets in Japan. Running along Dotonbori Canal, Dotonbori is home to plenty of shops and eateries specializing in traditional Osaka food. It’s especially alive at night when massive signs light up.
Make sure not to forget to check out the famous Glico Man sign while you’re there!
Take Photos at Namba Yasaka Jinja
Shaped like a lion’s head, Namba Yasaka Jinja is one of the most unique shrines I’ve ever seen. It’s small but absolutely picture-worthy. I am also a huge fan of this shrine’s goshuin because it’s so stunning.
Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market
A short walk from Namba, Kuromon Ichiba boasts around 150 shops where you can try fresh seafood like sushi or grilled scallops, as well as Osaka specialties such as takoyaki.
Shops tend to close in the afternoon, so the earlier you visit, the better.
Spend a Fun-Filled Day at Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan, also known as USJ, is one of the most famous theme parks in Japan, and for good reason! They boast rides and attractions from several popular franchises, including Nintendo and Harry Potter, and give their own unique Japanese spin to everything.
For people living outside of Japan, it can be difficult to purchase tickets on USJ’s official website because it typically rejects foreign credit cards. This is why I highly suggest using Klook to buy your ticket.
Marvel at Whale Sharks at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the largest aquariums in the world, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (usually referred to as simply “Kaiyukan”) is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
It’s home to over 620 marine species, including whale sharks, which swim in a massive tank that spans three floors.
Enjoy Stunning Views From TEMPOZAN Ferris Wheel
Kaiyukan is located right next to a shopping center called Tempozan Harbor Village. Here, you’ll find a Ferris wheel that gives you a spectacular view of Osaka Bay, as well as the aquarium.
It’s especially beautiful at sunset. (And honestly, after a day of walking around, I just enjoy sitting and enjoying the view.)
The fare for the TEMPOZAN Ferris Wheel is included in the Osaka Amazing Pass.
Soak at Spa World
If you’ve never been to an onsen before, why not try what is considered an onsen theme park in Osaka?
You can easily spend an entire day in Spa World, and I have! It features baths that have themes from different countries, as well as saunas and an indoor waterpark with waterslides.
Bathing suits are required at the waterpark, but you’ll have to be naked for the onsen, and visitors with tattoos are not allowed, unfortunately.
Experience 360 Views at Umeda Sky Building
If you’re looking for a beautiful view in Osaka, look no further than Umeda Sky Building. It offers a 360-degree view of the city from an open-air deck, and sometimes there are seasonal events held here, like Christmas markets.
It doesn’t take too much time to go up and check out the view, and before or afterwards, you can shop at the malls and department stores surrounding Osaka Station
Discover a Retro New World at Tsutenkaku
Located in Shinsekai, which means “new world,” Tsutenkaku is an area filled with eateries and home to the famous Tsutenkaku Tower. It has a retro vibe to it, so if you want to experience a bit of 80s Japan, make sure to put this area on your list.
If you decide to go up Tsutenkaku Tower (which was more enjoyable than I had been expecting), the Osaka Amazing Pass will allow you to travel down the tower via slide and download a video of the whole experience. Or if you like, you can even “skydive” from the tower!
Pray for Good Luck at Katsuoji Temple
This is an incredibly unique temple in Japan, and it just happens to be in Osaka! Here you’ll find hundreds of Daruma dolls, which are good luck symbols in Japan.
Even if you’re not a temple enthusiast, I think it’s worth visiting Katsuo-ji Temple because it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.
I’ve written an in-depth article about Katsuo-ji so give it a read to see more beautiful pictures and determine if this is right for you.
Unique Things To Do In Osaka
After you’ve visited Osaka’s popular hotspots, consider checking out these hidden gems.
Discover Den Den Town
Most people know Akihabara, but did you know that Osaka has its own version?
Den Den Town is considerably smaller than Akihabara but has plenty of stores carrying electronics, as well as anime and game merchandise. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring all the shops, which have a more retro feel than Akihabara.
Take in nature at Banpaku (Expo ’70) Park
You might know about the 2025 Osaka Expo, but did you know that the World Expo was also held in the city back in 1970? The Expo ’70 grounds were turned into a stunning park that is one of my favorite places to visit, especially in spring when there are tons of cherry blossom trees in bloom.
This park is easy to get to by train from Osaka Station, and its grounds are so huge that you could spend an entire day here exploring its museums and gardens. Sometimes this park has food festivals and other events as well.
Do Karaoke in the Largest Ferris Wheel in Japan
Close by Expo ’70 Park, you’ll find a huge shopping mall called Lalaport as well as the largest Ferris Wheel in Japan — Osaka Wheel!
What makes the Osaka Wheel especially unique is not just its size… It also has unique themed carriages. For instance, in winter, you can ride in a carriage fitted with kotatsu tables and sometimes they even have zombie and dinosaur ones as well!
My family rode in a karaoke carriage, and let me tell you, it was an awesome experience. And this is coming from people who don’t really like karaoke!
Hike Up to Minoh Falls
I think Minoh Falls is becoming more popular with international tourists, but it’s still underrated for what it is.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature and check out a temple along the way, definitely visit Minoh Falls. It’s not very far from Osaka Station by train, and as someone who hiked up it almost every day when I lived there, you will feel absolutely amazing when you reach the waterfall.
Before you go, read my full guide about Minoh to make the most of your visit.
Cup Noodles Museum
I think everyone knows about the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama, where you can make your own unique Cup Noodles, but did you know there’s one in Osaka as well?
This is considerably smaller, but if you’re heading to Minoh, it’s along the way and worth a stop. I’ve written an article about my family’s experience visiting the Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka, so read it before you go!
Duskin (Mister Donuts) Museum
Mister Donuts is a famous donut chain in Japan — think Tim Hortons (if you’re Canadian like me) or Dunkin Donuts (for Americans).
If you’ve had their donuts, consider visiting their museum, which will teach you about the history of Mister Donuts. You also get the opportunity to make your own donuts from scratch!
Note that you need to make a reservation in advance to make donuts, which is held twice a day, and children ages six and under cannot participate.
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Cook Local Osaka Specialties
Sure, you can eat everything Osaka has to offer, but what better way to enjoy Osaka’s famous foods than to make them? That way, you can try to recreate the dish at home!
Osaka Cooking Base offers a class where you can choose from okonomiyaki, takoyaki, or ramen. You’ll also get a tour of local stores where you’ll shop for the ingredients and get explanations about their cultural importance.
If you enjoy sake, there’s also a local cooking class with sake tasting as well.
Enjoy Snacks and Shopping in Osaka’s Koreatown
If you don’t want to travel all the way to South Korea, consider visiting Tsuruhashi, which is home to Osaka’s Koreatown.
Here you can snack on various Korean foods, such as fried chicken and cheese corn dogs (my personal favorite) and shop for Korean beauty products and other goods.
Pay Your Respects to Sumiyoshi Taisha
Dedicated to deities of the sea, Sumiyoshi Taisha is an incredibly beautiful shrine and one of the oldest in Japan. Interestingly, this is one of the few shrines in Japan that has architecture that’s not influenced by other parts of Asia.
The shrine grounds are massive and have many beautiful spots to take photos, including a vermilion bridge over a pond
Unique Things To Do In Osaka At Night
Similar to Tokyo, Osaka is a city that doesn’t necessarily sleep at night, depending on where you go. Dotonbori is the best base to explore Osaka’s nightlife, but if you’re looking for something more specific to do, here are my suggestions.
Play All Night at Round 1
While you’re in Dotonbori, I highly suggest setting aside some time to visit Round 1’s Spocha. This is an arcade that’s open 24 hours, and you can play as many games or activities as you like for a reasonable cost.
I’ve lived in Japan for fifteen years, and I was still really impressed with all there is to do, as was my Japanese husband!
If you want to know about everything you’ll find here and whether it’s worth a visit, read my article about Round 1.
Check out the Nightlife in America Mura
Back when I was young and before I had a kid, I would spend many of my weekends at bars and clubs in Osaka, specifically America Mura, which is in Shinsaibashi (close to Dotonbori).
America Mura translates to “America Village,” its name coming from the many shops that imported American goods back in the 1970s. Soon, it became a spot for unique restaurants and cafes, bars, street art, vintage stores, and more.
If you want to see the heart of America Mura’s nightlife, go to Triangle Park (Sankaku Park) and from there, discover which bars you want to visit. They’re all friendly and have good vibes!
(And for those who are interested in clubbing, check out JOULE.)
Getting Around Osaka
Public transportation in Osaka is one of the best, but the city is quite walkable as well. For instance, you can easily walk from Namba to Den Den Town and then to Tsutenkaku Tower. (If you have young children, I wouldn’t recommend this unless they’re in a stroller or you’re wearing them in a carrier.)
If you want to take the train, there are several lines that will get you where you want to go. The most popular (and convenient) is the Midosuji Line, which costs around 200 yen one-way, depending on where you want to go.
I know I talk about this a lot, but the Osaka Amazing Pass also covers transportation for buses as well as Osaka Metro trains, which saved me quite a bit of money when I used the two-day pass.
FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about traveling in Osaka.
What is special about Osaka?
As mentioned earlier, Osaka is known for its unique food culture and rich history. When it comes to sightseeing spots, Osaka is undeniably special for being home to Osaka Castle as well as Universal Studios Japan.
Is 3 days in Osaka enough?
Yes, three days in Osaka is plenty to see the city, although I recommend spending five days to get the full experience.
Is Osaka friendly to foreigners?
Osaka is known as one of the most friendly cities in Japan. As a foreigner, I was surprised by how kind people were when I first moved here, and I have become friends with many locals. So, from my personal experience, I think Osaka is very friendly to foreigners.
Wrap-up: The Best Things to Do in Osaka
Hopefully, this look at popular, as well as unique, things to do in Osaka has been helpful for your travel planning. I’ll make sure to update this article whenever I find something new, as there’s always something to discover in the city.
If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to read my articles on the best kid-friendly things to do in Osaka as well as my Osaka itinerary with kids.