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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai
Osaka 
# 3   of 160 destinations
in our travel guide

jump to:   access  -  hotels  -  ratings  -  shops  -  tours  -  links

With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka) is Japan's third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries.

Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).

Attractions
Sights
 1  Universal Studios
Popular theme park at Osaka's waterfront.
User rating: 86/100 (84 votes)
Visited by: 179 users
 2  Osaka Aquarium
One of Japan's most impressive aquariums.
User rating: 85/100 (622 votes)
Visited by: 1154 users
 3  Minami (Namba)
Southern downtown of Osaka.
User rating: 83/100 (986 votes)
Visited by: 1851 users
 4  Osaka Castle
Reconstruction of the large castle.
User rating: 81/100 (1219 votes)
Visited by: 2229 users
 5  Sumiyoshi Taisha
Head shrine of all Sumiyoshi Shrines.
User rating: 80/100 (129 votes)
Visited by: 284 users
 6  Shitennoji Temple
One of the oldest temples in Japan.
User rating: 78/100 (216 votes)
Visited by: 437 users
 7  Museum of History
Well done museum about the city's history.
User rating: 78/100 (96 votes)
Visited by: 199 users
 8  Shinsekai
Nostalgia evoking district around Tsutenkaku.
User rating: 77/100 (242 votes)
Visited by: 490 users
 9  Kita (Umeda)
Northern downtown of Osaka.
User rating: 77/100 (831 votes)
Visited by: 1619 users
 10  Osaka Station City
Attractive complex around Osaka Station.
User rating: 70/100 (234 votes)
Visited by: 491 users
 11  Bunraku Theater
Venue for Japanese puppet theater plays.
User rating: 82/100 (101 votes)
Visited by: 221 users
 12  Umeda Sky Building
Skyscraper with observation deck.
User rating: 80/100 (632 votes)
Visited by: 1179 users
 13  National Art Museum
Art exhibitions from Japan and overseas.
User rating: 80/100 (62 votes)
Visited by: 169 users
 14  Minoo Park
Forested park with waterfall just outside Osaka.
User rating: 80/100 (69 votes)
Visited by: 156 users
 15  Peace Osaka
Museum about the horrors of World War II.
User rating: 77/100 (112 votes)
Visited by: 244 users
 16  Bay Area
New districts built on man-made islands.
User rating: 74/100 (363 votes)
Visited by: 751 users
 17  Tenmangu Shrine
Shrine with a very long, adjacent shopping arcade.
User rating: 74/100 (24 votes)
Visited by: 52 users
 18  Science Museum
Interactive museum about science.
User rating: 72/100 (58 votes)
Visited by: 137 users
Events
 1  Tenjin Matsuri
Popular summer festival with fireworks.
User rating: 76/100 (16 votes)
Visited by: 44 users
  
Side Trips from Osaka
 1  Kyoto
For over 1000 years the capital of Japan.
User rating: 97/100 (2946 votes)
Visited by: 5737 users
 2  Mount Koya
Atmospheric temple mountain.
User rating: 93/100 (303 votes)
Visited by: 549 users
 3  Nara
Japan's first permanent capital.
User rating: 90/100 (1782 votes)
Visited by: 3535 users
 4  Himeji
Site of Japan's most beautiful feudal castle.
User rating: 85/100 (913 votes)
Visited by: 1826 users
 5  Kinosaki
Pleasant, old-fashioned hot spring resort.
User rating: 85/100 (116 votes)
Visited by: 249 users
 6  Kobe
Harbor city, recovered from 1995 earthquake.
User rating: 81/100 (1027 votes)
Visited by: 2195 users
Special Interest Guides
  Osaka Food Guide
  Guide to Osaka's local cuisine.
  Osaka Shopping Guide
  Guide to Osaka's shopping districts.
  Osaka Museum Guide
  A list of some of Osaka's best museums.
  Osaka Cherry Blossom Spots
  A list of popular cherry blossom spots in Osaka.

Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

Access and Orientation
Access and Orientation
How to get to and around Osaka.

About transportation in Japan

Google Map

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Hotels and Ryokan
Osaka offers a wide range of accommodation for all budgets. The most convenient base for exploring the city and its surroundings is the Umeda district around JR Osaka Station. Also convenient is the Namba district, the city's prime nightlife area. The Shin-Osaka Station area does not offer much entertainment and dining options, but is most convenient for travelers using the shinkansen.
Search Hotels
Sponsor Hotels
Japan Osaka Ryokan Association
For business or pleasure, search by area for the perfect traditional Japanese ryokan to match your Osaka accommodation needs.
Amami Onsen Ryokan Nanten-en
A traditional Japanese ryokan. Experience traditional Japanese culture and natural beauty.
Kaneyoshi Ryokan
A modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.
Hotel Ichiei
A comfort modern Japanese hotel located in the center of Osaka. 3 train stations of Namba within a walking distance.
Osaka Yamatoya Honten
Japanese style budget ryokan. From 5,775yen.
Right next to Dotonbori in Osaka.
Recommended Hotels around Osaka - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites
Hilton Osaka Hotel
Very convenient high-class hotel just across JR Osaka Station.
Reserve through
Agoda or Japanican
Hotel Granvia Osaka
Very conveniently located inside JR Osaka Station City.
Reserve through
Agoda or Japanican
Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport
Directly connected to the terminal building, this is the most convenient hotel at Kansai Airport.
Reserve through
Agoda or Japanican
The Ritz-Carlton Osaka Hotel
Often considered Osaka's leading luxury hotel, located a short walk from JR Osaka Station.
Reserve through
Agoda or Japanican

Shop Directory
Kogetsu
Kogetsu is a large, illustrious Japanese food restaurant in the east part of the Shinsaibashi area of Osaka's...
Miki House - Takashimaya Osaka Store
Miki House is a renown children's clothing brand from Japan. We don't just stock clothing, but also babies'...
Sauna & Spa New Japan
This large scale spa and sauna complex is located in Osaka's popular Doutonbori district. Each building houses...
Yakiniku Rokko
Yakiniku Rokko is a restaurant located in Shinsaibashi in central Osaka, offering two hours of all-you-can-eat...
THE SUIT COMPANY - Shinsaibashi
The Suit Company has been a trusted retailer for quality men and women dress apparel at affordable prices. Find...
More shops...

Tours and Packages
Osaka Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Osaka and surroundings.

User Ratings
Ratings for Osaka:
japan-guide.com Rating:
  best of Japan  
User Rating (by 2210 users):
86/100
  recommended

Best rated destinations (out of 148):
26.  Furano   86/100
27.  Kurokawa Onsen   86/100
28.  Nagasaki   86/100
29.  Fuji Five Lakes   86/100
30.  Yoshino   86/100
31.  Osaka   86/100
32.  Sado Island   86/100
33.  Yufuin   86/100
34.  Hakone   86/100
35.  Himeji   85/100
Most visited destinations (out of 160):
1.  Tokyo   7460
2.  Kyoto   5737
3.  Osaka   4386
4.  Nara   3535
5.  Yokohama   3057
6.  Hiroshima   2802
7.  Kamakura   2646
8.  Nagoya   2200
9.  Kobe   2195
10.  Hakone   2084

User Feedback
We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

English Links
Osaka City
Official English website.
Osaka Tourist Guide
Official website by the tourism bureau.

Japanese Links
Osaka City
Official website.

Online Reservations
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Related Pages
Travel
Sightseeing
Kansai Region

Kita (Umeda)
Minami (Namba)
Osaka Bay Area
Shinsekai

Osaka Castle
National Bunraku Theater
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Shitennoji Temple
Tenmangu Shrine
Mino Park

Universal Studios Japan
Osaka Aquarium
Osaka Station City
Umeda Sky Building
Peace Osaka
History Museum
Science Museum
Museum of Art

Tenjin Festival

Osaka Food Guide
Osaka Shopping Guide
Osaka Museum Guide
Cherry Blossom Spots

Kansai Airport
Itami Airport
Osaka: Access and Orientation

News and Reports
April 2, 2013
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
by sean
March 27, 2013
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
by sean
April 14, 2012
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
by schauwecker
April 7, 2012
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
by sean
April 15, 2011
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
by francois
April 10, 2011
Osaka Cherry Blossom Report
by scott
April 8, 2011
Osaka 26-30 March
by winterjade
Osaka Autumn Color Report
November 26, 2010
More reports...

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