Osaka travel guides 2019– Osaka attractions map – Osaka independent travel guidebook

Osaka

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About Osaka

Osaka is the center of Japan’s Western region, known for being a hub of gourmet cooking, the nation’s water capital and the “Vice President” of Japan’s cities. A symbol of the metropolis, Osaka Castle is a must-see attraction that is representative of the continuous historical changes in the city. Universal Studios is another destination well worth a visit, with its Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minions and Sesame Street attractions all waiting for a fun-filled family visit. If you’ve got a small child in tow, fun awaits at the mysterious underwater world at Osaka Aquarium, or the nearby Tempozan Ferris Wheel from the top of which you can get a beautiful view of Osaka Bay. In terms of shopping, Osaka Umeda District in the north, Namba in the south, along with Shinsaibashi and Midosuji offer endless stores and malls to discover. Be sure to visit a couple times in case you miss something your first time in Osaka.

Popular Attractions in Osaka

Universal Studios Japan

4.8/5

10,946 Reviews

Theme Park

Universal Studios Japan is located in Osaka and is the world's third Universal Studios theme park after Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida. Visitors can go on exciting rides, watch performances and shows, and new attraction launches each year, attracting a large number of visitors.

Shinsaibashi

4.6/5

3,309 Reviews

Featured Neighbourhood

Shinsaibashi is a well-known commercial shopping district in Osaka. It is centered on Shinsaibashi Commercial Street. It has a variety of boutiques, specialty stores, and department stores, as well as a variety of shops where you can buy Japanese groceries. Of course, you can also shop big brands. It is a must-visit shopping paradise. You can also find food from all over the world as well as local speciality such as Okonomiyaki, fried skewers, takoyaki, and ramen.

Dotonbori

4.6/5

1,718 Reviews

Featured Neighbourhood

Located at the southern end of Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori is a well-known and bustling business district, famous for its neighboring theaters, commercial and entertainment venues, and as the birthplace of Osaka cuisine. Japanese people often say "eat in Osaka", which shows that there are many restaurants here. There are huge billboards on both sides of the river with exaggerated and attractive shapes. Among them, the big crab signboard of Glico's signboard and Kani Dōraku's crab are the places where tourists take photos of the most. At night when the neon lights are flashing, you can also take a sightseeing boat and enjoy the night view of the city.

Osaka Castle

4.6/5

1,917 Reviews

Historical Architecture

Located in the center of Osaka, Osaka Castle is a major landmark of Osaka. It is also listed as one of the three famous castles in Japan's history together with Nagoya Castle and Kumamoto Castle. The Osaka Castle is divided into inner, middle, and outer castles (i.e., Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru). The magnificent city gate, the steep walls and the wide moats inside and outside are very spectacular. The pavilion also overlooks the streetscape around Osaka Castle. In the parks of the castle, plum blossoms and cherry blossoms bloom in their respective seasons, and they are famous places to enjoy plum and cherry blossoms in Osaka.

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