Osaka
Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan. There are so many delicious foods to try, you will want to stay here a week! Osaka is also gateway to accessing nearby areas and a great base for travel to Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Himeji and Kobe.
We love Osaka, there is so much for kids to do and so much amazing food!
When we stay in Osaka we use it as our base for day trips out to Nara, Kyoto, Himeji and Kobe. An alternative can be to base in Kyoto and do a day trip to Osaka. The advantage of staying in Osaka is that if you want to go to Universal Studios (USJ) you will have less travel at the beginning and end of the day. Ideally, if you can stay a few days in Osaka and a few days in Kyoto, you will have more opportunities to appreciate this amazing area.
Arriving in Osaka
If you arrive in Osaka by Shinkansen you will come into Shin-osaka which is a separate station to Osaka station. If you arrive by plane (KIX), there are a number of trains that connect from the airport to Osaka and Namba stations. Check out the Japan guide for full details.
Where to stay
Like Tokyo, the public transport in Osaka is fantastic. Wherever you stay make sure you are in walking distance of a train station.
Tip: When looking at accommodation, follow the train line in google maps to ‘find directions’ to sites you plan to visit.
There are two main areas where tourists tend to stay in Osaka. Staying in the Umeda/Osaka station area provides easy access to Shin-Osaka station, which is convenient for exploring areas around Osaka.
Alternatively, the Namba area is close to Dotonbori, with restaurants, markets and shops on your doorstep. It is a little further from Shin-osaka station, however, there are still many transport options and Namba is very convenient for USJ.
Things to do in Osaka
Osaka Castle
This is one of our favourite castles. The kids will enjoy exploring the external gardens and measuring themselves again the massive stones laid in the wall.
The boys were fascinated with the defensive traps at the gates of the castle including trap doors and arrow holes to shoot though.
Show your passports to be able to enter the castle for a discount. Inside the castle as you wind up through the levels you can read about the history of Osaka and the castle. The top gives a 360 degree view of Osaka and if you can time it right, the view is particularly beautiful at sunset.
The grounds are amazing in cherry blossom season and around New Year you will be able to enjoy the castle illuminations (for an additional fee).
Universal Studios Japan USJ
A visit to Osaka would not be complete without a trip to USJ. If your kids and big kids 😉 are into Harry Potter, you are in for a treat! See our post on Universal Studios!
Osaka Aquarium
Osaka aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and is located in Osaka Bay. An escalator takes you to the top of the aquarium and then a walkways spirals down through different exhibits and around the main tank which is 9m deep and 34m long. The kids will love this aquarium and the opportunity to see the massive whale shark cruising in the main tank.
While you are here check out the 12.5m high Tempozan ferris wheel, and the Tempozam market place shopping centre with amusement rides and a cool shop where we picked up ninja outfits for the kids.
Umeda Sky building
Umeda sky building is located near Umeda and Osaka train stations. From the top, there is an amazing 360 degree view of the city. We combined this trip with a visit to a Pokemon Centre inside Daimaru Umeda department store and once again we emptied our wallets and filled our bags with Pokemon, then we picked up some 551 Horai to take home for lunch!
Explore Dotonbori
Dotonbori street is on the south side of Dotonbori canal. Here you will find many restaurants, street stalls and shopping areas. It’s an awesome place to stroll and just soak up the atmosphere both day and night.
A very popular thing to do is have your photo taken in front of the Glico running man – I’m not sure why, but it’s the thing to do. You can take a boat cruise down Dotonbori canal but we were happy just walking. Although there are some shops on the canal waterfront, most of the action, restaurants and shops are on Dotonbori street.
Cup Noodle Museum
The kids love this place. It is the birthplace of cup noodles and the museum highlights the history of this iconic Japanese food. Here you can design your very own cup noodles. Start by decorating the cup and then choose the flavourings and toppings for your noodles.
This museum is a little out of town in Northern Osaka, a 20 minute express train from Umeda takes you to Ikeda station and the museum is a short walk form there. It is well worth the visit, a great experience for the kids and a great souvenir. For more info see our blog.
The best bit? You can take your very own designer noodles home to Australia to try!!
Kuromon Markets
We loved looking through the streets of Kuromon market with fresh sushi and sashimi, crab meat on a stick, little red octopus on a stick, puffer fish (which we weren’t game enough to try!), Kobe beef and the sweetest white strawberries I have ever tasted! As we walked past one shop a kind elderly man came hobbling out to the boys saying “present, present”, and gave them each a roasted sweet potato and a spoon and they happily strolled through the markets eating their sweet potato – one of the few times we felt ok about eating as we walked in Japan.
Shopping
There are two main shopping areas in Osaka, ‘Kita’ area in the North near Umeda and Osaka stations and ‘Minami’ in the South with shopping areas in Namba, Shinsaibashi, Nipponbashi and Amerikamura.
The department stores tend to be closer to Umeda area although there is a large Takishimaya near Namba.
The southern area has smaller stores and Doguyasuji Shotengai, otherwise known as ‘kitchenware street’ where you can find chopsticks, lacquerware and pottery shops. We found a knife shop and bought a couple of beautiful knives made of Damascus steel. Awesome souvenir.
Tip: We have never had any issues bringing kitchen knives back into Australia. Make sure you have them in your checked luggage. You don’t need to declare them as they are not a weapon but a kitchen utensil.
Eat!!
Osaka is known for its amazing food. Many of these foods you can find elsewhere in Japan but Osaka is the best place to eat them! There is also a lot of street food so if you have kids that can’t manage a sit down meal, you will still be able to savour what Osaka has to offer. I wanted to include the Osaka foods here but in the end they need their own blog to do them justice! Check out our 7 top foods you must have in Osaka.
Who would enjoy this…
Osaka is a must for any foodie, even with younger kids it is easy to sample the amazing foods of Japan in Osaka. Of course for any Harry Potter fan, visiting Osaka and USJ is a must! Osaka is also an amazing place to enjoy the city lights but is more relaxed and not as frantic as Tokyo. Osaka is very convenient for travelling to other parts of the Kansai area. If you are travelling in Dec or early January, be sure to see the Osaka Castle illuminations.
Need more info?
Japan Guide Osaka
Matcha guide Osaka
Lonely Planet
2 aussie travellers guide to Osaka
While in Osaka check out…
Osaka Aquarium
Dotonbori
Osaka Castle
National Bunraku Theatre
Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
Umeda Sky Building
Kuromon Market
Cup Noodle Museum