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Osaka is Tokyo’s fun-loving younger brother (although it’s now Japan’s third-largest city after Yokohama), with a taste for hearty street food and an easy-going swagger. In the 7th century, it served as Japan’s capital, its port trading heavily with Korea and China. Now a city of neon-signed tower blocks, it has kept its commercial edge. Decades of supporting a hungry workforce have nurtured Japan’s biggest food scene. Here, according to the locals, it’s possible to kuidaore (eat yourself bankrupt).
Namba, downtown Osaka, is where many local people head each evening, to peruse the rows of glass-walled malls and restaurants. Most eateries are along Daikokubashi, the city’s liveliest entertainment street. The road straddles the Dotonbori-gawa Canal, its neon signs and animated adverts reflected in the still water. You don’t need a grasp of Japanese to work out what each restaurant is serving — most are bedecked with a giant plastic recreation of their forte above the doorway.
Kushikatsu, one of Osaka’s many culinary specialties, is a signature of the nearby district of Shinsekai. Pork, chicken, seafood, mushrooms or vegetables (particularly asparagus) are skewered, seasoned and deep fried then usually dipped in tonkatsu (barbecue-style) sauce. A traditional street food, you can graze on kushikatsu as you wander past pinball parlous, shooting galleries and tiny cinemas.
In the early 20th century, Shinsekai was a symbol of modern Japan. Its futuristic amusement arcades and architecture include the Tsutenkaku Tower, modeled on the Eiffel Tower (although it looks more along the lines of air traffic control).
Dominating the heart of the city is the handsomely restored Osaka Castle, which sits on a little island of green among the angular, gray cityscape. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a feudal warlord, it played a key role in the unification of Japan in the 16th century.
The five-story building has undergone numerous reincarnations over the centuries, the most recent — and, hopefully, permanent — in 1931 (with a major refurbishment in 1997). Head up to the top floor for views across the citadel and city beyond.
As well as visiting the castle, you can explore the gates, turrets and chunky stone walls of the surrounding park. The best view of the castle is from Nishinomaru Garden, a lawn dotted with 600 cherry trees. In among their trunks, you’ll find a traditional wooden teahouse (aptly for Osaka, it was donated by the founder of Panasonic) and a shrine dedicated to the feudal warlord Hideyoshi.
Osaka’s residents are equally as proud of their historic baseball stadium as they are their castle. Built in 1924, Hanshin Koshien is Japan’s oldest baseball ground and home to the Hanshin Tigers. Professional baseball has been gaining traction in Japan for a long time and is now vying with sumo wrestling as the national sport. Games have a family-friendly, festival feel — we recommend buying tickets well in advance.
Best time to visit Osaka
Due to Osaka’s coastal location, its weather is relatively temperate year-round. The best times to go tend to be from October to November and March through to May, when the skies are generally clear.
June to August can be hot and humid, but the coastal breeze makes it more bearable than in the rest of Japan. If you’re comfortable with cold temperatures, December and January are quiet months to travel, although most businesses close for a few days over Shogatsu (New Year).
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Suggested itinerary featuring Osaka
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Osaka, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Osaka
- Nara 17 miles away
- Kyoto 27 miles away
- Mount Koya 36 miles away
- Tokushima 70 miles away
- Kinosaki Onsen 75 miles away
- Takamatsu 87 miles away
- Naoshima 88 miles away
- Tottori 91 miles away
- Kurashiki 99 miles away
- Iya Valley 100 miles away
- Shikoku 130 miles away
- Tsumago 133 miles away
- Shirakawago 134 miles away
- Takayama 140 miles away
- Kanazawa 145 miles away
- Matsue 148 miles away
- Kamikochi 165 miles away
- Matsuyama 168 miles away
- Tateyama 171 miles away
- Matsumoto 175 miles away
- Hiroshima 176 miles away
- Miyajima Island 185 miles away
- The Japanese Alps 188 miles away
- Hakuba 191 miles away
- Izu Peninsula 197 miles away
- Hakone & Mount Fuji 203 miles away
- Yudanaka 216 miles away
- Noto Peninsula 219 miles away
- Kamakura 232 miles away
- Tokyo 250 miles away
- Beppu 252 miles away
- Yufuin 257 miles away
- Nikko 274 miles away
- Kurokawa 275 miles away
- Kyushu 283 miles away
- Aso 285 miles away
Photos of Osaka
Our expert guides to exploring Osaka
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Osaka, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Osaka at its best.
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Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond
Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond
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Accommodation choices for Osaka
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Osaka. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Cross Hotel Osaka
Osaka