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Japan
Osaka
Osaka Castle, Dotonbori's neon and street food, Kuromon Market, the Kaiyukan aquarium and Universal Studios Japan, with Kyoto, Nara and Kobe a short train ride away.
The best of Osaka, according to 3 travel creators
We read 4 Osaka itineraries and counted which places come up again and again. Higher on the list means more creators recommend it.
Save to PinterestBest things to do in Osaka
1.Dotonbori
Namba3 of 3 creators recommendFree
Canal-side entertainment strip known for neon signs and street food.
2.Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Bay (Tempozan)3 of 3 creators recommendfrom $17
One of the world's largest public aquariums, built around a central Pacific Ocean tank.
3.Osaka Castle
Chuo / Osaka Castle Park3 of 3 creators recommendfrom $7.58
Reconstructed 16th-century castle keep housing a history museum, set in a large park.
4.Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
Osaka Bay (Tempozan)3 of 3 creators recommendfrom $5.05
Large Ferris wheel beside Kaiyukan with bay views.
5.Umeda Sky Building
Umeda3 of 3 creators recommendfrom $9.47
Twin-tower skyscraper joined by an open-air rooftop observatory.
6.Universal Studios Japan
Universal City (Konohana)3 of 3 creators recommendfrom $0.01
Theme park including Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Tip: Prices change by date: buy tickets ahead on the official site.
7.Cupnoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
Ikeda2 of 3 creators recommendFree
Museum on the invention of instant ramen, with a make-your-own cup noodle workshop.
8.Osaka Museum of History
Chuo2 of 3 creators recommendfrom $3.79
Museum of Osaka's history with views over Osaka Castle.
9.Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
Shinsaibashi2 of 3 creators recommend
Long covered shopping arcade north of Dotonbori.
10.Arashiyama
Kyoto1 of 3 creators recommend
Kyoto district with a bamboo grove, monkey park and river scenery.
12.Expo '70 Commemorative Park
Suita1 of 3 creators recommend
Park on the 1970 World Expo site, home to the Tower of the Sun.
13.Harukas 300
Tennoji / Abeno1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $9.47
Observation deck at the top of the Abeno Harukas skyscraper.
14.Hattori Ryokuchi Park
Toyonaka1 of 3 creators recommend
Large park with an open-air museum of old Japanese farmhouses.
15.Japan Mint Museum
Kita / Sakuranomiya1 of 3 creators recommendFree
Museum at the Japan Mint, known for its spring cherry-blossom passage.
Where to eat in Osaka
3.Garden Oriental Osaka
Kita / Sakuranomiya1 of 3 creators recommend
Restaurant and wedding venue in a historic building beside the Okawa river.
4.Hankyu Umeda Main Store food hall
Umeda1 of 3 creators recommend
Department-store basement food hall.
7.Ippudo
1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $4.99
Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen chain; the creator does not name a branch.
8.Izakaya Toyo
Kyobashi1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $24
Standing izakaya known for its showman owner and seared tuna.
9.Kura Sushi
1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $0.63
Conveyor-belt sushi chain; the creator does not name a branch.
10.Kuromon Ichiba Market
Nipponbashi1 of 3 creators recommend
Covered food market known for seafood and street snacks.
Where to stay in Osaka
1.Conrad Osaka
Nakanoshima1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $426/night
Five-star hotel on the upper floors of the Nakanoshima Festival Tower West.
2.Cross Hotel Osaka
Shinsaibashi/Dotonbori1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $69/night
Design hotel steps from Dotonbori.
3.Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka
Nipponbashi1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $21/night
Hostel set in a former toy store south of Namba.
4.Konjaku-So Dotonbori Garden SPA Stay
Dotonbori1 of 3 creators recommendfrom $600/night
Japanese-style luxury stay with spa near Dotonbori.
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