Your essential guide to Osaka: best things to do, restaurants, and where to stay

Osaka is unlike any other place in Japan, and that’s precisely why you should add it to your bucket list! This city is vibrant, energetic, and sometimes a bit over the top, but it also has a unique vibe that’s hard to find anywhere else. With amazing entertainment, plenty of shopping options, and delicious food, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time. Spend a few days exploring the best things to do in Osaka and discovering the top restaurants with this essential travel guide.

Essential guide to Osaka: best things to do
Essential guide to Osaka: best restaurants
Where to stay in Osaka

Essential guide to Osaka: best things to do

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, and it’s easy to see why. We’ve visited many castles in Japan, but the one in Osaka stands out as one of our favorites. The combination of golden and mint-green details is simply stunning. While you can explore the interior, we chose to wander the castle grounds and admire the exterior. A ticket for Osaka Castle costs 600 yen, which is about € 3,50.

Dotonbori

One of the best things to do in Osaka is strolling through Dotonbori, the city’s busiest and most vibrant district. This lively area is packed with dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Make sure to try some takoyaki (octopus balls) and strawberry daifuku (mochi stuffed with a fresh strawberry). For a fun and original souvenir, hop into one of the many photo booths and take some silly pictures. They even have props available! It’s also a great spot to take shelter on a rainy day, just like we did. 😉 We paid 500 yen (just under € 3) for two copies. And don’t forget to check out the Dotonbori canal, home to the iconic Glico Running Man billboard.

Pro tip
If you want to upgrade your Glico Running Man photos, head over to nanohana 戎橋店 on the other side of the river. Here you have a whole corner dedicated to the Glico Sign! It’s a great and original way to snapping a picture of this iconic landmark.

Namba Yasaka Shrine

If you’re seeking something unique and beautiful in Osaka, don’t miss Namba Yasaka Shrine. Shaped like a majestic lion’s head, this temple is a must-visit attraction in the city. It’s quite popular, especially for photography, so visiting early in the day is a great tip to beat the crowds and capture stunning shots!

You should know that to the right of the shrine, you will find a small altar. Locals use this side to pray and make a small donation.

Harukas 300

Harukas 300 is an observation deck located at the top of Abeno Harukas, Osaka’s 300-meter-high skyscraper. While the 16th-floor observatory offers a nice (and free) view, we highly recommend heading up to the top deck on the 58th to 60th floors. The breathtaking panoramic views are well worth the 2000 yen (around € 11,50) ticket price. From up there, you’ll get to see Osaka in all its glory, a sight you won’t soon forget.

See if GetYourGuide has availability for visiting Harukas 300 on your dates. Alternatively, you can also check Klook for availability to visit Harukas 300.

Umeda Sky Building

Another iconic observation deck that cannot be missed in this essential guide to Osaka is the Umeda Sky Building. This ultramodern structure consists of two towers connected by the “Floating Garden Observatory” on the 39th floor. From there, you can enjoy fantastic city views through large windows and from the open-air deck. Just a heads up: getting to the observatory involves ascending via a glass escalator, so it might not be ideal if you’re afraid of heights. You can purchase your tickets for the Umeda Sky Building online in advance for 2000 yen.

Shinsekai

Shinsekai, meaning “New World,” is one of Osaka’s most vibrant districts. It’s filled with flashy neon lights, game halls, restaurants, and the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. Some places may seem a bit kitschy, but that’s all part of the district’s charm and lively atmosphere.

And if you haven’t had your fill of observation decks yet, Tsutenkaku Tower offers another thrilling experience with its own observation deck. But here’s the twist: it also features the Tower Slider, a 60-meter slide that whisks you down in just 10 seconds. Tickets cost 1000 yen (just under € 6) for the observation deck and an additional 1000 yen for the Tower Slider.

Also, we found this cute little “shop” where Kelvin could shoot corks at all kinds of things. Think: instant noodles, candy, teddy bears,… you name it! Everything you shoot that falls off is yours for the taking! We only paid 500 yen (just under € 3) to shoot 7 corks, and got to take some delicious candy home with us.

Universal Studios Japan

If you’re a fan of theme parks, don’t miss Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. We’ve visited several Universal Studios parks, and the one in Japan is among our favorites. From thrilling attractions to meeting beloved characters and exploring areas like Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to check out our guide to Universal Studios Japan to make the most out of your day!

Buy your Universal Studios Japan tickets in advance through Klook.

Essential guide to Osaka: best restaurants

Kuromon Ichiba Market

One of our favorite markets in Japan has to be Kuromon Ichiba Market. This bustling market offers everything from street food and fresh seafood to clothing. Kelvin couldn’t resist a delicious Kobe beef skewer for 1800 yen, while we also tried a skewer of white strawberries for 500 yen. And let’s not forget the delicious fresh king crab we savored for 4500 yen! Everything was soooo good and fresh, yummy.

Another reason to visit Kuromon Ichiba Market is for the KitKat varieties. They have every flavor imaginable! If you’re looking for a recommendation, make sure to try the wasabi flavored KitKat.

Chibo Okonomiyaki

We discovered the best okonomiyaki of our entire Japan trip at Chibo Okonomiyaki. What’s great is that they have several locations across the city, each offering consistently amazing food.

On our first night, we dined at Chibo in HERBIS Plaza Osaka and were impressed by their separate vegetarian menu. Kelvin tried the fuwatoro okonomiyaki with pork, which was delicious, while Thysia opted for the green onion okonomiyaki with rice cake and cheese. Absolutely mouthwatering! Prices are around € 10 per okonomiyaki, a bit higher than usual, but trust us, it’s worth every penny for the best okonomiyaki you’ll ever taste.

On our last day, we visited Chibo in Abeno Q’s MALL with a lovely German couple we met in Vietnam. The menu was slightly different here. Kelvin tried the Mentai mayonnaise fuwatoro okonomiyaki with pork, while Thysia enjoyed the Mattari okonomiyaki with spinach, asparagus, rice cake, and cheese, and extra kimchi. Once again, the okonomiyaki was superb, and our friends loved it too. Plus, the prices were even more affordable here, around € 8 each. A great deal for such delicious food! We also loved the fact that you could tweak your own meal with all the sauces and bonito flakes they provide on your table.

Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji

During our exploration of Osaka’s food scene, we stumbled upon Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji, a cozy ramen spot. Kelvin opted for the slow-cooked pork rib ramen, and the broth was so full in flavor that he still dreams about it. Thysia enjoyed the Happiness ramen, which had a meat-based broth, but without the addition of meat in the bowl. It’s the closest we could get to a “vegetarian” meal for her! We topped off our bowls with menma, fermented bamboo shoots. So good! And the best part about Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji? They offer free kimchi! You better believe we made use of that. 😉 Since it’s a cozy spot with limited tables, you might have a short wait. Luckily, we only waited about 20 minutes, and it was absolutely worth it!

Sushiro

If you’re craving delicious and affordable sushi in Osaka, look no further than Sushiro. This conveyor belt sushi restaurant offers a wide variety of fresh dishes at reasonable prices. We tried several options and loved them all, but the shrimp basil cheese and grilled eel were definite highlights. The best part? We ordered around 10 dishes and 4 drinks for only € 15! Talk about a very affordable place with amazing sushi.

Unagi Kushiyaki Idumo

After falling in love with eel during our trip to Japan, we were thrilled to discover Unagi Kushiyaki Idumo, a dedicated eel restaurant in Osaka. On our last day before heading to the airport, we arrived before opening to secure our spot. However, there was already a queue forming! After a 40-minute wait, we finally got our seats. We opted for the regular eel box with rice, and another featuring eel and eel omelet. The eel omelet stole the show with its rich flavors! The rice was maybe a tad bit too dry, although it paired perfectly with both eel dishes. We’d come back in a heartbeat!

It’s worth noting that eel is pricey. The regular box cost 1990 yen (about € 11,50), while the eel omelet box was 3290 yen (almost € 20). Despite the price, the quality and taste made it worth every yen. If you do decide to stop by this place, either arrive (well) before opening time, or try to visit at an unconventional time. That way you won’t have to wait too long.

Grenier

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, we suggest checking out Grenier. This adorable bakery serves delicious millefeuille, a puff pastry filled with custard cream and various toppings. We tried both the lemon and brulee millefeuille. While both were amazing, the lemon one was our favorite. It’s bursting with flavor, full of meringue, with every bite revealing more deliciousness! The regular brulee was very nice, too, but less complex in flavor compared to the lemon one. Pastries here cost between 1000 and 1500 yen (€ 5,80 – € 8,70), and they’ll definitely keep you satisfied for hours! For budget conscious travelers we recommend sharing one millefeuille, as these boys are huge.