Travel Osaka

Complete Travel Guide : Osaka, Japan

Name : Osaka

Region : Kansai

Population : 2.5 million

Famous for : Fun loving People & Food

Must see sight : Osaka-jo Castle

Must try dish : Okonomiyaki & Takoyaki

Osaka is famous for its relaxed down to earth people, sense of humour and great food. It is a really attractive city with traditional buildings mixed in with modern architecture. Osaka is divided into two main areas Kita (North) and Minami (South). Kita is the city’s main business and administrative center and contains the JR Osaka Train Station. Minami is the city’s entertainment and shopping area. It contains entertainment and nightlife areas such as Namba and Shinsaibashi.

The must see places in Osaka include :

Dotonbori – The liveliest area of Osaka packed with restaurants and amazing night-life. Take a step into Blade Runner nightscapes and neon lights.

Osaka Aquarium – Also known as Kaiyukan, it is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Its theme is the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Osaka Castle – The city’s most popular tourist attraction and a recreation of a 17th century castle. It is easily located in the center of the city, and is one of the best places in Osaka to do hanami (cherry blossom viewing) during spring.

Namba – Osaka’s most famous entertainment district that is packed with restaurants and is great for shopping.

Shinsaibashi Shopping – The largest shopping area in Osaka which extends up to 580 meters in a north-south direction and approximately 180 stores including old-established shops, department stores, and those selling major brand products.

Shitennoji Temple – Founded in 593, it is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan.

Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine – One of the oldest shrines in Japan, dedicated to the Shinto deities associated with the sea and sea travel.

Umeda Sky Building – A striking futuristic skyscraper which is a highlight of Osaka. The building is pierced by a large hole at one point.

Universal Studio Japan – Also known as USJ, is one of four Universal Studios theme parks in the world and modeled on the Universal Orlando resort. The park contains nine different themed areas.

Five Day Itinerary for Osaka :

Day 1 : Your 5 days osaka itinerary should ideally start with your exploring the city attractions first. And so, start your day by visiting the Osaka Castle in the morning. One of Japan's most famous landmarks, this castle complex covers the area of 106.7 hectares with more than 600 cherry trees.

By mid-morning, make your way to Dōtonbori. A premier tourist destination, this district is known for its varied shopping and entertainment choices.

After a leisurely lunch at one of the restaurants here, move on to visit the Tsūtenkaku. Located in the Shinsekai district, this tower was built in 1912s the symbol of Shin-Sekai or the new world. While the tower is 103 meters tall, the observation deck is located at 91 meters. Just a few meters away is the Osaka Tennoji Zoo. Housing more than 1,000 animals of 230 different types, this zoo is a hit among people of all age groups. In the evening, you can come back to the Dōtonbori to see hundreds of neon lights.

Day 2 : Keep this day especially reserved for adventure. The Universal Studios Japan should keep you hooked for a good 8 hours. Located 13 kilometers from the city center, a subway will take you to the most awaited attraction of your trip. With thrill rides, cool gift shops, and innumerable food choices, USJ is not to be missed!

After a day at USJ, head to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Note that this aquarium is open till 8 PM, and after visiting the museum, you can walk a bit in the Tempozan Harbor Village area before heading back to the city.

Day 3 : After a yummy-in-my-tummy kind of a breakfast, you have more food to look forward to. The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum is a museum dedicated to instant noodles and Cup Noodles inventor, Momofuku Ando. After spending some time here, explore the nearby district.

In the afternoon, visit the Satsukiyama Zoo. This mini-zoo has no entry fee, but a tonne of cute animals that you can pet.

Get back in the city for lunch, and later visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Featuring the life of the past, this museum has many exhibits of buildings & streets in Osaka.

Later in the evening, if you have some time on hand, you can also visit the Osaka Museum of History which is located near the Osaka Castle.

Day 4 : Head out of the city on day 4. Located 57 km north of Osaka, Kyoto is known for its numerous classical and historical monuments. The city has many Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, gardens, Shinto shrines, traditional wooden houses, and the many places that can be termed as the origins of the Japanese culture. During the early autumn or late spring, this city is covered with hundreds of cherry blossom trees.

A few attractions here are Kiyomizu-Dera, Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Nijō Castle, and Arashiyama among many others. Plan your day well and choose your top attractions to visit in Kyoto.

Day 5 : Across the Osaka Bay, the island of Awaji is located at about 1.5 hours’ drive. Perfect for a day trip, Awaji Island. Some of the ancient scriptures suggest that this island was the first ever Japanese island that formed. Take the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge, to reach the island. Abundant with history, nature, gastronomy, and many natural attractions, Awaji island is full of surprises.

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