Top 15 things to do in Osaka Japan | Osaka Travel Guide

Osaka. Known as the kitchen of Japan. It is a vibrant and modern Japanese city that puts food and drinks at the center of the Osaka experience. There are also plenty of other things to do here besides eating. I had the pleasure of visiting this fantastic city multiple times during my travels. So, if you're considering swinging by Osaka and wondering what the city has to offer, I thought I would be helpful by sharing my top 15 things to do in Osaka for any first-time visitors. When most people think of Osaka, the usual image that pops up is that of the famous Calico Man and the Neon Bath area of Dotonbori. Dotonbori is the heart of Osaka and probably one place that shouldn't be missed by any visitor. It's a lively area filled with restaurants and bars, so you can pretty much get your hands on all of the signature Osaka dishes. There's also plenty of shopping opportunities, but simply just taking a stroll through the area is an experience in itself. The best time to visit Dotonbori is during the evening hours. This is when the area lights up and showcases its famous neon-lit scenery. If I had to pick one iconic street food from Osaka, then it had to be takoyaki. Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese treat made from wheat flour batter, typically filled with minced or diced octopus and then topped with bonito flakes. It's super gooey inside. It's super hot and warm, obviously, but it's very tasty. I can see why people enjoy this as a quick snack. It's definitely not something I would eat, you know, as a full meal unless I had a choice, but for what it is, for around 750 yen for like a medium-sized spot, I think it's a pretty cool snack and definitely something to try out when you're here in Osaka, You can usually find a takoyaki shop under these huge octopus signs. Many of the food shops here in Dotonbori area use these massive signs as a way to indicate to potential customers what kind of food they're selling at their shop. In case you don't know, Don Quijote is a major retail chain here in Japan. You can find an endless supply of random items here, which makes it the perfect souvenir shop. However, what's unique about this Don Q is its giant ferris wheel, and yes, you can actually ride on it. So we're in the Don Q ferris wheel in Osaka. I didn't even know we could get in this. Last time I was here with my brother, it didn't work or something, or at least I didn't know about this, but now I'm here. Another one off the to-do list. The ferris wheel provides a decent view over the Dotonbori area, so if you do intend to ride it, then I recommend doing so during the evening hours. Next up, we have the Osaka castle. The Osaka castle is truly a city landmark and to be honest, a little touristy, but it's one of these things that you kind of have to see at least once, so I suggest doing a visit on one of your off days where a nice stroll around the castle grounds could actually be really nice. For even more of a change of pace, then pay the Namba Yasaka shrine a visit. This shrine has a very uniquely shaped lion head building where several shrine events are held throughout the year. It's a small but beautiful shrine that stands in contrast to the ever so modern and hectic life in Osaka. Don't forget to pay your respects at the shrine before heading onwards. If food is on your agenda, then you need to try an okonomiyaki, one of the most famous dishes from the Kansai region, and you get some of the best ones right here in Osaka. An okonomiyaki is essentially a savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients in a wheat flour based batter. You can find anything from okonomiyaki stuffed with seafood to ones with fried noodle toppings. One place I recommend trying out is a shop called Fugutaro. My favorite there is the seafood version, but there are many other options to try out. They offer private seating areas, but I do recommend grabbing a seat at the counter so you can watch the chefs prepare your okonomiyaki right in front of you. At number seven, we have the Omeda Sky Building. Even the escalator ride up was a memorable one here, and it's one of the most famous landmarks in Osaka. Once you reach the top, you're met with a nice view over the city, and you can also find these little love logs on the rooftop, a bonus activity if you're planning to bring a significant other. At number eight, we have the Osaka Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. It houses over 15 large water tanks displaying the diverse marine life found in the Pacific Ocean. It's a magical place to explore, especially if you're bringing children. My favorite part of the aquarium was the jellyfish area. They were all really beautiful with their very colors and shapes all floating around and glowing in the dark. Across from the aquarium, you'll find the Tamposan Ferris Wheel, one of the world's largest ferris wheels. All right, we're in the ferris wheel. It's nice and chilly. It's provided air conditioning. It's great. Hopefully, the view is not that bad when we get up. It provides a great view over the bay area, thanks to its 100 meter in diameter and total height of 112 meters. I recommend visiting during the evening hours as that's when the beautifully lit up. Next up, we have fugu. Fugu, or the blowfish, is one of the more unique Japanese dishes to try. The content of its liver is lethally poisonous, yet it's been eaten for centuries in Japan. Only certified chefs are allowed to prepare the fugu dishes, so if you're in Osaka and you want to try out some fugu, just look for the large fugu fish hanging around the Dotonbori area. At number 11, we have Amerikamura. Amerikamura is the center of the youth culture here in Osaka. It's here you can find the latest hip and fashionable trends, with the area being filled with vintage shops and second-hand stores. So, if you're down for a little bit of shopping, then Amerikamura is definitely the place for you. Even if you don't plan on doing any shopping, it's still a place worth exploring as I deem it as one of the must visit places while you're in Osaka. I quickly wanted to mention the numerous game bars in Osaka. If you're planning to visit Osaka with a group of friends, then I highly recommend swinging by one just for a few drinks and some laughs, and obviously some Smash Bros or Mario Kart. There are also game bars that focus on old board games if you're more into that. Another cool place worth exploring is called Shinsekai, with its famous view of the Sutenkaku Tower. It's another neon-lit area, making it a great photo spot, but it's also a place you'll find plenty of restaurants and bars to explore. So, if you've gotten a little tired of Dotonbori, then Shinsekai is definitely a place worth exploring. So, we're going to finish up the list with two food items. The first one is Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, usually filled with red bean paste. You can find some of the best ones here at the Naruto Taiyaki Honpo shop. It's a very popular shop with the usual queue of people, so you know it's going to be good. And finally, you should not miss out on the sinfully good cheese tarts from Pablo. These tarts will literally melt in your mouth. They are so, so good. Don't forget to order one with an accompanied milkshake, just to make it a little bit extra. So, that was my top 15 things to do in Osaka for first-timers. I hope you found some good suggestions for things to do and places to visit for your next Osaka trip. I've been fortunate enough to spend a good deal of time in the city and it's just one of the coolest cities in Japan, without a doubt. If you have any questions or felt I left something out, hit me up in the comments below. And as always, if you found the video helpful, give it a like and subscribe for more travel content. This is Alan, until next time.