Full confession: I fell in love with Osaka, Japan way harder than I thought I would. But let’s be honest, it’s hard not to be head over heels for a place that’s known as “the nation’s kitchen.” Seriously – I’ve never seen so many restaurants packed into one city! Between wandering neon-lit streets, squeezing into cozy izakayas (casual Japanese pubs), and eating some of the best food I’ve ever had, Osaka completely won me over. I put together this post specifically for first-time visitors in hopes that you’ll love it just as much!
Wait – where are my manners?! If we haven’t met, I’m Gina, and I’m (usually) a solo traveler who took a mini-hiatus from the solo life to go to Japan with my friend Rachel. During our trip, we visited Kyoto and Osaka together, and then I did Tokyo on my own.
Intro To Osaka
As someone who loves the craziness of large cities, I really enjoyed the urban aesthetic and overall vibe of Osaka a lot. Despite there being tons of people everywhere, it never felt like mass chaos like some other big cities I’ve been to. Instead, there was an element of controlled chaos, despite the hustle and bustle.
In a city that’s known for food, half the fun of Osaka is not knowing exactly where you’ll end up for dinner. Some of our favorite meals came from wandering into tiny izakayas that caught our eye. These casual Japanese pubs are all about sharing small plates, trying local food, and enjoying a lively-yet-laid-back atmosphere. The menus are often only in Japanese, so make sure you download Google Translate before you go!
Needless to say, I left Osaka with a ton of recommendations! This post breaks down the best things Rachel and I did in Osaka that are perfect for first-time visitors. If you have any questions when you’re done reading, use the Contact Me form at the bottom or message me on Instagram!
1. Drive a Go-Kart Through the City Streets
Rachel and I both agreed that driving a go-kart through the streets of Osaka was our favorite thing we did during our entire trip. We booked the experience with Street Kart Japan and would 10/10 recommend doing this activity with them. You get to dress up in a character onesie and pretend like you’re in a real life version of your favorite video game (well, within reason, of course – no bumping or reckless driving allowed!).
- Pro Tip: This activity requires an international driving permit – I got mine from AAA in the United States before I left.
This activity takes you through the main streets of downtown Osaka (so, yes, you’re actually driving along with other cars). If driving on the main road sounds intimidating, don’t worry. You have a guide who is leading you the whole time, and they make sure everyone knows how to drive the kart before you go. I loved seeing the looks on everyone’s faces as we drove past! Some people laughed, others took photos, and most of them waved. NGL, I felt like a bit of a celebrity! Your guide will also take pictures during stops on the tour, so you’ll have plenty of fabulous shots to remember your trip. Book your Street Kart Japan experience here!
- Pro Tip: In my Tokyo blog post, I talk about how Street Kart Japan offers a similar Tokyo experience where you drive through the streets of Shibuya. I loved this activity so much in Osaka that I planned on doing it again once I got to Tokyo, but sadly my trip got cut short and it didn’t work out.
2. Go on A Craft Beer and Food Tour
Japan’s craft beer scene is becoming increasingly popular, so if you’re a beer lover, I highly recommend doing a craft beer tour. Rachel and I did the Craft Beer & Food Tour with Arigato Travels and absolutely loved it.
During this tour, we got to walk through the Umeda neighborhood and eat and drink inside tiny izakayas where the locals hang out. We were also able to try traditional Japanese street food, such as takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings) and kushikatsu (deep fried meat and veggie skewers). Osaka has a very impressive skyline, so I was extra excited when our night ended at a swanky restaurant on the 31st floor of a building overlooking the city! Click here to book your Craft Beer & Food Tour with Arigato.
Other Food Tours in Osaka
If you’re not a beer fan but still want to do a food tour, Arigato offers plenty of other food tours to choose from. Another one that I would recommend is the street food tour in the Shinsekai neighborhood. This area has a very retro feel and is really cool to walk though. You’ll get to explore pachinko parlors (Japanese gaming halls filled with brightly lit rows of pinball-style machines), along with slot machines and other carnival-style games.
If anyone in your party is into arcades and food, this tour is a great option. While you’re in Shinsekai, be sure to get a photo of the Tsūtenkaku Tower – a famous Osaka landmark inspired by the Eiffel Tower.
A Note From Gina 🩷
I’m a huge advocate for doing a food tour whenever I travel to a new country, but I’m especially glad I did one in Japan. While I knew some foods (ramen, sushi, wagyu beef), I was definitely unfamiliar with the names of many traditional street foods. Having a local guide introduce me to these dishes made me feel much more confident ordering food throughout the rest of my trip.
3. Admire the Neon Lights (and More!) in Dotonbori
Dotonbori is Osaka’s version of Times Square, and if you know me, you know I was down to run wild through this area. (And by “run wild,” I mean stand there with stars in my eyes and snap a million photos.) I have a weakness for neon lights and high energy places, so naturally, I loved walking through here. Don’t get me wrong – this area is definitely busy and chaotic, but there was an element of controlled chaos that I appreciated.
I especially loved seeing the neon lights reflecting over the Dotonbori River. Take some time to stroll down the Tonbori River walk, or take a sightseeing cruise along the canal. If you really want to go all out, you can book an Osaka city walking tour that includes a sightseeing cruise.
While you’re in this area, be sure to take a picture of the Glico Running Man on the neon billboards. He’s one of the most well-known symbols of Osaka and has been the “city mascot” since 1935. And don’t leave without stopping in Don Quijote – a massive chain discount store that sells everything from cosmetics to electronics to high-end luxury resale items.
…And Don’t Skip Hozenji Yokocho
After you’ve had your fill of the neon chaos, make sure to sneak down to Hozenji Yokocho – a narrow, stone-paved alleyway located 2 blocks south of the Dotonbori arcade. Sneaking off into this calmer, quiet area felt like stumbling upon a hidden secret…and I mean, it kind of is! While you’re here, be sure to check out the Hozen-ji temple (where this alleyway got its name). Its calm, serene energy was giving me major Kyoto temple vibes.
While walking through Hozenji Yokocho, I also stumbled upon Bar Simon, a tiny, hole-in-the-wall bar with a dark aesthetic and no actual drink menu. Sounds intriguing, right? You simply tell the bartenders what you like (or what type of liquor you like), and they make you something. Since Japan is known for whiskey, I had the bartenders give me their spin on a whiskey sour and it was fabulous.
4. Walk Through Kuromon Ichiba Fish Market
Kuromon Ichiba Fish Market, also known as “the kitchen of Osaka,” is a covered food market famous for its fresh seafood and endless food stalls. Although there are dozens of food halls in Osaka to explore, Kuromon Ichiba is arguably the most famous. As you stroll through here, you’ll come across countless things to eat, from seafood skewers to fruit and veggie stalls to Japanese desserts.
Food halls tend to be very lively and crowded from all the vendors, shops, and people weaving in and out, so my advice is to take your time and casually stroll down the isles. Trust me – there’s a LOT to take in here! Add in the bright lights, and prepare to be overstimulated (in the best way).
- Pro Tip: Avoid walking and eating at the same time – this is frowned upon in Japanese culture!
Would You Try Fugu (Japanese Pufferfish) at Kuromon Ichiba?
One of the reasons Kuromon Ichiba Market is famous is because many chefs train to cook pufferfish (fugu) here. I was really excited to try pufferfish, until I learned that it’s poisonous if it isn’t cooked correctly. The meat itself is safe to eat, but the organs and eyes contain a powerful toxin that must be carefully removed by specially licensed chefs who undergo years of training. In fact, I learned that pufferfish is the only food the Japanese emperor isn’t allowed to eat! I love trying cultural delicacies as much as the next person, but I decided not to take my chances! If you decide to try it, LMK what you think in the comments.
5. Visit the Ohatsu-Tenjin Shrine (aka The Love Shrine)
Wait…a LOVE SHRINE…and it’s PINK?! We’re going.
Although Ohatsu-Tenjin Shrine has a long history, it’s best known for its connection to the famous love story The Love Suicides of Sonezaki. Legend has it that the star-crossed lovers Ohatsu and Tokubei met here before taking their own lives, making the shrine a symbol of eternal love. Nowadays, this shrine is frequented by couples and hopeless romantics that come to pray for success in love. Many people even leave behind wooden ema plaques with their wishes!
Rachel and I each tossed a (lucky!) 5 yen coin into the shrine and manifested our future husbands. I guess we’ll see if Ohatsu-Tenjin Shrine lives up to its reputation…
6. Explore Osaka’s “Underground City”
IMO, one of the coolest things about Osaka is that the city doesn’t end at street level. Once you head down to take the subway or train, you’ll find there’s practically an entire city underground waiting to be explored.
I found that Tokyo and Kyoto had this extensive underground world too, but Osaka’s felt bigger to me for some reason. Almost like the entire city was secretly connected by hallways and shops that led you from one subway station to the next.
The Umeda Train Station in particular is widely regarded as having one of Japan’s (and arguably the world’s!) largest interconnected underground shopping and walkway networks. It links multiple railway companies’ stations (JR, Osaka Metro, Hankyu, and Hanshin) with department stores, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings through miles of underground passages.
- Fun Fact: The underground network beneath Umeda Station is so extensive that it’s nicknamed the “Umeda Dungeon.” Even locals admit it’s easy to get lost in the maze of shopping malls, restaurants, train stations, and passageways!
While I loved walking through Osaka’s underground city, I also found it was easy to get lost and some things were difficult to find. For example, in some areas, there are multiple underground levels (marked as B1, B2, etc). If I was trying to find something using Google Maps, it was sometimes hard to figure out if I was on the right floor or if I needed to go up or down a level. I eventually decided to embrace getting a little lost because I always stumbled upon a cute café, shop, or bakery I wouldn’t have found otherwise. But I did want to point out that the underground world could sometimes be a struggle!
7. Shop Around American Village in Shinsaibashi
American Village, or Amerikamura, is a fun, hip village near the place where we met for our go-kart tour that I mentioned earlier. In fact, I didn’t even know this area existed until I drove through it and immediately told Rachel “I want to go back there!”
The best way I can describe American Village is to say it’s the punk-rock-meets-cute-vintage version of Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood. This area is geared towards the young adult crowd and is filled with vintage shops, street art, quirky cafés, and some of the best people-watching in the city. Rachel and I especially loved the ramen at The Fire, and I found some of the cutest clothes at Loose House, just a few blocks from the city square.
8. See the Osaka Castle
Unfortunately, Rachel and I did NOT get to see the Osaka Castle during our trip (we ran out of time), but I wanted to mention it because it’s one of Osaka’s most historically significant landmarks. The castle sits in the middle of Osaka Castle Park and stands out with its beautiful white exterior, gold accents, and traditional Japanese architecture. In addition to marveling at the outside, you can also explore the interior museum and learn more about its role in Japan’s history. If you want to make the most of your visit, consider booking a guided tour to get a deeper understanding of the castle.
9. Visit teamLab Botanical Garden
Visiting any Japanese teamLab location is like stepping into another world where you’re surrounded by colorful lights and digital, interactive artwork. There are teamLabs in Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto, and all of them are different. I have only been to the Kyoto teamLab, so I unfortunately can’t speak to the one here. However, judging by the photos on the Osaka teamLab website, it looks pretty fabulous. Speaking of photos, teamLab is a must-do if you’re after that jaw-dropping “wait, where is this?” Instagram shot. This is a great activity to do if it’s raining or hot out. Expect to spend about 2 hours here, and make sure your camera is charged!
10. Check Out the Namba Yasaka Shrine
The Namba Yasaka Shrine was sadly another thing that Rachel and I ran out of time to visit. Despite this, I couldn’t leave it off this list because it’s one of Osaka’s most recognizable shrines thanks to its giant lion-head stage, which is believed to swallow evil spirits and bring good fortune. I was really disappointed that I didn’t get to check this one out, so if you visit, leave a comment and let me know if it lives up to the hype!
11. Revel in the Urban Aesthetic (aka, Just Walk Around!)
By now, you know I love an urban vibe, so it’s probably no surprise that I was thrilled to just walk around Osaka and take it all in. It seemed like everywhere I went, there was constantly something to look at. Between the towering skyscrapers, bright lights, giant signs written in Japanese, and endless restaurants, I was happily overstimulated 24/7. I find that many times, I stumble upon the coolest things in a city simply by roaming around and getting myself “lost!”
Of note, I’ve heard some people have mixed feelings about Osaka for this reason and instead prefer Kyoto’s “ancient temple” charm and slower pace. While I definitely think this type of environment can be a lot for some people, I come alive in a high-energy atmosphere so I was thriving!
Planning Your Trip to Osaka
Osaka Neighborhoods to Explore
Every time I go to a big city, I like to orient myself to the popular neighborhoods. The main ones to note in Osaka for your first time are:
- Namba/Dotonbori – the city center and best area to stay for first-timers
- Umeda – more upscale and sophisticated (where we did the craft beer tour)
- Tennoji – more retro (where Shinsekai and the pachinko parlors were)
Getting To Osaka from Tokyo or Kyoto
If you’re coming to Osaka from Tokyo or Kyoto, the best way to get here is by taking the Shinkansen, aka the famous bullet train.
How Long Does It Take to Get to Osaka from Tokyo or Kyoto?
- Osaka is about 2 and 1/2 hours from Tokyo on the Shinkansen
- Osaka is less than 10 minutes from Kyoto on the Shinkansen
Rachel and I booked our tickets through the Klook app and it was super easy to use. We also read people liked the Japan Travel app, but we found Klook to be way less overwhelming!
Scan Here to Book Your Klook Tickets
