Articles in Osaka City Guide

Though it is older than Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station stands as a major commercial and central hub for Kansai's largest city. 

The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, located in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, is a captivating destination that celebrates the invention and evolution of instant noodles.

Nestled in the forested valley just north of Osaka's urban sprawl, Minoo Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking a break from the city.

Sumiyoshi Taisha, in southern Osaka, is claimed to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan.

Abeno Harukas in Abeno ward, Osaka, is Japan's tallest building at 300m, 4m taller than the next tallest building in Japan. Its observation deck offers a fantastic view of Osaka.

Subway, train, bus... As in all major Japanese cities, public transport in Osaka is abundant and very efficient. A short guide to finding your way around in the capital of Kansai, Osaka.

If you spend a few days in Osaka, you may want to venture out of the city.

Although its name means New World, Shinsekai Quarter is the unmistakably retro charm of Osaka that you absolutely must visit.

The Pure Land Gardens at Shitennoji Temple in Osaka are a representation of a landscape called a Pure Land, a mythical landscape common to Mahayana Buddhism in East Asia.

Discover the best sakura spots in the western capital of Osaka!

A little out of the way, surrounded by skyscrapers and a wall that gives it the appearance of a fortress, Osaka Castle, imposing and majestic, watches over the city.

Located at the water's edge, Osaka lives to the rhythm of the ocean. In Japan more generally, the sea is never far and its imprint is anchored in the landscape.

Called nihonshu by the Japanese, sake enjoys an international reputation.

In Osaka, the huge Universal Studios Japan theme park gives pride of place to the most famous franchises of the prestigious Universal film studios.

Sasayama Guide Hyogo Prefecture: Sasayama is a picturesque castle town with historic buildings and museums in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

In Aridagawa in Wakayama prefecture, the Aragijima rice fields spread out like a fan; a unique and unchanged scheme since their creation in 1655.

Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture remains largely unchanged with architecture and layout dating from the Edo Period of Japanese history.

Sasayama Castle in Hyogo Prefecture north of Kobe was built in just six months on the orders of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1609.

As in all cities in the world, you can stroll through the streets of Osaka without spending a penny. But in Osaka, some streets are shows on their own.

Ideally located at the foot of the Bampaku-Kinen-Koenet monorail station, just a few minutes from the Expo '70 commemorative park, the huge Expocity shopping and entertainment complex will satisfy

Osaka Festivals: see a listing of festivals in Osaka throughout the year from January to December including the Tenjin Festival and the Danjiri Matsuri.

Sakai is an old market town located about fifteen kilometers from Osaka.

The Osaka Municipal Museum of Fine Arts is a historic institution in the capital of Kansai, located in Tennoji Park since 1936. Discover its vast collection during your visit to the city!

Aquarium, zoo, museum… Nifrel is all of these.

Great pride of Osaka and emblem of the city's street food, okonomiyaki, this Japanese omelet, can be enjoyed in a box or at the counter in several welcoming establishments.

Nagai Park in the south of Osaka holds Nagai Stadium, two other sports stadia as well as Nagai Botanical Garden and Osaka Museum of Natural History.

Passionate about science and astronomy? The Osaka Science Museum invites young and old to dive into the heart of the mysteries of space for an afternoon.

Kii-Katsuura, also called Nachi-Katsuura, is a fishing port in Wakayama prefecture which owes its fame to its thermal springs but also to its fish market.

Osaka is known for its food and the friendliness of its people.

The "Toretore Village" is made up of more than a hundred original and unique dwellings to spend a night or a whole week there to enjoy the many additional activities of the Adventure World park and

Few know it, but the municipality of Sakai, located south of Osaka, is home to one of the largest collections in the world of works by the Art Nouveau artist, Alphonse Mucha.

To celebrate Halloween, Universal Studios Japan is thinking big! Indeed since 2015, the park has offered ''haunted'' rooms to celebrate the horror festival.

In the Kita district of Osaka, discover the astonishing Dojima Yakushido with its super-contemporary design, a temple founded 1,400 years ago!

East of Osaka, Mount Shigi is home to a collection of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. A beautiful spiritual excursion less than an hour from Kyoto and Osaka, lesser-known to tourists.

Three hundred meters in height, Abeno Harukas Building is the tallest building in Japan.

Grand Front Osaka: Grand Front Osaka is a shopping, dining and commercial development north of JR Osaka Station in the Umeda district of the city.

The Awashima Jinja Shrine houses a collection of several thousand dolls believed to bring good luck to those who come to deposit them there.

Located south of the vibrant Umeda district, Utsubo Park is one of Osaka's green lungs. A popular destination for families, sports enthusiasts and... rose lovers.

Unlike Tokyo, which is immensely large, Osaka is human-sized and can easily be cycled through!

Tenjin Matsuri (天神際) is one of Osaka's largest and most colorful festivals. Tenjin Festival takes place annually on July 24 and July 25 around Tenjin Shrine.

Isshinji Temple, 一心寺, in Tennoji, Osaka is remarkable for its modern architecture.

Keitakuen Garden in Tennoji Park, Osaka, behind the Osaka City Museum of Fine Art is a beautiful garden designed by master gardener, Ogawa Jihei.

Named the greatest Japanese invention of the twentieth century in a Japanese poll, instant noodles are a cult product in Japan and the rest of the world.

The Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum in Takarazuka is dedicated to the life and work of manga great Tezuka Osamu.

The Skull Museum in Amagasaki in Hyogo Prefecture is dedicated purely to the human skull. The Skull Museum is the brainchild of Dr. Keiji Kawamoto, a local brain surgeon and professor.

Osaka, the third-largest city in Japan, is famous for its culinary culture. For many, it is emblematic of Japanese street food: the city that saw the birth of instant noodles and sushi bars!

The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts in Tennoji, Osaka has a large international collection with the majority of exhibits oriental works connected with Buddhism.

Unmissable places, great neighborhoods, and local specialties, Yann, our Travel Angel residing on-site for more than 15 years, reveals his 10 favorites in Osaka.

The Japanese Garden at Expo Park in Osaka were built for the World Expo of 1970 and introduce foreign visitors to traditional Japanese garden types.

The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) in Expo Park, Osaka has a massive collection of materials collected from Japan and from all regions of the world.

Danjiri Festival: read a guide to the history and traditions of the Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada, south of Osaka.

The Open Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses in Osaka in Hattori Ryokuchi Park is a collection of historic, rural buildings.

Osaka, the third largest city in Japan, has an incredible multipurpose building to match its ambitions: Osaka-jo Hall.

Breweries, fresh Japanese food shops and the remains of an ancient castle: Sasayama has a lot going for it. 

Umeda Sky Building is a distinctive 173 meter high skyscraper formed of two separate tower blocks connected at the top and designed by Hiroshi Hara.

Universal Citywalk Osaka is an American-style mall at the entrance to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka.

In the hectic Osaka, visits can be sometimes very exhausting. The sprawling metropolis offers relatively few green spaces.

Around Osaka is the Nakayama-dera Temple of Kannon, the Buddhist figure of compassion and pillar of the Buddhist religion loved by all.

Osaka's red-light district emerged in the early 1900s, and become the largest pleasure area in the West of Japan, despite the prohibition of prostitution.

Shinsekai in south Osaka not far from Tennoji is a colorful and somewhat down-at-heel area of cheap restaurants and 80's style entertainments.

Aside from the Japanese capital, it is not so easy to find cooking classes offered other than in Japanese. But since summer 2014 is is not possible to take lessons in English in Osaka!

In Osaka, a new skyscraper 300 meters high caresses the clouds.

To those who believe that the mix between an underground bar and a tea house cannot work, rendezvous at the Kanadian.

No, the Japanese do not spend all their evenings sipping sake in a hostess bar in a geek neighborhood listening to J-Pop (Japanese pop).

Amid the buildings of the Dôtomburi neighborhood, decked out in neon lights, a strange building catches the eye of passersby.

Located in the old Umeda district of Osaka, Amanto is more than just a tearoom, it has the objective of renewing forms of collective engagement.

Jazz is a big hit in the Japanese concert halls. Many artists perform at Osaka's Billboard club. A great place to get a glimpse of contemporary Japanese scene.

Frenz Bar claims to be the first gay bar in Japan. A famous address where to enter, you have to show your good humor.

Japan offers a wide culinary variety especially in terms of cooking methods. In Osaka, Isaribi offers wood-fire barbecues, also called robatayaki.

Give up your chopsticks for a French meal. The Pont du Ciel transports you to the land of Brillat-Savarin.

At sunset, one day in early August, when the the cicadas wrap the twilight in their sweet ballad, after the intense heat of the day, the sky shines brightly over the Yodogawa River.

An unusual visit, the cherry-tree-lined driveway of the banknote factory of the Japan Mint (government agency), however offers some of the finest flowers every year.

A chain reputed throughout Kansai for its sushi, Ganko ("stubborn"), was born in Osaka in April 1963, established in a luxurious house in the Hirano district, previously owned by a rich merchant.

The "side door" entrance gives a somewhat bad impression of this tempura restaurant, which is actually very well run, and awarded with a Michelin star.

This is a discrete little establishment, with one of those big white air conditioning units next to a sliding wooden door, but don't be deceived, you have come to one of the best okonomiyaki restau

This venue is now closed. You can find more bars and cafes suggestions in Osaka here. 

Eight floors of onsen, saunas and swimming pools ... Customers will not go to Spa World for an authentic Japanese spa.

Tenmangû Shrine plays an important role for the people of Osaka. Beyond being the gathering place for the Tenjin Matsuri, it captures the attention as a large Tenjin place of worship.

Once upon a time there was a prince. Seduced by a new religion, Buddhism from China, he defended it body and soul during a war that shook the country.

The Hanshin Beer Garden is now closed. Find more pubs and bars in Osaka here. 

A breathtaking view of Osaka, its buildings, its colors ... foreign businessmen as well as tourists from all different horizons, occupy the tables at Windows on the World.

Small, smoky, dark and very cramped, the Bears Bar is worth a look!

Fancy a fun break? To challenge yourself? To beat your companion or a young Japanese guy who was wandering around the mall? Get in the arena!

A worthy little sister to the mighty Tokyo, Osaka is primarily an economic center at the forefront of technological development.

Arima Onsen is one of the oldest and most famous hot springs in Japan. The ryokan (Japanese inns) and the hotels have their own baths. But there are also two public baths.

Discover this spa complex with multiple exterior and interior baths with all mod cons.

Steel pipes and cement blocks intertwine to mark the entrance to the eight hundred year old temple.

The Ohatsu Tenjin, also called Tsuyunoten, stands as one of the most popular shrines of Osaka . A place with a symbolic past linked to a dramatic love story.

In the heart of a small cherry orchard, Grove Café invites customers to escape the hustle and bustle of Osaka to take tea or have dinner.

With an architecture free of any continental influence, the buildings of the Sumiyoshi Taisha illustrate the religious of old, a time when Buddhism from China had not yet influenced the Japanese s

Welcome to Minami, the southern part of the city of Osaka ! Here, everything is neon lights and bars, restaurants and pachinko (gaming centers), the electricity of an eclectic population...

Reproduction of the natural habitat, respect for the environment and animals, are the commandments of Tennoji Zoo, established in Osaka almost a century ago.

Half-museum, half-playground, Kids Plaza seems to be a paradise for children.

Ideal for families, this harbor district offers all the entertainment that all ages dream of for long Sunday afternoons.

A green canvas laid out to the southeast of the city, Tennoji Park successfully fuses the love of art and flourishing wildlife.

Partygoers come together at the Grand Café. Hosting many local and international DJs, this is THE club for revellers in Osaka who are missing the dancefloor.

Three faces dominate and overlook. They watch and greatly disturb people, with a fascinating strangeness.

The Keitakuen Garden of Tennoji Park offers an invitation to travel. Unknown to tourists, this little green sanctuary is, however, home to one of the most beautiful gardens.

"Oasis in the city" as some call it, the Nakano-shima-Koen park on the island with the same name, brings a breath of rose scented air.

For bountiful harvests, nothing beats a dance and some songs! Discover the secrets of traditional rice planting at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka.

TEZUKA Osamu (1926-1989), the father of  modern manga and pioneer of anime, has left some one hundred and fifty thousand comic strips, long and short films and hundreds of episodes of

Lovers of beautiful pieces of art, throw yourselves into this unique museum, located close to the temple housing the moss-covered statue Fudo-Fudō.

Both in substance and in form. What better example than the National Museum.

North of Osaka, in the small town of Suita, hides a park.

The Lifestyle Museum in the old Osaka reproduces full-scale an old street of the city in the 1830s ... on the top floor of a ten-story building!

Tachibana-dori shopping street is the most hype Osaka artery. Designer shops, lounge restaurants and fashionable bars, it is a Cornelian choice.

If the urge to shop strikes, why not head to HEP Five in Osaka, the impressive shopping mall complete with its own Ferris wheel... 

Formerly Naniwa-kyo, Osaka the forsaken has often had a prominent role in the history of Japan. This museum tries to highlight its moments of glory.

The reference for sukiyaki udon (a type of thick pasta stew) in Osaka is called Mimiu. But don't get it wrong! No miumiu, miumu or mimoun if you want to eat well.

This arcade delights all cooking addicts and amateur chefs!

Chibo embodies the king of okonomiyaki. A typical specialty of Kansai appreciated by many. For novices and enthusiasts, the pancakes are worth the visit.

Hungry carnivores look no further. The Yakiniku Sora will sate your appetite at low prices and make you revise your bovine anatomy.

Surrounded by shops that do not all look too good, in one of the buildings that make up the Umeda landscape, this restaurant prepares one of the best udon (thick white noodles made from wheat flou

They say it is the largest festival of its kind in Japan. Three days during which the colorful yukata replace jeans and gray suits.

At the end of July, Osaka Harbor welcomes one of the largest firework displays in the city. Kishiwada Bay lights up with stardust.

A wave of screams and rainbow colors sweeps the streets of Kishiwada. Welcome to the festival of this small neighboring city of Osaka.

Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri remains one of the three biggest festivals in Japan. A celebration that lasts two days where parades, floats and other illuminations are in the spotlight.

From the outset, the scene is set.

Souvenirs, trinkets, knick-knacks, Ohatsu Tenjin Flea Market is full of treasures. A good way to take a stroll while making some great finds.

Summer is synonymous with festivities in the country of the rising sun.

At this fashionable florist in Osaka, plants and their beautifying petals, evanescent splendors, brighten up the lives of travelers.

You must suffer to be beautiful. The Three Tides Tattoo team would not say otherwise. The reputation of this tattoo studio travels beyond the coasts of the archipelago.

Tennoji: read a travel guide to Tennoji in southern Osaka known for Tennoji Park, the zoo and now gleaming shopping malls and towers.

Dotonbori at night is like an explosion, a psychedelic trance that smells like grilled fish and skewers of fried foods.

This is one of the oldest and most populous Korean neighborhoods in Japan. Welcome to Tsuruhashi, where there's far more than kimchi on offer...

Osaka's golden age was accompanied by the golden age of bunraku.

Between the sizzling neon lights and frenzy of the Dotonbori district is a street unchanged by time: the Hōzen-ji Yokocho, guardian of the soul of old Osaka .

Trains and subways, gigantic malls, office workers: in Umeda, Osaka never stops.

"Art provides an aesthetic sensibility essential to the enrichment of human nature." Thus the Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Osaka presents the visitor.

On the 21st and 22nd of every month, Shitennoji comes alive. In this thousand-year-old temple is a monthly market displaying hundred-year-old antiques.

Vast corridors of shiny beige marble, light diffusing a hazy golden halo throughout the complex, and a huge replica of the N-1 rocket!

Want the latest fashion trends in Osaka? The most essential accessories for the Japanese youths swarming the streets? Head for the "American Village" (Amerika-mura)!

In the heart of Osaka , this large green space covers more than two square kilometers.

Watch the eyes of old school entertainment enthusiasts light up as they see the huge stacks of used video games.

The name Zuboraya is one of the best known culinary names in Osaka. This restaurant has no stars, but is well known for its expertise in the delicate preparation of fugu.

Osaka Shopping: read a guide to shopping in Osaka including department stores, underground malls, Amemura, Namba Parks, Harukas and stores for foreign goods.

Shitennoji Temple: read a guide to Shitennoji Temple in Tennoji, Osaka, the oldest state temple in Japan founded by Prince Shotoku in 593.

Osaka museum guide: see a list of museums and art galleries in Osaka divided by region including Osaka Castle area, Minami and Tennoji.

Tempozan: read a guide to the water side district of Tempozan in Osaka home to the Osaka Aquarium and the Tempozan Ferris Wheel.

Shinsaibashi: read a guide to the major shopping and entertainment area of Osaka - Shinsaibashi.

Nipponbashi: read a guide to the Nipponbashi area of Osaka containing Den Den Town.

Namba guide: read a guide to the Osaka entertainment and shopping district of Namba including Dotonbori.

In your journey to Osaka, you can be sure that you will go through the mythical business and shopping area of Umeda.  

Osaka Maritime Museum: read a guide to the Osaka Maritime Museum designed by French architect Paul Andreu. THE OSAKA MARITIME MUSEUM CLOSED ON MARCH 10, 2013.

Sakai: read a guide to the historic port of Sakai near Osaka famous for its ancient Mozu burial mounds.

Danjiri Festival Kishiwada, Osaka. Read about the September Danjiri Festival held in Kishiwada, Osaka.

Read a Gay Guide to Gay and Lesbian Community Centers, Bars, Clubs, Stores, Cinemas in Osaka by Japan Visitor.

Katsuouji (Katsuoji), The Victory Temple, lies in the mountains north of Osaka, in the city of Miho, pilgrims come to pray for personal triumphs: passing exams, finding a job, getting a driver's li

Osaka Castle: read a history of Osaka Castle and a description of things to do and see on a visit to Osaka Castle and the surrounding park.

Osaka attractions: see a listing of Osaka temples & shrines, museums, Osaka festivals, shopping, bars, restaurants and clubs.

Osaka Science Museum is located in Nakanoshima. It has four floors covering electricity and electronic appliances, science and the family.

Namba Parks なんばパークス is a shopping & office development in the Namba area of Osaka with a series of roof-top gardens on its exterior and an 11-screen cinema.

Sakai City Museum, Osaka Prefecture: Located in Daisen Park, in Sakai City, the Sakai City Museum has an interesting collection of items related primarily related to the following: Emperor Nintoku

Sakai Festival: takes place on the third Saturday and Sunday of October. Look out for a bicycle parade, a flea market in Xavier Park and a tea ceremony.

The Aqualiner is a long and low vessel that runs on Osaka's waterways from both Temmabashi Station and Yodoyabashi Station on the Keihan Line.

Utsubo Park Osaka is a fashionable and popular park in Osaka with an alley of pines, tennis courts, a rose garden, and even a large open space with grass.

The Osaka World Trade Center is the centerpiece of the 1990's Bay Area development at Osaka Port on the reclaimed island of Sakishima.