Osaka Japan is know for food, history, and nightlife and this city in Japan does not disappoint especially with the food! If you are a Japanese food lover like myself Osaka is the place to visit.
When I visited Osaka Japan I only had a couple days to explore but that is a great amount of time to see some top sights, eat some amazing food, and learn more about Japans history.
I know visiting a big city like Osaka might be a little overwhelming to choose what to spend your time on so I am here to help. Here is a list of my top 5 things to do in Osaka Japan to help you plan the most amazing trip to Osaka.
This post is all about the best things to do in Osaka Japan.
5 Best Things to Do in Osaka, Japan
@never_ending_travel Top things to do in Osaka Japan during your Japan trip🏯🍱 #osaka #osakajapan #whattodoinosaka #thingstodoinosaka #japantravel #japantrip #japan #osakaitinerary
♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman
1. Visit Dontonbori Street
Dontonbori is a very popular district to visit in Osaka Japan. Dontonbori Street is famous for its street food, huge billboards and signs covering the streets, and tons of bars, restaurants, and stores to shop. Some of the most popular things to do in Dontonbori is to go see the Glico Running Man sign, visit Shinsaibashi-Suju Shopping Street, go on a food tour, river cruise, and so much more.
If you are looking to book a tour in Osaka to explore the Dontonbori District I highly recommend checking out GetYourGuide they have tons of options for food tours, river cruises and more.
2. Walk and Window-Shop Along Orange Street
Orange Street is another popular street in Osaka especially if you love to shop. This street is full of clothing boutiques, craft stores, cafes and more. I am not a big shopper myself since I travel with a small bag, that does have room for more items, but I still enjoyed walking down Orange Street and looking in some of the shops. If you have some time I recommend taking some time to check out this area especially since its super close to Dontonburi Street.
3. Visit Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is another MUST SEE if you are in Osaka Japan. This castle is a bit outside the city centre, it was around 40 minutes from my accommodations which was super close to Dontonburi Street but well worth the visit.
You can buy tickets for Osaka castle online ahead of time on websites like Klook or you can buy them when you arrive. The tickets cost around 600 yen (around $4 USD). Visiting Osaka Castle is a great way to learn more about Japanese history. There are 8 levels to explore in the castle that are filled with artwork, models, videos, and more. There is also an amazing view of Osaka from the top floor.
If you are wanting to learn even more than just reading the signs around Osaka Castle there are also tours you can join with a guide that will provide you with even more details. You can find tours on websites like GetYourGuide.
4. Take a Cooking Class
I highly recommend you take a cooking class sometime throughout your Japan trip but what better place than one of the Japanese cities known for their food. I booked a cooking class with Keiko’s Cooking Class. Keiko is such a wonderful lady that runs authentic Japanese cooking classes out of her home. She has been running cooking classes for 19 years. If you plan on doing a cooking class in Osaka I cannot recommend Keiko’s Cooking Class enough. My sister and I even have dietary restrictions and she accommodated them perfectly (we just messages her on Instagram before booking to ask). For our cooking class we made Kago Bento Boxes with a match tea ceremony. There are lots of different options for food that all sound delicious. If you want to book with Keiko Cooking Classes click HERE.
5. Go to Kura for Dinner
This list of the best things to do in Osaka Japan would not be complete without a sushi restaurant but Kura Sushi is not just any sushi restaurant but a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. This restaurant felt super futuristic and was delicious. There are a few different locations for Kura Sushi but the one I visited was located right on Dontonburi Street. If you are feeling like sushi during your trip to Osaka definitely check out Kura Sushi.
That brings us to the end of this list of the best things to do in Osaka Japan from food to nightlife to history. I hope you have a great trip to Osaka Japan.
This post was all around the best things to do in Osaka Japan to make your trip to Osaka one to remember.
