Osaka is a great place to explore modern life, which comes along with great food, friendly people, nightlife and shopping centres. Its main attractions include the Osaka Castle, the Dotonburi shopping landmark, Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and the Tenpozan Ferris Wheel. Veena World offers tour packages that are cost-effectively priced and include both ancient and modern places to visit in Osaka.

The city of Osaka is vibrant & lively and is famous for a multitude of things. The convergence of modernity and history in Osaka reveals a distinctive personality, if the city has any. And the warm hospitality of the Japanese people compels people from all around the world to book Osaka tour packages. Besides, the city is also home to centuries-old castles, ancient temples and museums. Therefore, two of the most popular things that Osaka is known for are its extensive network of waterways and culinary delights. Osaka is also the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan. Whether you want to indulge in leisure or recreation, the streets are filled with activities of all kinds, which are probably some of the best things to do in Osaka. Moreover, with thousands of bridges built over the maze of waterways and canals, the city has earned the title of "Venice of the East."

 Top Places to Visit in Osaka

• Universal Studios
• Minami (Namba)
• Osaka Aquarium
• Tenjin Matsuri
• Osaka Castle
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Museum of History
• Shinsekai
• Shitennoji Temple
• Kita (Umeda)

Universal Studios

Opened in 2001, Universal Studios Japan was the first theme park located in the Osaka Bay Area. The amusement park is divided into ten sections: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. Moreover, the park hosts shows every day, including a night parade. You can visit the park’s official website to purchase passes.

Minami (Namba)

It is one of Osaka’s two major city centers. Minami is located around Namba Station. It is famous for its entertainment options, whether you want to indulge in a variety of shopping choices or enjoy fine dining. For those who want to learn about culture and history, they can visit the National Bunraku Theater or the Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum.

Osaka Aquarium

Located in Osaka’s Bay Area, it is one of Japan’s most impressive aquariums, spread over eight floors. The aquarium showcases various forms of marine life inhabiting the Pacific Ocean. It is a well-organised display of marine life in over a dozen tanks, with each tank representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. Tourists usually start their tour from the top floor and slowly descend downwards. The opening and closing hours differ from day to day. However, it mostly opens at 10:00 and closes at 20:00.

(Note: The aquarium accepts the last entry at 19:00)

Osaka Castle

It was known to be one of the largest castles at the time of its construction in 1583. The castle was built with the intent to unify Japan under the Toyotomi rule. The castle withstood all kinds of disaster, whether it was man-made or natural. The castle also features an elevator for easier accessibility, as it is a museum that showcases the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who built this castle. In 2025, the Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum was built right next to the castle tower. Tourists can purchase their tickets at the castle tower.

Sumiyoshi Taisha

The Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine was founded in the 3^rd century before the intervention of Buddhism. It is also known as one of Japan’s oldest shrines. Among the two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines that are found across Japan, the Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous. The shrine is located in southern Osaka, in proximity to Sumiyoshi Taisha Station on the Nankai Main Line. Admission to this shrine is free for everyone. An important note that you must bear in mind is that faster train categories do not stop at Sumiyoshi Taisha Station.

Museum of History

Located across the street from Osaka Castle, the museum opened in 2003. It offers an excellent view of the Osaka Castle from its top floors. The museum exhibits the history of Japan from ancient times, when Osaka served as the nation’s capital. The closest station to the museum is the Tanimachi Yonchome Station, which is approximately a 5-minute walk from the museum. The opening and closing hours are from 9:30 to 17:00

(Note: Admission ends 30 minutes before closing)

Best Time to Visit Osaka

Osaka is an ideal place to visit throughout the year. However, it has four distinct seasons, and the best time to visit depends on which season you visit. Each season brings a different kind of attraction and different activities to take part in. Most tourists consider festive times as the best time to visit Osaka. Many consider visiting Osaka at the end of July during the Tenjin Matsuri, which is a summer festival. During the winter, tourists flock to Osaka to visit the Midosuji Boulevard and the Osaka Hikari Renaissance, which is an annual festival of lights. The streets are fully illuminated and are one of the World’s longest illuminated streets, making it quite a spectacle for everyone.

Other Attractions Near Osaka

Mount Koya (Koyasan)

It is the center of Shingon Buddhism and one of the best places to experience an overnight stay. There are more than 40 temples that provide lodging (shukubo) service to pilgrims and visitors from around the world. Spending your night in one of these lodges offers you a taste of a monk's lifestyle and allows you to spend your quality time in devotion and morning prayers.

Nara

Nara is located less than an hour's travel from Kyoto and Osaka. The city of Nara is full of cultural treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples. Such as Todaiji Temple, Horyuji Temple, Yakushiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, etc.

Kinosaki Onsen

It is a hot spring resort, which is old-fashioned but pleasant. It is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The hot springs were discovered around the 8^th century. There is also a temple called Onsenji Temple, which is dedicated to the founder of Kinosaki Onsen.

Veena World offers handcrafted Osaka tour packages to give you an unforgettable experience. These packages are thoughtfully designed, keeping in mind the diverse requirements of travellers and are priced cost-effectively. Book your Osaka tour package online today!

FAQs

Q1. What is Osaka’s 'Kushikatsu' tradition all about?

Osaka is famous for kushikatsu—deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood, and vegetables. The quirky rule? No double-dipping in the sauce! It's an unspoken rule to maintain hygiene, and locals take it seriously. So, enjoy the crunchy goodness, but remember to respect the dip rules!

Q2. Is Osaka the ‘food capital’ of Japan? What makes it so special?

Yes, Osaka is often called Japan’s "kitchen of the nation." It's known for street food like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), and kushikatsu. The city's vibe is incredibly casual, with a culture that celebrates eating with your hands and sharing food with friends. The unique blend of rich flavours and fun dining culture makes it a foodie's paradise.

Q3. Can I shop in Osaka without breaking the bank?

Of course you can. While Shinsaibashi and Namba are known for luxury brands, there are a ton of affordable shopping areas like Amerikamura (American Village), which has quirky fashion boutiques, and Kuromon Ichiba Market, where you can snack and shop on a budget. Look out for discount stores like Don Quijote for good deals.

Q4. How is Osaka’s vibe compared to Tokyo?

Osaka is often described as more laid-back and fun-loving compared to Tokyo’s polished efficiency. The people of Osaka are known for being outgoing and humorous, often speaking in a distinct, lively Osaka dialect (Kansai-ben). You’ll find the energy here is less formal, and the streets are filled with laughter, food, and music.

Q5. How can I get a taste of Osaka’s traditional culture?

Aside from the famous castle, Osaka’s Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine offers a peaceful escape from the city's buzz. It's one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines and features unique architecture that’s different from the more common temple styles. You can also try Sumiyoshi dance performances if you visit during festivals.