Osaka

Travel Guide
Osaka
Experience fast-moving modern entertainment alongside peaceful temple gardens in Osaka, a city whose culture is rich with anime, fashion and comedy shows.

Osaka not only provides access to popular destinations like Kobe, Kyoto, Sakai and Nara, but is a glitzy entertainment powerhouse itself. Shop in the city’s northern Kita area while you explore the business district, see wildlife enclosures to the south or savor a show in the glamorous Namba district.

Start in Kita, where you can learn about Japan’s post-World War II art scene at the subterranean National Museum of Art. Kids will love the Osaka Science Museum across the road. Here they can perform experiments, watch the wonders of physics and delight in daily science shows. Nearby, find the Umeda Sky Building, an iconic silver spire that offers great views from below or from its high observation deck.

Cab downtown to the Tennoji area and enjoy its family-friendly zoos and temples. See fascinating species from Japan and beyond at the city’s animal attraction, the Tennoji Zoo. Walk around the Tennoji Park and find a quiet moment among its artistic monuments. Nearby, the Shitennoji Temple features ruins from the sixth century, while the Tsūtenkaku Tower stands as a symbol of Osaka’s prosperity.

Around the bay, find the gargantuan Osaka Aquarium. With over 29,000 underwater inhabitants, including a whale shark, it is one of the world’s largest aquariums. Afterwards, jump on a 10-minute ferry to Universal Studios Japan. Here you can spot famous movie characters while you hold your stomach on wild amusement rides.

Take a moment for reflection while you admire the pretty Osaka Castle, a construction built in the 16th century. Alternatively, find a Zen moment surrounded by color in the rose garden at Nakanoshima Park.

Shoppers of all tastes will find their prized souvenir in the Minami district. This commercial suburb hosts a range of retailers, from high-end boutiques to local sweet shops. As evening falls, join the excitement at Namba Grand Kagetsu, Osaka’s favorite comedy theatre. After a show, find a bar amongst the glitzy neon lights of the Namba area and reflect on a busy day.

Where to stay in Osaka

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
3.5 out of 5
1-1-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is HK$333 per night from 2 Oct to 3 Oct
HK$333
per night
2 Oct - 3 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"very good location. Quite place and nice staffs. Close to the sinsaibashi and dotonburi. Few mins away from gokumon market. Lots of food options around."

Reviewed on 28 Sep 2023

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is HK$677 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
HK$677
per night
30 Oct - 31 Oct
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,609 reviews)
"Rooms are a bit small and difficult to put your suitcases. Also, the rooms get a bit warm during the day even with the ac on. But otherwise good and convenient."

Reviewed on 28 Sep 2023

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Candeo Hotels Osaka Namba
Candeo Hotels Osaka Namba
3.5 out of 5
2-2-5 Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo, Osaka
The price is HK$1,239 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
HK$1,239
per night
25 Oct - 26 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Osaka Castle are located nearby. Discover ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Great location and friendly staff. The amenities are great at this hotel and rooms are spacious. Would recommend staying here if you want to be close to dotonburi."

Reviewed on 24 Sep 2023

Candeo Hotels Osaka Namba
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
MIMARU OSAKA NAMBA STATION
MIMARU OSAKA NAMBA STATION
3 out of 5
3-6- Nipponbashi Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Our guests praise the family amenities in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (110 reviews)
"In the heart of major shopping area but you'll find it noisy sometimes. Walkable distance to major train station, lots of shopping from cheap local stuff to international lux brands in five min walking distance. Perfect hotel for family trip where five or six familly members stays in one hotel room ..."

Reviewed on 12 Sep 2023

MIMARU OSAKA NAMBA STATION
Hotel Abitare Namba West
Hotel Abitare Namba West
3 out of 5
2-chome-2-44 Saiwaicho Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a kitchen. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Kyocera Dome Osaka are located nearby. Discover ...
9/10 Wonderful! (121 reviews)
"This was by far our favorite place to stay at. The layout was spacious and the ability to simply relax before heading out for the evening was peaceful. We also got to have the privilege of getting some laundry done and ordering in for our rest day. This was a perfect place for 3 people."

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2023

Hotel Abitare Namba West
Skyliving Namba
Skyliving Namba
3 out of 5
11-22, Motomachi 3, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and cable TV. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (294 reviews)
Decent Place to Stay
"This hotel acts as a sort of apartment style room. My friends and I had a room with two bunk beds and a couch. The room was spacious but the top bunk were a little too close to the ceiling for my liking. There are amenities such as toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and the complimentary ..."

Reviewed on 26 Sep 2023

Skyliving Namba
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Osaka

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
323
" "5 - Excellent 64.47105788423154%
4 - Good
159
" "4 - Good 31.736526946107784%
3 - Okay
18
" "3 - Okay 3.592814371257485%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.1996007984031936%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Feb 2020

Nice food nice weather nice shopping

4/5 - Good

Tora
10 Feb 2020

Good for travel but rush hour bad to walk

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Feb 2020

I’m really happy to be there. Everything is good.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Feb 2020

good

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Feb 2020

Love, Want to come back again and again

5/5 - Excellent

M
2 Feb 2020

Good hotel