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 savour 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 colour 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 favourite comedy theatre. After a show, find a bar amongst the glitzy neon lights of the Namba area and reflect on a busy day.

Osaka Travel Guide Video

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 S$69 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
S$69
per night
1 Oct - 2 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! (1,006 reviews)
"Small room but had what we needed!"

Reviewed on 27 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 S$164 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
S$164
per night
29 Oct - 30 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! (1,605 reviews)
"Really conveniently located. Can move around easily by trains and shopping and dining provide a lot of choices."

Reviewed on 25 Sep,2023

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
3.5 out of 5
1-1-35 Shibata 1, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is S$97 per night from 22 Oct to 23 Oct
S$97
per night
22 Oct - 23 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Direct bus service from kansai hotel. Very convinient ."

Reviewed on 28 Sep,2023

Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
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
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! (293 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
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
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