All About Japan

12 Places To Visit & Things to Do in Osaka

Japanese Food Historical Site Theme Parks Osaka

Osaka is a city known for its shopping districts, delicious local food and the unique regional dialect spoken there, Kansai-ben. It's a great area to visit, because the city itself is connected via the subway, and access from overseas is convenient as the Osaka-Itami International Airport is just an hour’s train ride from the main city.

12. Enjoy a Cheese Tart From Pablo!

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Pablo is a café which specializes in cheese tarts, and there are a total of eight branches around Japan including Tokyo, Himeji and Osaka. The cheese tart served by Pablo has a soft, buttery crust and is filled with sweet cheese filling. You can pour berry sauce over it according to your preference, or even combine it with ice cream for a truly decadent experience.

Two different types of cheese tarts are available as souvenirs too—rare and medium. The rare cheese tart melts in your mouth, while the medium is well-baked and has a soft, spongy texture.

With several branches in Osaka, it's easy to go find the one nearest you!

11. Amusement Street Janjan Yokocho

The Shinsekai (literally "new world") area in Osaka is one of the best places to spend time, whether you're a local or a tourist. It's there you'll find Janjan Yokocho, where the streets are lined with various amusements such as retro cafés, sweets shop and arcades. Apart from savoring old-school Japanese sweets, you can also visit the arcades to compete with your friends at retro Japanese arcade games such as Smartball. Although the area is somewhat crowded, you're sure to find something matches your interests!

10. Make Noodles at the Instant Ramen Museum

10. Make Noodles at the Instant Ramen Museum

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As the ultimate budget food, most of us have been hooked on instant noodles at some point in our lives. This now ubiquitous foodstuff was invented by Momofuku Ando, founder of Nissin, and since then instant noodles have been a crucial part of daily life in Japan and around the world. At the Instant Ramen Museum, various instant noodles from different times in history are on display. Not only that, you can get to make your own instant ramen at the “My CUPNOODLES Factory." Reservation is needed for the Chicken Ramen Factory so please refer to their official website.

9. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a huge aquarium with a total of eight (!!!) stories. It has many different marine creatures on display from all over the globe, including the Gulf of Panama, the Great Barrier Reef and local places like the Seto Inland Sea. The most famous display is the Pacific Ocean display, which has huge Whale Sharks swimming slowly and peacefully. It is a fantastic place for families and marine lovers to explore!

8. Universal Studios Japan

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Perhaps USJ is famous enough that it doesn't need mentioning, but it has a well-deserved place on our list. Universal Studios Japan is one of the greatest amusement parks in the world, with entertainment that people of all ages will enjoy. There are attractions based on everyone's favorite films, including Harry Potter and Jurassic Park, and special features that are unique to Japan!

7. Osaka Castle

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Osaka Castle played a prominent role in some of Japan's most significant battles, and has a history of over 500 years. The castle has witnessed numerous sieges and wars, and is today one of the historical sites that represent Osaka. Various artifacts are on display in the Osaka Castle Museum, where you can learn about the history behind one of Japan’s greatest cities. Apart from its historical value, Osaka Castle is also a great place to enjoy Japan’s scenery, especially during spring when the cherry blossoms are blooming.

6. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

6. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

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If you are visiting the Tenjinbashisuji District, then the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is a must-visit! This historical shrine was built during mid-Heian Period (794 - 1185), and has been an important part of Osaka's culture for a long time. The main hall of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine was destroyed many times due to war and fire, but was reconstructed every time. If you happen to visit Osaka on July 24 - 25, you can also witness the Tenjin Festival—considered one of Japan’s top three festivals—which is always accompanied by beautiful fireworks.

See the other exciting entries on the list in the full article from Trip101 via the link below!

Read full story: trip101.com