Starting from Osaka Castle to the bustling Dotonbori district, here are five must-see locations in Japan’s second-most populous city!

Situated on the primary island of Honshu, Osaka stands as Japan’s third most populous urban center and serves as the key gateway for the Kansai area, making it a vital hub for both economy and culture. Historically recognized for playing an essential part in uniting Japan during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s reign and boasting traditions from the samurai period, the city continues to make history. In 2025, Osaka plans to welcome the global spotlight when it hosts the World Expo on the man-made Yumeshima Island. This milestone presents Farovint with the perfect moment to highlight some of Osaka’s top attractions!

In the evening, Dotonbori transforms into the vibrant culinary hub of Osaka.

Situated in the heart of Osaka, alongside its renowned canal,
Dotombori district
It looks its finest after dark when vividly colored neon lights and advertisements illuminate the area: enormous crabs seem to spring to life, pufferfish-shaped lanterns glow, dragon statues light up, and grandiose illuminated billboards shine… Among these dazzling displays, one cannot overlook the iconic Glico Running Man, a symbol of the city for more than 100 years, prominently positioned above Ebisu Bridge.

This electric locale attracts a diverse crowd, from fashionable teenagers to street food vendors, who come to offer

kushikatsu

Skewers prepared with breaded and deep-fried beef, along with the renowned

takoyaki

, tender dumplings stuffed with octopus. Just a short distance away, the stone-paved pathway of Hozen-ji Yokocho offers an ideal spot for a brief respite, featuring a serene temple illuminated by traditional paper lanterns. Be sure not to overlook this charming sight!

The Umeda Sky Building along with Abeno Harukas 300 offer Osaka’s most breathtaking vistas.

In Osaka, the skyscrapers do more than create a stunning skyline; they provide an unparalleled vista of the urban landscape and beyond when viewed from their observation decks. Just steps away from Hankyu Umeda Station stands the distinctive Umeda Sky Building featuring two interconnected towers perched atop a platform some 173 meters above ground level. Atop this structure lies a round terrace offering panoramic views spanning all directions over the bustling city. From here, you can observe the intricate network of waterways within the town as well as catch sight of distant mountain ranges on those crisp days without clouds. Nearby, another notable attraction draws visitors’ attention.
Abeno Harukas 300
, standing at an impressive height of 300 meters, is Japan’s second tallest skyscraper, dominating the Osaka cityscape. Visitors can reach the upper levels via two elevator rides up to the 58th floor.

^th

and 60

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levels where you can enjoy an astounding view of the city skyline.

Umeda Sky Building

1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku

Osaka, 531-6023

https://www.skybldg.co.jp/en/

Abeno Harukas 300

1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku

Osaka, 545-6016

https://www.abenoharukas-300.jp/index.html

The National

B


unraku

UNESCO-recognized gem, Puppet Theatre stands as a cultural treasure.

You can’t experience Osaka properly without visiting

bunraku

a type of puppet theater that emerged in Osaka during the later part of the 17th century

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century which combines music and epic tales. Your best bet will be to visit the National Bunraku Theatre, the only institution in the world specialising in this theatrical tradition, which also earned it the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to performances held several times a day, the theatre also houses a beautiful exhibition space with a collection of rare objects retracing the development of

bunraku

as well as the craft of puppetry.

National Bunraku Theatre

1-12-10 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku

Osaka, 542-0073

https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/en/

Osaka Castle along with its history museum stands as a testament to Japan’s imperial past.

In the midst of a picturesque woodland setting, this
majestic 16

^th

-century castle
captures the magnificence of Japan’s feudal period. Constructed in 1583 under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later restored multiple times throughout history, the fortress boasts massive stone walls — some blocks reaching up to 120 tons each — alongside its majestic multi-story gold-plated tower. These elements highlight remarkable engineering skills. Adjacent to this historic site lies the Osaka History Museum; through exhibits ranging from miniature models to ancient relics, visitors can follow the city’s transformation from a commercial harbor to today’s bustling metropolis. Surrounding these landmarks is a sprawling 106-hectare green space filled with numerous plum and cherry trees whose blossoms create breathtaking scenes during springtime.

hanami

, the April holiday marking the blooming of these two trees.

Osaka Castle

1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku

Osaka, 540-0002

https://www.osakacastle.net/

Osaka Museum of History

4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo-ku

Osaka, 540-0008

https://www.osakamushis.jp/

Osaka Bay, featuring the aquarium and harbor, offers an underwater and nautical adventure.

Overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, the port area of Osaka boasts many attractions within one of the city’s most contemporary neighborhoods. At the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, massive tanks house an incredible variety of marine life, taking visitors on a voyage from the frigid waters off Antarctica to tropical coral reefs. Among these exhibits, the highlight is undoubtedly the enormous whale sharks, which often steal attention away from colorful schools of darting fish, towering crabs resting on sandy bottoms, and shimmering silvery clusters of sardines. Nearby stands the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, offering panoramic views spanning across Osaka Bay, past suspension bridges, distant cargo vessels, and bustling harbor activity below.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku

Osaka, 552-0022

https://www.kaiyukan.com