Naniwa Palace Ruins Park Although Osaka was never officially designated as the capital of Japan, before the establishment of capitals in Nara (Heijō) * and Kyoto (Heian), Naniwa Palace in Osaka served as the political center where Japan’s ruling class was concentrated at the time. Today, only parts of the Naniwa Palace ruins remain, but the model of the palace displayed at the Osaka Museum of History showcases the splendor of the palace during the 7th century.
Namba HIPS This is an attractively designed entertainment complex themed around an exclamation mark symbolizing amazement and an ever-turning hourglass representing endless time. It features a variety of floors including entertainment, golf, hot springs, and dining, offering a full day of fun without leaving the building. Ticket information & Operating hours Thrilling parachute jump ride fee…
Expo Commemoration Park Koenji Riverside Park This park covers an area of 106 hectares and features a large pond. Slopes are adorned with tulips, salvias, cosmos, and various other flowers that bloom year-round. A windmill is the symbol of the park, and there is also a rose garden with 2,600 roses of nearly 450 varieties...
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Japan, also known as Tenmangū-san. The original shrine building was constructed in 949 AD by order of Emperor Murakami to appease the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane. Having suffered several fires, the current main hall and entrance gate were rebuilt in 1845. Here enshrined...
Covering an area of 19.3 hectares, the wild bird park was built on an artificial tidal flat in the northwest corner of Sakishima, an artificial landfill in Osaka Bay. The Osaka Bay, once known as "Sumiyotu," featured vast natural wetlands that served as stopover points for migratory birds. These birds, which breed in the Arctic Circle regions of Siberia and Alaska and fly to Southeast Asia, Australia...
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine Most businesspeople in Osaka know about Imamiya Ebisu Shrine. Established in 600 AD by Prince Shotoku, this shrine attracts millions of visitors each year who come to pray to Ebisu (the god of wealth and prosperity) for success in business. During the Tenjin Ebisu Festival, people buy sacred bamboo branches decorated with lucky charms,…
Osaka Onsen Taishinkan Located within Shinsekai, the World Onsen is one of the largest hot spring leisure facilities in the world. Open 24 hours a day, it offers 16 types of hot springs featuring characteristics from 11 different countries, as well as a spacious indoor pool—truly a hot spring paradise. Here you can experience herbal baths…
Osaka Shiki Theatre The Osaka Shiki Theatre is the first permanent performance venue of the Shiki Theatre Company in the Kansai region, with approximately 1,200 seats. The Shiki Theatre Company was established in 1953 and achieved great success with its first long-term performance, “Cats,” in 1983. Tickets Opening hours Phone: 06-47…
The Japan Mint houses approximately 125 varieties and a total of 370 cherry blossom trees. Every year, crowds of visitors come here especially to admire the blossoms. Here you can see rare varieties not found elsewhere, such as the “Red Thorn Ball” and “Yoro Zakura.” You can also enjoy the charm of nighttime cherry blossom viewing. Nighttime sakura viewing takes place around mid-April...
God of Wealth Ferris Wheel A Ferris wheel located at Don Qui Jote’s “Dotonbori Store,” commonly known as the “God of Wealth Ferris Wheel.” At the center of this 77-meter-tall Ferris wheel is a 17-meter-long and 15-meter-wide “God of Wealth.” There are 32 four-person gondolas, and it takes approximately 12 minutes to complete one full rotation…
HEP Five is a comprehensive shopping complex, with most of its clothing stores catering to a younger crowd. The standout red Ferris wheel atop the building is an iconic landmark in the northern district. Sitting in the air-conditioned gondola suspended 106 meters above the ground, you can enjoy views of Mount Ikoma, Osaka Bay, and the entire cityscape...
Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street This is Japan’s longest shopping street. The stretch from Tenjinbashi 1-chome to 7-chome spans a distance equivalent to three subway stations. The high, arched canopy creates an airy and bright atmosphere. Within this 2.6-kilometer-long shopping street, there are various cinemas and amusement centers that always attract…
Revered as the "God of Manga" in Japan, Tezuka Osamu held a doctorate in medicine but was passionate about drawing comics from childhood. He ultimately abandoned his medical career, and his works fully embodied the ideals he pursued throughout his life: "love, courage, ideals, and justice," ushering in a new era for postwar manga in Japan. …
Stretching from the northernmost part of Osaka’s northern district all the way south to the Namba area, Midosuji Boulevard is one of the city’s most beloved bustling main streets. With its wide, clean, and romantic atmosphere, it is often referred to as the “Champs-Élysées of the East.” In summer, the street is lined with shady green trees, and in autumn, golden fallen leaves carpet the road…
Osaka has many food theme parks. These feature restaurants and food stalls serving the same type of dish, such as noodle shops or dumpling stores. Fans of these foods flock here to sample a wide variety of styles and flavors of the same cuisine. Another type of food theme park in Osaka recreates a street scene or part of a city from the past…
The Shiomachi Plateau Historical Trail begins south of the Naniwa Palace ruins and extends downward along the plateau. Here, you’ll find many of Osaka’s famous historical sites: St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tamatsukuri; statues of two 16th-century samurai who converted to Christianity—Gracia Hosokawa and Takayama Ukon; a reminder of the ancient artisans who crafted magatama (curved beads) at Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine; Etchujima; the remnants of an ancient drainage system—Sekigawa Sewer; the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, and more. Not far away is Ikukunitama Shrine, whose history dates back to the legendary era of Emperor Jimmu (660 BC). At Taihei Temple, you can see the graves of notable figures from Osaka’s history, such as the tomb of Kyūzan Jūan, a prominent Edo-period doctor who promoted healthcare systems. The grave of Japan’s great playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon is located near Dōtonbori’s Tanimachi Boulevard. History enthusiasts will enjoy strolling along this trail.
The National Theatre of Japan is located in Hayabusa-cho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and is operated by the independent administrative institution Japan Arts Council. It is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing traditional Japanese arts, not only staging a wide variety of traditional performances but also focusing on the cultivation of successors and performers...
Kasai Rinkai Park in Tokyo is an artificial seaside park themed around the harmony of “plants, water, and people.” Visitors can stroll through the park while enjoying various activities, or take a park train that resembles a small locomotive—about 25 minutes is all it takes to tour the key sights, making it a quick and convenient option. Kasai Rinkai Park is...
Edo Castle is a castle located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, also known as Chiyoda Castle. It was first built in 1457 (the first year of the Chōroku era) and once served as the residence of the shoguns of the Edo shogunate. From 1868 (the first year of the Meiji era), the new government took over the castle, and three years later...
Introduction Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken. Constructed between 1915 and 1920, it was burned down during World War II and rebuilt to its original design in 1958. It is located in Shibuya, Tokyo. The shrine grounds are home to over 100,000 trees of more than 300 different species. The shrine features three main approaches: southern, northern…