Round-trip flights starting from ¥5,000 – Discover Osaka’s beauty and cuisine with EasyGo

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

For those who love traveling in Japan, besides Tokyo in the Kanto region, Osaka in the Kansai area is another exciting and must-visit destination. Starting April 16, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair will launch a four-week series of weekly “EnjoyFUN” online limited-time flight deals. The third week runs from today until May 2, featuring Cathay Pacific Taipei–Osaka economy class round-trip tickets at an amazing special price starting from NT$5,000. There are also Dragonair Taipei–Hong Kong round-trip economy class tickets starting from just NT$4,300, and Dragonair Taichung–Hong Kong round-trip economy class tickets starting from only NT$3,500. All the above fares do not include related taxes and surcharges. “EnjoyFUN” promotional tickets ordered between today and May 2 must be used for travel between May 6 and June 23.

Bought some exciting discounted tickets to Osaka but not sure what there is to see and eat? Below are some must-visit attractions and delicious foods in Osaka that we recommend to readers, including Osaka Castle, the fortress of Toyotomi Hideyoshi; the Osaka water bus for enjoying city views from the river; Tsutenkaku Tower, which offers a panoramic view of southern Osaka; the self-proclaimed best takoyaki in Japan; and the North Star restaurant, a popular Western-style eatery rumored to be the birthplace of omurice. Come take a look right away.

 

The towering white Osaka Castle is the city’s most famous landmark and a must-visit for every traveler. This magnificent golden structure was once the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In 1583, to unite the nation, he built this grand castle, which was once the largest in Japan—five times the size of the current one. The castle is majestic and dazzling, known as the Golden Castle or Brocade Castle. Its imposing architecture showcases the extraordinary presence of the Warring States period warlord.

The Osaka water bus has several sightseeing routes, among which the AQUA LINER departs from Osaka Castle, circles Nakanoshima Island, and passes by landmarks such as the Imperial Hotel and the Mint Bureau, offering views of Osaka’s prime sightseeing areas. Due to the many bridges in Osaka, the AQUA LINER has a very flat hull to pass under bridges, with its upper part designed as glass to extend cabin visibility.

 

Completed during the Meiji period, Tsutenkaku is a 103-meter tower-like structure modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, and incorporates elements of the Arc de Triomphe. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the war, and the current version was jointly reconstructed by local residents. Take the elevator up to the fifth-floor observation deck for a panoramic view of southern Osaka. The most eye-catching feature is the lucky statue “Billiken.” In fact, the seemingly smiling or scowling figure is the work of an American artist. It is said that touching its feet and making a wish for exam success or love greatly increases the chance of your dreams coming true—often seen with couples coming to pray together.

The self-proclaimed best takoyaki in Japan (Honke Daitako) is one of the must-try specialties in Dotonbori, with over 30 years of history. To ensure freshness, no frozen ingredients are used. The unique boat-shaped wooden plate has been used since the shop’s founding. The reason the store sees long lines every day is not only because of the chefs’ speedy movements—pouring ingredients and flipping the takoyaki until they turn into an inviting golden-brown color—but also because they are served on the signature boat-shaped plate, topped generously with bonito flakes that flutter in the steam. Most importantly, the octopus pieces in the center proudly claim to be the largest in Japan, using sushi-grade quality, and when you take a bite, the octopus texture is excellent, bursting with savory juice that’s especially delicious.