Osaka

Shopping, historical sites, food, sports, Osaka has something for everyone. Osaka has underground shopping malls, long street arcades with many unique types of stores, Mio which is a twelve story shopping centre and many stores selling cameras and other electronics. The imposing Osaka Castle with its large moats is a famous tourist attraction and Umeda Sky Building is a modern landmark. The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum tells the story of the instant noodle. Visit Osaka in February and attend the sumo wrestling Grand Tournament, and Osaka is also the place to watch a baseball game at the Osaka Dome.

Osaka top 10 things to do

1. Ride the Ferris wheel at Tenpozan. The area around the Ferris wheel has a modest amusement park and boats for sight-seeing. It’s not usually very crowded, and the view from the top of the Ferris wheel is wonderful.

2. Look at the whale shark at Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest aquariums. The main tank is enormous, representing the largely empty expanse of the Pacific Ocean, and multiple levels of the aquarium encircle it. Kaiyukan has it all, from sharks and dolphins to seals and freakishly large crabs. The area around the aquarium is a popular spot for street performers.

3. Watch a baseball game. The Hanshin Tigers are one of the most storied teams in Japan’s baseball history, and Osaka is a great place to see a game. Even for those not interested in baseball, seeing a game at Koshien Stadium is an experience unto itself, and Japanese fans are die-hard.

4. Eat some okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a traditional Japanese favorite, often (rather inaccurately) referred to by Japanese as a “Japanese omelet” or “Japanese pizza”. Osaka’s okonomiyaki is famous throughout the country for being among the best.

5. Spend a night out in Namba, a lively district on the river home to many restaurants (try some giant crab), clubs, and hotels. Both inexpensive and high-class fare is available in a variety of settings. There’s also a popular underground shopping area.

6. ATC, a favorite of Japanese tourists, is a sprawling shopping complex in Suminoe. In addition to stores (of which there are many, many), there are entertainment attractions and a pleasant waterfront.

7. Go to the “American Village”. Also called “Amerika-mura” or “Amemura”, this district is home to many shops, both foreign and Japanese. Many Japanese fashion trends originate here, and Western foreigners might get a kick out of what’s defined as “American”.

8. Explore Osaka Castle, one of the most well-known castles in Japan. Though you might consider skipping it if nearby Himeji Castle is a stop on your tip, Osaka Castle is a great choice for visitors trying to stay in urban areas.

9. Take a break at Sumiyoshi Shrine, on the Nankai Line. Sumiyoshi Shrine is one of Japan’s oldest and most unique shrines with architecture uncommon to newer shrines. Entry is free, and the shrine is quieter and more relaxing than most of Osaka, in all its bustling urban glory.

10. Make your own cup noodles at the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, an off-beat museum dedicated to the world-famous instant noodles and their creator, Momofuku Ando. Visitors can check out a dizzying number of flavors and even make their own instant ramen package.