Best Places in Osaka For Visit and Stay

Image by Masashi Wakui from Pixabay

Osaka is one of Japan’s biggest cities after Tokyo and is located on Honshu Island. It is not as traditional or scenic as other places in the country such as Kyoto, but it is still worth a visit to plan a journey through Japan.

Cathay Pacific and many residents would tell you that Osaka is one of the country’s most secluded cities and the people here are recognized for their wonderful hospitality, so you have the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture there.

If you’re a keen eater, you’ll also have luck in Osaka, which is believed to have one of Japan’s top cuisine scenes. In addition, you may tour museums, galleries, and fun parks across the city, so that is one element of the country you definitely don’t want to miss when you fly into Osaka.

Universal Studios Japan:

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is one of the six theme parks of Universal Studios in the globe that debuted in Osaka City in March 2001. More than 10 million people visit the park annually, making it, together with Disneyland Resort and DisneySea, one of the most popular amusement parks in Japan.

According to Cathay Pacific, Universal Japan studios consist of 10 parts and each has various fun, exciting attractions including Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Minions, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and popular characters like Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, and more.

Castle Osaka:

Castle Osaka (newsaka-jō) was finished in 1586 and it took only three years to build it. It was then the greatest castle in Japan, ordered by the well-known Japanese warrior and politician Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Almost all Hideyoshi military commanders had to build stones, the largest being the Higo-ishi stone, near the south entrance. With a height of about six meters and a length of 14.5 meters it was contributed by the famous General Kato Kiyomasa from Shodo Island.

Hozenji Temple:

When you fly into Osaka, Hozenji may be one of Japan’s tiniest temples, but it’s the most memorable one, too. Just in the center of bustling Namba, Hozenji becomes a calm sanctuary in the middle of a neon jungle and the alleys around the temple reverberate to the ancient Osaka with cobblestone streets and Noren cloth-covered entrances. Peep into the temple and you will notice the Buddha making it so famous. Due to its steady stream of prayers and the ensuing splashes of water, the Buddha is coated with a thick layer of moose.

Shopping in Osaka:

Osaka is known for its outstanding shopping, and people from across the Kansai area in Western Japan are invited to shop in exquisite Umeda department stores and to explore the little shops in Umeda’s Underground Shopping Area.

Built in the 1960s, Osaka station City has five underground avenues: Diamor Osaka, Herbis Osaka, Hankyu Sanbangai, Dojima Underground Shopping Center, and Whitey Umeda – with their historic roots in the 1960s.

The malls of Namba have their own underground: Namba Walk, Namba City, Namba Nan, and Nagahori Crysta. Above ground is Shinsaibashi-suji, with about 180 shops, America, Horie, and Minami Senba at the junction of Midosuji and Nagahori-Dori for young fashion and the big brand outlets.

Where should I stay in Osaka?

Whether you are seeking this once-in luxury hotel, a small boutique hotel, an affordable business hotel or a budget guest house, or a hostel, Osaka offers you. Osaka has everything you need. Finding that hotel or bed and breakfast for your trip really depends on your goals and tastes.

Dotonbori:

Dotonbori is the best place to stay when flying into Osaka. It is great for first-time visitors looking for a bustling location in the center of the city. In Dotonbori, you will find street cuisine, restaurants, entertainment, and shopping.

Shinsaibashi:

Shinsaibashi is the ideal area to shop and experience the edgy youth of Osaka. In addition to shopping, there is an excellent selection of restaurants and fantastic street cuisine in the vicinity.

Namba:

Namba is one of the two “downtowns” of Osaka. This area offers some of Osaka’s top-quality lodgings. Namba also houses some of the most popular shopping and restaurants in the city.

Nakazakicho:

Only one stop northeast of the Umeda and the Osaka stations, Nakazakicho is the trendy area with all its frenzies and perplexing walking and skyscraper neighbors. Nakazakicho is a trendy and laid-back region. It is packed with little streets and historic houses, almost 100 of which have been converted into independent stores, cafés, and bars. Nakazakicho Station is only served by the Tanimachi metro, however, the Umeda Station is a short walk away. So near to center Osaka but nevertheless a planet alone: you can easily hook Nakazakicho.

TENNOJI:

Tennoji is another fantastic choice of Cathay pacific for budget travelers yet a fabulous district to explore a genuine Japanese side. Tennoji is very close to the castle and Namba and numerous sights may be explored here, including a magnificent park (Tennoji-Koen Park) and a zoo. This makes this region perfect for people who vacation with children to Osaka!

Staying in the vicinity of Tennoji station is also a fantastic option because it is very connected to the city via the Midosuji Metro line and the Osaka loop line. But careful, the region becomes more and more popular following the completion of the Abeno Harukas skyscraper in 2014 — the tallest building in Japan!

UNIVERSAL AREA CITY:

To the west from central Osaka, for one reason and one reason alone: Universal Studios Japan is popular surrounding Universal City Station. One of the most popular attractions in the country, the vast theme package includes several family-oriented hotels like The Park Front Hotel, the Liber Hotel.

Universal Port Vita Hotel, Universal Tower Keihan Hotel, and Universal City Keihan hotel. If USJ is part and parcel of your trip to Osaka, including tourists who intend to spend more than a day at the park and those who have young children, lodging in this location is a terrific way to easily get there, while only 10-15 minutes from central Osaka Station are by train.

Hip food and music aficionados crash at Horie:

Minami is also home to Shinsaibashi shopping hotspot, but Hip Horie is where it is. There are lots of local businesses and used clothing stores to shop for, as well as genuine foreign eateries, arty cafés, and a taste of Osaka’s hot youth culture. Stay at Chill Out, The Bridge Hotel, Toyoko INN, or Hostel Picnic Shinsaibashi West.