Things to do in Osaka

Our second visit here — this time for the 25th anniversary. We booked our Fast Pass tickets through Klook and received the e‑tickets immediately after booking. Without a Fast Pass, the waiting times can range anywhere from 60 to 220 minutes depending on the attraction. If you arrive early enough, you can reserve same‑day entry to Super Nintendo World through the Universal Studios app. Thanks to that, we were able to visit the area both in the morning and again in the evening. The parade was great, but it can get very crowded. Many people left after the parade.

Seriously a total recommendation, great value for money, and super easy and convenient to use. Even my parents think it's simple. Basically, you use the same QR code everywhere, but you can't screenshot it because it keeps updating. This time I bought a one-day pass, which includes sightseeing tickets to many famous Osaka attractions, as well as most transportation costs in Osaka. Our itinerary was roughly: Gozabune Osaka Castle Pleasure Boat (try to line up for the first boat at 9:30, because I happened to sit next to the rower who also served as the guide. He was very enthusiastic, and even though I couldn't understand Japanese, he tried hard to communicate with me in a little English, and even helped me take beautiful photos of the Osaka Castle and its reflection), Osaka Castle Museum (you can use this pass for fast-track entry), Nishinomaru Garden, Santa Maria (very windy, but comfortable), Tempozan Ferris Wheel (the world's largest Ferris wheel), and Tsutenkaku Tower tickets. The above is the itinerary my parents and I completed in one day using the Osaka Amazing Pass, finishing around 7:00 PM. Unfortunately, we were too tired, otherwise we could have gone to Dotonbori to take a boat ride.

Getting the Express Pass at Universal Studios was the best decision ever! The park is almost always packed, and this pass is a HUGE time saver. Instead of waiting in super long lines, we were able to skip ahead and maximize our day. It really secured our chance to ride the attractions we were most excited about — no stress, no worrying about missing out. We got to enjoy more rides, explore more areas, and actually relax instead of standing in line for hours.

The Umeda Sky Tower is a must-visit landmark in Osaka that delivers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and beyond. As one of Japan’s tallest buildings, it offers a unique and memorable experience for both first-time visitors and repeat travelers.

fast. a little more expensive than line up. about $2 more but you skip the line. I suggest you get the osaka sightseeing pass, it will include a lot more+discount of transfer bus and trains in Osaka castle area.

Harukas 300 offers a superior Osaka view compared to the Umeda Sky Building, featuring stunning floor-to-ceiling glass and far fewer crowds. It’s the city’s best-kept secret for a peaceful, panoramic experience without the tourist swarms.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan - Osaka Bay Area There are a lot of people queuing to buy tickets on-site, so it's best to buy tickets online in advance. However, you must enter within the specified time; you cannot enter early. (Online ticket purchases seem to start from 15:00 at the earliest.) It's a relatively family-friendly marine aquarium. Water Gate - First, you pass through a circular vaulted tunnel to greet the large aquarium creatures. Then, you enter the aquarium according to geographical and ecological zones. Main Tank Area: Consists of forests, rainforests, land, islands, rivers/bays, trenches, straits, oceans, etc., allowing you to appreciate various marine animals from multiple angles, from the surface down, from shallow to deep water layers, such as sea lions, penguin colonies, and various colorful fish. Continue downwards along the tank to explore other marine creatures: dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks, sunfish, sea turtles. Special Exhibition Tank - The special tank on the other side features different cuttlefish and octopuses. Jellyfish Galaxy - Jellyfish Exhibition Area: Exhibits different types of jellyfish. Arctic Zone - Exhibits polar cold-water creatures, fish, and you can even encounter angel fish that you've seen in Hokkaido before. Special Themed Exhibition (Naturally Adorable) - A very interactive area suitable for children, including clownfish, golden garden eels, and red shrimp. Little Penguin Zone - The last exhibition area, with glass fences for separation, it's rare to see so many little penguins indoors. Gift Shop - Located next to the penguin area, where you can buy some ornaments, clothing, and souvenirs. Since the Osaka Bay area has shopping malls and the Kaiyukan, you can also combine it with the "Osaka Amazing Pass" according to your preferences to participate in free activities such as the Santa Maria sightseeing ship, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and Classic Car Museum.

Arriving at 6:30 only gets you to the security checkpoint entrance; security doesn't open until 8:15, and the park still opens at 9:00. Head straight for Super Nintendo World first, Mario Kart (Donkey Kong was closed due to rain). After that, just go wherever the wait time is shortest.

Recommend to come here to relax! The process to get into a yukata and use the facilities are quite easy and straightforward. The moment you step foot into this place, there’s a nice aroma and calming sensation! Overall we really enjoyed our time relaxing here!