Things to do in Osaka

If you don’t buy express pass, prepare for at least 4hours at Mine Cart Madness, 3hours for Koopa Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey! Unfortunately there was no demon slayer ride and was replaced with Spy x Family. Nonetheless, the express pass allowed to take almost all the rides! If you haven’t been to USJ, dedicate a day of your trip to it!

The 2-Day Osaka Amazing Pass is a great deal for exploring the city. Unlimited transport made getting around easy, and the free access to attractions helped us save a lot. It paid for itself quickly and is perfect for first-time visitors who want to see many spots in a short time. Highly recommended!

If you don’t buy, prepare for at least 4hours at Donkey Kong ride, 3hours for Koopa Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey! Unfortunately there was no demon slayer ride and was replaced with Spy x Family. Nonetheless, the express pass allowed to take almost all the rides!

If I had to pick the most impressive place during my Osaka trip, it would definitely be the Harukas 300 Observatory. Located on the top floor of Abeno Harukas, the tallest building in Japan, this observatory, as its name suggests, allows you to overlook the entire Osaka cityscape in 360 degrees from a height of about 300 meters above the ground. It is directly connected to Tennoji Station, making it easily accessible, and the convenient route made it stress-free even when traveling with my parents. The highlight of the trip begins the moment you get on the ultra-fast elevator after entering. The effect of the floors rising rapidly inside the elevator is impressive, and the panoramic view that unfolds as soon as the doors open is breathtaking. The indoor observatory has a full-glass structure, so if the weather is good, the view is very wide, and you can see not only Osaka city but also Kansai Airport and Osaka Bay in the distance at a glance. I highly recommend visiting, especially around sunset. During the day, you can clearly see the structure of the city, the streets, and the flow of the river, and when the sun sets, the sky is dyed orange and pink, completely changing the atmosphere. After it gets completely dark, a sparkling night view unfolds, and the lights of high-rise buildings and roads give a neat feeling, which is different from the night view of Umeda. The scenery in the direction of Tennoji and Shinsekai is also well visible, allowing you to appreciate the various aspects of Osaka in one place. The outdoor space, Sky Garden, was also impressive. The scenery seen while feeling the wind directly is more vibrant than the indoor view, and it is also great for taking pictures. The inside of the observatory was wider than I thought, so even if there were many people, it didn't feel too crowded, and there were photo zones and rest areas well-prepared throughout, allowing me to enjoy the view at my leisure. The satisfaction level may vary slightly depending on the weather, but overall, I felt that it was an observatory with a very high satisfaction level compared to the price. If you are considering night views or scenery during your Osaka trip, Harukas 300 is a place that is well worth the visit. If I visit Osaka again next time, it is a place I would like to go up again, changing the season.

You can only get the locket via online. View was great. if you're visiting in December, you will need a down coat or multiple layers. it's freezing. Christmas village was a nice surprise too! Also an exhibition for a popular J-pop group was going on. totally worth the taxi and entrance fee.

very convenient to use. read reviews that tickets on site were 600¥ but online platforms were selling at 1200¥. wanted to buy on the spot but the crowd was mad when we arrived at abt 11am on a saturday. so i booked the tickets via klook on the spot and we skipped the queue. osaka castle is the largest castle in japan and the 8-storey museum was quite interesting. the observation deck on level 8 had a good view, but the number of ppl were crazy much. maybe gg on a weekday noon might be better.

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.

When you enter, you have to remove your shoes and put them in a locker, which will be the same key number for your locker in the gender changing rooms. Also, the locker key is how the facility will keep track of your purchases to pay at the end. The food was delicious, and they have a wide variety of options. It was great seeing locals enjoy spending time with their family at the onsen. I would definitely come back to Solaniwa.

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is a nighttime digital art experience that seamlessly blends real nature with light, color, and sound. The event is held in Nagai Botanical Garden, making the walk different from indoor teamLab exhibitions because you have to walk among trees, streams, and open spaces. Each installation changes according to the movement of the audience, creating a sense of participation and a mysterious, exploratory atmosphere. It is perfect for nighttime strolls and taking beautiful photos; the light reflecting off the nature creates a peaceful yet playful vibe. The disadvantage is that the walking distance is quite long, requiring considerable time and effort. Also, some sections of the path are dark, which may not be convenient for the elderly or those with mobility issues. Overall, it is a unique and impressive experience. If you like contemporary art and nighttime atmospheres, it is highly recommended not to miss it when visiting Osaka. 🌙✨