Osaka

Eco-friendly travel guide to Osaka advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Osaka, Japan.

Osaka Skyline

Air quality: 3.8 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.6 / 5

Public transportation: 3.8 / 5

Parks: 4.0 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.6 / 5

Locals' English level: 2.8 / 5

Safety: 3.0 / 5

Accommodation: US$15 - $100

Budget per day: US$25 - $150

Responsible Travel

Traveling responsibly and sustainably in Japan is probably the easiest thing to do. After all, it is the country that gave us moss-viewing tours and forest bathing (shinrin yoku). Even if you are in Tokyo, a populated Metropolis, you can easily reduce your carbon footprint by following the various eco-friendly travel practices available in the country and the city of Osaka.

When it comes to responsible traveling in Osaka, there are ways like exploring the off-the-beaten-path locations, learning more about the Japanese culture, and of course by staying in a traditional Japanese Ryokan. There is a reason that people who want sustainable, responsible travel, Japan is on the top of their list, and Osaka being a very favorable destination.

Now let us look at some of the sustainable and responsible ways to Travel in Osaka:

Using Sustainable Transportation: If you want to reduce your Carbon footprint, it doesn't get easier than using public transportation, and Osaka is the perfect place to do that. From Osaka, you can travel to major cities and other destinations using a form of public transportation, like a bus, subway, or train. Their public transportation is so efficient and good once they were 20 seconds late, and they issued a formal apology for that. If you're planning to visit other cities from Osaka, it is better to use a train. That is because the bullet trains run using electricity that is much more environmentally friendly than using a car or flying.

Travel to less crowded places: All over Osaka, there are many places that everyone will visit, whereas there are also many places that people rarely visit. Travel to those places which are rarely visited. Just because people don't visit these places doesn't mean they are not beautiful; they are just not famous enough. By visiting such places, you can also help the local businesses in growing by helping them financially.

Touring sustainably: Of course, you also need to visit famous places, but you can visit these places by traveling responsibly. Rather than taking a car or a bus, you can easily walk or take a bike. If the distance is too much for you to travel by bike, you should take a bus rather than a car.

Eat locally: You will, of course, find big restaurant chains and other restaurants in Osaka, but if you really want to experience Japan in Osaka and really want to get the essence of the Japanese culture, you must eat locally. There are many Dishes that you will be able to eat in Osaka, which is native to Japan. By eating locally, you also help the local businesses grow and help them earn their bread and butter. Tourism is a big business for the people of Japan, and they expect that we will support the local businesses, which we should.

Respect the Japanese Culture: We as tourists mustn't offend the locals. When tourists visit our respective countries, we wouldn't like it if they disrespected our culture or our heritage, and the same goes for the people of Osaka. It is important that we, as tourists, respect the Japanese culture and not engage in activities that might disrespect the people, their heritage, or their culture. To make the locals happy, we can also try to talk a bit in Japanese, which goes to show that we are actually putting in efforts to learn their culture.

Air Quality and Pollution

Osaka is known to have excellent quality air all year round. When it comes to pollution, the condition is actually very good. You will not see any litter on the streets, and the air you breathe will also give you a sense of freshness.

Respect the Culture

Osaka is predominantly a merchant town. But Osaka is also known for its amazing food, specifically the dishes like Tako-Yaki and okonomiyaki. The people of Osaka love food so much that they have a saying, "eat until you burst!". Compared to, say, Tokyo, the people of Osaka are much more friendly and down to earth.

For Osaka's people, morality is more of a situational trait than something of a written rule. Obligation, honor, and duty are significant when it comes to the people of Osaka. Also, contrary to what the world believes, shame is not considered a guilt factor for Osaka's people but a motivator to be better. Too much individuality is considered selfish in Osaka, and social obligations and interdependence are really valued. It is imperative that we, as tourists, never disrespect the ancestors of the people of Osaka. That is because ancestor worship is a thing in Osaka, and it is believed that the dead can affect the living.

As mentioned before, how you behave and manners are considered to be very important in Osaka. It is not required that we behave exactly how a Japanese would behave, but we should be aware of the basics as tourists. Let us now take a look at a few etiquettes which we must be aware of when we are in Osaka:

When you are greeting people in Osaka, do not shake hands. That is very uncommon there. Instead, what the people of Osaka and the Japanese do is a bow to each other to greet each other. Bowing is nothing but tilting your head downwards and bending down your waist. There are a few manners that are very important in Osaka. It is required that when you get indoors from outside, you are supposed to open your shoes. This is applicable for every home, temple, Japanese inns, a few restaurants, and various historical buildings. Also, it is important that after you open your shoes, they must point towards the gate and not towards the house. When you are eating in a Japanese restaurant, it is not extremely important to eat how a Japanese would, but if you are supposed to eat with chopsticks, use it like it is meant to be. If you do not know how to use a chopstick, don't try to experiment because that is considered bad dining etiquette. After eating in a restaurant, typing is not common in Osaka, but it is essential to thank the people for the food.

Here are some of the basic etiquette when it comes to behaving in Osaka as a tourist. Remember that when you visit a place, behave with the locals in the same way you would want your tourists to behave with you.

Top 10 Places to Visit

When it comes to Japan, there is no shortage of places to visit, and the same goes for Osaka. Osaka is the second-largest city in Japan, whose origins can be traced back to the early days of the Japanese Empire. Today, it is one of Japan's most modern cities, which has a futuristic skyline that gives the city a very modern look. The city has a lot of modern architecture, art galleries, music theatres and so on. This gives the city a very world-class status. When it comes to the city of Osaka, there is something every tourist must know. When you are deciding where you want to stay, you must consider that there are two city centers in the city. Now the South district, called the Minami, has all the sources for top dining, entertainment, and shopping experiences. On the other hand, the North District or the Kita is the city's business hub, which is also a source of many amazing dining, shopping, and entertaining experiences. This also has amazing accommodations. Now it is completely up to you where you want to stay. But it goes without saying that wherever you decide to stay, you must visit the other part of the city. Visiting the other part of the city shouldn't be much of a problem because the whole city is very well interconnected. Now when it comes to the must-visit places, narrowing it down to a 10 is extremely difficult, but here is a list of the top 10 places in Osaka which you must visit:

Osaka Castle: It took three years for this castle to be built, and it was ready by 1586. It was built by the famous Japanese politician and warrior, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. When the construction was completed, at that time, it was the largest castle in Japan. During the construction of the castle, it was mandatory for every military commander under Hideyoshi to donate stones for the construction of the castle. The largest such stone is the Higo-ishi stone which is located on the southern entrance. That stone is around 14.5 meters long and has a height of 6 meters. This stone was donated by General Kato Kiyomasa, who was from the island of Shodo. In the battle of 1615, when Hideyoshi was defeated, this castle was destroyed. Later the castle was restored by the Tokugawa Shoguns for prestigious reasons. Again, later on, after the fall of the shogunate, the castle was destroyed. Later in 1931, it was restored to its current state. It is a 5 storeyed 52-meter tall castle, which has a museum inside of it, where you will learn a lot about the history of the castle and its surroundings. From the top floor, you will also get an amazing view of the city of Osaka. There is a park in the castle called the Osaka Castle park where there is a shrine called Hokoku Shrine, which is dedicated to Hideyoshi and his family. This Shrine is a must-visit for all tourists. To book tickets for this castle, you must visit their website.

Shitenno-Ji Temple: This temple is Osaka's best-known temple. This temple was built in 59AD. Moreover, it was also Japan's first Buddhist temple. Over the course of its years, this temple has been rebuilt a lot, most recently that being in the 1960s, but that being said, it is the oldest temple to be ever administered. Roaming the temple and the temple site is a sight to behold as you can feel and understand how architecture used to be thousands of years ago. You can visit the five-story pagoda located inside the site. There are also many other attractions inside the temple, like the golden pavilion, which has amazing statues and paintings, then there's the lecture hall. There is also a garden present inside the temple, which is extremely beautiful and must be visited.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan: The Aquarium looks a bit different than any other building you will see in Osaka. It looks as if it is built out of Legos. This walk-through aquarium is one of the world's biggest aquariums. There are many different species of marine life inside the aquarium which includes species from all over the world, like Monterey Bay, Antarctica, Great Barrier Reef, and of course, the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium also has a lot of Japanese marine life, marine animals that are native to Japan. The aquarium has about 27 tanks, and the biggest is about 9 meters deep. As a result, the tanks can easily store big fishes like sharks and Manta Rays. You will get the best experience when you visit the aquarium at night because then all the lights are lit up, and the ambiance is amazing. Although you check on their website when the feeding times are, you usually might not be allowed to enter.

The Tempozan Ferris Wheel and Harbor Village: If you are looking for a place where you will get the best views of the city, then the answer to that is this Ferris wheel. Located in the Tempozan Harbour Village, you will get the port's best views from the top of the Ferris wheel. With a height of 112 meters and with a diameter of 100 meters, it is one of the largest Ferris Wheel in Asia. This was built in 1997 and has been operational ever since. One ride on the Ferris wheel takes about 17 minutes. It is suggested that you ride the Ferris wheel during the evening because firstly the city looks amazing. Secondly, with the various different lights, the Ferris wheel and the ambiance are also wonderful. When it comes to the lights, it keeps changing based on the city's current weather. The lights are blue when it is raining, green for clouds, and orange for sunny weather. There is also an option available for people who love thrills, a see-through bottom car, where you can see the whole Osaka Bay through the floor under you.

The Kobe Port Tower: In many cities worldwide, you will find a tall tower that symbolizes the city, like the Eiffel tower in Paris. When it comes to Osaka, two such towers have now become synonymous with the city. Among the two towers, one such tower is the Kobe Port Tower. This tower is located on the outskirts of Osaka, around the main harbor. Yes, it is a bit far from the city center but still gets countless tourist visits daily, and every tourist should visit this tower. This tower was opened to the people in 1963 and is 108 meters tall. This tower is earthquake-proof and is made with red steel. The main reason tourists visit this tower is that there is an observation deck, where spending time is something to really consider, specifically during the night. There is also a rotating restaurant on the tower which is an amazing place to have food.

Tsūtenkaku Tower: We spoke about Osaka's two famous towers, and we talked about one of them. The other one of the pair is the Tsūtenkaku Tower. This tower is located in the Osaka City center and is a very famous landmark. A fun fact about this tower is that it is built on the site where a replica of the Eiffel tower used to be. This Replica was destroyed in World War II. Then this tower was constructed in 1956, and it offers the people one of the best views of the city of Osaka. The best view can be seen among the various floors from the fifth floor, where there is also a shrine of the God of Happiness. At night, the whole tower is covered up with various neon lights, making it look gorgeous.

The National Museum of Art: NMAO or the National Museum of Art, Osaka, is an art museum located underground! As for the location, the museum is located on a small island called Nakanoshima, which is located in between the Dōjima and Tosabori rivers. It is located just a few minutes away from the city center. This museum was opened in 1977. This museum has many artworks from famous artists of the Post-War period, from all across the world, like Cézanne and Picasso. It also has a lot of artwork from famous Japanese artists like Foujita and Kuniyoshi. Apart from art, this museum also has a lot of statues and relics. Also, outside the museum, you will find an outstanding steel structure designed so that it replicates a reed bending under a breeze!

Osaka Tennōji Zoo & Park: Osaka's largest green space is the perfect place to visit if you are trying to escape the busy city life and look for some peace. This park is very famous for its various flower beds, sculptures, bridges, and pond. During the spring season, the various flowers' cherry blossoms create an amazing ambiance. This park also has a zoo, a must-visit for every tourist visiting this park. This zoo has been functional since 1915! This zoo is created so that animals like Lions, Giraffe, elephants, and so on roam around as if it's the African Savannah itself! There is also a reptile house and Hippo house, which every tourist must visit because the experience you will have here is something you will never find anywhere in the world.

Osaka Science Museum: This is specifically for tourists visiting with kids; this museum is located just above the National Museum of Art. Opened in the year 1989, this museum has many interactive but hands-on exhibits and these exhibits are based on various science themes, which cover everything from energy sources to astronomy. The best part about this museum is that the children have fun and learn a lot of things. Moreover, even adults can have a lot of fun in this museum. This museum also has Osaka's first Planetarium. Overall, this is a must-visit that gives a very different experience from the rest of the city's tourist destinations.

Universal Studios Japan: Among the other attractions mentioned on this list, this is the newest among all, but in terms of fame, it might very well be on top of the list. On average, Universal Studios attracts around 10 million visitors per year, which is huge and not surprising. There are 5 Universal theme parks worldwide, and one of them is in Osaka, which has a lot of attractions based on famous and known pop culture franchises. But along with the common ones, there are also many unique attractions that you won't see anywhere else. There are many fun rides based on movies like Universal Wonderland, Spiderman, and also Hollywood Dream. The Hollywood Dream: The dream is actually a rollercoaster ride where the theme is that it runs back in time. This makes the place perfect for movie enthusiasts and people who are traveling with kids. In this place, you will also find many characters based on Japanese shows and movies, which gives the place a very authentic touch. Also, this place touches on the Global phenomenon, which is Harry Potter. This place has similar place to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Orlando. Overall this place is perfect for adults and kids who want a bit of fun and a relaxing experience.

Osaka Castle

Explore

When it comes to Japan, there is no shortage of places to visit. The same goes for Osaka. Osaka being a very modern city, you will find ample tourist destinations which will leave you in awe. But the best part about Japan is, you can always leave the city and experience a different kind of enjoyment, which is walking around beautiful locations. You can roam around anywhere, and you are sure to find a shrine or a Temple or some other tourist destination. Visiting Osaka doesn't just mean visiting famous tourist destinations. To truly visit the place, you must truly experience the soul of the place too, which you can never experience if you do not explore beyond what a tourist is expected to explore. You must become a Japanese yourself and feel what the city is telling you.

City Parks

Osaka is a place known for being one of the most modern cities globally, but when cities get modern, what they lose out on is greenery. That is not the case at all with Osaka. The whole of Japan has the perfect balance of being modern and yet at the same time being having ample amounts of greenery. This, of course, includes parks. When it comes to Parks in Osaka, there are no shortages of them.

In Osaka, parks are not only visited by tourists but also locals of all ages. Usually, the kids visit to play various sports, whereas older people visit to walk or sit on the benches and relax. The best part about the parks in Osaka is that they are stunning. Tourists can visit the parks to relax after a long day of touring but can actually visit these parks as part of their touring plan because they are so beautiful that these parks are much more than optional visits.

If you are looking for parks to visit in the city of Osaka, do not miss these:

Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Nakanoshima Park
Kemasakuranomiya Park
Tennoji Park
Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi
Sakuya Konohanakan
Utsubo Park
Nagai Park
Keitaku-en Garden
Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden
Osaka Maishima Yurien Garden
Nagai Botanical Garden
Tennoji Zoo
Fujita Teiato Park
Shirokita Park
Momogaike Park
Okawa River
Chausuyama
Sumiyoshi Park
Mt. Tempozan
Suminoe Park
Kawazoko Pond
Dotombori River
Ogimachi Park
Shirokita Shobu Garden
Nakanoshima Shiki no Oka
Shimo Fukushima Park
Mandaiike Park
Osaka Castle Peach Grove

Osaka Castle Park

National Parks

When it comes to Osaka, there are multiple parks where one can visit and have a lovely time there, but when it comes to National parks, there aren't any. However, that shouldn't discourage you, because the city parks are amazing and make up for not having a national park.

Beaches

Japan is an island; hence it is covered by water all around, and hence Osaka is also surrounded by water from one side as it is a coastal city. As a result, there are many beaches in this city. The best part about Osaka's beaches is that, since the people of Japan and Osaka believe a lot in sustainability and living responsibly, their beaches are very clean. Now clean beaches might not mean much to you apart from that there is no form of pollution but what people keep forgetting is that sometimes the water reaches the various beaches and carries whatever is there on the beaches. If a beach is polluted; as a result, the water gets polluted, and as a result, various Marine animals die. Hence when you are on a beach in Osaka, make sure you do not pollute it. Now, if you are looking for the best beaches to visit in Osaka, check the following out:

Tannowa Beach
Nishikinohama Beach Park
Osaka Fureai no Mizube
Tannowa Clamming, Beach
Rinku Minamihama
Nishokunohama Beach
Tarui Southern Beach

Nishikinohama Beach Park

Landmarks

Osaka is a modern city with many landmarks, as is common with big cities like Osaka. If you are looking for the best landmarks to visit, check these out:

Osaka Castle
Minami (Namba)
Kuromon Market
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
Umeda Sky Building
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Abeno Harukas
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Hozenji Yokocho
Kuchu Teien Observatory
Shinsekai
Nipponbashi Denden Town
Dotombori District
Shitennoji
Hozen-Ji Temple
Mint Museum
Harukas 300 Observation Deck
Midosuji Street
Nakanoshima Park
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Nipponbashi House
Futatsuido Kyuseki
Tanizaki Junichiro Monument Tadekufumushi
Kozu Shogakko Monument
Namba Ebisu Bashi-Suji Shopping Street
Tekijuku
Osaka Takoyaki Museum
Don Quixote Ferris Wheel
Hep Five Ferris Wheel
Tsutenkaku

Museums

The people of Osaka are very proud of their heritage, and hence they have made sure that they record it in Museums for the world and all generations of locals to see. Japanese history is fascinating to know, and many tourists visit Osaka to learn more about it. So if you are interested in knowing more about the history, culture, and heritage of Japan and Osaka, make sure not to miss the following Museums:

Kids Plaza Osaka
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Osaka Museum of History
Mint Museum
Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum
Osaka Science Museum
Osaka City Art Museum
Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
Peace Osaka
Abeno Harukas Art Museum
GLION MUSEUM
Osaka Museum of Natural History
Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
Tsunami and Storm Surge Disaster Prevention Station
The National Museum of Art, Osaka
Osaka City Abeno Life Safety Learning Center
Osaka Culturarium Tempozan
Chicago Gallery
Nakanoshima Kosetsu Museum of Art
Dotonbori Museum Namikiza
The Entrepreneurial Museum of Challenge and Innovation
Kusuri no Doshomachi Archive
Yuki Museum
Hankyu Umeda Gallery
Shitenno-ji Temple Homotsukan
Glico Museum
Narumiya Ebisubashi Gallery
Daimaru Museum Umeda
Sanno Art Museum
Osaka Science and Technology Museum

Eat

Often when we travel to a new place as a tourist, our main attraction is always to visit the lovely landmarks and click social media-worthy pictures of them and with them, of course. These are important, but what people seem to ignore and often forget is that visiting a new place isn't just seeing the place but also experiencing it. You cannot just experience it by looking at the place and visiting famous attractions landmarks. To understand the soul of the place and to feel it, we have to eat the local cuisine, specifically when you are in a city where people are crazy about their food, which is Osaka! What people often do is that they get scared of trying something new when it comes to food because they think they might get sick, and as a result, that will ruin their vacation. That is something one shouldn't focus on. When touring a new place, eating their food is part of the tour itself; if you are scared, eat only part of their local cuisines, which you are comfortable with. Hence, as a result, you'll hit the sweet middle ground. Also, it goes without saying that trying the local cuisine should be from an authentic Japanese restaurant and not from some restaurant chain that is available all over the world. Only in an authentic Japanese restaurant would you know what Japanese food actually tastes like! One thing that needs to be mentioned is that it is always recommended that you eat using a chopstick to get the full Japanese experience, but if you cannot use one, it is better not to try. Dining etiquettes are something which is taken very seriously in Japan, and you shouldn't do anything to disrespect it. If you cannot use a chopstick, you can always use a spoon and fork, and there's no harm in that.

Now, if you think what the must-try dishes of Japan are, we have curated a list for you:

Sushi & Sashimi
Yakiniku & Horumon (Japanese BBQ)
Ramen
Udon
Japanese Curry
Shokudo (Dinner Restaurants) – Katsu, Tempura, Donburi
Okonomiyaki
Oden
Kushikatsu (串カツ)
Izakaya / Yakitori

Traditional Local Restaurants

As mentioned above, to get the full experience of food in Japan, you must try the Japanese cuisine from a traditional authentic Japanese restaurant. In Osaka, many traditional local restaurants serve lip-smacking food. But as a tourist, we always do not have the liberty to try every restaurant to see which are good. Hence to make the life of every tourist easier, we have researched and created a list of restaurants in Osaka which must be visited to enjoy amazing Japanese food:

Takoyaki Tamaya
Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka
Takoyaki Umaiya
Okonomiyaki Mizuno
Fue
Daiki Suisan
Kura Sushi
Jinen Shimizucho
Rai Rai Tei
Ippudo
Niboshi Ramen Tamagoro Kuromon
Dotombori Imai Honten
Ibuki Udon
Iroha
Fujiya 1935
Tempura Tentomi
Tsurugyu
Kisoji
Izakaya Toyo
Ohagi no Tambaya
Tonkatsu Matsunoya

Vegetarian and Vegan

Many people have a misconception that just because one of Japan's main dishes is Sushi, vegetarian food is scarcely available in Japan. That is a huge misconception because even sushi is available in Vegetarian options. Like in every city worldwide, many residents in Osaka are vegetarian. Hence, there are many restaurants in Osaka where you will get 100% pure vegetarian food. The essence of Japanese cuisine is not lost just because you are eating Vegetarian food, so go ahead and try out these restaurants:

Yakumido
Kuma Kafe
GYOZAOH! Dotonbori Store
Pizza Bar Fullhouse
Kyochabana Hankyu Umeda Main Store
Kyochabana Minami Senba
Taqueria La Fonda
Okonomiyaki Chitose
Kaze no Machi Kyobashi
Genjisoba
Ali's Kitchen Osaka Halal Restaurant
Kyochabana Shinosaka Eki
Oretachi no Curry Ya Ramen
Green Earth
maidreamin, Osaka Namba
The City Bakery Umeda
Eggs 'n Things Shinsaibashi
Japanese Food Restaurant Matsuri
Italian Restaurant La Veduta
El Pancho
L&L Bar and Restaurant
maidreamin Osaka Nipponbashi OTA Road
Hafez
Sant-Angelo
Vegetable Curry, Camp
La Golosita
Indian Restaurant Bar Banjara
Critters Burger
CoCo Ichibanya Nanba Sennichimae
Lumiere Osaka Karato

Veganism is a concept where you cannot have any animal meat or any product made from any animals. Instead, you are supposed to have plant-based food. This idea is that we can have the same nutrition, with almost the same taste, without killing any animals, so why not? The idea behind Veganism is amazing, and it is slowly catching on all around the world. The same goes for Osaka as well. Many people are going Vegan in Osaka, and at the same time, many restaurants are opening up in Osaka where you can find Vegan food, like:

Gold Falafel
Green Earth
Megumi
Neu Cat Cafe
Optimus Cafe
Paprika Shokudo Vegan
Rimsbar
Rocca
Yuniwa Vege Ramen
47 Yonnana
Ac Jansson
An39
Babel Cafe
Chugoku Shokudo 261
Falafel Time
Hanauta
Hidamari at Common Cafe
Komeday
Lindou
Minto
Myou-u-an
Oribio
3 te Cafe
9 Borden Coffee
Aglio Olio
Ajikitcho Bunbu-an
Aju

Street Food

There are many restaurants in Osaka where you will find authentic Japanese food, but more often than not, this authentic Japanese food from big restaurants has a bit of a changed recipe. That is because tourists come from all over the world, and not everyone might like Japanese food in its raw form; hence what chefs in big restaurants do is they change the recipe ever so slightly so that no tourists have any complaint. Now the problem is if you change the recipe of food even a tiny bit, it loses its authenticity. What does the group of tourists do who want to have Japanese cuisine in their most raw form? Well, have street food, of course. When it comes to street food, you will find all the available food in big restaurants but in their true form, like how Japanese cuisine is meant to be.

Now when it comes to street food, there are certain foods which must be tried by everyone, like:

Kushikatsu
Okonomiyaki
Ramen
Takoyaki
Yakiniku

Drink

After a long day of touring, it is no surprise that you would want to sit in a bar and have a drink or two. This will not only help you relax but give you the much-needed motivation to start the next day with enough conviction. There are many bars in Osaka where you can visit and have a drink. Just remember that you must be 21 years or older and should be carrying age proof. When it comes to age proof, you should carry a photocopy of your passport. Your country's identification cards might not work in foreign countries, but a passport always will. Moreover, you should never carry your origin passport because you will be in big trouble somehow if it gets lost.

So without further ado, let's take a look at a few bars which are tourist-friendly and at the same time visited by all tourists:

Cinquecento
TNT Craft Beer Pub
PC and Retro Bar Space Station
The Hearth Board Game Bar and Cafe
Farplane
Moonshine Hot Dogs and Karaoke
Kama Sutra Karaoke Bar
Village
Owl Osaka
Club Circus

Tap-water

There are very few cities in the world where you can have proper safe drinking water from the tap itself. Osaka is one of them. Yes, tap water is absolutely safe to drink in Osaka, and tourists can also drink them. But just in case you are worried and do not want to take a risk, you can always buy packaged drinking water. You will find packaged drinking water in almost all stores in every corner of the city.

Organic Cafés

There are many cafes in Osaka which are vegetarian and even vegan, but when it comes to specifically organic cafes, unfortunately, there aren't many options. Although there are a few cafes which come close, like:

Organic Restaurant Loops!
Green Earth
Megurimeshi Megumi
Melbourne Coffee, Craft & Gin
Shizen Bar Paprika Shokudou Vegan
Covent garden organic cafe
base Island Kitchen & 焼き菓子工房
Babel Cafe
Lucky cafe 黒門鴨小鍋の店
PUBLIC KITCHEN cafe 南船場店
Cosme Kitchen Adaptation - Umeda Store
Public kitchen cafe Nakazakicho

Breweries

Cracking open a cold one at any time of the day is always acceptable when you are on vacation. Beer is something that people who drink cannot live without, and we understand that. Hence we have listed the best places in Osaka where you can have the best beer with the best ambiance in the city:

Ohtsuki Saketen
Asahiya Liquor Shop
Craft Beer Works Kamikaze
Craft Cafe Imazato
Craft Beer Bar Marciero
Craft Beer Bar Koumin
Craft Beer Base Bud
Maruho Liquor Shop
Beer Belly Tenma
Craft Beer Spot Hathor
Stand Umineko
Craft Beer Base
Eni-bru
Craft Beer Market Lucua Osaka
Doll Dress
Beer Belly Brewpub
Bar Nola
Depaas Diner & Brew
Yellow Ape Craft
Craft Beer House Molto
Lingua World Cafe
Kellerkeller
Craft Beer Market Whity Umeda
Lezzet Craft Beer & Food Experience Bar
TNT Craft Beer Pub & Bottle Shop
Baird Beer Base Station Kansai

Activities

In Osaka, there is no shortage of activities. Osaka is a modern city where you can do multiple things that you will for sure enjoy. In Osaka, you can run out of days to do things, but you will never run out of things to do. So let's take a quick look at some of the activities which you can partake in Osaka:

Visit Osaka-jo Tour Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Check out the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living Explore Sumiyoshi Shrine Ascend the Umeda Sky Building Watch a show at the National Bunraku Theater Go out in Dotonbori Visit Osaka Aquarium Go shopping in Shinsaibashi Try the local food Make a pot at Maishima Pottery Museum Scale Abeno Harukas Ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel Enjoy some retail therapy at Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street Tour Peace Osaka Check out Shitennoji Temple Enjoy the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum Relax at Spa World Watch a Sumo Spring Grand Tournament Visit O-hatsu Tenjin Admire the Tower of the Sun Explore the National Museum of Ethnology Check out Tenjin Matsuri Have fun at Universal Studios Japan Scale Tsutenkaku

Yoga and Retreats

Traveling in an unknown for days is something delightful but at the same time can be very physically and mentally draining. We must take care of both our bodies and our mind. We can always use a gym and make sure that our body is in the top condition to tour without feeling exhausted, but what about our mind? Well, there is always meditation which actually works. But think about it when you are on vacation at someplace. Do you have the time to hit the gym and meditate at the same time? Absolutely not. So then, how do you take care of your body and mind without spending a lot of time? Well, by doing Yoga. Yoga is something that keeps your body fit and will relax your mind at the same time. There are many places in Osaka where you can temporarily practice and perform Yoga while you are staying in the city.

Satsuki Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga Center Osaka
YOGAasis（ヨガアーシス）
Hot yoga sutudio Loive Namba
Shanti Yoga おうちYoga
The VANCOUVER SKY STUDIO - Yoga / Pilates / English / life
FEEL Yoga

Accommodation

Where you live is a critical decision. Not only because that is going to be your home away from home for the time you are on vacation but also because you will be sleeping, relaxing, and keep all your valuables there. So choosing the correct place for accommodation is extremely important. But for a tourist who is visiting the place for the first time, it can be challenging to know which places are good and which are bad by just reading online reviews. That is why we are going to talk about the various places where you can live without worry!

Green Hotels

The people of Japan, including Osaka, are well determined to live a sustainable and eco-friendly life. They are shifting from using fossil fuels to using electricity for various purposes. The government is doing a lot to make sure it can reduce its carbon footprint, and one such method is to open and promote green hotels. There are a lot of green hotels in Osaka; let us take a quick look at them:

Natural Hot Springs Spa Hotel Hananoi Osaka
Hotel Hillarys
APA Hotel Namba-Shinsaibashi

Hostels and Guest Houses

If your budget is low and you do not mind sharing a room with other people, a hostel is something you might want to consider. Apart from the fact that you will need to share your room, there aren't any downsides to living in a hostel. Moreover, it is actually a sagacious choice for people who are traveling alone. When you're traveling alone, and you can make friends along the way, the vacation gets much more fun and exciting.

Here are a few hostels worth considering in Osaka:

Sakura La An Hostel Lnk (Lodging & Kin) Guest House Matsu Hostel 64 Osaka “Bike & Bed” CharinCo Hotel Guesthouse U-En J-Hoppers Osaka Guesthouse Backstage Osaka Hostel & Bar Hostel Bushi J-Hoppers Osaka Universal Khaosan World Tennoji Hostel Ark Hostel Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka Kintetsu Friendly Hostel The Pax Hostel / Records / More Osaka Guest House Midoriya Hostel Wasabi Osaka Bed With Library

There are also a lot of guest houses in Osaka which are famous among the tourists, like:

Guest House Laule'a Tennoji Auberge du Tanuki Noir (Maison d'Hôtes) Guest House Rice Chikko Dream House Guesthouse Sumiyoshi Guest House Yadomaru Guest House Matsu Bar and Hostel MONDO Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only

Apartments

If you are looking to live in Osaka for a long time, living in an apartment is actually a much wiser choice than a hotel. That is because you save a lot of money, but you get a lot of freedom.

Apartments are much cheaper than hotels and sometimes can even be as low as half the price. When it comes to freedom, if you are staying in Osaka for a long time, it might be because you have some work, and it could be that you need to entertain guests or come back late at night. Sometimes a few hotels don't allow guests or to enter the premises late at night. These problems are solved if you own an apartment such as:

Nedoco Osaka West
Hotel S-Presso Central
Takuto Stay Osaka Hommachi West
Marina Sunrise Osaka Bay
Guest House Laule'a Tennoji
Osaka Bay Wheel
AFP Tennoji Apartment
Montana Flat Yebisu
Bijou Suites Exia

Couchsurfing

couchsurfing.com is an online community where you can make friends and live with them when traveling to a new place. This is an amazing community because it not only helps you to make new friends, but these new friends can also guide you regarding the place. Couchsurfing is quite famous in Osaka; hence all you need to do is head over to their website and look for potential friends.

Camping

Camping is quite famous in Osaka, not just the locals but also the tourists. There are not too many campsites in Osaka, but the ones that are there are amazing, like:

Urban Auto Village Auto Campsite (All year round)
Hanahaku Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi Campsite (March - November)
Osaka Fumin-no-Mori Chihaya Enchi, Mount Kongo Campsite (All year round)
Ushitaki Onsen Iyoyaka no Sato Campsite (From March to November)
Ichirimatsu Campsite (From March to November)

How to Get There

Osaka is the second biggest city in Japan, making it a significant city. Osaka is a modern city in every way; hence it is quite understandable that Osaka is well connected with the rest of the world and with other cities of Japan. It has an international airport, a port, well-connected roads, so basically everything you need for every form of transportation you can find in Osaka. Now let us discuss in detail how you can enter Osaka.

Air

Osaka has an international Airport called Kansai International Airport. It is a huge airport which is connected to almost every big city all around the world. Basically, you can travel directly via air from your city to Osaka. Otherwise, there are connecting flights, of course. After you've reached Osaka, there are multiple ways to enter the city from the airport. You can always book a taxi that can sometimes be a bit expensive but is the most convenient way to enter the city and directly reach your hotel. Apart from that, there are bus and limousine services also available.

Apart from all the above-mentioned methods, one of the best methods to travel to the city from the airport is to use a train. In Japan and of course in Osaka, trains are fast, smooth, and reliable. From the Kansai airport, there are two railway lines to the city. The private Nankai Electric Railway and the JR west's Kansai Airport line.

Kansai International AIrport

Bus

Osaka is well connected with the rest of the cities in Japan. In case you are in some other city of Japan and want to come to Osaka, multiple bus companies provide services for this. The bus routes are so well connected that even places very far away are connected, and you need to undergo an overnight journey of 8-9 hours to enter Osaka. But do not worry Because the bus services in Japan are outstanding. That is because there is fierce competition between the bus operators, which has resulted in reducing the price of the bus fares, but at the same, they have increased the amenities. Hence as a customer, the resultant is nothing but a win-win.

Bus in Osaka

Train

Osaka is also well connected with the rest of the major cities of Japan via train lines. It depends on where you are and which train service you are using; how long it will take you to enter Osaka will vary. Using trains to travel around Japan is one of the most efficient and fastest ways to do so.

Hitchhiking

Japanese are known to be extremely hospitable and nice people. So if you require a ride, there is hardly any person who is going to deny you. But that being said, hitchhiking should never be your priority. Yes, there are good people in Japan, but you never know who is a good person and a bad person. Moreover, there are also chances that you won't get a ride at all. So it would be best if you never were dependent on hitchhiking. Instead, Hitchhiking should be your last resort when you have no other options left.

Others

You can also enter Osaka by boat. The city of Osaka has a port called the Osaka International Ferry Terminal, which is well connected to the rest of Japan. This port is located in the Osaka Bay area and provides a unique way of traveling in Japan and entering Osaka.

Moving Around

Osaka being a modern city, there is no shortage of ways to get around in the city.

Walk

Walking is an excellent way of roaming the city and specifically the outskirts of the city. Osaka has so many little things to offer that you are sure to miss them if you're traveling via car or bus. From small little shops to small little parks, Osaka is much more than its Landmarks. Also, the weather is quite nice all around the year, so walking around will not be a problem. However, it is advisable always to carry an umbrella if you decide to walk.

Walking is specifically very important if you're traveling to the outskirts of the city. You will never be able to enjoy and feel the soul of the city if you don't walk and experience every small little thing.

Bicycle

Bicycling is another amazing way to travel around the city. This method is actually excellent because, in Osaka, certain streets are made specifically for bicycles. So if you have a kid with you, you can let them roam around riding a bicycle too. You can easily rent bicycles in Osaka. If you don't know where to rent a bicycle, ask around the locals or ask the people working in the hotel you are staying. Renting a bicycle in Osaka is pretty cheap, and considering how eco-friendly Japan and, of course, Osaka is, the bicycles which can be rented will never run out of stock.

If you are looking to stay for a long time, you can easily buy a second-hand bicycle instead of renting. There are various websites and shops which sell second-hand bicycles. In this way, you will always have a mode of transportation, and you will save a lot of money at the same time as well.

Electronic Vehicles

The concept of electric cars is already a thing in Osaka, and many electric cars are available in Osaka. You can also hire them and drive around if you have a license.

Public Bus

Various public bus companies operate all around Osaka. They can take you to the various Landmarks or the various parts of the city you may want to visit. You can travel to almost every part of the city using the public bus service.

Tram, Train and Subway

Unfortunately, there is no network of trams available in Osaka.

You can also travel to Osaka via train. The network of railways in Osaka is called the JR Osaka loop line. As the name suggests, the railway's network in Osaka is like a loop as it loops around the whole city. The train service will get you to the most famous landmarks in Osaka, like Osaka Castle.

Osaka's subway system is called the Osaka Subway, and it is Japan's second most extensive subway network. Hence you can clearly imagine that traveling in a subway is one of the best ways to get around the city. The subway network also connects to most of the famous attractions and landmarks of the city.

Sustainable Shopping

Japan and specifically Osaka have been putting in a lot of work into the whole sustainability program. Hence there are many sustainable shopping options in Osaka.

Food Markets

If you are looking for Food markets in Osaka, take a look at them:

Kuromon Ichiba Market
Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shotengai
Shi-Tennoji Temple Market
Ikuno Korea Town
Ashiharabashi Upmarket

Flea Markets

There are many flea markets in Osaka which are visited by many locals and tourists alike. If you want to visit these flea markets, the following are the ones you must not miss:

Sennichimae Shopping Street
Nishinari Dobutsuen-mae Deep Osaka Street
Ashiharabashi Up Market
W Market
Kohama Shotengai
Fukumaru Dori 57
Shinsekai Ichiba
Kizu Wholesale Market
Kohama Shopping Street

Second Hand Stores

If you are looking for second-hand stores to buy something for yourself which will be much cheaper than buying from a retail store, then you need to visit these stores:

Jam Horie PalStock at Orange Street BOOKOFF Sheep Amemura Rain Used Clothing Standard Bookstore x WEGO Kinji Used Clothing Rinkan Shinsaibashi Magnets Osaka Amerikamura Branch Next51

Eco-Fashion

Everyone in Japan is earnest about sustainability and eco-friendly practices. That is why many designers have come with ideas where they have combimy sustainability with fashion. Such brands are:

Shiochi
Love and Sense
Kana Organic

Recycling

Osaka has an amazing recycling system wherein the government makes sure that their carbon footprint is at a minimum.

Waste

The Waste management facilities of Osaka are one of the best in the world and are very effective. Fun fact, their waste management plant looks like a Disney World.

Work and Study Abroad

There are multiple job opportunities available in Osaka. All you need to do is search on the internet for job profiles that suit your expertise area. In most cases, you will be accepted if the Company is looking for what you are offering.

There are plenty of opportunities to study in Osaka for International students, both as normal students and exchange students.

Exchange Student

It is possible to become an exchange student and to come to Osaka to complete your education. Osaka University has tie-ups with many universities from all over the world. You need to check whether your university has a tie-up with Osaka University or not. If they do have, you need to complete a few formalities and wait to select.

Au Pair

The concept of Au Pair is quite famous in Osaka. You can easily search on the internet and look for families who are also willing and then you can contact them and start your work!

Volunteering

When it comes to volunteering in Osaka, there are only two well-known Organisations that properly work in Osaka. You can contact these organizations and check if you can help them:

Japan Red Cross Smile Kids Nara