Discover attractions & things to do in Osaka
There are many things to do while in Osaka. With a wide range of attractions available, such as traditional festivals, galleries, shrines, nature, shopping, nightlife, theatres and comedies, Osaka is a city that exudes a charming appeal to the young and old all year round.
Universal Studios Japan
NAGAI Park
The 65.7 ha. Nagai Park has facilities for enjoying sports and the outdoors, including Nagai Stadium, the well-known venue for the Osaka International Ladies Marathon held every winter, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup preliminary games.
Umeda Sky Building
The Umeda Sky Building is a spectacular high rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda Stations. It is also known as the "New Umeda City". The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers a great view of the city.
Tsurumiryokuchi Expo '90 Commemorative Park
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park located in Osaka is a great place to view cherry blossoms. The large park hosted the International Garden and Greenery Exposition in 1990, and features many gardens of varisous countries.
Shitennoji Temple
Shitennoji (四天王寺, Shitennōji) is one of Japan's oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Although the temple's buildings burned down several times throughout the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th century design.
The Minoh Great Waterfall
A road along Minoh-gawa River from “Ichino-hashi Bridge” in the entrance of the park to the Minoh great waterfall is called “Takimichi”, and is crowded with a lot of people such as hikers, families and couples through the year. It is said that Minoh is derived from “MINO (a basket for winnowing rice)”, because the shape of falling water of the Minoh great waterfall with a fall of 33 meters seems like “MINO”. When you get close to the waterfall, you will hear a big roar of the falling water. It is so loud that many people look up to the sky searching for the origin of the roar. New greenery of spring, illumination of the waterfall of summer and snowy landscape of winter are so fantastic, but above all, the contrast between the red of maple and the white of the waterfall creates a beautiful view in autumn.
The Kuromon Ichiba Market
Until the end of the Meiji Era, the Kuromon Ichiba Market used to be called Emmeiji Market, because there was once a large temple called Emmeiji nearby. Since there used to be a black gate northeast of this temple, the marketplace later came to be called"Kuromon Ichiba Market"(Black Gate Market). The market has a total length of close to 600 meters with 170 shops, the vast majority of which specialize in the freshest and best quality meat, vegetables, eggs and other ingredients from around the country and abroad. Although well over half of total sales are for the business (professional chef) market, Kuromon Ichiba caters also to the general public. For more than 170 years, everyone from restaurant chefs to housewives have come here, drawn by the taste, freshness and variety of its products.
Daisen-Kofun (Emperor Nintoku’s Tomb)
Largest Japanese tomb of its sort shaped like keyhole-shaped tumulus (An Ancient Imperial Grave). The grave mound is structured in 3 levels with an overhang on both sides of the constricted areas to produce three layers of moat. The approximately 2.8km walk around the tomb takes about 50 minutes.
Osaka Castle
Catch the spectacular scenery of the cherry blossoms as you celebrate hanami with your loved ones in Japan’s most famous castle.
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Merely 15 minutes from the Residence via Nankai Railway, the Grand Shrine, with its distinctive traditional architecture, attracts huge crowds that come on New Year’s Day for hatsumode, their first Shinto shrine visit of the year.
Osaka Tenmangu
Built in memory of a 10th century scholar, the shrine is well worshipped by students praying for good grades every year; while others will pray for good luck by purchasing an omamori, a Japanese amulet.
Nakanoshima Park
Home to modern art museums and beautiful Meiji-era architecture, the riverside park is perfect for a picnic or a stroll on a clear day especially when the roses are in full bloom, or a serene cruise down the Yodogawa River.
Namba
A visit to Osaka is incomplete without enjoying Namba nightlife, with its vibrant and diverse options of bars, clubs, restaurants and entertainment, as the performing arts scene thrives in both modern and traditional genres.
Umeda
The northern city centre of Osaka is known for its up-scale department stores and many shopping malls, endless dining options, and night entertainment with bars and karaokes that open throughout the night.
Banpaku Memorial Park
Built to commemorate Osaka Expo 1970 and marked by a unique Tower of the Sun monument at the entrance, the park is well-loved for its cherry blossoms and scenic views during springtime.
Tennoji Zoo
Featuring herbivorous and carnivorous animals of sorts in a layout of savannah zones, the zoo is located inside Tennoji Park, where one gets to catch excellent views of the 103m-tall Tsutenkaku (Tower Reaching Heaven) and 300m-tall skyscraper Abeno Harukas.
Dotonbori Street
Just 10 minutes by foot from Fraser Residence Nankai, Osaka, savour treats as restaurants and street vendors serve up authentic Japanese snacks, such as the okonomiyaki pancake and takoyaki octopus meat-balls in the tourist hot-spot.
Shinsekai
Home to Osaka’s landmark, Tsutenkaku tower, Shinseki is the best place to discover Osaka’s past charm with a rich plethora of internationally acclaimed local food fare served in a retro ambience.
Shinsaibashi
The covered shopping street is every shopper’s haven with everything from high-end department stores and luxury boutiques to second-hand stores and quirky fashions.
Doguyasuji
Located within minutes from the Residence, the Doguyasuji shopping district is popular among locals and foreigners for their local food fare, cooking and restaurant-related items, such as lacquerware, pottery, artificial food props and takoyaki hot plates.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Designed around the concept of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” get into encounters here with everything from gigantic Japanese spider crabs and playful California sea lions to the adorable South American capybara.
Bunraku
Performed by three kinds of puppeteers, the traditional Bunraku puppet performance has been adored by generations since it was founded in Osaka in 1684.
Fraser Residence Nankai, Osaka
1-17-11, Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, ZIP556-0011, Osaka
TEL：+81-(0)6-6635-7111
