Culture / Tour Spots in Osaka Area

Area

Osaka
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Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Culture / Tour

Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)

4.5

6677 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Minato-ku Kaigandori 1-1-10

This aquarium in the Tempozan Bay Area is the world's largest aquarium. It is even more popular now as they have drastically changed how guests view the exhibits, including the Pacific Ocean Tank where you can see whale sharks leisurely swimming about. Enjoy a wide variety of Pacific-Rim themed exhibits to see and enjoy including California Sea Lions, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, and a fish tank with a tunnel from which you can observe the animals.

Such a fantastic aquarium in osaka,japan was very access from the trainstation which is well signed fron the exit of the train cart followed by a easy 5 minute walk. 2000 yen for an adult which is a...
CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

4.5

682 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Ikedashi Masumichou 8-25

This museum in Ikeda City, Osaka, first opened in 1999 at the birthplace of instant ramen. With a variety of displays and hands-on exhibits you can learn all about the history and development of instant ramen by Nissin Foods' founder, Ando Momofuku. Don't miss the display which shows off almost 800 different products from throughout Nissin Foods' history. The Chicken Ramen Factory where you can make your own chicken ramen (fee and reservation required) and the My CupNoodle Factory where you can make your own personal CupNoodle blend (fee required) are both very popular. Admission is free.

We came on our last day, when we have time and didn’t know where to burn. We took the train, followed google map. At the entrance we were welcomed by the security guard, otherwise we might have just...
Tennoji Zoo

3.5

740 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Tennouji-ku Chausuyamachou 1-108

A municipal zoo located in Tennoji Ward, Osaka City first opened in 1915. The zoo cares for some 200 species and around 1,000 individual animals and is famous the efforts it takes to recreate their natural environments. Popular zoo areas include the African Savanna Zone, home to giraffes, lions, and hippos; Reptile House; Asian Tropical Rain Forest, site of the popular elephant exhibit; and the Friendship Square, a favorite for children where they can pet sheep and goats. Visitors can also watch animals such as the elephants, lions, and penguins being fed.

Small zoo . A few animals . The only catch for me is to see the white polar. The place is easy to walk . Wheelchair friendly . A basic zoo . I will not recommend to come here unless the children...
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

4.0

838 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Tenjimbashi 6-4-20 Housing Information Center Building 8F

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, which opened in 2001, is located in Tenjinbashi in the Kita Ward of Osaka City. The Museum is focused on the cultural and historical aspects of how people in Osaka lived during the period from the latter part of the Edo period through to the Showa period. The ninth floor of the Museum building features a row of life-size replica buildings facing onto a “main road,” including Machiya shop-houses, stores, a firewatching tower, etc.; visitors can enjoy strolling around this recreation of an Osaka street scene from days gone by. The eighth floor has dioramas and other exhibits showing Osaka’s streets looked like at different times between the Meiji period and Showa period. The Museum also holds seasonal special exhibitions.

Cannot recommend enough. Appears like an outside museum but it is indoor and perfect to do on a rainy day.xa0 Located inside a building so take an elevator to the 8th Floor where you can purchase your...
Osaka Museum of History

4.0

604 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Otemae 4-1-32

This museum northwest of Naniwanomiyaato Park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City opened in 2001. A permanent exhibit entitled ''Toshi Osaka no Ayumi'' covering the history of Osaka from ancient times to today takes up the 7th to 10th floors. The top floor features a recreation of the council hall of the Nara-period Naniwa Palace complete with 70 cm-thick vermillion-lacquered pillars and life-sized figures of government officials. Each floor presents the history and culture of Osaka through recreations of buildings, miniature models, videos, and abundant artifacts. The remains of Naniwa Palace are preserved in the museum's basement. Tours are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

This is very interesting to learn about Osaka and its history. Located by the Castle and you can easily combine the two. Easy to navigate and well laid out. Highly recommend if you want to learn...
Kids Plaza Osaka

4.5

373 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Ougimachi 2-1-7

Japan’s first hands-on learning museum for children, Kids Plaza Osaka is dedicated to helping children experience new things and emotions through play and to extend the possibilities and individuality of children. The Kids Town, designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, is a maze-like area made up entirely of curved lines. The museum is overflowing with exhibits where children can learn about world cultures, nature, chemistry, and society while playing. The museum also conducts events where children and parents can join in together and the facilities are complete with a nursing room and dining tables. The museum is also popular with families with young children. Ogimachi Station is the closest station to the museum.

When we were planning our trip to Osaka, Kids Plaza Osaka was a place which we wanted to get a look at and which we wanted our 6 year old to visit. It is situated in an office building with the...
The National Museum of Art, Osaka

3.5

201 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Nakanoshima 4-2-55

This art museum is located in Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka City. Founded in 1977, it relocated to its current location in 2004. It is notable for being one of the only underground art museums in the world. The museum primarily collects and exhibits works of modern art from the post-war era to now. In addition to exhibiting its collection, the museum also holds exhibitions and seminars about a range of art genres with a focus on contemporary art. Other events organized by the museum include workshops for children.

Visited in March 2023 to see a great temp exhibition of Picasso, Matisse, Klee and Giacometti. Absolutely wonderful and saw some incredible pieces. However this is only the temporary art, and the...
Osaka Science Museum

4.0

234 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Nakanoshima 4-2-1

A science museum in Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka City, that focuses on Space and Energy. It first opened in 1989. Here both children and adults can explore space and its discoveries, chemistry, science, electricity, energy, and so much more from all angles in exhibits spread out amongst the different floors. The staff will also present science shows in the areas of their expertise. In the underground planetarium with the world's largest 26.5-meter dome screen you can enjoy videos of the cosmos.

They need to update their website to show they are closed for an extended period. Will not reopen until Feb 2022. We wasted an hour getting there and we opted for this instead of the earthquake...
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka

4.5

277 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Nakanoshima 1-1-26

The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, which opened in 1982, is dedicated to ceramics from the East Asia region. The Museum’s collection—which is focused mainly on Chinese and Korean ceramics—is world-class in terms of both quantity and quality. The 300 or so representative items that make up the Museum’s permanent exhibitions effectively bring across the appeal of ceramics, such as the painstaking effort made to ensure that ceramics reflect the light to best effect. The Museum’s themed exhibitions and special exhibitions are also very popular.

I visited this place on february, it is just nice. Easy to access by subway, just a few hundreds walking distance.
Osaka Nakanoshima Art Museum

4.0

10 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osaka-shi Kita-ku Nakanoshima 4-3-1

真っ黒なキューブ型の外観で外壁には特にサイン等が見当たらず、遠目には何の建物か分からないようになっていました。寧ろ隣接する大阪市立科学館と国立国際美術館の方が分かり易い状態となっていました。美術館としての建物ではありますが、館内には
Abeno Harukas Museum

4.0

105 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Abeno-ku Abenosuji Abe Haruka 16F

Located on the 16th floor of the 300-meter-tall Abeno Harukas skyscraper, the Abeno Haruka Museum is a city-center art museum that takes full advantage of its location near a major terminal railway station. The Museum has no permanent exhibitions; instead, it holds several different thematic exhibitions every year, on themes relating to the cultural properties that are found near Kintetsu railway lines, East Asian art (including Japanese art), Western art, contemporary art, etc. The Museum occupies an entire floor of the Abeno Harukas building, giving it a spacious feel; as a great spot to take a break from shopping or sightseeing to admire art in a relaxing atmosphere, it has become a very popular art museum.

Visited during recent typhoon and everything else seemed to be closed. In tall building - exhibit was fantastic. Stayed for a coffee afterwards at the cafe with wonderful views of Osaka.
Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts

4.0

156 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Tennouji-ku Chausuyamachou 1-82

An art museum first opened in 1936 built on the former main residence of the Sumitomo clan. The museum’s collection of over 8,000 artworks and pieces donated by shrines and temples focuses on art and crafts from Japan and China, many of which are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. The museum’s standing exhibition presents selections from the museum’s collection based on a given theme. The museum also holds open call exhibitions sponsored by art organizations and special exhibitions covering diverse genres of art. The museum shop offers exclusive goods and illustrated exhibition books. The closest station is Tennoji Station.

If you get the chance before the end of September 2019 do spend the time and money 1400 yen to see this amazing collection of Ukiyo-e wood Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection. Starting in the...
Sakuya Konohana Kan

4.5

65 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Tsurumi-ku Ryokuchikouen 2-163

The indoor botanical garden at Tsurumi-Ryokuchi boasts Japan's largest greenhouse by surface area. It was opened in 1990 as the Osaka Pavilion for The International Garden and Greenery Exposition. Built with steel frames and glass walls, standing two stories tall, its design was made to evoke the imagery of the water lilies floating in the wetlands surrounding it. Within the building there are a variety of halls dedicated to the various climates and vegetation found on Earth, from the tropics to the polar regions. Seasonal flowers are included and there are usually in excess of 300 different varieties for you to enjoy.

This is a very worthwhile outing from central Osaka, easily done on the subway. The walk is 15-minutes from the nearest stop, but its through the grounds of a 1990 exposition, that have been made...
Osaka Museum of Natural History

4.0

56 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Higashisumiyoshi-ku Nagaikouen 1-23

This museum was founded in 1950 and is located within “Nagai Park” in Higashi Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. The museum is based on the theme of humans surrounding natural history, and they carry out such activities as data collection, exhibitions, and educational activities. The permanent exhibition rooms are based on the four themes, “The Natural World Around Us”, “History of Earth and Life”, “Evolution of Life” and “The Lives of Living Things”. You can enjoy learning about nature in the local area of Osaka, the ecology, and evolution of living things and the environment while taking turns at games and videos. Special exhibitions are held several times a year at the museum. The in-house and outdoor events mainly held on weekends are also popular.

I happened to have some free time and decided to check it out. Though small, it is packed to the brim with fossils and such.
Sakai City Museum

4.0

89 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Sakaishi Sakai-ku Mozusekiunchou 2 inside Daisen Park

This museum is located in Daisen Park, just 500 meters from the JR Hanwa Line's Mozu Station. The museum was opened in 1980, as a memorial project for the city's 90th anniversary. Many items pertaining to Sakai City's history, art and customs are preserved displayed in the museum's permanent exhibition, including reproductions of a map of Emperor Nintoku's stone mausoleum and a terracotta unearthed from Emperor Nintoku's tomb in the Kofun / Nintoku Tomb exhibition, and a model of the city of Sakai and a Sakai (matchlock) gun in the Free City Sakai exhibition.

Really enjoyed this museum. The excellent exhibits and friendly stall. But the best was the video, with English subtitles - a great overview of the area. Well worth seeking this out & spending an...
NIFREL

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Suitashi Senribampakukouen 2-1 Within EXPOCITY

A museum located inside Expo’70 Commemorative Park where visitors can enjoy exciting, novel exhibits which go beyond the boundaries of a dedicated aquarium, zoo, or art museum. Based on the concept of coming in contact with various sensibilities, the facility is divided into seven zones designed to stimulate the viewer’s sensitivities through animals viewed from a variety of perspectives, including colors, abilities, and shapes. The facility also has white tigers and numerous exhibits featuring waterside mammal’s such as miniature hippos and the popular capybara. There is a picnic-themed café in the museum as well as a souvenir shop. The closest station is Bampaku-kinen-koen Station.
Open-air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses

4.5

89 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Toyonakashi Hattoriryokuchi 1-2

Located in Hattori Ryokuchi Park in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, the Open-air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses was the first open-air museum of its kind in Japan when it opened in 1956. The Museum has on display 12 representative examples of traditional farmhouses from different parts of Japan—from Iwate Prefecture in the north to Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture in the south—that have been relocated to the Museum site. Several of the buildings on display have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, including Gassho-zukuri style farmhouses from the Hida and Shirakawa-go regions, and a Nanbu Magari-ya (L-shaped farmhouse) from Iwate, northern Japan. Inside each house, typical furniture and living utensils from the region in question are displayed.

This is well worth the visit to give you a glimpse of Japanese life in years gone by. An amazing selection of authentic looking structures. Plenty of space, quiet and relaxing. A terrific escape...
Nagai Botanical Garden

4.0

31 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Higashisumiyoshi-ku Nagaikouen 1-23

This botanical garden is south-east of Nagai Park, in front of the Midosuji Line's Nagai Station. The garden covers approximately 24.2 hectares, and cherry trees, tulips and hydrangeas are planted so the garden is in bloom all year round. In addition to these, rare ancient plants and trees, such as Metasequoia, also known as living fossils are exhibited in the gardens. There is also a log house in the herb garden, which offers a free herbal tea service on the first and third Saturday of each month.

We have been in Japan for 2 weeks and have seen some beautiful gardens. These gardens are very neglected - a total disappointment and so unJapan like. Rubbish in the pond, dead plants, weeds...
Glion Museum

4.0

26 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Minato-ku Kaigandori 2-6-39 (in Osaka/red brick warehouse)

Museum and showroom of classic cars near Osaka Port. This 100-year-old redbrick warehouse has a retro atmosphere making you imagine New York and London, with restored vintage cars from such companies as Toyota and Ford on display. This antique space also has models and other items a car fan will delight over, and even the T3R driving simulator.

If you’re a car guy and don’t visit this place when travelling in Osaka, get ready for regret. This place has a few sections (open display, restaurant/bar, ticketed display, free display). The free...
Dotonbori Konamon-Museum

4.0

50 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Doutombori 1-6-12

Dotonbori Konamon-Museum in downtown Dotonbori is a food theme park and a hands-on facility where you can experience the history and culture of konamon (flour) including takoyaki (octopus dumpling). On the first floor, Takoya dotonbori Kukuru, a well-known takoyaki restaurant which is famous with long queues, shows the cooking procedure and sells them. On the second floor, there is a historical museum about flour with an eating area. The third floor is a studio where you can make your own food samples for a unique takoyaki (a booking is required in advance). On the first basement, there is a takoyaki dojo (training area) where you fry your takoyaki with your own choice of ingredients. The closest station is Namba Station.

This is a famous takoyaki shop in Dotombori area. There is always a queue here. The takoyaki is delicious and the sauce is good too.

Osaka

Umeda Nakanoshima Minamimorimachi / Temma Yodoyabashi / Kitahama / Hommachi Osaka Castle Shinsaibashi / Namba Tennoji / Shinsekai Tsuruhashi / Tamatsukuri Bentencho / Osaka Bay Area Sumiyoshi / Tezukayama Hokusetsu Kitakawachi / Higashi-Osaka Minami-Osaka

Leisure / Hobbies Culture / Tour

Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Art Museum Botanical Garden

Osaka Areas

While Osaka prefecture is the country's second smallest prefecture, its capital, Osaka City, is the country’s third-largest and arguably one of the most popular in the Kansai region thanks to its vibrant nightlife, the Osaka people’s openness, and its much-loved cuisine, which has earned it the nickname "the nation’s kitchen."