England Rugby Travel is your Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup France 2023.
From historical temples and castles to beautiful national parks, Osaka is brimming with things to do and see on your Rugby World Cup 2019™ experience.
There really is the opportunity for everyone to see some incredible things here, and we’ve picked out 10 of our favourite spots below.
Osaka Castle
This is something you definitely can’t leave Japan without ticking off your list. Once the largest castle in Japan when originally built in the 1580s, this castle has an observation platform with city views and a history museum that uses holograms, 3D pictures and other technologies to describe the period during which it was built.
This is the highlight of Osaka for many of its visitors, and you can experience it on our ‘Half-Day Osaka City Tour’ excursion!
This is the highlight of Osaka for many of its visitors, and you can experience it on our ‘Half-Day Osaka City Tour’ excursion!
Dōtonbori
The heart of Osaka nightlife, this area is filled with theatres, restaurants, cafes, bars, arcades and nightclubs. Whether it’s just a relaxing drink or a big celebration, there are plenty of options for you here.
The area is renowned for having some of the tastiest street food in the world, so make sure not to fill up at lunch to leave yourself plenty of room to try everything out!
The area is renowned for having some of the tastiest street food in the world, so make sure not to fill up at lunch to leave yourself plenty of room to try everything out!
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
One of the best museums in Osaka is the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living which is an open-air museum covered in models of houses and traditional buildings.
There are a huge number of replicas of structures that would have stood in Osaka in the 17th to the 19th century and this is the ideal place to come if you want to get a glimpse of how people would have lived in Osaka in days gone.
There are a huge number of replicas of structures that would have stood in Osaka in the 17th to the 19th century and this is the ideal place to come if you want to get a glimpse of how people would have lived in Osaka in days gone.
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Just a few meters away from the Kaiyukan aquarium, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel reaches 112.5 meters into the air and has a diameter of 100 meters, making it one of the world's largest Ferris Wheels. A ride is a roughly 15-minute-long journey through the sky, offering views of Mount Ikoma to the east, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to the west and the Rokko mountains to the north.
Tsutenkaku
Tsutenkaku is the symbolic tower of the metropolis soaring high since its opening in 1956. From the observation platform, you can see much of the city so it’s a great opportunity to take some snaps for the photo album. The tower has a distinct appearance and remains very popular.
As an extra bonus during your visit, on the 3rd floor is a museum where Osaka from 100 years previous is displayed with beautiful photographs and other timeless pieces.
As an extra bonus during your visit, on the 3rd floor is a museum where Osaka from 100 years previous is displayed with beautiful photographs and other timeless pieces.
Shitennoji Temple
Shitennoji is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples and was built by Prince Shotoku around 593 AD. He was a cultural hero of Japan who helped to bring the adoption of Buddhism to the country. The temple has been reconstructed over the centuries but has retained its old style.
It’s definitely worth making sure that you make time for this gorgeous temple if you visit Osaka.
It’s definitely worth making sure that you make time for this gorgeous temple if you visit Osaka.
Minoo National Park
Just a little way out of the city on the train, this gorgeous national park is an easy way to escape the busy urban streets. The main walk coming out of Minoo Station is a peaceful walk through paths lined with traditional buildings and temples alongside a scenic river.
On your travels, make sure you eat a fried maple leaf sold by one of the vendors on the side of the road. They are a proper local speciality and something very different you can tell your friends and family about when you’re talking about your trip!
On your travels, make sure you eat a fried maple leaf sold by one of the vendors on the side of the road. They are a proper local speciality and something very different you can tell your friends and family about when you’re talking about your trip!
Osaka Shochikuza Theatre
This beautiful and deep-rooted theatre first opened in 1923 and was used primarily as a movie theatre but also hosted musical performances too.
In 1997, the building underwent extensive renovations turning it into one of the best theatres available. The theatre now hosts a huge range of performances, including new contemporary dramas, musicals, comedies, and opera.
This is somewhere not to be missed when on your travels around the city!
In 1997, the building underwent extensive renovations turning it into one of the best theatres available. The theatre now hosts a huge range of performances, including new contemporary dramas, musicals, comedies, and opera.
This is somewhere not to be missed when on your travels around the city!
Umeda Sky Building
Umeda Sky Building is a high rise building with a spectacular observation deck in the Kita district of Osaka. It’s one of the most visually fascinating pieces of architecture in the world due to its unique shape and structure. The observatory, which is named the floating garden, stands 173 metres high and provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, which is especially remarkable at night.
Kuromon Market
One of the largest markets in western Japan, Kuromon Market consists of 180 different stores. The market has over 190 years history and it’s known as “Osaka’s Kitchen” as all kinds of fresh food products can be found at this market. The Market is cherished by locals and many professional chefs come here to shop for quality ingredients. It’s also the best spot to enjoy authentic street foods of Osaka. If you’re a person that loves their food, Kuromon Market is the right place for you!