OsakaPlay Recommendations

Tennoji Zoo, located in Chausuyama-cho, Tennoji-ku, opened in 1915 and is Osaka's oldest zoo. Spanning about 11 hectares, the zoo houses about 200 species and 1,000 animals. The facility is divided into the Asian Tropical Rainforest Zone, African Savanna Zone, Reptile Ecology House, Hippo House and Polar Bear House. The African Savanna Zone recreates the Madagascar ecosystem, allowing close-up observation of lions, giraffes and rhinoceroses. With affordable admission (adults 500 yen), it is the best destination for families to learn about wildlife.

Osaka Tsuruhashi Market, located in Ikuno-ku, is Western Japan's largest Koreatown, known as 'Osaka's Korea Town.' Connected to JR Tsuruhashi Station and Kintetsu Department Store Tsuruhashi, the market has about 800 shops divided into fresh fish, produce, clothing and daily goods sections. As Japan's largest residential area for ethnic Koreans, it offers authentic Korean BBQ, kimchi, seafood pancake, cheese tteokbokki and bibimbap. The complex maze-like alleys are bustling day and night, making it an iconic destination for multicultural experience and Osaka's folk food.

Shitennoji Temple, located in Tennoji-ku, was founded by Prince Shotoku in 593 AD, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples and the head of the seven great temples built by Shotoku. The complex follows an Asuka-period garan layout with central gate, five-story pagoda, golden hall, lecture hall and cloisters along a north-south axis, considered a model of Asuka architecture. The grounds include Rokujido Hall, Taishido Hall, treasure house, gardens and Shoryoin. The monthly 21st and 22nd 'Taishi-zo Worship' and spring/autumn concerts at Kame-no-Ike Music Hall are major Buddhist cultural events in Osaka.

Sumiyoshi Taisha, located in Sumiyoshi-ku, is the head shrine of about 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide, founded in 211 AD, one of Osaka's oldest shrines. The main hall uses the unique Sumiyoshi-zukuri architectural style with straight roof ridges without upturned eaves and red lacquered columns, walls and beams, designated as a National Treasure. The iconic Sorihashi arched drum bridge is believed to bring good fortune. The shrine enshrines sea deities, navigation protectors and waka poetry gods, and the July 30 Sumiyoshi Matsuri is one of Osaka's three great festivals. It is also famous for Hatsutatsu Pilgrimage for business prosperity.

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is located within Nagai Botanical Garden in Higashi-Sumiyoshi-ku, opened in 2021. It is the digital art collective teamLab's night exhibition themed 'Human-Nature Coexistence,' transforming the 24-hectare Nagai Botanical Garden into an immersive light art space. Multiple installations such as Coexisting Lives, Resonating Forest and Flame Particles respond to human movement and touch, with plants, water and rocks reacting dynamically. Opening after sunset, it is Osaka's most magical night-view art experience.

Expo '70 Commemorative Park is located in Suita, Osaka, built on the site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition (Expo '70), opened in 1972, spanning about 264 hectares. The park features Taro Okamoto's Tower of the Sun, Japanese Garden, Nature and Culture Garden, National Museum of Ethnology and National Museum of Art. In spring, about 9,000 cherry trees, 5,500 tulips and 9,000 roses bloom sequentially, with maple and ginkgo colors in autumn. Bicycle rentals, family picnics and arts-cultural experiences make it a top choice in greater Osaka.