Maishima Incineration Plant

Grand Green Osaka is a major urban redevelopment that opened in September 2024 next to JR Osaka Station, spanning about 4.5 hectares. The centerpiece is the 45,000-square-meter Umekita Park green space, integrating luxury hotels, office towers, retail and an international food hall. Three super-tall towers embody the 'oasis of the future' design concept, combined with department stores and cultural venues, making it one of Kansai's largest urban developments. Visitors can picnic on the lawn and walk to adjacent shopping complexes, experiencing urban greenery and vibrancy in one place.

The Umeda Sky Building Kuchu Teien Observatory is one of Osaka's most iconic modern landmarks, where two 173-meter twin towers are connected at the top by a circular sky garden. Visitors take transparent elevators and a suspended aerial escalator to the rooftop for 360-degree views of the Osaka plain, Awaji Island and Kobe's Rokko Mountains. Sunset hours are particularly romantic, with simultaneous sunset and night views. The observatory has a cafe and souvenir shop, making it a must-visit spot for couples and photographers.

Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is Japan's longest covered arcade, stretching 2.6 km from Tenjinbashi 1-chome to 7-chome with approximately 600 shops. Along the way you can taste Osaka's street food such as takoyaki, kushikatsu, udon and taiyaki, and shop for clothing, sundries, cosmetics and souvenirs. The arcade connects to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, drawing huge crowds during the Tenjin Matsuri in late July. With affordable prices and diverse offerings, it is the best spot to experience authentic Osaka downtown atmosphere.

Founded in 949 AD, Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, affectionately called 'Tenjin-san of Tenma' by locals. The grounds feature about 200 plum trees of 200 varieties that bloom from late January to March, making it a famous plum blossom viewing spot. The Tenjin Matsuri held on July 24-25 each year, alongside Gion Matsuri and Kanda Matsuri, is one of Japan's three great festivals, featuring land procession, boat parade and fireworks, drawing about 1.3 million visitors. During exam season, students flock here to pray for academic success.

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is located in Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome, an experiential museum themed around an Edo-period Osaka townscape. The 9th floor faithfully recreates the Edo-era Funaba streetscape of Osaka's castle town with full-scale machiya townhouses, grocery stores and theater stages that visitors can walk through. The exhibits showcase seasonal decorations, machiya interior layouts and traditional festivals. The 10th floor features the evolution of modern Osaka housing. It is an excellent indoor attraction for families and history lovers to understand Osaka's folk culture.

Nakanoshima is a slender sandbank between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers, known as the 'parlor of Osaka's water city.' The island gathers the 1918 Osaka City Central Public Hall (Important Cultural Property), Osaka Oriental Ceramics Museum, National Museum of Art and other red-brick classical buildings alongside modern venues. A rose garden, waterfront promenade and open-air cafes line the rivers, with the May and October rose seasons drawing many visitors. The golden ginkgo tunnel along both banks in autumn is a stunning photo spot.

Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima is a free children's library designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, located within Nakanoshima Park. With its concept of 'letting children encounter books by themselves,' the library has no borrowing rules — children can read freely throughout the day. The 12 themed zones span picture books, storybooks, art, science and foreign-language books, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, hidden corners and an interior bridge that looks like a forest of books. The building itself is a refined concrete and glass structure, popular with families.

Osaka City Science Museum is located in Nakanoshima with the theme of 'Universe and Energy,' opened in 1989. The museum houses a world-class planetarium that, with live commentary from staff, can project about 28,000 stars. The first floor offers interactive science experiences, the second floor features a 'Matter and Energy' exhibition, and the basement level houses special exhibition spaces. Activities such as science shows, astronaut lectures and summer star-gazing events are rich and varied, making it the best destination for families to explore the mysteries of science and the beauty of the universe.

Namba Yasaka Shrine is an ancient shrine in Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, with uncertain founding date. The grounds feature the rare giant Shishi-den, a lion-head-shaped stage 12 meters tall, 11 meters wide and weighing 10 tons — Osaka's most photographed spot. Legend holds that the lion swallows evil spirits and brings fortune, particularly praying for victory and business prosperity. The annual January Tsugomori Festival (Unohana Matsuri) and Summer Great Purification attract many worshippers, making it Osaka's most talked-about power spot.

Known as 'Osaka's Kitchen,' Kuromon Market is a 580-meter covered market with about 150 shops offering fresh seafood, wagyu beef, produce, cosmetics, sundries and dining. Shops like Kuromon Nakagawa Fresh Fish will slice sashimi on the spot and grill it fresh; Kuromon Sanpei seafood rice bowls, Kuromon Tonbori kushikatsu, and fugu sashimi are popular dishes. Both chefs and tourists come here to shop, with affordable prices and abundant choices, making it the best place to experience Osaka's folk food culture.

The National Bunraku Theatre is located in Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, opened in 1984 as Japan's first national theater dedicated to Bunraku (ningyo joruri puppet theatre). Bunraku is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage integrating three elements: tayu (narrative chanting), shamisen (musical accompaniment) and puppet manipulation. The venue houses a large hall, small hall and Bunraku Reference Library, with regular performances, exhibitions and hands-on workshops. The traditional tea room 'Juza' is also on-site, making it the best venue to deeply understand Japan's intangible cultural heritage.

America Village is located in Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, the birthplace of Osaka's youth culture and street fashion, called 'Harajuku of Western Japan.' Originally developed from U.S. military surplus and secondhand clothing imports in the 1970s, it now gathers vintage clothing shops, street brands, skateboard stores, tattoo parlors, cafes and bars. Sankaku Park (Triangle Park) is a hotspot for street snaps and youth gatherings, with walls covered in graffiti and murals. Weekends feature DJs, street performances and markets, making it a must-visit area to feel Kansai's youthful pulse and individual trends.

Hozenji Yokocho is an 80-meter nostalgic stone-paved alley near Dotonbori, lined with traditional restaurants, sushi shops, izakayas and dessert cafes. The famous Mizukake Fudo statue inside Hozenji Temple is a moss-covered Fudo Myoo deity where worshippers pour water to make wishes. The original Meoto Zenzai dessert shop, founded in 1946, serves sweet red bean soup symbolizing marital bliss. With lanterns swaying at night, it is the best promenade to experience Osaka's Taisho-era romantic atmosphere.

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is located in Osaka's Konohana ward, opened in 2001, one of Asia's most iconic Hollywood theme parks. The park is divided into themed areas including Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park, Jurassic Park and Hollywood. Attractions range from thrilling Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Space Fantasy to family-friendly Sesame Street Fun Zone, covering all ages. Seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights and Christmas Fantasy make USJ a flagship attraction for Osaka visitors.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, located at Tempozan in Osaka Bay, opened in 1990 and is one of the world's largest indoor aquariums. Themed around the Pacific Rim's Ring of Fire, the facility recreates 15 zones from Japanese forests to the deep Pacific, housing about 620 species and 30,000 marine creatures. The central 9-meter-deep Pacific tank with two whale sharks and manta rays is the signature exhibit, while popular areas include the Japan Trench, ringed seals and capybaras. Lit up at night for a magical atmosphere, it is a must-visit landmark for families in Osaka.

The Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, located at Tempozan Harbor Village in Osaka Bay, opened in 1997 as Asia's largest Ferris wheel with a 100-meter diameter and 112.5-meter height. The ride offers views of Osaka Bay, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Mount Rokko and Kansai International Airport, with Awaji Island and Wakayama visible on clear days. The 8 see-through floor cabins and 8 all-transparent cabins are thrilling draws for brave visitors. At night, LED lights change color to forecast tomorrow's weather, making it a romantic landmark for dates and family outings in Osaka Bay.

Soraniwa Onsen OSAKA BAY TOWER is located in Benten, Minato-ku, opened in 2021, Osaka's largest natural hot spring facility. Themed around the Azuchi-Momoyama period, the design fuses Japanese garden aesthetics with samurai-era culture, offering 7 bath types, 3 saunas and foot baths. The hot springs drawn from 1,000 meters underground are alkaline simple springs known as Tenjin-no-Yu and Taiko-no-Yu, leaving skin smooth and soft. The complex includes Japanese restaurants, izakaya, bars, lounge areas, plus a seasonal rooftop outdoor foot bath, making it a one-stop hot spring destination for relaxation in Osaka Bay.

Kyocera Dome Osaka is located in Chiyozaki, Nishi-ku, opened in 1997 as the home stadium of the Orix Buffaloes, formerly the Kintetsu Buffaloes. With capacity for about 36,000 spectators and a retractable roof design, it is also nicknamed 'Super Dome' due to its appearance. Beyond professional baseball, the dome hosts NFL, FIFA and major concerts (such as Arashi, ONE OK ROCK and Taylor Swift), drawing millions annually. The venue features restaurants, souvenir shops and the Sky Hall, making it Kansai's largest sports and entertainment facility.