Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It’s known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It’s surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. The castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
Dotonbori Riverwalk
Dōtonbori or Dōtombori is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city’s Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards. One of the area’s most prominent features, a billboard for confectionery company Glico displaying the image of a runner crossing a finishing line, is seen as an icon of Osaka within Japan.
Shitennoji Temple (四天王寺)
Tennoji Ward
Shitennō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ōsaka, Japan. It is also known as Arahaka-ji, Nanba-ji, or Mitsu-ji. The temple is sometimes regarded as the first Buddhist and oldest officially-administered temple in Japan, although the temple complex and buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries, with the last reconstruction taking place in 1963. It is the head temple of the Wa Sect of Buddhism.
Tsutenkaku Tower
Tennoji Ward
Tsūtenkaku (通天閣, lit. “Tower Reaching Heaven”), owned by Tsūtenkaku Kanko Co., Ltd. (通天閣観光株式会社, Tsūtenkaku Kankō Kabushiki-gaisha), is a tower and well-known landmark of Osaka, Japan and advertises Hitachi. It is located in the Shinsekai district of Naniwa-ku, Osaka. Its total height is 103 m; the main observation deck is at a height of 91 m.
Tennoji Ward
Tennoji is a sprawl of skyscrapers and family-friendly green spaces centered on Shitennoji Temple, a 6th-century Zen complex in tranquil gardens. Tennoji Park encompasses a popular zoo and the Osaka Museum of Fine Arts. Shinsekai is a retro-style, neon-lit entertainment zone where late-night crowds hit pubs and snack bars. Modern malls surround Tennoji Station, and nearby Abeno Harukas tower has an observation deck.
The centre of Osaka consists of two main hubs; Kita (north) and Minami (south), but when you travel even further south for about 2km, you will reach the Tennoji area. Tennoji has developed itself as Osaka’s third major downtown hub. Back in the days, this used to be a low-rent urban area with some traditional and historical tourist sites. But recently this part of the city has transformed into one of the most popular areas of the city with some great new tourist attractions, including Osaka’s tallest building! Now you can experience both traditional and modern Osaka in the Tennoji Area. Here we list our recommended places to visit in south Osaka.
Shinsekai is colourful and lively area filled with inexpensive shops and eateries that was built as an entertainment district in the early 20th century. Shinsekai is literately translated as “new world” and the area quickly became a popular modern tourist attraction at the time it was opened. People from all over the country would visit the area and business was thriving. However, Shinsekai its popularity also faded quickly and during the WO II, even the original Tsutenkaku Tower was deconstructed after it caught fire.
Present day the area is popular for its somewhat nostalgic atmosphere of Showa era (1926 – 1989). People describe it as entering a time-capsule because the spirit of the area hasn’t changed much over the last few decades. Even though the original Shinsekai buildings haven’t survived, the distinctive billboard will take you back a few years.
https://blog.japanwondertravel.com/best-places-to-visit-in-south-osaka-16702
Umeda Sky Building
(By Osaka JR Station, Northern Osaka)
The Umeda Sky Building is the nineteenth-tallest building in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It consists of two 40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, with bridges and an escalator crossing the wide atrium-like space in the center.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is a theme park located in Osaka, Japan. Opened on March 31, 2001, it is one of six Universal Studios theme parks worldwide and was the first to open outside the United States. The park is owned and operated by USJ LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NBCUniversal. The park is similar in layout to Universal Studios Florida and contains selected attractions from both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, in addition to a small number of unique attractions. Over 11 million guests visited the park in its opening year, making it the fastest theme park to reach the 10 million guest milestone at the time. As of 2019, USJ is the fifth-most visited theme park in the world and the third-most visited in Japan behind Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Sumiyoshi Temple
(Southern Osaka)
Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines, is a gorgeous and tranquil break from the city. Best of all, it’s just a quick hop and stop from the Tennoji area.
Nara Park
(Outside Osaka)
Nara Park is a public park located in the city of Nara, Japan, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. Established in 1880, it is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Administratively, the park is under the control of Nara Prefecture.
Nara Park is known for its tame deer. While some caution is advised, it is possible to walk up to the deer and take a photograph with them or feed them with deer crackers on sale along the side of the road. Fans of animals will also love Sarusawa pond.
This ancient city is home to three World Heritage sites, comprising Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area, and Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.