Osaka’s top food and attractions sorted by subway stops
Whether you’re a devoted anime fan, in need of an aesthetic makeover on your Instagram account, or digs anything gothic and apocalyptic, Osaka is one underrated destination every Millennial should do a double-take on.
On the other hand, we know how daunting travelling in Osaka can be. Taxis in Japan are notoriously expensive and Osaka’s train system is not only mind-boggling, but an intricate mess of lines and colour codes that even returning visitors have trouble navigating. Don’t let that be a reason to cross Osaka off your travel list though! For your easy reference, we’ve curated 15 top spots merely a stone’s throw away from the different Osaka subway stations.
A fuss-free solution to travelling in Osaka
With unlimited access to Osaka’s subway stations, you no longer have to fret over route planning, or worse, incurring extra costs when you hop on the wrong train. Cut down your budget further with the OSAKA Metro Day Pass (choose either a 1 Day or 2 Days Pass) and reward yourself with premium wagyu beef or shopping loots from that extra saving!
Much like the Osaka Metro Day Pass, score greater savings with the Osaka Amazing Pass with absolutely free entries to 30 Osaka’s iconic attractions and famous sightseeing spots such as the Osaka zoo, Osaka castle and many more! What’s even better are guaranteed discounts at Osaka’s major restaurants and shops. Talk about value-for-money!
More than amazing, read here to understand the full perks of the Osaka Amazing Pass before jetting off to the land of Takoyaki!
Namba Station (Midosuji Subway Line)
1. Turn your luck around at Hozenji Temple
Photo credits: Chris Gladis on Flickr
Although the insides of the temple is covered in moss, Hozenji Temple has nothing to do with the Grinch! The charming temple has contrasting charms from the bittersweet Christmas narrative. Situated inside the temple is a statue whom the locals called ‘Mizukake Fudo’. Legend has it that if you splashed water onto Mizukake Fudo, you will be blessed with good luck and your wishes may just come true! Evident from the layer of moss formed over the statue, you can see the popularity of this water splashing ritual.
Address: 1 Chome-2-16 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm
Directions: 5-minute walk from Namba station Exit 14
2. Taste the best Okonomiyaki at Hozenji Yokocho
Photo credits: Jeremy Keith on Flickr
Equally famous is the Hozenji Yokocho, a Japanese street lined with quaint shophouses and drool-worthy Japanese restaurants just outside of Hozenji Temple. However, a trip to the ancient alleys wouldn’t be complete without Okonomiyaki at Dotonbori Okonomiyaki Mizuno! A mixed batter of cabbage, meat, and seafood skillfully flipped and grilled, what makes the foodie experience extra mouthwatering are the sinful layers of mayonnaise, sprinkled seaweed and dried bonito flakes that burst with flavour in every bite.
Dotonbori Okonomiyaki Mizuno
Address: 1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Opening Hours: 11am to 9.30pm
3. Freshly baked cheesecakes at Rikuro Ojisan no Mise
Photo credits: jpellgen on Flickr
Sink your teeth into the fluffy texture of Rikuro Ojisan no Mise, Japan’s locally baked jiggly cheesecake. Fresh out of the oven, the beckoning fragrance of the popular pastry draws in huge crowds daily. Apart from the soft and light cheesecake, there are even raisins hidden in the batter for a burst of sweetness. Don’t worry about the 3-day shelf life, you’ll be gobbling up the entire cake within the day.
Address: 1F – 2F, 3-2-28, Namba, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 9.30pm
Directions: 5-minute walk from Namba station
4. Game on at Round One Stadium Arcade
Photo credits: Luis Montemayor on Flickr
Looking for something to do at night? The bustling Round One Stadium Arcade is 7 floors of everything you need to keep you entertained for hours. Not just a trip down memory lane with your favourite childhood games like the claw machines and virtual games, you can even find selfie booths, manga lounges, sports courts (basketball, tennis, table tennis), horse betting and even a mini gambling den! We weren’t kidding when we said Japan takes its arcade culture very seriously.
If you’ve purchased the Osaka Amazing Pass, look into your ticket bundle and you’ll find the legendary TOKU coupons! Simply exchange it for more discounts and go crazy at Round One Stadium Arcade!
Address: 1-3-1, Namba, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Directions: 6-minute walk from Namba Station
Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji Subway Line)
1. Shop the hippest street at Amerika-Mura
Photo credits: kurisuuu on Flickr
Amerika-mura, or Amemura, is an American village helming the latest fashion trends in goth, punk and lolita. If you’re here to witness the bold fashion tastes of Osaka’s youth, you’re in the right place. Definitely an eye-opener, funky designers, established photographers and professional artists have gathered at this popular Kansai art scene to draw inspiration daily.
Address: Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, 542-0086
Opening Hours: varies with shops
Directions: 6-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station
2. Get curious at Alice in Wonderland Concept Store
Photo credits @gudetina on Instagram
Jump down the Rabbit Hole or enter Alice In Wonderland through the store’s tiny wooden door just like in the movie! This brilliant lifestyle concept store does a stunning job at bringing the Red Queen’s room to life while showcasing a whimsical world of keychains, accessories and apparel for you to shop to your heart’s content.
Address: Nishi Shinsaibashi 2-12-25 Asahi Plaza Shinsaibashi 1F
Opening Hours: 11am to 7.30pm on weekdays; 10am to 7.30pm on weekends
Directions: 8-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station
3. Your nocturnal chill-out spot, Bar Nayuta
Photo credits: @nayuta1e72 on Instagram
Tucked away on the fifth floor of Triangle Park, Bar Nayuta is sought-after for their top-notch cocktails and apocalyptic decor. If you’re thinking of blood-dripping decoyed fangs or zombie’s faces, Bar Nayuta has, fortunately (or not), none of that scary stuff. Its easy-going vibes will surprise you.
The rave hasn’t hit the tourists scene yet so make sure to drop a visit at the speakeasy before it’s filled up! Grab a seat at Hiro Nakayama’s bar for his signature cocktail or you can bet your money on his bartending skills for a custom-made drink.
Address: 5F, 1-6-17 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku
Opening Hours: 5pm to 3am
Directions: 6-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station
Nippombashi Station (Sennichimae Subway Line)
1. Stuff yourself silly at Kuromon Ichiba
Photo credits: chee.hong on Flickr
Photo credits: Darcy Moore on Flickr
Much like the Hozenji Temple, the roots of Kuromon Ichiba dates about 200 years back! There is an abundance of food stalls selling a variety of speciality seafood such as sea urchin, eel and Yakitori. Grilled over charcoal, these soy-sauce chicken skewers are of Michelin standard and best eaten with beer!
Of course, when you’re in the land of Takoyaki, does it really make sense if you haven’t had any of it? With a variety of toppings to choose from such as octopus, shrimp, beef and more, these give the soft fluffy takoyaki batter great chewing texture!
Address: 2 Chome-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm
Directions: 3-minute walk from Nippombashi Station
2. An anime haven at Den Den Town
Photo credits: DocChewbacca on Flickr
Relive your anime fantasy right at Den Den Town, a sprawling street tucked away in Southern Osaka. A disclaimer first: There are no promises that your bruised wallet could take the damage but if you’re a die-hard anime fan, your anime hauls are definitely worth the bill.
You can start your shopping spree at the Taito Arcade Centre for a warm-up round of nostalgic games such as Guitar Hero and Street Fighter. If you’re looking for manga apparels such as One Piece or Naruto, waste no time and make a beeline for Gee!STORE Osaka or Cospa.
On a budget? You can still get bang for your buck at Hero Gangu Lab where you can find second-hand anime and manga figures. Sate your inner Gundam craze at Super Kids Land which boasts an impressive model assembly of Gundams and more Gundams.
Address: Animate Bldg. 1F, 2F, 1-1-3 Nippombashi Nishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi
Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm
Directions: 12-minute walk from Nippombashi Station
3. KBBQ feast at Yakinikuya Daibokujo
What’s a trip to Osaka without some A5 ranked wagyu beef? Thick, huge, and juicy, indulge in a 2-hour all-you-can-eat buffet of sirloin steaks, short ribs, premium abalone and scallops. Enjoy free-flow drinks when you pre-book your Yakinikuya Daibokujo, authentic Japanese BBQ experience on Klook!
Address: 2F, 1-5-10 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
Opening Hours: 11am to 3pm; 5pm to 12am (Last order: 11.30pm)
Directions: 2-minute walk from Nippombashi Station
Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Midosuji Subway Line)
1. Pay homage to the dead at Isshinji Temple
Photo credits: thaisa1980 on Flickr
Staring down at you are 2 of the 6 Buddha statues constructed entirely out of human bones. Don’t freak out yet! These seemingly morbid creations were meant to be a safe sanctuary for the wandering dead. Isshinji Temple may seem like a nightmare come to life, but the surreal atmosphere of it all demands a sage for respect and silence. If you’re heading to Nin Ja Do or Spa World Osaka, make sure to spare some time for the City of Bones!
Fun fact: Did you know that the first Buddha statue was moulded by 50,000 bones of cremated bodies?
Address: 2 Chome-8-69 Osaka, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0062, Japan
Opening Hours: 9am to 4pm
Directions: 15-minute walk from Dobutsuen-Mae Station
2. Kickass at Nin Ja Do
Apart from walking the grounds of Osaka’s centuries year old shrines or visiting historical museums, why not switch it up for a thrilling and immersive experience in a Ninja workshop at Nin Ja Do?
Throw some kicks in the air and hone your ninja star throwing skills! Transform into a black warrior for a day and master the ways of a true Japanese warrior in a 60-minute workshop. We can certainly vouch that no other experience will beat a whopping kick-ass session!
Address: 1-11-2 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Naniwa, Osaka 557-0002, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: 11am to 3pm
Directions: 1-minute walk from Dobutsuen-Mae Station
3. Soak your worries away at Spa World
Submerge yourself in 8 internationally renowned saunas on the 3rd floor of Spa World. You’ll find yourself sucked into different time dimensions and cultures such as the ancient Roman baths and a luxurious Finnish bathhouse. Cross over to the Asia Pacific for an onsen-inspired Japanese wood bath and a wholesome mud spa. Once rejuvenated, awaken your adventurous spirit for a fun date heart-pumping thrills on the 8th floor of amusement pools!
Address: 3-4-24 Ebisu-higashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi
Opening Hours: 10am to 8.45am (next day)
Directions: 1-minute walk from Dobutsuen-Mae Station at Exit 5
Matsuyamachi Station (Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Line)
1. A souvenir hotspot at Matsuyamachisuji Shotengai
Photo credits: joanne. on Flickr
Your one-stop enclave for Japanese souvenirs is none other than the Matsuyamachisuji Shotengai Shopping District! Once a place stocked full of festive products, it has now transformed into a market frequented by Japanese youths for their vintage haul. Bring home a piece of Osaka when you snag Hina Ningyo (Japanese traditional dolls), Japanese origami papers and affordable local candies.
Address: 2-4-13, Nonibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka City
Opening Hours: 6am to 10pm
Directions: 3-minute walk from Matsuyamachi Station
2. Spend a starry night at Hoshi Cafe Spica
Photo credits: @janine.biancaaa on Instagram
Our skies may be deceptively dotted with satellites… Er-hem, we mean stars, but at the heart of Osaka, you can stargaze for real at Hoshi Cafe Spica. Named after the brightest star constellations, Mr Yamaguchi’s love for astronomy is evident in every nook and cranny of the cafe. From a 2-D illumination of the star-lited galaxy to a rooftop bar equipped with all you need for stargazing, we dare say this is one place you have to check off from your bucket list!
Looking for more Instagram-worthy cafes? Search no further and slay your dessert cravings with 10 Instagrammable cafes here in Osaka!
Address: Jitsuwa BLDG 5F 4-18 Matsuyamachi Chuo-ku Osaka-city Osaka-fu
Opening Hours: 6pm to 12.30am
Directions: 2-minutes walk from Matsuyamachi Station
3. Slurp ramen at Naritaya Osaka Minami
Photo credits: @viskhakamellia on Instagram
Calling all Muslim friends! If you’re here in Osaka for the holiday, you’re in for a treat! Naritaya Osaka Minami not only cooks up a storm of a variety of Japanese style ramen, but they are also strictly halal and a non-alcoholic establishment with a dedicated small room for prayers. Spice up your getaway with a bowl of Spicy Chicken Ramen, featuring perfectly chewy noodles doused in a rich broth and topped with tender chicken pieces and a ramen egg!
Address: 1-7-23 Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0083, Osaka
Opening Hours: 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 1opm on weekdays; 12pm to 10pm on weekends
Directions: 13-minute walk from Matsuyamachi Station
Top attractions in Osaka you cannot miss
Osakako Station
Osaka Aquarium
By now, you would have realised that Osaka is a top contender for anything huge and magnificent; be it the 7 storeys Round One Stadium Arcade or the onsen/indoor themed Spa World, Kaiyukan is no exception. Get up close with over 30,000 underwater sea creatures and watch an illuminated tunnel of piercing blue jellyfish floating in the dark. Since 60% of the aquarium’s patrons are regulars, there’s no denying that Kaiyukan is Osaka’s number one bait for tourists and locals alike. Klook your tickets for the most competitive price.
Address: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Minato Ward, Kaigandori, 1 Chome−1−10
Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm (Last admission: 7pm)
Directions: 5 min walk from Chuo Line Osakako Station Exit 1 or 45 min from Osaka Station (bus route No. 88) or 40 min from Namba Station (bus route No. 60) to Tempozan Stop, adjacent to the Kaiyukan
Universal City Station
Osaka’s most exhilarating attraction, Universal Studio Japan
Photo credits: Mike Wyatt on Flickr
Ready for a theme park binge? Hop on to the long-awaited roller coaster ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a 4-D exhilarating ride bound to keep many adrenaline junkies on a craze! Overtake the queue by simply flashing your Universal Studio Japan ticket and viola! Less time wasted on queues, more time to cover themed rides such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and the famed Flying Dinosaur as well!
Confused about the booking process over Universal Studio Japan’s tickets? Make sure to read up on our comprehensive, step-by-step guide and how you can turn it into a memorable trip with your family here.
Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 7pm
Directions: From Namba, take Hanshin Namba Line to Nishikujo (4th stop) then transfer to JR Yumesaki Line and get off at Universal City Station
Osaka Station
1. Join Aiko on her fantasy journey
Osaka Castle is well-known for many things; their breathtaking panoramic observation deck, an interactive hologram museum documenting Japan’s fall and rise and their highly anticipated illuminating night walk, Sakuya Lumina Night Walk.
Mark my words, this interactive night walk is like no other! The tour’s protagonist, Akiyo, will take you through her journey to finding their way around the fortress for a way out back home. Nothing short of magic, this fantasy tour will sate your wanderlust desire and keep the kids star-dazzled.
For just $13, Klook your tickets to this exclusive night tour in Osaka Castle!
Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm
Directions: 10-minute walk from JR Osaka Station
2. The bounciest pancake in Osaka!
Photo credits @sabrinawyt on Instagram
Find this wobbly tiered pancakes familiar? There are no other pancakes as fluffy as Gram Osaka Castle Jokamachi; These are incredibly soft and melt into a sweet aftertaste the moment you take a bite. Make sure to top it up with maple syrup for that extra flavour punch!
Address: Osaka castle park, 3-1, Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-Shi
Opening Hours: 10.30am to 9pm
Directions: 10-minute walk from JR Osaka Station
Your Osaka Mandatory Checklist
Besides the OSAKA Metro Day Pass, make sure to Klook the rest of your necessities!
