Osaka can be a little overwhelming for a first timer. Make your way to the downtown area and you may find yourself engulfed by the towering billboards with neon lights and gigantic animatronic seafood beckoning you into its restaurant.
Walk a little further, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by throngs of vintage American apparel, larger-than-life street art murals, and the scent of freshly ground coffee beans. Hop on a train and you may end up wandering around an early 20th-century Japanese entertainment district— or come face to face with one of the tallest buildings in Japan [Abeno Harukas].
While Osaka may seem like a bizarre concoction of Japanese and Western culture that is simultaneously traditional and modern, this unity of opposites is precisely the charm of Japan’s third-largest city. With so many different places to explore, we’ve written a handy guide to Osaka’s key neighborhoods to help you navigate through the city and highlight some of the must-see sights in this bustling metropolis.
1. Namba
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When you think about Osaka, the Namba district undoubtedly springs to mind. The high-octane entertainment district is home to some of the city’s most iconic sights, from the dazzling neon billboards that line the futuristic landscape to the bustling back alleys full of hearty izakaya [Japanese pubs].
Namba is a shopaholic’s paradise, boasting one of the most vibrant shopping districts in Osaka. Namba Parks is a modern shopping complex designed like a flowing canyon. The architectural wonder is home to a rooftop garden, Osaka largest cinema complex, and a diverse array of shops and restaurants from high-end fashion boutiques to artisan homeware. Namba Parks is also conveniently connected to Namba Station on the Nankai Railway, making this urban oasis an unmissable stop on your tour of Osaka.
Of course, no introduction to Namba is complete without mentioning Dotonbori, arguably Osaka’s most famous spot. Home to some of Japan’s most famous bars, restaurants, and street vendors, there is also something to see [and eat!] at every corner. Be sure to snap selfies in front of the Glico “running man” sign above the Ebisubashi Bridge, or try out takoyaki, the city’s signature ball-shaped octopus at Kukuru.
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If you’re planning to embrace the Namba nightlife fully, then finding accommodation in the area will allow you to explore the area long into the wee hours of the morning.
The Dotonbori Hotel is an affordable option that is a short three-minute walk to Dotonbori— with an enticing all-you-can-drink draft beer, highball, shochu, and sake service for all guests until 9:00 p.m. If you are looking for a stylish hotel, Cross Hotel Osaka is just a minute’s walk from Ebisubashi Bridge and has some of the immaculately designed rooms and facilities available in the area.
2. Amerikamura
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Just west of the Shinsaibashi shopping district lies Amerikamura, a well-known neighborhood that has long been the nexus of Western subculture and Japanese youth culture.
While Amerikamura, which translates as American village, is populated with shops peddling vintage Western clothing and hipster coffee shops, it wasn’t always this way.
Initially a town filled with warehouses and lumber yards, young interior designer Mariko Higiri decided to open a coffee shop to gather other creative minds in the 1960s. Soon, more young people began flocking to the area, converting local warehouses into stores selling imported American clothing and live music clubs.
Today, Amerikamura retains much of its grungey youthful energy, with an endless stream of vintage stores selling punk, gothic, and lolita fashion and large murals painted all over town. Sankaku Park, which means Triangle Park, is at the very center of action and your best vantage point to experience Ameikamura. The park comes alive with street performances and flea markets on the weekend, and is also the best place to interact with locals at night with a can of Strong Zero in hand!
For some retro fun, check out the Space Station Game Bar, a video game-themed bar packed with retro game consoles from the Famicom to Super Nintendo. With an awe-inspiring lineup of games from classic fighters like Super Smash Bros to role-playing games like Chrono Trigger, there is something for every gamer to enjoy! Alternatively, check out The Silver Ball Planet, which houses more than 100 vintage pinball machines from the 1970s. For only 100 JPY per play, this is one of the coolest spots for affordable fun in Osaka!
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If you're looking for accommodation nearby, we recommend staying near Shinsaibashi Station, a five-minute walk to Amerikamura. Hotel Nikko Osaka is an ideal choice; it's right beside the station, has first-class service, and has semi-double rooms for less than 150 USD a night. If you're seeking a premium experience, W Osaka is a new design-led luxury lifestyle hotel with rooms plucked straight out of an interior design catalog.
3. Tennoji and Abeno
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Home to one of Osaka’s largest transportation hubs and some of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, Tennoji and Abeno have experienced a renaissance in recent years. The area was formerly regarded as a relic of the yesteryear— a place to get a fix of Showa-era nostalgia in the retro entertainment district Shinsekai.
However, with the 2014 arrival of the 984-feet-tall Abeno Harukas skyscraper standing above Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station, a surge of new shops, restaurants, and businesses have sprung up around the area revitalizing the neighborhood.
Of course, the old-school charms of Tennoji are still a major draw for visitors wishing to travel back in time to Showa-era Japan. Shinsekai, which translates as New World, is an entertainment district crammed with off-beat cafeteria-like restaurants, flashy pachinko parlors, and hole-in-the-wall style dining establishments.
The area retains much of its funky 20th-century design, and at its center lies the Tsutenkaku Tower, the iconic landmark originally built in 1912 to resemble the Eiffel Tower. Shinsekai is most famous for its kushikatsu, or deep-fried skewers; you will find restaurants across the district selling them! The most popular of the bunch is Yaekatsu, with a vast selection of fresh food ready to be deep-fried and devoured.
Another highlight in Shinsekai is Spa World, the incredible 24-hour hot spring theme park that will delight any fatigued traveler. Besides the internationally-themed hot spring baths and saunas, which are gender segregated, there is a large swimming year with thrilling water slides, eight different hot stone spas, a fitness facility, and a food court that families, friends, and couples can enjoy together.
There are two natural hot spring bathing zones, the European Zone on the fourth floor with themed areas resembling Ancient Rome and Greece bathhouses, and the Asian Zone on the sixth floor with Japanese, Persian, and Balinese-styled baths. The zones are gender switched every month, so be sure to check out their website if there is a particular bathhouse you would like to try!
If your idea of relaxation is less to do with baths and more to do with sightseeing, then the brand-new Abeno Harukas skyscraper has you covered. The observation deck Harukas 300 is on the top three floors [floors 58 to 60] of the skyscraper, and you can buy tickets to get access at the reception on the 16th floor. On the 60th floor, there are large floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering a panoramic 360-degree view of Osaka, while there is a large open wooden deck on the 58th floor with cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy the incredible views. You can also check out the Abeno Harukas Art Museum on the 16th floor, which has a rotating exhibition of different Western and Buddhist art.
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There are a few different types of accommodation options in the area. The aforementioned Spa World also doubles as a hotel, and all plans include free access to the facility's numerous hot springs, spas, and pools.
If you’re considering more traditional options, Via Inn Abeno Tennoji is a three-minute walk from the Tennojij Station and has cheap, cozy, and affordable rooms.
For the best that the neighborhood offers, look no further than the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel, located on the upper level of Abeno Harukas. With an unparalleled view of the city, state-of-the-art facilities, and beautiful guest rooms as expected of the Marriott brand, this is one of the most premium hotel experiences in Kansai.