10 Best places to visit in Osaka, Japan

                   10. Spa world

 

At the Spa world in Osaka, Japan you can enjoy not just European and the Asian styles of onsen ( in japan, onsen are the country's hot springs and the bathing facilities and traditional inns around them), at the Spa world each continent offers different onsen.

The European onsen part offers you the roman empire with mini reproduction of Tervi fountain of Rome , also have the growth of  Essaouria near Napoli , also have the Mediterranean style open bath showcase the Greek style. The best is the Nordic style and SONA with the cold baths around it.

On the Asian side of, there's traditional Japanese wooden open baths and inside coz its obvious you'll be in japan at that moment. Spa world have this magnificent Islamic part with hammer architecture , i.e. Persian baths Balinese baths  with flowers. At spa world each floor contain different type of SONA , for example Salty SONA , mud treatment, steam SONA, there's also swimming pool and gym at spa world.

                   9.Amemura

Amemura is called as America mura (American village) is on the most popular youth culture street in Shinsabashi,Osaka since 1970s. The area got its name from the import shops misc goods from America which were set up in Osaka around 30 years ago.

There are many clothing stores, misc goods shops, cafes and more!, you'll get to see many more American street arts related to American culture here.

Bigstep is called at huge shopping mall, what unique about this mall is, many stores here are tax free. Main spot at American village i.e. Sankaku Koen ( triangle park) which is in a triangular shape.

   

                8.Hozenji Temple

  A short walk from Dotonbori bridge and heading towards shopping arcade called as " Namba", after that you will intersect book off store and ABC mart shoe store.

Hozenji temple is a small but charming temple dedicated to "Fudo-Myo" god, at this temple you'll get to see the glimpse of Fudo Myo god in Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Chiba prefecture, where the temple is located right in the middle of the hustle/bustle of the minami Osaka area, known to be famous for food,entertainment,commerical establishments.

The Fudo-Myo god at Hozenji temple is covered with moss ( represented in image) so visitors pour water on his statue as an offering.

You can mainly visit this temple in early morning or in evening, and you can get to see the beautiful and calm Japanese traditional lanterns glowing on the ceiling .

        7.Sumiyoshi Taisha

Sumiyoshi-Taisha which is also called as Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine is located in Hakata, it is main Sumiyoshi shrines in Osaka, Japan ,built back in era of early Heian period . There are three oldest shrine , Sumiyoshi sanjin, Sumiyoshi kami and the Sumiyoshi Shrine.    

On the occasion of the new year in japan large crowd gather visit this shrine for Hatsumode.( first Buddhist temple visit of the Japanese new year). Tourists mainly are attracted here , the shrine is built Sumiyoshi-zukuri style which is been designated as a national treasure on the ground according to Japanese people. 

          6.Umeda Sky Building

Umeda sky Building is located in Shin Umeda city in the Osaka , japan .Unlike other traditional and cultural places in Osaka, Umeda sky Building is the nineteenth tallest building the whole country with total forty floors with two underground . The world highest escalator was designed and constructed in Umeda Sky Building  with one seventy three meter high structure mainly on a purpose , located in district of Kita-ku northern part of Osaka, Japan.

 Umeda Sky Building is mainly famous for retro shopping which is on floor B1 to 1F,Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum on tower west 27f, shops and restaurants, and finally the Kuchu Teien observatory on top floor 39-40F,rooftop. Here at Umeda Sky Building we can get to see mainly seasonal landscapes.

           5.Aquarium Kaiyukan

    The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukam is situated in the Tempozan Harbor village in Osaka, bay, japan. This Aquarium introduces the various forms of aquatic animals in the Pacific rim in a very stunning and impressive way.

 Tourists can start their tour on 8th floor and move towards central tank, ( There are total 15 large tanks at Aquarium Kaiyukam )which make possible for tourists to observe animals from different depth and perspectives. Dolphins, Penguins, otters, sea lions, whale sharks, and jellyfishes are the many animals on display in the aquarium, most of the tourists are impressed what they see at Osaka Aquarium, almost 620 species are present at this aquarium.

             4.Shitennoji Temple

Shitennoji temple is one of the Japan's oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state also known as Arahaka-ji,Nanba-ji or Mitsu-ji. it is located near Osaka metro Tanimachi line's Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka station which is hardly five min on walking. 

There are different sections of Shitennoji temple:-

1.East gate to the Gokuraku-jodo and Pon Pon stone.

2.Cate Gate and Dragon's Well.

3.Ogre Tile of the Pogoda,North bell tower, and stone coffin cover.

all of there are the main attraction in Shitennoji temple.

   3.Universal Studios Osaka

Universal studios in Osaka, japan is one of the six Universal studios theme parks owned by USJ LLC ( Universal Parks & Resorts)( NBC Universal, division of Comcast), was built in 2001 in the Osaka bay area. 

Universal studios Osaka has currently ten special sections:-Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion park, Super Nintendo World and finally The Wizarding world of Harry Potter my personal favorite, suitable for young and old. Tourists  can enjoy many child-friendly carousels, roller coasters, Monster rock shows, amusement rides and various types of simulators based on popular films and movies such as Jaws, Terminator 2, Spiderman etc. Along with rides Universal theme park rides offers many opportunities to click pictures and shoot videos with famous characters such Snoopy from Peanuts, Elmo from Sesame street, Hello Kitty and The Muppets,  you'll also get to see a small colorful night parade with spectacular floats and dance performance through streets.

              2.Dotonbori Street

Dotonbori street is one of the bustling commercial street that represents of the Minami area of Osaka, which is always busy with multiple playhouses, and food shops from Edo Period till today, it is famous for Kuidaore food culture of Osaka.Dotonbori street is located 1 Chome Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Japan.

Dotonbori is popular for its Kani Douraku crab which creates an atmosphere like amusement park will grab your attention, billboards with giant pufferfish,  signage and most famous Glico running man above Edisubashi Bridge. There are small number of comedy show clubs which plays classical kabuki plays, musicals, opera and modern dramas as well, apart from this you'll get to see most street side food stalls, restaurants and bars are crowded always.

                  1.Osaka Castle

Osaka castle is one of the Japan's most famous landmarks which is also played a major role to unify the Japan in sixteenth century, Castle was originally built in year 1583 rebuilt multiple times in past but latest restoration was done in 1948 after the World War 2, it is the iconic symbol of Osaka in Kansai region of central Japan.

This magnificent castle is famous for its incredibly well built stone wall with an estimated of 1 million large stones (1 stone weigh till 12kgs),and height of wall is approximately 20 meters tall and 90 meters wide, it covers 60,000 square meters consist of thirteen different structures designated as cultural assets of japan. Today Osaka castle offer amazing views of the city and it a popular destination for tourists in season of spring for its beautiful cherry blossoms.

In addition to Osaka castle ,Nishinomaru Garden and surrounding parks adds attraction to castle, Osaka museum of History and Mint Museum Osaka are closely to castle.