Osaka
Osaka City is the capital of Osaka Prefecture, and the prefecture itself is the third most populous in Japan. It’s one of Japan’s major financial centers and an extremely popular tourist destination. Osaka is known as Japan’s street food capital, and its nickname is “the nation’s kitchen.” Among the numerous types of food here, takoyaki (fried dough balls with a piece of octopus inside) is the most famous. There are over 650 takoyaki stores in Osaka, and one can be spotted on just about every street in the city! Osaka prides itself on street food, but the prefecture is also known for its nightlife. Osaka looks otherworldly with neon lights and countless nighttime attractions including lengthy shopping streets. This prefecture showcases vibrant city life, but there’s also rich history and glimpses of Japan’s past. For those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, there are gorgeous shrines and temples from hundreds of years ago that can be visited as well. Osaka is a place where the past, present, and future all mingle together.
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a street that offers many kinds of street food, neon lights, and funky signs. It’s the most popular attraction in Osaka and many tourists flock here to eat takoyaki and take photos. Next to the street is the Dotonbori Canal, where tourists can enjoy boat rides. My hotel was actually located right on this street, so had the chance to eat lots of food and admire all the wacky signs!
Universal Studios Japan
This was on my bucket list for the longest time and I’m happy I got to finally experience it! USJ has a lot of unique experiences compared to the US theme park, such as anime themed attractions and food. Nintendo World was probably my favorite part, despite some misunderstandings about how to get in to that area of the park.
Umeda Sky Building
The Umeda Sky Building was probably the highlight of my Osaka trip. The building itself is quite unique and has more to offer than just spectacular views. I went during sunset and ended up spending over an hour on the top floor taking in the scenery. There was also a very special thing my partner Zach and I got to do here, which was the icing on the cake!
Shinsekai
Shinsekai is another vibrant street that has an interesting history. There are shops and food here, but the most memorable for me was going up into the tower. Each floor has something to see and learn about, and the views at the top were stunning!
Shitennoji
Shitennoji is Japan’s oldest, official temple. I loved this area because it’s a pocket of history and extraordinary architecture right in the middle of modern day city life. The temple was extremely quiet and peaceful, which was perfect for learning more about its history.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is another iconic symbol of Osaka. The surrounding park is huge, there’s a lot to explore besides the castle itself. There’s a museum inside the castle and an observatory at the very top, so it’s definitely worth a visit!
