Is Osaka Worth Visiting in 2024?
In the south-central region of Japan’s main island of Honshū lies Osaka. As the third largest city in Japan, it’s filled with an abundance of things to do and places to see which means it often features on Japan’s main Golden Route trips.
But with so many other destinations on offer, is Osaka worth visiting in 2024? Let’s delve into some of the reasons why you should (or perhaps shouldn't) be given a spot on your next two-week Japan itinerary.
What Is Osaka Famous For?
Although Tokyo and Osaka are both major urban centres situated on the island of Honshu, Osaka stands out for several distinct differences that have garnered its widespread recognition. Often referred to as 天下の台所 (nation’s kitchen), Osaka has an abundance of culinary offerings.
Dontonbori, one of Osaka’s liveliest and most popular streets is the place to experience kuidaore (eat til you drop). The traditional food spots surrounding the Ebisubashi Bridge that serve shabu shabu, takoyaki and okonomiyaki are the perfect place to indulge yourself.
Osaka, in general, is home to a younger crowd - and with that comes a thriving nightlife scene. Minami and Namba are two of the most popular areas - full of bright lights, delicious food, and a big personality.
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Reasons to Visit Osaka in 2024
Osaka is well known for its vibrant and lively atmosphere, but that’s not everything the city offers. If you enjoy the sensory overload of Dontonbori, take the Nankai line 2 minutes south to Ebisuhigashi for Shinsekai Market. There you’ll find a pre-war district filled with nostalgic architecture, traditional shops, and the 103-metre Tsutenkaku Tower, loosely modelled on the Eiffel Tower.
Another place worth visiting, and one of the most unusual and visually striking pieces of architecture in the area is the Namba Yasaka Shrine in Motomachi. Also known as the Lion Shrine, this is one of Osaka’s most recognisable places of worship. If you can, visit during the third Sunday in January to watch the annual festival involving a giant tug of war.
Osaka is also the perfect springboard location to visit practically anywhere in the country (or world). Take the Kansaikuko line an hour South and you’ll hit Kansai Airport, one of Japan’s major transportation hubs.
Pro tip: Looking for the best views in the area? Head to Umeda Sky Building - 40 stories up with panoramic views from its floating garden.
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Reasons Not to Visit…
While some people enjoy the extravagance and visual stimulation that Osaka projects, for others it can end up being an attack on the senses. The city has an infectious energy about it, but that’s not for everyone.
When I first visited Japan in 2019, we only decided to stay in Osaka for one night. Many of my Japanese co-workers mentioned that we probably wouldn’t gain much more from a visit to Osaka than we would from staying in Tokyo, and would be worth using those extra nights elsewhere.
Cultural offerings are comparatively limited against neighbouring towns like Nara and Kyoto, and if you’re looking for ancient alleyways and pockets of Japan’s countryside, you’ll be better off visiting somewhere else - these 6 easy day trips from Tokyo should do the trick.
We did exactly this and it worked out perfectly. Osaka is famous for its food and its nightlife, and if you are super keen on adding it to your first-time Japan itinerary then I recommend just one or two nights maximum. Have some drinks, eat lots of food and get ready to head to Kyoto or Nara afterwards.
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Where to Stay
In the centre of Shinsaibashi, in the very heart of Osaka’s nightlife hotspot of Dontonbori, is W Osaka. Mirroring the city's symbiotic relationship of neon lights and laid-back atmosphere, the W Hotel is a playful yet luxurious option for travellers to rest their head. The sleek, bold room designs with skyline views and the six food and drink spaces embody everything the city has to offer. It’s a hip refuge in the heart of downtown Osaka and its AWAY spa is the perfect way to wind down the day.
If you’re looking for a contemporary hotel with panoramic views across the city, Conrad Osaka is your best bet. For those looking for something a little special, a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka is akin to spending a night in an 18th-century Georgian manor.
Best Time to Visit
If you want to see Osaka and surrounding areas at their finest, plan a visit between either March-May or September-November. Visiting Osaka in Spring or Autumn ensures a landscape decorated in the deep reds of Koyou or the delicate pastel pinks of the sakura season. Both periods provide travellers with comfortable temperatures to explore the city, a far cry from the intense humidity of Summer and the bitter chills of winter.
How to Get There
Osaka is easily accessible from other major Japanese cities by Shinkansen, taking just 2.5 hours from Tokyo on the Tokaido line. If you’re visiting from slightly further affiled, Kansai airport is just 45 minutes away from Namba station on the Nakai-Kuko line.
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