Whether you're on vacation with your family, or as a couple; make sure your holiday includes sightseeing activities here. Wondering what can be done during a sightseeing in Japan? We provide the following 6 tips for you as a guide.
6 Things Can Be Done While Sightseeing During a Trip to Japan
Labeled as one of the best places to visit in Japan, Osaka embraces Japanese culture in historic attractions like Osaka Castle and Dotonbori. Looking for more contemporary things you must do in Osaka? Reserve tickets online to some of the city’s ultramodern points of interest, like Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
1. Enjoy unlimited fun and adventures with two-day tickets to Universal Studio Japan
It’s no secret that one of the must-see tourist attractions in Osaka is Universal Studios Japan. After all, more than 10 million people go there every year!
Buy a one- or two-day studio pass to enjoy unlimited access to the park’s eight sections, which include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Minion Park. Add a USJ Express Pass and get speedy access to the park’s most popular rides, like The Flying Dinosaur in Jurassic Park and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man in New York.
2. Experience spectacular history of Japan while photographing seasonal foliage at Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is not only one of the most popular places to visit in Osaka, but it also is one of the most iconic landmarks in Japan. The castle played a historical role in unifying Japan in the 16th century, when the first rendition of the Main Tower was built.
Today, visitors can savor a bird’s-eye view of the castle grounds from the observation deck of Osaka Castle Museum, housed inside the Main Tower, as well as a close-up view of each of the castle’s 13 historic structures. Osaka Castle is open year ‘round, and each season accentuates the fantastic sightseeing available.
During spring, admire cherry blossoms at Nishinomaru Garden and apricot flowers in Ume Grove. Photograph the best fall foliage in Omoide-no-mori (Grove of Remembrance).
3. Enjoy the great marine life including Pet a shark after playing with sea lions at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Take a virtual tour of the Pacific Ocean at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, which features up-close views of some of the world’s most intriguing marine life. Follow sea lions and schools of fish through spiraling tunnels that lead visitors from the seventh floor all the way down to the fourth.
These mesmerizing exhibitions showcase the aquarium’s most popular attractions, including Japan Forest and Antarctica. During the two-and-a-half-hour tour, visitors also love to watch feeding times and take part in hands-on activities, like bonding with seals in their natural habitat … and petting sharks and stingrays!
4. Tantalize the distinctiveness taste of Japanese food in Dotonbori
Foodies know the best places to eat in Osaka are in Dotonbori, so if you’re a rookie to this region, head to Hozenji Yokocho alley. This stone-paved section of Minami is packed with long-standing Japanese restaurants and bars eager to placate Osaka’s kuidaore (extravagant street food) culture.
For one of the district’s most distinguished dining experiences, look for the giant, mechanical crab on the awning of Kani Doraku. Order from the take-away shop in front of the restaurant, or if you want to crack open some crabs onsite, make a reservation in advance, as wait times can be more than an hour.
While the district is best loved for its food choices, Dotonbori also maintains its fair share of theaters, nightclubs, shopping boutiques and tourist attractions, including the Glico Man billboard at Ebisu Bridge and Kuidaore Taro, the drum-playing clown in the Nakaza Cuidaore Building.
5. Look over Osaka Bay and Awaji Island from a seat on the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
See Osaka like you’ve never seen it before during a 17-minute ride on the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel in Tempozan Harbor Village.
Once the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel offers breathtaking views of Osaka Bay, Mount Ikoma and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which connects the mainland to Awaji Island.
Photographers particularly love the area at night when the wheel lights up according to the next day’s weather: orange indicates a sunny day; green lights mean clouds, and blue lights let visitors know it’s going to rain.
6. View Mount Rokko from the Umeda Sky Building and Kuchu Teien Observatory
Located on the banks of the Yodo River in the Umeda Sky Building, the Kuchu Teien Observatory offers a lingering look of Awaji Island and the Mount Rokko ridgeline, as well as a panoramic view of Osaka.
The observation platform serves as a bridge that connects the two towers of the Kuchu Teien Observatory, also called the Floating Garden Observatory. At ground level, visitors are welcome to find some shade while hunting koyo (fall foliage) in Naka-Shizen no mori garden or grab some lunch at Takimikoji food street in the basement of the tower.
Visit the Umeda Sky Building during November and December and find the area illuminated to the hilt during the annual German Christmas Market.
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