National Bunraku Theatre
Free: All time Bunraku is a traditional Japanese puppet theatre. It’s an quintessentially Japanese art form. The National Bunraku Theatre hosts many performances (admission fee required). However, the building also houses an exhibition center where it has a wealth of knowledge about bunraku. Admission for this is free. Address: 1-12-10 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka...
Asahi Beer Suita Brewery
Free: All time The guided tour for the brewery takes visitors from the raw materials used to brew beer to the production steps of making beer. At the end of the tour, you’ll even get to sample 3 of Asahi’s beer for free. Winning!Address: 1-45 Nishinnoshocho, Suita, Osaka Pref. Opening hours: Daily 9:30am – 3pm...
Takoyaki Museum
Free: All time This museum houses five of the most popular Takoyaki shops in Osaka. Takoyaki is a ball-shaped dumpling typically filled with minced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onion. Learn more about this Japanese delicacy at the museum where exhibitions include the history of the food as well as the utensils used...
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
Free: All time This museum is dedicated to the history of instant ramen and the creator behind it, Momofuku Ando. The exhibits trace the development of chicken ramen, the world’s first instant ramen, to today’s many variety. Touring the museum itself it’s free, but visitors can also participate in the making their own instant noodle....
Amerikamura
Free: All time Amerikamura, literally translates to “American Village” is usually referred to by locals as “Ame-mura”. It’s a youth mecca for everything with American influence: cafes, bars, clothing stores, music stores, etc. Many of which sell imported and second-hand products. Shopping may cost money but watching is free. Ame-mura is the perfect spot to...
Mino Park
Free: All time Mino is a popular day trip destination from Osaka. It’s 30 minutes away from central Osaka. At the Mino Park, visitors can enjoy a hike at a trail where they follow a Mino river and end at the 33-meter high Mino Waterfall. The seasonal change in the scenery within the park makes...
Temmangu Shrine
Free: All time Temmangu Shrine is the most famous of all Tenjin shrines located throughout Japan. Every July, it hosts the Tenji Matsuri, a festival considered one of the 3 Great Festivals of Japan. Temmangu Shrine is mainly dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a 10th century scholar and warrior. Japanese now worshiped him as a...
Osaka Castle Park
Free: All time The entrance to Osaka Castle is not free but its surrounding 2 square kilometres park is. The park encompasses an array of historic buildings and ruins and is also famous for the Nishinomaru Garden. Since the park boasts some 600 cheery trees, it’s a popular hanami spot during the cherry blossom season...
Dotonburi
Free: All time No visit to Osaka is complete without going to Dotonburi area, taking pictures of its various store front signs and neon signs of Glico billboard, giant moving crab, puffer fish, etc. Osaka is known as the gastronomists’ town and Dotonburi is at the heart of it. Address: Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Direction:...
Senso-ji Temple
Free: All time Senso-ji Temple (also known as the Buddhist Kannon Temple) is the oldest temple in Tokyo, dating back to 645AD. It’s located in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, which is known for its traditional atmosphere. Leading up the the temple’s gate is a shopping street of over 200 meters called Nakamise. Vendors sell...
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Free: All time Fushimi Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and sake. Leading up the mountain are thousands of red torii (gates) which were donated by worshippers. There are also numerous stone statues of foxes as they are considered the messenger of Inari. A stroll around the complex can easily take...
Terminal 21
Free: All time Terminal 21 is a shopping mall. But not just any shopping malls. It brings the dream of traveling the world to the heart of Bangkok: every level is a different country. Hungry? Grab a bite at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Feel like bargaining? Pay a visit to an Istanbul souk market....
