【Osaka Day Tour】Customizable Itinerary | Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Tsutenkaku, Sumiyoshi Taisha

Tired of the hassle of changing transport for your itinerary??
Booked a private car but don't know where to go??
Can't find an itinerary that suits you??
Want to visit all your desired spots in just one day??
 
This is definitely the perfect choice for you!!!
Freely choose the places you want to visit~
 

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Located by the Osaka bay, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (also known as Tempozan Aquarium) is known as one of the world's largest aquariums. It is home to many star animals, including giant and gentle whale sharks, adorable king penguins, capybaras, and sea otters. The most unique feature of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is the touch pool, where you can interact with creatures rarely seen up close, such as stingrays and small sharks. The 'Night Aquarium' session after 5:00 PM is also very popular, making it a highly recommended spot for family trips in Osaka.
 
2. Shinsaibashi & Dotonbori
Located in the Chuo Ward of Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Shinsaibashi is the most iconic and vibrant district in Osaka. Centered around the Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade east of Midosuji, it is a premier commercial area in Japan, lined with department stores, specialty shops, and luxury brands. Owning a shop in Shinsaibashi is a dream and goal for many, as it is truly the heart of Osaka's commerce.
Dotonbori is a canal located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Originally excavated by the merchant Yasui Doton during the Sengoku period, it is now a famous entertainment district in Osaka, renowned for its nearby theaters, businesses, and entertainment venues.
 
3. Kuromon Ichiba Market
Kuromon Ichiba Market is a shopping street located in the Minami area, the heart of Osaka. The market's name originates from a nearby temple called Enmyoji. Because the temple's gate was deep black, people began calling the market near the temple 'Kuromon' (Black Gate) Market. In this market, summer conger eel and winter blowfish are quite famous, which is why about 10% of the fresh fish shops display signs specializing in blowfish.
Within this 580-meter-long area, there are about 150 diverse shops, and the streets are always bustling with endless crowds. Fresh fish, blowfish, soft-shelled turtle shops, restaurants, produce, butcher shops, pickles, dried goods, Japanese sweets, and Western pastries—all kinds of shops are packed side by side, and every corner radiates the vitality of this market.
Kuromon Ichiba Market is filled with various street foods that live up to Osaka's reputation as the 'city where you'd go bankrupt for the sake of food'.
 
4. Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku Tower
Tsutenkaku is an observation tower located in the Shinsekai commercial district of Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan. Together with the adjacent shopping street, it forms an entertainment area known as 'Shinsekai'. The base of this tall tower houses a three-story ticket office and shopping area. The tower body features a large HITACHI advertisement, while the top consists of two indoor observation decks and an outdoor observation deck on the rooftop, making it very unique. Many tourists visit this popular sightseeing spot to overlook the entire Osaka cityscape. The surrounding Shinsekai Hondori Shopping Street is a must-visit food paradise, with Kushikatsu being the most famous delicacy among the many options.
 
5. Osaka Castle Park
Built in 1931, Osaka Castle serves as a symbol of power from the Toyotomi Hideyoshi era. Since its construction, it has been an important stage for wars in Japanese history. Together with other nearby attractions, it is collectively known as Osaka Castle Park. The park is planted with various types of trees, such as cherry blossoms, plum trees, and maple trees, bringing different appearances to Osaka Castle throughout the four seasons. It is a must-visit photo spot for many people traveling to Osaka!
 
6. Umeda Sky Building
The Umeda Sky Building consists of two towers, east and west, standing about 173 meters tall. Its rooftop is home to one of Osaka's must-visit attractions: the 'Floating Garden Observatory'! The Floating Garden Observatory is a 360-degree observation deck. Walking along the corridor, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the night scenery of Umeda, Osaka. In addition to the indoor observatory, the Umeda Sky Building also features an outdoor sky walk with an incredible view.
 
7. Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory
Abeno Harukas is currently the tallest building in Japan, with 60 floors and a height of 300 meters. Floors 58 to 60 are designated as observation levels, known as the famous 'Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory'. Here, you can not only enjoy a 360-degree unobstructed panoramic view of the Osaka cityscape from a great height, but it is also a fantastic place to enjoy the night view.
 
8. Shitennoji Temple
Shitennoji is the first official Buddhist temple in Japan, built by Prince Shotoku in 593. Over its 1,400-year history, Shitennoji has survived numerous disasters and reconstructions, yet it still strives to present itself to the world in the architectural style of the Asuka period when it was founded. The temple houses many national-level buildings and cultural properties, such as the five-story pagoda, the treasure house, and the Gokuraku-jodo Garden, among other popular attractions. On the 21st and 22nd of each month, Shitennoji holds a flea market, where many stalls sell various items, attracting many tourists to come and hunt for treasures.
 
9. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Sumiyoshi Taisha is definitely a top-tier must-visit attraction. This ancient shrine is said to have been established about 1,800 years ago by Empress Jingu. It is the head shrine of all Sumiyoshi shrines in the country and is dedicated to the 'Sumiyoshi Sanjin', the guardian deities of navigation.
In mythology, the Sumiyoshi Sanjin guided Empress Jingu in her personal expedition to Korea, blessing her with a triumphant return and the safe birth of the future Emperor Ojin, and helping her overcome crises of rebellion within the country. Consequently, Empress Jingu built a shrine here to worship the three deities, and later, Empress Jingu herself was also enshrined alongside the three deities at Sumiyoshi Taisha.
 
10. Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Due to its coastal geography, Osaka has been an important city in Japan since ancient times. Starting from the Nara period, Osaka became a port for trade, and its economic activities were highly developed. Later, through the Sengoku and Shogunate periods, Osaka's status and scale continued to grow under the construction of various regimes. With the development of the economy, the lives of Osaka citizens also became colorful. If you want to understand the early lives of commoners in Osaka and the living environment of that time, the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is definitely a must-visit for tourists. The museum recreates the appearance of Osaka city during the Edo period inside a building, allowing tourists to wear kimonos and walk through traditional Japanese house alleys to take photos at a photo spot. There are also miniature models of Osaka's evolution, giving everyone a glimpse into the daily lives of Osaka citizens over the centuries. After visiting the museum, you will find the 'Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street', known as the longest shopping street in Japan, right outside, which will definitely leave your legs feeling weak from all the walking.
 
11. Nakanoshima Park
A waterfront park nestled between the Dojima River and the Tosabori River. Spanning approximately 1.5 kilometers with an area of 10.6 hectares, Nakanoshima Park has long been cherished by citizens as a lush urban recreational space. Established in 1891 (Meiji 24), it holds the title of Osaka's first municipal park. At the time, the park featured Osaka's first beer hall, which, along with various cafes, provided a relaxing urban retreat. High-end establishments such as the Western-style restaurant 'Ginshu-ro' and the Japanese restaurant 'Seika-ro' also lined the park. Near the back of the current Central Public Hall, there was a Noh theater called 'Suiryukan,' where regular performances of the Kongo school of Noh were held. The Jiyutei Hotel, once the only hotel in Osaka equipped to accommodate foreigners, stood nearby, and it is said that the Naniwa Onsen was also located in the vicinity. Nakanoshima Park was truly a luxurious destination in its day. Today, the park features a rose garden with approximately 3,700 roses of 310 varieties, which reach their peak bloom in mid-May and mid-October. At the end of the year, the park is illuminated, attracting a steady stream of visitors and bustling with activity. Historic buildings such as the Central Public Hall and the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library stand nearby, and the surrounding scenery is listed among the '100 Best Landscapes of Osaka'.
 
12. Nipponbashi
Located in Osaka, Nipponbashi was originally built in 1619 during the Edo period as a 40-meter-long, 7-meter-wide wooden bridge spanning the Dotonbori River. After being rebuilt several times over the centuries, the current Osaka Nipponbashi was constructed in 1969 and measures 28 meters in both length and width. The area extending south from Osaka Nipponbashi has become a famous shopping district, covering parts of Osaka's Chuo and Naniwa wards. Along with Akihabara in Tokyo and Osu in Nagoya, Osaka Nipponbashi is known as one of Japan's three major electronics districts. The area is packed with numerous electronics and 3C retailers, making it a paradise for travelers looking for affordable and high-quality appliances. Osaka Nipponbashi is also a hub for pop culture and is often called the 'Akihabara of Kansai.' It sells a wide array of anime products and collectible figures, and of course, features many maid cafes, making it a true haven for otaku culture.