10 Things To Do in Osaka ~1 Day Trip~

Are you planning a trip to Osaka, but wondering what activities to do over there? Well you are in luck! I recently went on a trip and am here to share popular tourist spots people usually go to! and yes this can be done in one day! I will solely focus on two locations which are Shinsekai and Dotonburi. Trust me there is so much to do. Now let’s begin!!!

1. Visit Shinsekai

I always see 新世界/Shinsekai on Japanese TV and didn’t know what to expect, but I am so glad I made the decision to go there because it felt like I went back in time. It felt like everything was vintage and I loved every moment of it. Here you can see the famous tower called 通天閣/Tsutenkaku in very the back. Although I didn’t have the time to go up the tower you should plan to visit Tsutenkaku if you would like to see the city from above.

2. Eat Kushikatsu (Shinsekai)

Usually when I visit a prefecture I would try their famous food. In Osaka, one of their 名物/Meibutsu/famous product is 串カツ/Kushikatsu/deep-fried skewers. You would usually dip Kushikatsu in a sauce pan that are set in each table, however the most important rule when eating Kushikatsu is you cannot double dip!! Keep that in mind when you visit a restaurant. Because we are still in pandemic they didn’t provide dip in sauce, but had a bottle of sauce instead which was quite nice. You can choose to eat a course where you can eat plenty of Kushikatsu. For my case I wanted to eat other Osaka’s Meibutsu and so I only ordered individual ones. I ordered fried cheese, weiner, chicken, and pork. It tasted so good especially with the combination of the sauce. You must try this if you ever visit Osaka!

3. Watch a Vintage Japanese Movie (Shinsekai)

While I was walking down the street in Shinsekai, I encountered a theater that show movies from the 60s!! I should’ve took the oppurtunity to watch, however my schedule didn’t fit in to watch a movie. If you are interested in watching Japanese movies the old-fashioned way (btw no subtitles) you should give it a try. I would recommend not bringing children for the movies here because they are for mature audiences.

4. Play Old School Games

As shown above, in the Shinsekai area you can find old style games to play at Amusement Spot. You can play shooting game, tossing game, challenge your shuriken throwing skills, and many more games to win snacks or toys.

5. Play Retro Video Games

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My favorite part of the trip would be the playing retro video games at an arcade. I got so excited because I used to play with these when I was little. Am currently playing Pac-Man 99 on the Switch and I was searching if they have Pac-Man at the arcade and I found it! I payed 100yen and lost instantly haha it was fun. They even had games like Super Mario Bros. and Tetras!! If you want to experience playing back in the day games then you should definitely stop by here.

6. Take Picture with the famous Glico Sign in Dontoburi

We have now changed location to 道頓堀/Dotonburi and have to take the famous shot with Glico in the back. I’m not sure why people do this, but its fun and for the memories! I dare you to take a photo like this if you come to Dotonburi!! I just now realized this, but I didn’t know there was a ladder sitting right behind me.

7. Try Eating at Kani Doraku

かに道楽/Kani Doraku is another popular spot in Osaka where you can try their famous crabs. It is best to book a table if you are interested eating here. There is option to take some bentos home if you didn’t get chance to eat here. I actually wanted to try their grilled crab legs to go, but they didn’t sell it at the time I visited. I wonder if it’s sold only in cold seasons. If I visit again I will definitely try the grilled crab legs and book a table here.

8. Eat Takoyaki

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Yes I know another food listed here, but you just got to try it. This is another Meibutsu called たこ焼き/Takoyaki which is Japanese octopus balls. Usually Takoyaki are much smaller than displayed on the picture above, but this restaurant provided larger size which I just had to try. 10/10 recommend trying Takoyaki right here.

9. Say Hello to くいだおれ人形/Kuidaore Ningyo

Kuidaore Taro is another famous landmark in Osaka. You can find many goodies of Kuidaore Taro. Funny thing that my friend said is that it looks like a Japanese Waldo haha. I can see the similarities. If you take a picture with the mascot many people will know you have visited Osaka.

10. Buy 551 Butaman

Everytime I visit Osaka buying 551 Butaman/Pork Bun is a MUST. There isn’t a butaman like this anywhere in Japan. And so if you ever come to Osaka, you just got to try this pork bun. You can have these to go and I couldn’t wait to reach home because I was ready to devour them.

And that concludes 10 Things To Do In Osaka! From this list which activity would you like to try? Or if you have been to Osaka what activities do you recommend that I haven’t listed here. Comment them down below!

All in all, this trip was Oishii (Delicious) and Tanoshii (Fun)♡

❀❀❀Want to visit here? Let me help you!❀❀❀

Train
To Shinsekai
1. From ShinOsaka Station/Osaka Metro Midosuji Line > Dobutsuen-Mae Station Station (30min/280yen one way)
2. Walk to Shinsekai (10min)

To Dotonburi
1. From Dobutsuen-Mae Station Station/Osaka Metro Midosuji Line > Nanba Station (5min/180yen one way)
2. Walk from Station to Dotonburi (10min)

Map
1.Shinsekai
https://goo.gl/maps/SqTnUpQi2J1CBcWc6
2.Kushikatsu Horumon Asahi
https://goo.gl/maps/YKoW8nR8E2WTUQvq9
3.Shinsekai Toei Movie Theater
https://goo.gl/maps/5dG5KiAV59rdwKAz5
4.Amusement Space (Shooting Game etc..)
right near Kushikatsu Restaurant https://goo.gl/maps/YKoW8nR8E2WTUQvq9
5.Kasuga Gorakujo (Retro Arcade)
https://g.page/kasuga_game?share
6.Dotonburi Glico
https://goo.gl/maps/WvaL8h6vMeS6kt118
7.Kani Doraku
https://goo.gl/maps/AQ66AyVEzKYFURRV8
8. Kukuru Takoyaki
https://goo.gl/maps/R5f25GkcAv8hFyXeA
9.Kuidaoretaro
https://goo.gl/maps/Lhk7gs1Z7QpXbBNH8
10. 551 Horai (Pork Bun)
https://goo.gl/maps/ebT7akYZ46YngaU78