Visiting Osaka – A City Guide
Osaka is a booming Japanese port city famous for specialty shops, street food, expert knifemaking and neon-lit entertainment districts. Ultra-modern skyscrapers tower above its historic alleyways and waterways, while feudal-era gardens and temples stand amid futuristic 21st-century malls and theme parks.
Osaka: City Layout and Top Attractions
The Port of Osaka lies in a deep bay where the Yodo River opens into the Pacific Ocean. Attractions such as
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and
Universal Studios Japan line the waterfront.
Old canals crisscross two central districts, Kita and Minami, connected by the main thoroughfare of Midōsuji Boulevard. Bars and restaurants line the water along Dotonbori Canal in Namba, also known as Minami. Kita, often referred to as Umeda, is home to skyscrapers like the Umeda Sky Building, with a view of the city from its
Floating Garden Observatory.
To the south and east, Shitennō-ji temple and iconic
Osaka Castle help preserve the city’s past.
Eating Out in Osaka
Osaka is known as “Japan’s Kitchen,” harboring an
active foodie scene. Lively grill restaurants and street vendors thrive around the
Dotonbori district, serving casual fare such as
kushikatsu skewers and
takoyaki octopus dumplings. Evenings are perfect for relaxing in
Nakanoshima’s riverside cafés.
Many Osaka hotels cluster in the heart of bustling Kita (Umeda). You can redeem your IHG
® Rewards Club points for a stay at InterContinental
® Osaka, within walking distance of
HEP Five Ferris Wheel at Grand Front Osaka. You also have easy access to Pierre, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as lively street dining and underground food courts offering traditional sushi, tempura and noodle specialties. Master chefs in skyscraper restaurants and high-rise Osaka hotels prepare formal, multi-course
kaiseki meals while you enjoy the view.
Shopping in Osaka
Osaka rivals Tokyo for its variety of
shopping streets and districts. Kita thrives with department stores and underground malls such as
Osaka Station City and
Whity Umeda, many connected to major transit hubs near Osaka business hotels. Namba, near major hotels in Osaka, is home to
Americamura, a vibrant urban village of vintage clothing shops.
Shinsaibashi, a covered arcade lined with international brand stores and upmarket independent boutiques, serves as the city’s main commercial thoroughfare. To find bargain gifts and souvenirs, visit the discount stores along
Tenjinbashi-suji.
Culture & Nightlife in Osaka
Historic landmarks and museums such as
Osaka Municipal Museum of Fine Art encapsulate Osaka culture, featuring atmospheric galleries of scrolls and woodblock prints. In Chuo Ward, near many business hotels in Osaka, you can learn about feudal Japan at Osaka Castle and the nearby
Osaka Museum of History.
Osaka is the birthplace of bunraku puppetry, an art form still practiced by masters at the
National Bunraku Theatre. Japan’s prominent concert hall for classical music,
The Symphony Hall, hosts many international orchestras.
To spend extra time in the Namba entertainment district near Dotonbori Canal, you can book IHG Hotels directly for “YOUR RATE” offers. Dining, shopping and nightlife are eclectic and lively at places such as
Namba Hips, which also includes an archery range, golf course and karaoke joint.
to find the perfect hotel for your upcoming meeting, event or group of 10 or more rooms. Ready to book 10 or more rooms now? Call 1-800-MEETING
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