Attractions · Osaka

Things to do in Osaka.

One theme park, one castle, a tower at each end of town, and passes that bundle them together.

Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World and Japan-only rides. The country's most visited theme park, in the bay area.

How to book: Date-specific studio passes; add an Express Pass in season if Super Nintendo World matters, as entry there is managed.

Timed-entry ride passes that cut the big queues at Universal Studios, bundled by ride combinations.

How to book: Bought per date alongside the studio pass; the popular combinations sell out first.

One or two days of unlimited subway and bus travel plus entry to dozens of sights, the castle and the river cruise included.

How to book: Digital pass sold online; worth it from about three paid sights in a day.

One of the largest aquariums in the world, built as a spiral descent of the Pacific Rim with whale sharks in the central tank.

How to book: Timed-entry tickets online or at the door; mornings are quietest.

Two towers joined by the Floating Garden Observatory: the skyline view from the north side of the city.

How to book: Tickets online or at the door; sunset is the busy hour.

The observatory of Japan's tallest building, 300 metres over the south of the city, glass on every side.

How to book: Tickets online or at the door.

The reconstructed castle tower and museum inside the city's best park. The grounds are free; the tower is the history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

How to book: Tower tickets at the door or online; the park itself needs nothing.

The tower over Shinsekai, Osaka's retro downtown of kushikatsu counters and neon.

How to book: Tickets at the door or online.

The red wheel on the roof of an Umeda shopping building, turning slowly over the city centre.

How to book: Tickets at the venue.

A choose-your-sights pass covering attractions across Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

How to book: Digital pass sold online, in multi-attraction versions.

A big Edo-themed hot spring complex by the bay: baths, a garden street and yukata to wander in.

How to book: Tickets online or at the door.

The canal strip of giant signs and street food, and the covered shopping arcade running north from it.

How to book: Free, no ticket. Evening is the point of both.

The famous costumed go-kart tours on public roads around the city's sights.

How to book: Booked online; an international driving permit is required.

Planning the stay itself: the city guides cover what is on, and the hotels page covers where to sleep near it.