Clothes Recycling Culture/ Latest Fashion Trend, Unique Museums, Water Tours & Sightseeings ...
Enjoy Osaka with a Themed Trip！
Osaka is one of the popular tourist cities in the Kansai region and serves as an important gateway city for the region. Many people who have been to Osaka might have already visited the classic spots such as "Dotonbori" and "Abeno Harukas". Therefore, this time, we will introduce the cultural spots in Osaka that we recommend going if you are visiting Osaka from the second time or more, and how to enjoy a trip with specific themes such as water sightseeing! You should be able to enjoy sightseeing in Osaka even more if you include your own particular preferences or themes into your itinerary!
※All information and prices listed are accurate as of February 2021
（1）CUPNOODLES MUSEUM
（2）Tower of the Sun
（3）American Village
（4）Water Bus & Cruise
（5）Gastronomy - Walking while munching on affordable eats
Discover the Secrets of Japanese Instant Noodles!
（1）CUPNOODLES MUSEUM
Instant noodles are popular because they are easy to consume by just pouring in hot water and waiting for a few minutes. What’s more, the first original chicken ramen in the world was created in Japan! The CUPNOODLES MUSEUM is a hands-on food education museum where you can learn the secrets of the creation of instant noodles via various exhibits. Instant noodles now make up about 100 billion meals a year worldwide. "Exhibition of Instant Noodles " exhibits the instant noodles in every country around the world and the packaging of cup noodles sold overseas. At the "Instant Noodles Tunnel," which exhibits around 800 NISSIN FOODS product packages, you can see the history of instant noodle from its birth to the present day. The exhibits are interactive and educational and fun, so while you are comparing the tastes and package designs, you would be surprise how time flies!
Tips for Enjoy CUPNOODLES MUSEUM to the MAX! by Travelling Solo or even with Family
・ At "My CUPNOODLES Factory", you can choose 1 of your favourite noodle cups from 4 different types and 4 out of 12 kinds of ingredients for your own cup, so you can make a one-of-a-kind cup noodle in the world! It will definitely be a good memorial of your trip! (Experience opening hours: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (final registration) / fee: 400 yen per cup / required time: 45 minutes).
・In addition to the chicken ramen mascot "Hyokochan" ballpoint pens, reasonable stationery such as soft toys with ball chains are perfect for bulk buying souvenirs. If you are looking to buy souvenirs, take a gander at the "Museum Shop"!
・Voice guide machines (Supported languages: English / Chinese) can be rented from the information desk with a deposit of 2,000 yen (※refundable when the guide machine is returned). Additionally, if you download the audio guide app on your smartphone, it will guide you through the exhibits and attractions via voice and text! (Supported languages: Japanese / English)
・It’s easy to access, about 5 minutes on foot from the nearest station - "Ikeda" station, Hankyu Takarazuka Line. You can easily get there without much hassle!
※The number of visitors that can enter and experience the attractions are limited. Please purchase an "admission ticket" on the day.
※Please check the latest opening hours on the official website.
※Putting the safety of customers and staff first, the staff in museum wear masks at all times, measure body temperature periodically, and thoroughly clean, disinfect, and ventilate the facility.
Excellent access from Kansai airport and Shin-Osaka station!
（2）Tower of the Sun at Expo '70 Commemorative Park
"Tower of the Sun" is a piece of artwork situated in the Expo '70 Commemorative Park. It was built as part of the theme hall of the Japan World Expo held in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture in 1970. The Golden Mask at the top represents the future, the Face of the Sun on the front represents the present day, and the Black Sun on the back represents the past, expressing the energy of all things that exists through the times. The " Golden Mask" that represents the future has a diameter of 10.6m! This piece of artwork is highly impactful and was a popular topic of discussion at the time of the Expo, and is still one of the tourist attractions in Osaka. What is not well-known to locals is the fourth face, the "underground sun," which is said to be hidden underground. There is also an anecdote that the face was lost at the time of removal and the whereabouts of the face is still unknown. The expressions on the golden face and the face of the sun are really impressive and there is something that appeal to its visitors as they approach the tower.
Tips for enjoying the Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park for both solo travellers as well as families
・The park is full of seasonal flowers such as plums blossoms and tulips, and there is even a Japanese-style garden! Additionally, the Expo '70 Commemorative Park is dotted with restaurants and stylish cafes! Be sure to stop by before and after taking the tower tour.
・There are a variety of ways to reach the spot. You can take the Osaka Monorail from Minami Ibaraki Station, Yamada Station, or Hotarugaike Station on the Hankyu Line. Alternatively, Senri Chuo Station on the Subway Midosuji Line, Dainichi Station on the Subway Tanimachi Line, Kadomashi Station on the Keihan Main Line. Get off at the nearest station - "Expo Memorial Park" or "Koen-Higashiguchi Station". Easy access to the spot is definitely a plus for foreign travelers who are considering this spot to be included in their itinerary!
Art and second-hand clothing stores in the city!
（3）American Village
"American Village" is an area centred around Triangle Park in Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka. Shops for youths are gathered here, and it is also known as "Ame-mura". It is also Osaka's fashion centre, and one of its appealing points is that it can be accessed on foot from Shinsaibashi. It's Osaka-like, lively, with a lovely atmosphere and has everything! There are lots of second-hand clothing stores, and you will definitely enjoy walking around the shops along the alleyways. Be sure not to miss the wall with the writing which says "PEARTH ON EARTH", and the bird that spreads its wings as though it is about to flap its wings!
Tips for travelling around American Village
・ The famous dish "Takoyaki" and recent popular confectionery shops are dotted all around! It's perfect for walking around Osaka while eating local food.
・ At Triangle Park, artist performances, live performances, flea markets, and more, are held. You can enjoy Japanese youth culture! When I visited, there was a street live performance, so I could feel that the atmosphere was really lively.
・ There are lots of sightseeing spots around the American Village that can be reached on foot. Visit Dotonbori Bridge, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, and other sightseeing spots while in American Village!
Sightseeing along the Yodo River and Dotonbori in Osaka
（4）Water Bus & Cruise
Ⓒ Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
Osaka is in fact a water city. There is "Dotonbori River" that flows through the "Dotonbori" area, the busy district of Osaka, and "Yodo River" that flows out of Lake Biwa and into Osaka Bay. If you visit Osaka for a second time or more, it will be a great idea too to take a water bus or cruise ship and enjoy sightseeing from the water instead of going on land.
This time, I boarded the cruise "Water Bus AQUA mini ※" that runs from Okawa around Osaka Castle Park to the busy district at Dotonbori River in about 40 minutes one way. I was able to enjoy sightseeing in Osaka from a different perspective than usual! Going during the cherry blossom season is even more recommended! You can take a closer look at the lines of cherry blossom trees that run along both river banks from the water!
※Cruises starting from the end of April for 2021 schedule
Tips for travelling solo
・Since there are multiple water bus companies, fitting a cruise into your schedule is possible by searching for a company with a time slot that suits you! If you want to enjoy a cruise in a short amount of time, I personally recommend the Tonbori River Cruise, which goes under nine bridges in the Dotonbori area. It is a mini cruise of about 20 minutes, so it is popular among solo travellers.
・After the cruise, you can enjoy eating while walking around the Dotonbori area! "Takosen" with two takoyaki sandwiched between shrimp rice crackers makes a perfect snack!
（5）Gastronomy - walking while munching on affordable eats
If you come to Osaka, which is also known as "eat till you drop city", you should visit Osaka's restaurants with specialties and affordable eats that originated in Osaka. The most famous of these is "Takoyaki". There are countless takoyaki restaurants in the busy districts, mainly in the Namba and Umeda areas, and you may even have trouble deciding which one to go to as they are all equally good! There is also Okonomiyaki, a type of teppanyaki that uses flour, eggs, and cabbage, which is also famous. There is then "Kushikatsu", which is made by sticking meat and vegetables on a skewer, battered and fried in oil. It is recommended to have a food-hunting plan on where and what to eat, before going out as you will definitely surrounded by so many delicious food options.
Tips for travelling solo
・Affordable dishes can often have a take away option, so feel free to go solo!
・Even if you were to mention takoyaki, they differ depending on the restaurant or store, so it is recommended to eat and compare. The flavour is different depending on the kinds of topping on takoyaki, such as those restaurants that prefer using mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce, or those restaurants that use a generous amount of green onions, so be sure to try them!
Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kansai/osaka/
https://osaka-info.jp/en/
About Kansai Travel passes and Hotels
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/enjoy-smart-trip-travel-passes/dont-miss-out-3-convenient-passes-going-around-kansai-region/
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/little-splurge-travel-2/2-top-pick-kansai-classic-luxury-hotels-are-loved-japanese-peopl/
CUPNOODLES MUSEUM
http://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/
Tower of the Sun
https://taiyounotou-expo70.jp/en/
American Village
https://americamura.jp/
