Keep exploring

Let’s take a short break in the visit to mention a few other places worth discovering in Osaka that were not included in the route. It’s impossible not to think of Osaka Castle, the city’s great symbol, surrounded by a vast park that offers a welcome green space in the middle of the metropolis. To better understand how the city developed over the centuries, the Osaka Museum of History helps connect the past with the Osaka you see today. Heading south, the Shinsekai district offers a retro, popular atmosphere dominated by Tsūtenkaku Tower, an icon of early twentieth-century Osaka. Not far from there, Shitennō-ji Temple, founded in the sixth century, recalls the early days of Buddhism in Japan and contrasts with the surrounding city with its calm atmosphere. Farther south, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine stands out for its ancient architecture and its famous arched bridge. Returning north, the Umeda district represents the modern face of Osaka, with skyscrapers and huge shopping complexes, including the impressive Umeda Sky Building and its suspended observation deck. For a glimpse of everyday local life, Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, the longest covered shopping street in Japan, reveals the daily rhythm of residents through its many small shops and restaurants. By the sea, the Tempozan district offers a more relaxed stop, home to the Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the most spectacular in the country. Just outside Osaka, the city of Sakai reveals another side of Japanese history with its giant burial mounds listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. A little farther away, Kobe attracts visitors with its elegant port atmosphere and international spirit, while Nara, the former capital, takes travelers back to the early history of Japan, among majestic temples and freely roaming deer. With all of this, you’ll have plenty of ideas to continue exploring the region.