10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Osaka

Namba is a huge terminal with stations on several train lines, making it a convenient location as a base for sightseeing in Osaka. With the opening in 2003 of Namba Parks, an urban commercial complex famous for its hanging gardens, Namba has become even more attractive for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

If you’re a fan of comedy, you must check out the Namba Grand Kagetsu theatre. Starting with Yoshimoto Shinkigeki (New Comedy Troupe), various performances are staged every day, featuring veteran comedians as well as the much talked-about champions of M-1 (a major annual competition for stand-up comedians). Nearby, Nipponbashi's Denden Town and Ota Road are known as "Osaka's Akihabara" and are now a centre of various subcultures.

Umeda is a lively area with office buildings, department stores, and hotels around Osaka Station, where the Shinkansen stops. While the Minami (southern) district of Osaka has an earthy vibe, the Umeda area is main part of the sophisticated urban Kita (northern) district of the city. Landmarks include the HEP FIVE commercial complex, with its rooftop red Ferris wheel, and the Umeda Sky Building, with its popular rooftop observation deck.

There’s a different side to Umeda at the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, which has been here since the Edo period, Osaka Temmangu Shrine, the starting point of the street, as well as the Tsuyuten Shrine made famous by the Sonezakishinju puppet play.

Morinomiya is an area surrounding Osaka Castle. The history of the Toyotomi family and their associated warlords still lingers here and there, making it a great place for fans of the Sengoku (Warring State) period. When you visit Osaka Castle, be sure to stop by Hokoku Shrine, which is dedicated to Hideyoshi, Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine, which is closely associated with Hideyori, and Shinganji Temple, which was reconstructed on the Sanadamaru remains.

The city of Osaka, built by Hideyoshi, was once the seat of Naniwanomiya Palace. Naniwanomiya Palace Site Park, where the palace stood in the 7th and 8th centuries, is a must-visit for all history buffs.

Although it’s right next to downtown Umeda, Nakazaki-cho is a great find for tourists with a wide range of restaurants, shops, and galleries, as well as cafés in tastefully renovated old private homes. Local artists and creative people love this cute retro townscape.

Whether you’re going out to shop, eat, visit cafés, or simply look around, this area is a fun place to be. Recent years have seen an influx of popular restaurants in this youthful, trendy area.

Juso is a major Hankyu terminal located across Yodo River from Umeda, one of the busiest districts in Osaka. While conveniently located, Juso still preserves a nostalgic backstreet atmosphere, with its shopping streets and back alleys lined with old-fashioned eateries and restaurants.

At first glance, the glittering neon signs of the old entertainment district may appear intimidating, but this is the kind of place where you can discover the real taste of Osaka. Check out the negiyaki (green onion pancake) for a local delicacy. The area is set to undergo large-scale redevelopment, making it a hot spot for both tourists and residents.

The Osaka Bay area is roughly divided into Sakishima, a luxury hotel district; Tempozan, home to Kaiyukan and the Giant Ferris Wheel; Universal City, with Universal Studios Japan; Maishima, the well-known venue for Summer Sonic; and Benten-cho and Suminoe, located at the edge of the area.

Families and many tourists from all over Japan visit the area all year round. As well as nice walks and places to eat with ocean views, you can also take a cruise around Osaka Bay in a boat.

Shinsaibashi is the busy quarter in Shinsaibashisuji, in Osaka's Minami district, that has been bustling with merchants since the Edo period (1603-1868). Daimaru, once a kimono shop, later became a department store and remains today as the face of Shinsaibashi. Parco, Takashimaya, and Kintetsu Department Stores are also located here, so you’ll have no trouble shopping for famous brands and popular products.

The shopping arcade is pretty much constantly filled with people, with a wide variety of stalls ranging from foreign brands and chain stores to long-established local shops. The Crysta Nagahori underground shopping mall, directly connected to the subway, is a great option when it's raining.

Amerikamura is a youthful town located in Nishi-Shinsaibashi, in front of Sankaku Park. Its name took root in the 1980s because the area was full of American vintage clothing and goods stores, attracting the attention of designers and creatives.

Gradually, on top of the fashion trends and art, the nightlife and music scene took over, as clubs and live music venues moved into the area. In recent years, it has become nationally recognised as the trend-setting centre of Osaka's Minami district. Halloween night here is just as exciting as the real thing in its American home.

Tenma is a prosperous merchant town that started out as a historical temple town. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, affectionately known as Tenjin-san, is located here, and Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, the longest shopping street in Japan, is a bustling area with many colourful and unique stores. This area is full of the street foods that the local people love to eat, with Osaka's famous delicacy of takoyaki (octopus dumplings) at the top of the list.

The most attractive feature of this area is that there are all kinds of little places to grab lunch without spending much money. You can also get plenty of cheap souvenirs here. The food stall area around Tenma Market is also a popular destination.

The stretch of Osaka running from Tennoji and Abeno to Naniwa has an interesting mix of history and new culture. Tennoji Park is home to the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art and Tennoji Zoo, and is a popular place for families to spend time and relax.

Head to Shinsekai, a lively entertainment and nightlife district, to see the dazzling neon lights of Tsutenkaku Tower. Kushikatsu (skewered pork cutlets) are the main speciality here, and the downtown atmosphere is a pure nostalgia trip. The hot springs at SpaWorld and the observatory at Abeno Harukas are also very popular with tourists.