Osaka, Japan: An International Cultural City where Modern and Ancient Buildings Coexist

Osaka is the host city of the 2025 Japan International Exposition (abbreviated as "Osaka Kansai Expo") and the largest city in western Japan. It has many Tourist attractions that are popular with foreign tourists visiting Japan. In this issue, we will introduce you to Osaka's must-see attractions and talk about interesting topics to experience Osaka's unique and profound charm.



Osaka is the central city of western Japan, with a population of over 8.7 million. The city center is full of skyscrapers and commercial facilities, with an international airport and a well-developed sea, land and air transportation system. Its population is second only to the capital Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture, ranking third in Japan, and it is well-known as a populous international city. At the same time, Osaka has a prosperous history as the political, economic and cultural center of Japan since ancient times, and many historical buildings and landscapes such as ancient tombs, temples and shrines are still preserved. For example, the "Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus Group" built in the 4th-5th century AD is a group of tombs of ancient Japanese emperors and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage. "Shitennoji" is the first official temple of Japanese Buddhism. It was organized and built in 593 by Prince Shotoku, a politician active in Japan's Asuka Period (592-710) and the assistant (regent) of Emperor Suiko. The temple has a five-story pagoda, corridors and other facilities, which are very popular with foreign tourists. In addition, Osaka Castle was built in 1583 by the military commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It rises high into the sky and is widely known as the symbol of Osaka.


The Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus is a World Heritage Site. The Emperor Nintoku's tomb is approximately 840 meters long, including the moat.


The magnificent "Shitennoji Temple" can be seen from the corridor.


Osaka Castle has beautiful gold decorations and an observatory from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of Osaka.



The moat cruise of "Osaka Castle" is also a popular activity.

Since about the 17th century, Osaka has been known as the "kitchen of the world", becoming a commercial center that gathers specialties from all over Japan and has formed a diverse food culture. Osaka and Kyoto are both famous ancient capitals in the Kansai region of Japan. In terms of the spending preferences and characteristics of the people in the two places, there has long been a saying that Kyoto focuses on clothing and Osaka focuses on food.

Enjoy the food



"Okonomiyaki" is grilled with your favorite toppings. "Takoyaki" is made by pouring batter and octopus cubes on an iron grill plate and grilling them into balls.



Both "Takoyaki" and "Okonomiyaki" are served with special sauces made by each restaurant. Many domestic and foreign tourists come here to taste Osaka's "food".

Osaka has always been known as the "eat to death" city (meaning to eat and drink until you go bankrupt), attracting many foreign tourists who want to come here to taste its Japanese cuisine. Of course, there are various Japanese dishes using seasonal ingredients. Osaka also has wheat flour dishes called "flour dishes", of which "Takoyaki" and "Okonomiyaki" are the most popular and indispensable delicacies in Osaka cuisine.

In addition, in Osaka, you can also taste dishes cooked with "dashi" made from kelp and bonito flakes, which are rich in flavor and taste, such as udon noodles and stews. Among them, the puffer fish hot pot called "Tecchiri" is a famous dish that originated in Osaka, and there are many restaurants specializing in this dish.


"Tecchiri" is a typical Osaka hot pot dish, the main ingredient is the premium fish "pufferfish".

Kuromon Market

Osaka has many nostalgic shopping streets, where people are smiling and talking happily while shopping. Kuromon Market has a history of more than 200 years and is one of Osaka's representative shopping streets. The long arcade-style streets are lined with a variety of fresh ingredients such as fresh fish, fruits and vegetables. Visitors can taste the seafood cooked by the store on the spot, or eat while walking and enjoying the food, so it is always popular.



Kuromon Market is located in the Minami-ku area of ​​Osaka. There are about 150 stores on both sides of the approximately 580-meter-long arcade. (Photo courtesy of ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau)




Luxurious "crabs" and "squid" grilled on skewers. Kuromon Market is where locals and chefs buy fresh seafood and other ingredients, but it is also open to ordinary tourists.

Experience Culture

This section introduces popular spots where overseas tourists can learn more about and experience Osaka culture.

Osaka Museum of Living and Living


The exterior and exhibition hall of the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, located near Tenjinbashisuji (shopping street). (Photo courtesy of the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living)


A miniature model showing the structure of an old-style shopping street and long house.


The commercial street that was bustling during the Edo period is reproduced in actual size.


The kimono experience is also popular among overseas tourists.



There are also workshops for "Zaizoku" crafting traditional accessories from crepe.

At this museum specializing in housing in Osaka, visitors can learn about the life and culture of Osaka people from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the present through various exhibitions and events. In particular, the floor that recreates the cityscape of the 1830s is said to make visitors feel like they have Traveled through time and space to old Japan. The museum also holds kimono experience and Japanese culture experience workshops, where visitors can experience traditional Japanese culture. In addition, the museum uses printed promotional leaflets and QR codes to provide multilingual explanations for overseas visitors.

National Bunraku Theater



The National Bunraku Theater was designed by world-renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa. Visitors can enjoy the exquisite Bunraku puppets in the free exhibition room. There are about 80 different types of doll heads alone.

At the National Bunraku Theater, visitors can enjoy the representative traditional performing art of Japan, Bunraku (puppet theater), which originated in Osaka in the 17th century, and can also visit the precious related exhibition for free. Designated as an important intangible cultural property of the country, Bunraku is a rare performing art in the world. Three puppeteers manipulate large puppets to delicately express human emotions. The story unfolds with the narration of the storyteller "Dafu" and the accompaniment of the string instrument shamisen, which always deeply touches the audience. In addition to Bunraku, you can also enjoy various other traditional Japanese performing arts here.

The charm of Osaka tourism can be said to be endless, but many people say that the unique charm of Osaka lies in the friendly temperament of Osaka people. They are cheerful, love to laugh, and are very friendly. Why don't you start a special Trip to the vibrant Osaka to meet and feel those smiling faces?