Top Things To Do In Osaka

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Group of tourists standing in front of the Godzilla statue in Osaka with a local guide

Top things to do in Osaka

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

Wondering what to do in Osaka?

Osaka is a city where good times are inevitable. Known for their wicked sense of humor and love of food, the friendly locals have largely shed all sense of Japanese conservatism, making Osaka one of the most entertaining cities in Japan. The atmosphere here is electrifying, and thousands of neon lights shimmer off the waters of the canals, exposing a spectacular array of things to do in Osaka. Whether you get swept up in a whirlwind of chaotic shopping, explore lantern-lit mazes of izakaya bars, or sing your heart out at a karaoke bar in one of the city’s LED-lit entertainment districts, the things to do in Osaka can’t help but leave you dizzy with delight.

Meet some of our Osaka local hosts

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Tourist standing in front of an attraction in Osaka on a sunny day

Past meets present

At first glance, Osaka is a city with endless things to do and one foot firmly in the future: buildings are blanketed in dazzling LED screens and neon lights, the colorful cosplay scene covers several square-miles of unique entertainment, and high fashion overflows at gleaming department stores. But in fact, while Osaka has all the attractions of an ultra-modern metropolis, the city still manages to reflect Japan’s history and culture. The best things to do in Osaka span centuries, with ancient temples, shrines, and traditional gardens giving a glimpse into the city’s storied past.

Tourist enjoying a traditional meal with a local guide on a food tour of Osaka

The “Nation’s Kitchen”

Spend time with a local, and you’ll likely hear the city's unofficial slogan, kuidaore – “eat until you drop”. It’s no surprise that some of the best things to do in Osaka revolve around its fantastic food scene. Known as the “Nation’s Kitchen”, Osaka’s culinary culture is famous across Japan. The city’s food – found at its traditional markets, cafés, restaurants, and izakayas – is mind-blowingly delicious. From Okonomiyaki pancakes at a snaking line of street food stalls to a Michelin-starred meal at a high-end eatery, the foodie things to do in Osaka suit every palate (and pocket).

Tourist posing in front of neon lights on a busy street in Osaka

Osaka after sunset

When night falls, the city really starts to show off, and the list of things to do in Osaka gets even longer. Osaka transforms into a kaleidoscope of LED screens, giant billboards, and animatronic signs, and the fun begins. Perhaps you’ll start with a scrub down at a traditional sento before some well-deserved bar- or club-hopping, or maybe you’ll swivel your head between flashing restaurant signs and grab a meal at the one that beckons the brightest. If that’s not your scene, you could even slow things down in the lantern-lit alleys of a traditional entertainment district.

Osaka travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Osaka and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

It was a great tour I definitely recommend!

April 2024

Hans F
Maria, you were amazing! Thank you for giving us all a great day in Osaka. We saw everything on our list and a lot more. A guided tour is well worth the money - no hassle and you would never get to everything like we did. The added golf cart ride and tram rider were a bonus. We probably would have been stuck at the train station all day ha ha. If you're thinking about booking this, just do it and ask for Maria. If you know where you want to go - let them know and add in what they think as well. They are the local and they know where to go :)

April 2024

Melissa M
Our fabulous guide Kalid met us at the port and did an excellent job of guiding us through the train journey to Kyoto. It was our first time using the rail system and we were very happy that he was there to help us. We went to the top of Kyoto station to get a great view of the city. We were amazed at all the shops and restaurants tucked into the station. The best part of the day was our visit t the zen garden and bamboo forest. After the forest we had a nice walk down to the river where we relaxed with a snack. Another walk to the beautiful “kimono forest” near the old railway. I enjoyed seeing the dragon ball pond. Our time with Kalid was far too short but it was a great day. Thank you Kalid!

April 2024

Debra L
Host Fumiko tailored the tour to our interests. She was knowledgeable & converse well making our tour highly enjoyable.

April 2024

Chee S