{"id":99,"date":"2019-10-02T16:52:30","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T15:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/?p=99"},"modified":"2020-12-22T13:43:11","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T13:43:11","slug":"what-to-do-and-see-in-osaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/japanrailplanner.com\/blog\/what-to-do-and-see-in-osaka\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do and see in Osaka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Osaka is one of Japan\u2019s most ancient settlements, dating back more than 2,500 years. It is brimming with history and culture to a degree almost unparalleled by the rest of Japan. Strangely, though, the city tends to be forgotten among those traversing the country by rail, with Tokyo and Kyoto taking the lion\u2019s share of the tourists. 
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Despite this, the city is well worth the visit, especially if you\u2019re a culture vulture and history buff. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the things you\u2019ll want to see and do during your stay.
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Where to stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First thing\u2019s first: where should you stay during your stop (if you\u2019re staying overnight in the city)?
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Budget-friendly<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on a budget and want a location near to Umeda Station, then the budget Ibis Osaka<\/a> is the hotel for you. All hotel rooms are carpeted (always a nice touch), and have TVs, comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms. There\u2019s nothing fancy or exciting about the Ibis, but it\u2019s the perfect base from which to explore the city, and is just a 10-minute walk from the famous Osaka castle. 
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Economy-premium<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For those wanting something a little more premium, then you might want to check out Hotel The Flag<\/a>. This hotel sits just 500 meters from the Dotonburi River and the Ebisu Tower Ferriss Wheel, and only 600 meters from America Village shopping district. It\u2019s a little further from popular train stations in the city, but not too far as to make it inaccessible. The hotel serves a traditional buffet breakfast, and some rooms even have a bathtub – a rare luxury. 
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Ultra-premium<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for somewhere ultra-premium, then you\u2019ll want to pay a visit to the Conrad Osaka<\/a>. The Conrad Hotel resides in a giant, glass, and steel tower and provides penthouses overlooking the rest of the city. The indoor pool high above street level is nothing short of magical, again with stunning views of the surrounding cityscape. Expect to pay more than $500 per night. 
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What to see and do during your stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The next thing is to figure out what you\u2019ll do during your stay (assuming you\u2019re visiting for pleasure, not work). Let\u2019s take a look. 
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Head over to the Dotonbori Arcade<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about the Dotonbori Arcade is that it is not geared towards tourists in the slightest. It\u2019s just about as close as you can get to an authentic Japanese experience. 
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The Arcade is brimming with a variety of places to eat. You can try gyoza, teppanyaki, shabu-shabu and a variety of other delectable, local meals. There are snacks galore here too, and if you look hard enough, you can often find things that you\u2019ve never seen anywhere else. It\u2019s an excellent venue for people who are tired with standard fare. 
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Do you need a food guide? Well, you can get one. The Osaka Local Foodie Tour takes you around Dotonburi and Shinsekai and includes eight different Osaka specialties. The tour takes three hours, and you\u2019ll explore hidden streets and temples while experience food with a genuine local.
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