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Osaka Cruises

Although often overlooked in favour of the futuristic sights of Tokyo and imperial palaces of Kyoto, Osaka offers the best of both worlds! There’s a bit of an old-meets-new vibe here in Japan’s third-largest city, with the stately Osaka Castle’s historic grounds and tranquil moats rubbing shoulders with modern skyscrapers. The city’s located at the mouth of the Odo River where it meets Osaka Bay, and there’s a vibrant shopping, nightlife and entertainment scene here. Foodies will be in heaven with the array of restaurants to choose from, due to Osaka’s reputation as the ‘kitchen of Japan’.

What You Need To Know About Osaka

How to reach Osaka from the cruise terminal?

It’s a breeze to get into central Osaka from the port, with a subway stop right there at Tempozan Harbour Village. Yet there are plenty of reasons to stay near the cruise terminal, with the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and Suntory Museum just steps away! The pier is a popular area for shopping and dining, or just admiring the view. The subway system serves most parts of the city and is easy to use for English-speakers with its clear layout and graphic instructions. You can also opt to hail a taxi to whisk you directly from the pier to central attractions in the city.

What are the can’t-miss sights in Osaka?

The city’s top attraction is Osaka Castle, which is a beautifully reconstructed version of the 1500s original. Stroll around its well-tended grounds with their cherry and plum trees, moats and scenery. For another side of traditional Osaka, you can visit Shitenmoji temple. It’s the oldest in Japan, constructed in 593 and still an active place of Buddhist worship. For a more modern look at Osaka, you can enjoy the attractions along the port including the shopping centre at Tempozan Harbour Village, or take a boat ride on the river to admire the bright neon lights and Ferris wheels of the skyline.

Typical food and restaurants in Osaka?

One of Japan’s top places for dining, Osaka’s famed for its reasonably priced street food and friendly cafes. The city is associated with shabu-shabu hot pot, featuring a simmering broth that you add your own vegetables, meat and noodles to. Yakitori is another top choice here to try out, featuring chicken or beef marinated and cooked to sizzling perfection on a kebab stick. Naturally, you’ll also be able to sample Japanese favourites like sushi, tempura, gyoza dumplings, and sashimi. Don’t discount the fare at shopping centre food courts, which are often as tasty as what you’d find in more expensive restaurants!

OSAKA - DID YOU KNOW?

Osaka is a fabulous place to go shopping for traditional Japanese souvenirs, like porcelain tea sets, dainty pearl jewellery, and intricately woven silk kimonos. The city is famed for its underground shopping centres, which sell everything from clothing to electronics and cosmetics. One of the trendiest outlets is the America-Mura district, or you can head to the more traditional Shinsaibashi-Suji for chic souvenirs. Osaka is home to Japan’s Universal Studios theme park, with all of its thrilling roller coasters, cinema-themed attractions and international restaurants. Come face to face with dinosaurs at Jurassic Park, or make a splash at the Water World. The city is also quite fond of Ferris wheels, and you’ll find these at the Pier as well as the various shopping malls. Kyoto’s ancient temples and serene shrines are a 30-minute bullet train ride away, making this a popular day trip from Osaka. It’s home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Buddhist temples and imperial palaces dating back centuries. Although Osaka is a modern metropolis, you don’t have to travel far to be out in the midst of serene natural landscapes. Mt Kongo’s hiking trails are just at the border of Osaka prefecture, a particularly lovely place to visit in the autumn to see the vibrant foliage.