For a dose of fine art, Aiko Coe of Curated Tokyo recommends the Fujita Museum, which has a collection of about 5,000 antiquities amassed by the eponymous Denzaburo Fujita, a prosperous merchant of the Meiji era, and his descendants. It’s one of the foremost privately owned museums in Japan, boasting 9 officially-designated National Treasures and 53 Important Cultural Properties. Given the museum’s location in the eastern suburbs, Aiko Coe says, “It’s still a hidden gem—and although I want to keep it that way, I also don’t want people to miss out.”
If shopping for artistic goods is more your speed, Aiko Coe recommends Orange Street for the present-day creative energy of Osaka. Located in the Minami district, this street was once a hub for furniture makers and is now a trendy tree-lined area filled with cafés, vintage shops, and boutiques that sell works by local designers, many of which have unique pieces that blend traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern style. It’s the perfect destination for travelers who have an eye for design and fashion.
And of course, there’s nothing quite like watching a baseball game in Japan. It’s the country’s national sport and the Osaka Dome promises an electrifying atmosphere, according to Kawai, especially when the home team, the Orix Buffaloes, takes the field during Japan’s baseball season, from late March to October. If your trip doesn’t coincide with the season, then you can get your thrills at Universal Studios Japan, particularly at Osaka’s Super Nintendo World. If your hotel has one, a concierge can help you score seats to a game or tickets to the theme park for the best access.
Once you need a breather from all the activities and excitement, find a moment to chill out at the Grand Green Osaka, a new urban development and commercial strip centered around Umekita Park, opening this weekend. It’s directly connected to Osaka Station, and so finding a moment to rest and appreciate the verdant environment will be easy—even in the heart of buzzing Osaka.
Where to eat in Osaka
If you’re in Osaka, chances are you’re here to eat. Visit the new food-haven KITTE Osaka, which opened in July 2024 next to Osaka Station. It features over 50 new dining spots, embodying the essence of “Japan’s kitchen.” Keep an eye out specifically for two specialties of Osaka: okonomiyaki, which are savory pancakes often made with cabbage, meat, and seafood; and takoyaki, skewers of ball-shaped snacks typically filled with minced octopus. Takoyaki is prevalent throughout the city, as is okonomiyaki, but for a restaurant focused on the latter, Ajinoya in Namba is one of the best. They even sell ready-to-take-home frozen okonomiyaki as a souvenir. (You’d have to cook it wherever you’re staying, however, lest airport officers confiscate the stuff at customs.)
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