"Osaka is a popular destination tourists from the world. After exploring Osaka during the day, you might wonder where to go for fun at night. This article provides a detailed introduction to recommended nighttime attractions in Osaka, including the neon-lit Dotonbori, the helicopter pad on top of Osaka's tallest building Abeno HARUKAS, and the giant Ferris wheel - Tempozan Ferris Wheel.
Osaka Hotels Booking：Booking.com | Agoda.com | Hotels.com
Dotonbori（道頓堀）
The renowned Dotonbori shines just as brightly at night, with crowds of people bustling daily from Nipponbashi on the south bank of the Dotonbori River to the central area of Nipponbashi Bridge.
When it comes to Osaka, one thinks of the Glico sign, the Kani Doraku sign, and the Ebinoya sign. In recent years, with the increase in overseas tourists, Dotonbori has become even more vibrant. Located at the heart of the entertainment district, it is packed with locals and tourists year-round.
You can see the typical Osakan lifestyle here. The famous Ebisu Bridge, leading to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, is particularly well-known. The neon lights, especially the Glico "Running Man" sign, are eye-catching, and just walking around here is exhilarating. This is Osaka! Be sure to visit Dotonbori in the evening to enjoy the scenery.
You can experience Osaka's most famous cuisine in Dotonbori, including takoyaki (octopus-filled dough balls) and okonomiyaki (pan-fried savory pancake made with wheat flour, cabbage, yam, and red ginger, typically seasoned with sauce). Additionally, crab, fugu (blowfish), yakiniku (grilled meat), sushi, udon, and ramen are also very popular choices.
- Dotonbori（道頓堀）Information
- Address: 1 Chome-10-3 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka
- Tel: 06-6211-4542
- Website: http://www.dotonbori.or.jp/
Tonbori River Cruise（とんぼりリバークルーズ）
The approximately 20-minute boat tour that circles around the Dotonbori River departs from in front of the Ebisu Tower by Dotonbori. It passes through nine bridges, including Nipponbashi, Ebisuhashi, and Tazumibashi, before returning near the Dotombori Canal Plaza. Along the way, you can listen to the guide's commentary about the history of Osaka and Dotonbori, as well as detailed stories about the landmarks.
Additionally, you can take a leisurely stroll along the well-lit streets of Dotonbori at night. Enjoy the comfortable breeze while taking in the dazzling neon lights of the bustling cityscape. The last boat departs at 21:00, with departures every hour at 00:00 and 30:00 respectively.
- Tonbori River Cruise (とんぼりリバークルーズ) Information
- Address: Souemoncho, Chuo Ward, Osaka
- Business Hours:
- On weekdays: 13:00 to 21:00 (departures every hour at 00 minutes and 30 minutes).
- On Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and during busy seasons: 11:00 to 21:00 (departures every hour at 00 minutes and 30 minutes).
- Price: Adults: ￥1,200 / Students: ￥800 / Elementary School Students: ￥400
- Tel: 06-6441-0532
- Website: http://www.ipponmatsu.co.jp/cruise/tombori.html
- Activity：Explore Osaka Hotspots in One Day Walking Tour
HARUKAS 300 Heliport Tour (ハルカス300ヘリポートツアー)
Normally, the Abeno HARUKAS (あべのハルカス) Observatory only allows access to the indoor area, but when you join the 'HARUKAS 300 Heliport Tour,' you actually get to visit the rooftop of Abeno Harukas!
You can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Kansai region from here, which is an expansive experience unique to Abeno Harukas. No advance reservation is required. The tours run every 50 minutes on weekdays from 10:30 to 20:30 and on weekends and holidays from 9:40 to 20:30. Each tour can accommodate up to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
- HARUKAS 300 Heliport Tour (ハルカス300ヘリポートツアー) Information
- Address: Souemoncho, Chuo Ward, Osaka
- Business Hours: 9:00～22:00
- Price: Adults: ￥1,800 / Middle and High School Students: ￥1,200 / Elementary School Students: ￥700
- Tel: 050-3116-8146
- Website: https://www.abenoharukas-300.jp/observatory/index.html
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館)
Osaka Kaiyukan is one of the world's largest aquariums and has been selected as the top aquarium in Asia by travel review websites. It showcases approximately 620 species of animals, totaling around 30,000 individuals. The closing times vary depending on the day, but it is open as late as 21:30 (with the last admission at 20:30), making it a recommended attraction for nighttime visits.
Within the impressively rare eight-story space of the aquarium, there are cleverly designed biological displays, including permanent exhibitions, a new experience area, and special exhibitions. Upon entering the museum, visitors first ride an escalator to the top floor and then gradually descend while observing the exhibition spaces.
The aquarium features 14 meticulously designed aquariums, including "Pacific" where giant whale sharks swim, "Antarctica" showcasing three types of penguins, and the colorful tropical fish swimming through the transparent underwater tunnel known as the "Gateway to the Water." Inside the aquarium, you can encounter a variety of creatures, and undoubtedly, both adults and children will enjoy these creatively engaging exhibits.
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館) Information
- Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0022 Google Map
- Business Hours: It varies from day to day; please check the official website for specific information.
- Price: Ages 16 and above: ￥2,700 / Ages 7 to 15: ￥1,400 / Ages 3 to 6: ￥700.
- Tel: 06-6576-5501
- Website: http://www.kaiyukan.com/index.html
Kuchu Teien Observatory (梅田スカイビル 空中庭園展望台)
The Umeda Sky Building is one of the landmarks in Umeda. You can take an elevator from the entrance on the 3rd floor of the atrium to reach the 35th floor immediately. Then, take the escalator to the 39th floor atrium entrance. If you purchase a ticket to go up to the 40th floor, which is approximately 170 meters above the ground, you can enjoy panoramic views of Osaka's cityscape through the large windows of the observation deck.
The "Heart Lock" is a beloved souvenir from the Umeda Sky Building's Floating Garden. There are a total of 10 different colors available, and you can even have your favorite date and names engraved on it (available at the 40th-floor Heart Lock counter). You can use the key of your chosen color to lock it on the rooftop as a symbol of your love or take it home as a keepsake!
You can also visit the rooftop observation deck, which is quite rare for skyscraper observation decks! At night, it transforms into the "Lumi Sky Walk," where the stones embedded in the floor illuminate. With the gentle breeze of the evening, you'll have a magical experience as if the light beneath your feet surrounds you. It's highly recommended to visit during twilight when the horizon is painted in shades of orange – a perfect setting for a romantic date.
- Kuchu Teien Observatory (梅田スカイビル 空中庭園展望台) Information
- Address: Osaka, Kita Ward, Oyodonaka, 1 Chome−1−88 梅田スカイビル
- Business Hours: 9:30-22:30, last admission at 22:00
- Price: Adult: ￥1,500 / Ages 4~13: ￥700
- Tel: 06-6440-3855
- Website: https://www.skybldg.co.jp/
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel (天保山大観覧車)
The "Tempozan Ferris Wheel," which was once the world's largest giant Ferris wheel, stands at a height of 112.5 meters. It takes about 15 minutes to complete one rotation, and inside the cabins, you can enjoy the scenic views while listening to informative broadcasts. The colorful lights of Osaka Port have now become one of the highlights of Osaka's nightlife.
On clear days, you can enjoy views of the Rokko Mountains to the east, the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and the Rokko Mountains to the north. Among the 60 cabins, there are 3 accessible cabins, allowing wheelchair users to board directly.
When you board the cabin, you'll hear commentary in both Japanese and English, and various LED lights display the weather forecast for the next day.
The Tempozan Ferris Wheel also has 8 transparent cabins, with transparent sides, bottoms, and seats. When you ride in these cabins, you'll feel like you're floating in the air, providing a unique and thrilling experience for those interested in trying it out.
- Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel (天保山大観覧車) Information
- Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka
- Business Hours: 9:00～22:00
- Price: ￥900
- Tel: 06-6576-6222
- Website: http://tempozan-kanransya.com/tempozan-kanransya.com/
Hozenji Yokocho (法善寺横丁)
A little further away from the bustling tourist destination of Dotonbori, you'll find Hozenji Yokocho, two narrow alleys that extend 80 meters in length and 3 meters in width from east to west, filled with the vibrant atmosphere of Naniwa (an old name for Osaka). Centered around the famous Hozenji temple known for its immovable water basin, this area is home to many long-established restaurants, offering a wide variety of culinary delights to satisfy the taste buds of food enthusiasts in Osaka.
Hozenji Yokocho has survived two fires during the wartime era, and while the old central building has remained, it has been revived and continues to be a lively town, preserving the atmosphere of days gone by.
Hozenji Yokocho is adorned with charming cobblestone streets, and it offers different atmospheres during the day and night. This area is home to many long-established restaurants, bars, teppanyaki (grilled cuisine), and deep-fried skewer shops. All of these establishments are enticing, making it difficult to decide which one to visit.
- Hozenji Yokocho (法善寺横丁) Information
- Address: 1 Chome-1-6 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka
- Business Hours: 9:00～22:00
- Price: ￥900
- Tel: 06-6211-4152
- Website: https://osaka-info.jp/page/hozenji-yokocho
Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building Observatory (さきしまコスモタワー展望台)
The "Osaka Prefectural Sakishima Building Observatory" in the Osaka Bay area offers a panoramic view of the entire Osaka cityscape from a height of 55 floors, providing a 360-degree unobstructed view. While it's known as a nighttime attraction, it's not as crowded as Abeno Harukas or the Umeda Sky Building. From this observatory, you can leisurely enjoy the beautiful night views of the Osaka Bay area, Awaji Island, the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Kansai International Airport, and more.
To access the observatory, take the transparent elevator from the 1st-floor entrance, which will transport you to the 52nd floor for sightseeing. Moreover, there are escalators from the 52nd to the 55th floor, but from the 53rd to the 55th floor, there's a single escalator that connects them without requiring a transfer. Its length is 42 meters! You can enjoy it as a mini-attraction in itself.
- Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building Observatory (さきしまコスモタワー展望台) Information
- Address: Osaka, Suminoe Ward, Nankokita, 1 Chome−14−16 咲洲庁舎
- Business Hours: 11:00～22:00, last admission at 21:30
- Price: Adults: ￥800 / Elementary and middle school students: ￥500 / Reschool children: Free
- Tel: 06-6615-6055
- Website: http://sakishima-observatory.com/
Sakai Senboku Coastal Industrial Line (堺泉北臨海工業地帯)
Sakai City is renowned for its ancient tomb of Emperor Nintoku, which is one of the world's three major tombs, alongside the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China. This ancient tomb was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. At night, the city transforms into a place where you can witness a futuristic and cinematic industrial nightscape.
The Sakai Senboku Coastal Industrial Zone is a vast industrial area spanning Sakai City, Takarazuka City, and Izumiotsu City. It is one of the prime locations for factory nightscapes in the Keihanshin region, and there are even factory night view taxi tours in collaboration with taxi companies. The area has many spots where you can enjoy the factory night views, and perhaps you can capture some trendy cyberpunk-style photos here!
- Sakai Senboku Coastal Industrial Line (堺泉北臨海工業地帯) Information
- Address: Sakai City to Takarazuka City
- Access:
- Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from "Shin-Osaka" to "Namba" Station, then transfer to the Nankai Main Line to "Sakai" Station.
- It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from Nankai Main Line "Namba" Station to "Sakai" Station.
- Tel: 072-228-7493
- Website: https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/7
Osaka Castle Park (大阪城公園)
Although Osaka is a city with neon lights shining, it is also very attractive to feel the traces of its long history. Osaka Castle Park is a city park located in the center of Osaka. The main tower of Osaka Castle stands in the center and is a historical museum with five floors on the outside and eight floors on the inside. Especially at night, when the lights are on, its presence becomes even more pronounced.
The main tower closes at 17:00, but Osaka Castle Park is open 24 hours. Osaka Castle is illuminated every day at sunset (the entire illumination lasts until 24:00 and then gradually turns off from 24:00, completely extinguishing at 24:30), so it is recommended to visit in the evening.
You might want to see the cool castle tower and take photos, but you may wonder which one is the best. On the southwest side of the main tower, there is an observation deck called 'Nanishi-suguru Ato,' which offers a view of the night scenery of Umeda and Nakanoshima.
- Osaka Castle Park (大阪城公園) Information
- Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka
- Access: Official route instructions
- Tel: 06-6755-4146
- Website: http://osakacastlepark.jp/
Recommendations for Osaka Travel 2023:
Osaka Flights：https://www.skyscanner.com
Osaka Hotels：Booking.com | Agoda.com | Hotels.com
Top Osaka Tours：Klook.com
