Play Recommendations
Bamboo forest whispers, castle ruin cherry blossoms, chance encounters under neon lights — every spot becomes a memory.
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![[Illustrative] Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima](/api/images/entities/osaka-osaka-spot-8/hero.webp)
Illustrative →Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima
Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima is a free children's library designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, located within Nakanoshima Park. With its concept of 'letting children encounter books by themselves,' the library has no borrowing rules — children can read freely throughout the day. The 12 themed zones span picture books, storybooks, art, science and foreign-language books, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, hidden corners and an interior bridge that looks like a forest of books. The building itself is a refined concrete and glass structure, popular with families.
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![[Illustrative] Osaka Science Museum](/api/images/entities/osaka-osaka-spot-9/hero.webp)
Illustrative →Osaka Science Museum
Osaka City Science Museum is located in Nakanoshima with the theme of 'Universe and Energy,' opened in 1989. The museum houses a world-class planetarium that, with live commentary from staff, can project about 28,000 stars. The first floor offers interactive science experiences, the second floor features a 'Matter and Energy' exhibition, and the basement level houses special exhibition spaces. Activities such as science shows, astronaut lectures and summer star-gazing events are rich and varied, making it the best destination for families to explore the mysteries of science and the beauty of the universe.
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![[Illustrative] Dotonbori](/api/images/entities/osaka-osaka-spot-10/hero.webp)
Illustrative →Dotonbori
Dotonbori is Osaka's most iconic entertainment and dining district, developed along both banks of the Dotonbori River. Landmarks include the Glico Running Man sign (first generation 1935), moving giant crab, octopus and pufferfish signs, Ebisu Bridge and Dotonbori lanterns. The street gathers famous restaurants including takoyaki chains Tsukiji Gindaco, Wanaka and Kukuru, kushikatsu originator Daruma, okonomiyaki Yukari and Chibo, and Kani Doriki Honten — the original crab restaurant. Neon lights dazzle at night, making it a must-see tourist shrine for Osaka visitors.
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![[Illustrative] Namba Grand Kagetsu](/api/images/entities/osaka-osaka-spot-11/hero.webp)
Illustrative →Namba Grand Kagetsu
Namba Grand Kagetsu (NGK) is the comedy headquarters of Yoshimoto Kogyo, located in Namba Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, opened at this location in 1987. The theater performs manzai, Yoshimoto Shinkigeki and rakugo daily, the only theater in Japan to stage comedy 365 days a year. The venue also houses the Yoshimoto Kogyo Museum, a souvenir shop and cafe. Same-day tickets can be purchased on-site or at convenience stores, making it a must-visit destination for deep experience of Kansai comedy culture in Osaka.
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![[Illustrative] Namba Yasaka Shrine](/api/images/entities/osaka-osaka-spot-12/hero.webp)
Illustrative →Namba Yasaka Shrine
Namba Yasaka Shrine is an ancient shrine in Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, with uncertain founding date. The grounds feature the rare giant Shishi-den, a lion-head-shaped stage 12 meters tall, 11 meters wide and weighing 10 tons — Osaka's most photographed spot. Legend holds that the lion swallows evil spirits and brings fortune, particularly praying for victory and business prosperity. The annual January Tsugomori Festival (Unohana Matsuri) and Summer Great Purification attract many worshippers, making it Osaka's most talked-about power spot.
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![[Illustrative] Kuromon Market](/api/images/entities/osaka-osaka-spot-13/hero.webp)
Illustrative →Kuromon Market
Known as 'Osaka's Kitchen,' Kuromon Market is a 580-meter covered market with about 150 shops offering fresh seafood, wagyu beef, produce, cosmetics, sundries and dining. Shops like Kuromon Nakagawa Fresh Fish will slice sashimi on the spot and grill it fresh; Kuromon Sanpei seafood rice bowls, Kuromon Tonbori kushikatsu, and fugu sashimi are popular dishes. Both chefs and tourists come here to shop, with affordable prices and abundant choices, making it the best place to experience Osaka's folk food culture.
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