Osaka, known as “the kitchen of Japan” for its great cuisine, is one of the most famous tourist destinations together with Tokyo and Kyoto. The capital city of Western Japan has countless things to do, from ancient buildings such as castles and shrines to modern skyscrapers, delicious local food and a great nightlife under neon lights, one of the world’s greatest amusement park and much more!
30 Best Things to Do in OsakaWhat to Do in Osaka: Bucket Listjw-webmagazine.com
In addition to the activities that are always available, there are some that are exclusive to this 2023. If you are planning a trip to Osaka in 2023, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been there before, check out this list! Exclusive time-limited events, hotels and attractions that have recently opened, this Osaka Bucket List 2023 includes our picks of the best things to do in Osaka 2023!
1. New Attractions at Universal Studio Japan
Universal Studios Japan is a must go if you are visiting Osaka. It’s a perfect activity for all type of travelers: families, couples, friends or solo travel, USJ offers different type of entertainment for all the public. The park is divided in 10 different zones with themes of popular movies and characters such as the recent hot area Nintendo World or one of the most popular areas, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Visitors can also enjoy attractions and shows inspired by Jurassic Park, Spiderman, Minions and more!
In addition to the permanent themed zones, here have been also lots of collaborations with popular anime and manga lately such as the popular serie ONE PIECE. During Spring 2023 the park is holding Universal Cool Japan 2023, a special time-limited event featuring some of the most popular and hottest animation and games today.
Enjoy special shows and attractions inspired by the world of SPY x FAMILY, Detective Conan/Case Closed and Monster Hunter, only available in Spring 2023 in Universal Studios Japan!
Best Attractions of Universal Cool Japan 2023
10 Best Rides at Universal Studio Japan
2. Spy x Family Exhibition
No doubt 2023 is the Spy x Family year! After several collaborations events, finally a special exhibition focusing on the hot anime serie Spy x Family will be held in Japan in 2023 at 4 cities, including Osaka. In addition to illustrations and even a recreation of the Forges family living room, the exhibition includes a special mission where visitors can participate and get one of the famous Stellas! Special goods will be also available.
3. New Hotels Opening in 2023
With the massive return of tourism to Japan, new projects are seeing the light of day. For example, several new hotels have already been built in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. Although when traveling one spends a great deal of time out visiting, choosing a good hotel is important for a good rest and a better experience. Here are some of the new hotels available in Osaka in 2023.
OMO Kansai Airport opened on March 20th, 2023, is the first airport hotel by the group Hoshino Resort’s. Located one minute on foot from Rinku Town Station, the hotel is just one stop from Kansai Airport Station.
According to the promoters, OMO Kansai Airport not only offer convenient functions as an airport hotel, but also an exciting and fulfilling time both before you go on your trip and after you return. In the facilities guest can find two comfortable waiting areas, indoor bath and a half-open-air bath, sauna, restaurant, etc.
<<Book now your stay at OMO Kansai Airport at the best price!>>
Cuvée J2 Hotel Osaka
Cuvée J2 Hotel OSAKA is the first “Champagne Hotel” in Japan, produced by Kazuto Yamamoto, a pioneer in the promotion of Champagne culture in Japan. All 15 rooms are equipped with a half-open-air bath. Each room will be designed in collaboration with 11 champagne houses (called Maison in French), including Taittinger and Jackson, and will feature a message from each house and a gift of a representative champagne.
The hotel also has a sushi and champagne restaurant, AWA SUSHI, which is open to non-guests. Customers can enjoy the fresh marriage of sushi and Champagne, which mutually enhance each other’s flavor.
IHG Hotels & Resorts will open the first hotel in Japan under its premium hotel brand, voco Osaka Central on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023.
a social-style restaurant that supports a casual and relaxing stay, as if you were invited into your own home. voco Osaka Central will feature 191 guest rooms, a restaurant and café, a fitness gym, and meeting rooms. voco Osaka Central is committed to sustainability, and has adopted the following initiatives: the elimination of miniature bottles for bath amenities, the use of recycled materials, and the use of recycled products. The hotel is designed to reduce its environmental impact by eliminating miniature bottles, using bedding made from recycled materials, water-saving showerheads, wooden card keys, and bamboo tableware.
<<Reserve a room at voco Osaka now!>>
4. Onsen
Onsen (hot spring) is definitely a top activity in Japan. It’s said that the onsen culture in Japan started before the 7th century, and nowadays they are over 3,000 hot spring spots in the country! The most popular onsen spots are in places far away from tourist cities as Kyushu, Hokkaido, Gunma or Sendai.
But it’s possible to enjoy the Japanese hot spring culture in Osaka too! Natural Hotsprings Hana-Nami-No-Yu is a new facility that opened in the heart of Osaka’s financial district, with the water transported from Ikoma Nishimura Radon Hotsprings. It’s the perfect place to relax after a long day of travel.
A friendly reminder: in Japanese hot springs you must enter completely naked, and it’s divided by gender.
<<Book now your stay at Onyado Nono Osakayodoyabashi Hot Spring at the best price now!>>
5. TeamLab Botanical Garden in Osaka
The museums and exhibitions of the art group teamLab have become one of the best things to do in Japan. If you don’t know yet, teamLab is an ultra technologist art group formed by several specialist such as artists, programmers, engineers, CG animator, mathematicians and architects. The result is unique and incredibly beautiful works of art that offer a whole new experience.
In July 2022 teamLab opened a new permanent museum in Osaka, teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka. Located in Nagai Park, one of the largest urban parks in Osaka, teamLab Botanical Garden is a new and different concept. While the other teamLab museums are in closed spaces created for this purpose, the Botanical Garden Osaka is an open-air park! In this occasion, teamLab have created a beautiful art space around a botanical garden divided in 6 a total of areas, using the nature of the place and turning it into art without harming it.