10 Most Instagrammable Places in Osaka

Centred around the lofty Osaka Castle Keep, Osaka Castle Park is a spacious park surrounded by a double moat. Osaka Castle, which was reconstructed thanks to citizens' donations, is a symbol of Osaka.

Blooming flowers of various kinds cover the 105.6 hectares of the park. The cherry blossoms in bloom on the stone walls of the moat are really stunning. Beyond the cherry blossoms, the castle tower comes into view. The park is also home to 13 Historic and Important Cultural Properties, including the yagura (turrets), which have survived war and natural disasters, as well as the Western-style historical headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army's 4th Division, in the Honmaru (the main circle of the castle). Combine the classic buildings with flowers and lush greenery for a great photo.

Even in the Dotonbori area with its endless giant billboards, the Dotonbori Glico sign stands out from a mile away. In Japan, even people who’ve never visited Dotonbori are familiar with this sign of a character running with his hands raised.

This ad was first installed in 1935, and the current ad is the sixth generation, having been updated in 2014. The most popular option is to take a photo posing with the characters from the top of Ebisubashi Bridge. However, you can also take photos from the path, or from the Tombori River Walk on the opposite side of the river, which directly faces the sign.

Two 40-storey-high buildings with circular observation decks connect the dual rooftops of the Umeda Sky Building. The open-air Kuchu Teien Observatory (a kind of hanging garden) commands a 360-degree view of the Osaka cityscape.

This incredible structure has been selected as one of the world's top 20 pieces of skyscraper architecture. After taking the lift up to the 35th floor, you'll need to hop onto the transparent escalator to the Kuchu Teien Ovservatory on the 40th floor. Check out the indoor observation gallery before heading up to the Skywalk, a rooftop walkway about 173 metres above the ground. Every corner of the building is just waiting to be photographed.

Shitennoji Temple was built in 593. It's said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku, the regent of Empress Suiko.

Due to recurring disasters and wars, the temple was repeatedly burned down and rebuilt, but the original style of the temple is still evident today. With its vast precincts, the Gokuraku Jodo no Niwa (“Pure Land Garden”) is so quiet that it’s hard to remember that you’re in the heart of the city. The west gate and the stone torii gate are noted for their sunset views. After dark, the five-storey pagoda and other structures are illuminated, creating a beautiful and solemn atmosphere. The temple is also a popular place of worship for the general population, and a fair is held on the 21st and 22nd of each month, which you can enjoy while taking pictures.

Shinsekai is famous for its vibrant and loudly coloured signboards and Tsutenkaku Tower, which stands tall in the middle of the town. Take a stroll through “deep” Osaka's unique, unpretentious streets.

Shinsekai is also a treasure chest of Osaka's so-called “B-class gourmet” foods (foods that are inexpensive and down-to-earth yet absolutely delicious), such as kushikatsu (skewered pork cutlets), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), and horumon-yaki (broiled pig innards). As you walk around Shinsekai, you’ll notice golden statues of Billiken. These are said to bring happiness if you pat the soles of their feet. When night falls, Shinsekai becomes even more vibrant with neon lights. The neon sign wrapped around the top of Tsutenkaku Tower shows the weather forecast for the following day.

Namba Yasaka Shrine has a very long history and is known as the Ubusunagami (guardian deity) of the Namba area. This is one of the most popular spiritual sites in the city.

The names of deities enshrined at the shrine are the brave Susano-no-mikoto and his wife Kushinadahime-no-mikoto, believed to be the god of good fortune in warding off evil and disease as well as in matchmaking. January sees the shrine hold its tug-of-war ritual, designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. What has made Namba Yasaka Shrine really famous is the Shishiden (Lion's head pavilion), a stage resembling a magnificent lion's head. It's an absolute must-see. The lion’s eyes are actually lights and the nose is a speaker. The large mouth is believed to guarantee victory, swallow evil spirits, and bring luck in business.

Massive billboards such as crabs, squids, and octopuses are what give the streets of Dotonbori their unique look. This is one of the most vibrant and energetic shopping areas in Osaka.

Dotonbori is the name of a canal that dates back to the 17th century. The Dotonbori Shopping District, alongside the canal, is full of restaurants (Osaka is a food capital, after all) and is also famous for its hilarious Kuidaore Taro doll. The Tombori River Walk promenade provides visitors with a view of the city as they walk along the riverside. At night, the bright lights of the electric signboards are mirrored on the river surface. Well worth stopping for a photo.

Originally built on the site of the 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition (Osaka Flower Expo), Tsurumiryokuchi Expo '90 Commemorative Park boasts an area of 122 hectares.

There are various facilities in the park. Sakuya Konohana Kan is the largest greenhouse in Japan, exhibiting 15,000 plants of about 5,500 species from all over the world. In the Alpine House, you can view seasonal flowers, as well as a windmill hill, a rose garden, and a Japanese garden. Its vast lawn is approximately 4 times the size of the Koshien Stadium grounds. Also check out Midori no Seseragi (literally, "the stream of green promenade”) and the picturesque forest of almond trees.

Kaiyukan Aquarium is famous for its whale sharks that swim gracefully in a giant tank. The aquatic life of the various regions surrounding the Pacific Ocean, the vastest sea area on earth, are exhibited here.

The aquarium’s main feature is its Pacific Ocean tank, which is home to whale sharks and manta rays. This tank has a maximum length of 34 metres, a depth of 9 metres, and a volume of 5,400 cubic metres of water. Visitors on the 4th to 6th floors can descend around the tank to view it from various angles. After 5 pm, the aquarium enters night mode. It’s fascinating to see the deep blue sea lit up as though by moonlight.

Hirakata T-SITE is located in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, where Tsutaya Bookstore was founded. It houses more than 40 unique stores, with TSUTAYA and TSUTAYA BOOKS at its core.

The building's exterior looks like a stack of glass blocks and has won a number of international awards. The building’s most striking feature is the café space on the 4th floor, which is surrounded by a huge 7-metre-high bookshelf. Visitors can enjoy reading a favourite book with a cup of coffee or other beverage purchased at the café, which is something of an Instagram phenomenon. The restaurant on the 8th floor has a terrace with a panoramic view of Hirakata City.