Guesthouse in Osaka for all backpackers, Cheap Backpackers Hostel in Osaka for budget travellers 
Travel Tips
Basis for J-Hopping (Jump to J-Hoppers Group Site)
Travel tips in Osaka (Kobe)
Where to go
Of course there are many places to visit in Osaka, but you can also get access to other prefectures easily such as Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Wakayama, since J-Hoppers Osaka is located near the huge terminal station of Osaka.
In Osaka
| Destination | Access / Fee | Highlight / Description | |
Osaka Castle |
-
Temmabashi Station or Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Tanimachi Line -JR Morinomiya Station or Osakajo Koen Station on the JR Loop Line (10 min by JR Loop line from Fukushima Sta. ) -Admission:600Yen |
It is one of Japan's most famous castles, and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi Momoyama period by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. |
|
Tenjin bashi suji Shotengai Shopping street |
-Tenma Sta. ( 5 min by JR Loop Line from JR Fukushima Sta. ) |
A 2.6-kilometer line of small shops make up this roofed shopping stree. The street is Japan’s longest shopping street. This is definitely a place for everyday people. There are events held on the street almost every day. | |
| Osaka Tenmangu | - Minami morimachi Sta. on Tanimachi Line -Osaka Tenmangu Sta. on JR Tozai Line ( 5 min by JR Loop Line from JR Fukushima Sta. ) |
Osaka Temmangu Shrine is the most famous of all the many Tenjin shrines located throughout Japan. Fondly called Tenjin-san, every July it hosts the Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka’s most fabulous festival, when gorgeous fireworks dazzle the crowds of worshipers and onlookers. | |
Dotonbori |
-Shinsaibashi on Midosuji Line (Subway) (10 min from Umeda by subway ) |
It is a shopping and restaurant street, running along the Dotonbori canal. Dotonbori is famous for its surrounding theatres, shops, and restaurants and the many colorful neon lights. Interesting billboards are so funny |
|
| DenDen Town (Sakaisuji Street)  |
-Nipponbashi on Sakaisuji Line (Subway) ( 10 min from Umeda to Shinsaibashi, 10 min walking from Shinsaibashi ) |
Nippombashi Den Den Town is a shopping district in the Nipponbashi, famous for its wide variety of electronics stores, and especially famous for its negotiable prices. Here could be the best area for getting hold of anime, manga and related figures. There are a huge number of stores providing a large amount of goodies for fans of anime or manga. | |
Maid Cafe |
-There are several Maid Cafes on Sakaisuji street, which is same one as DenDen Town. | The service staff dress as elegant maids. It's one of the cosplay restraurant originated in Akihabara, Tokyo. Compared with service at normal cafes, the service at cosplay cafes involves the creation of a rather different atmosphere. The staff treat the customers as masters and mistresses in a private home rather than merely as cafe customers. | |
Kuromon Ichiba (Fish Market)  |
-It is on Sakaisuji street (Den Den Town) | ||
| Shinsaibashi |
-Shinsaibashi on Midosuji or Yotsubashi Line (Subway) ( 10 min from Umeda by subway ) |
It centers around Shinsaibashi-suji, a covered shopping street, that is north of Dotonbori and parallel and east of Mido-suji street. |
|
Tsutenkaku |
-Dobutsuenmae on Midosuji Line (Subway) -Ebisusho on Sakaisuji Line (Subway) -ShinImamiya on JR Loop line ( 15 min by JR Loop Line from JR Fukushima Sta.) |
Tsutenkaku means "Tower Reaching Heaven". It is located in the Shinsekai district of Naniwa Ward. The total height is 103 m. It's not a high tower but is very famous as a tower of symbol in Osaka. The neon lights is especially colorful. | |
| Spa World | -Dobutsuenmae on Midosuji Line (Subway) -Ebisusho on Sakaisuji Line (Subway) -ShinImamiya on JR ( 15 min by JR Loop Line from JR Fukushima Sta.) |
Spa leisure complexes, It runs 24 hours non-stop, and provides your choice of 16 different baths from 11 different countries, as well as a spacious indoor swimming pool. This is a spa paradise. | |
Namba |
-Namba on JR Namba -Namba on each subway Line or Kintetsu Line ( 20 min by JR Loop Line from JR Fukushima Sta.) |
A multiple shopping complex. Outdoor event space is a round theater. Equipped with roof top garden, Parks Garden. It is an oasis in the city where people can enjoy trees and flowers while taking a walk and can rest on the benches. | |
Hozenji Yokocho  |
-5 min walking from Namba | Hozenji Yokocho is a narrow, stone-paved alley next to Dotombori Street that makes you feel like the Osaka of olden days—of hundreds of years ago. Cozy and quaint, lined on both sides with small food shops and cafes | |
The Umeda Sky Building  |
-Osaka Sta.on JR -Umeda Sta. on Hanshin / Hankyu / Subway -15 min walking |
Located in the Umeda district of Kita Ward. It consists of two 40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, with bridges and an escalator crossing the wide atrium-like space in the center. The escalater ride is an event in itself as it feels like you are floating up into the sky. | |
Hep five |
-Osaka Sta.on JR -Umeda Sta. on Hanshin / Hankyu / Subway -1 min walking from Osaka Sta. |
HEP Five, a shopping complex with specialty shops geared for young people, boasts Kita’s newest symbol: a bright red Ferris wheel on its roof. | |
Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN   |
-Osakako on Chuo Line (Subway) ( 12 min by JR Loop Line and subway from JR Fukushima Sta.) -Admission: 2000yen for adult *Reference site: Official site |
Located in Tempozan, an area facing Osaka Bay. The aquarium constitutes part of the Tempozan Harbor Village. Visitors can observe various living creatures on land,in the water and on sea bottom, while descending a sloped spiral passage. By doing so, they can enjoy the thrilling experience of a diver exploring marine nature.
150 yen |
|
Universal Studio Japan
|
-Universal city on JR Yumesaki Line -Admission: see this link *Reference site: Official page |
Universal Studio Japan is one of three Universal Studios theme parks. The park is similar to the Universal Orlando Resort, containing many of the same rides. | |
Tennoji Zoo |
-Tennoji on JR -Dobutsuenmae on Midosuji Line (Subway) -18 min by JR Loop -Admission: 500yen for adult *Reference site: Official site(Japanese) |
One of the largest Zoo in Japan. Located in Tennoji. They keep animals of about 330 species, including lesser pandas and polar bears. They demonstrate how animals and nature are interrelated, by recreating the actual habitats of the animals. | |
Shitennoji Temple  |
-Tennoji on JR Loop -18 min by JR Loop *Reference site: Official site(Japanese) |
The prince Shotoku constructed this temple in 593, using the construction firm Kongo Gumi. It is the oldest officially administered temple in Japan, although the temple buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries. It is also home to a major flea market on the 21st of each month. | |
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine  |
-Sumiyoshikoen Sta. on Hankai Line -Sumiyoshitaisha Sta. on Nankai Line ( 30 min by JR Loop line and Nankai railway from JR Fukushima Sta.) |
Osaka’s most famous shrine, the headquarters of some 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. The main shrine is designed in the oldest style of shrine construction and is registered as a National Treasure. | |
| Aqua Bus Aqua-Liner | -Fee : 1600JPY -Open hours 10:00-15:00,10:00-19:00 in summer and special times.(approx.60min.),Leaving every one hour |
Take the ”Aqua-Liner” and tour the ”Water Metropolis” from the river. The long, flat boat rises only 1.6m from the surface of the water so that it can pass under bridges. The cruise, which lasts for an hour and runs every day, covers Osaka’s major sightseeing spots, including Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima, OBP (Osaka Business Park), and OAP (Osaka Amenity Park). | |
| Osaka Duck Tour | -Fee:3300JPY~3600JPY Reference Site (Japanese): |
An exciting tour which cuts through the cityscape from land and from water is offered for the first time in Japan. The bus takes passengers on terra firma through historic Uemachi-Suji Avenue, offering a view of Osaka Castle, and then, at Sakuranomiya Park (famous for cherry blossoms), it splashes into the Okawa River, “swims” across it, lands on the opposite bank and continues driving along Osaka City’s artery, Midosuji. The tour lasts about 100 minutes. | |
Osaka Bay Cruise "Santa Maria"  |
-Day cruise(50 minutes) : 1500 yen, Night cruise(105 minutes) : 2500 yen | A replica of the sailing ship in which Columbus discovered America. The Santa Maria departs for a complete tour of Osaka Bay from Osaka Aquarium ”Kaiyukan” at Tempozan Harbor Village. From its deck you can see the bay in its entirety, with the wind on your face. The day cruise lasts 50 minutes, the night cruise 105 minutes. | |
| Hankai Tramway | -South part of Osaka area Starting from Tennoji(Uemachi Line) or Shinimamiya area(Hankai Line) |
Tramcars on the Hankai Tramway Uemachi Line run from Tennoji through the southern part of Osaka City. The one-car train is small, quaint and somewhat nostalgia-provoking. Hankai Railway offers Osaka’s only streetcar service. | |
| Instant Ramen Museum | -Ikeda Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line -18 min by Hankyu railway from Umeda -Exhibits are free of charge. The chicken ramen class costs 300 yen for primary school students/500 yen for junior high school students and above. The fee for the My Cup Noodle Factory is 300 yen. |
The exhibits include those profiling the circumstances and history of the development of chicken ramen, There are other locations where visitors can enjoy cooking on their own. | |
| Nakanoshima Park | - 15 min walking from our hostel | Nakanoshima Park is a waterfront park nestled between the Dojimagawa and Tosaborigawa rivers. The park, about 1.5 km in length and 10.6 ha in area, is an urban oasis filled with greenery attracting a lot of citizens. | |
| Miyuki dori Shopping Street (Korean Town) | -Tsuruhashi Sta. on JR Loop line (18 min on JR Loop line from JR Fukushima Sta.) -Reference site : |
A three hundred-meter-long shopping street situated between JR Tsuruhashi and Momodani stations, with about 150 Korean food stores (selling Korean pickles, Korean-style pancakes etc.), Korean restaurants and ethnic clothing stores. Many of those stores and restaurants are run by Korean residents of Japan. The area around the street is said to be the largest “Korea town” in Japan. | |
| Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park | - Tsurumiryokuchi Sta. on Nagahori Tsurumi ryokuchi Line -30 min by JR Loop and Subway from JR Fukushima Sta. |
Tsurumiryokuchi Park is located at the site of The International Garden and Greenery Exposition 1990, a world exhibition that featured the beauty of flowers. After the Expo, the site was turned into a memorial park which was designed to have flowers in bloom in every season. | |
| Kitashinchi | -10 min walking from our hostel | it’s the most famous nightclub and entertainment district of contemporary Osaka. It’s just like Tokyo’s Ginza: filled with thousands of high-class bars, clubs and small restaurants where Japanese businessmen entertain their clients. | |
| Naniwa Gyoza Stadium | - 5 min walk from Osaka Sta. - Reference Site : |
Charismatic gyoza that have passionate local followings have been sourced from all over Japan. Featured are both standard favorites and limited-edition gyoza that are only available at Gyoza Stadium. | |
| Osaka Museum of Housing and Living | - 7 min walk from Tenma Sta. JR Line (5 min by JR Loop) - Reference site |
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living is a remarkable facility located in the northeastern part of the Kita Area. The museum has re-created buildings and streets that show what life was like in Osaka in the past. A model of the entire city during the Edo Period, the only one of its kind in Japan, is housed in the building. | |
| National Bunraku Theater | - Nipponbashi Sta. on Sennichimae Line (10 min to Shinsaibashi by subway from Umeda Sta.) |
The National Bunraku Theatre opened in April 1984 as a base to preserve, develop and pass on the traditional art forms of the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto) area, especially the art of ningyo joruri Bunraku, or puppet drama. | |
| Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum | - 5 min walking from Namba - Admission : 500JPY |
Kamigata Ukiyoe were printed and sold in Kamigata—which is what the Osaka-Kyoto region was commonly called during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The Kamigata region | |
| The National Museum of Art | - 15 min walking from our hostel - Reference site |
The National Museum of Art, Osaka, is one of the national museums established as a facility of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. | |
| Suntry Museum | -Osakako sta on Chuo line (Subway) (20 min by JR Loop line and subway from JR Fukushima Sta.) |
Cultural complex features a Gallery for exhibitions and an IMAX® Theater with a gigantic 3-D screen, incorporated with a Museum Shop, café, and lounge. Its unique architectural concept with a drum in the shape of an inverted cone embracing a sphere and two rectangular parallelepipeds stretching outward to the sea was designed by Osaka's own internationally-renowned architect Tadao Ando. | |
Out of Osaka
| Destination | Access / Fee | Highlight / Description | |
Himeji Castle (Hyogo) |
-JR Himeji Station (1h 25min from Kyoto, 57 min from Osaka, 37 min from Sannomiya) *Reference site: Himeji Tourist Information |
Himeji Castle is nicknamed "White Heron" Castle because of its white walls which are covered with white plaster. Himeji Castle has never been damaged by warfare, even during the Second World War. That is one of the reasons why Himeji Castle has kept its original form for nearly 400 years. In 1993, Himeji Castle was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list, because it is a wooden castle structure of incomparable worth in the world and because the whole structure including towers, stone ramparts, and earthen walls are extremely well preserved. | |
| Kobe (Hyogo) Night view in Sannomiya  Night view in Rokko  Kitano  |
-Sannomiya:20-25min from Osaka -Kitano:15 min walk north from Sannomiya -Mt.Rokko: 35min-50min from Hankyu Rokko station by bus and cable car -Arima Onsen: 12min from Rokko Sancho on ropeway *Reference site: FEEL KOBE |
Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, is the foremost
international port city in Western Japan. Mt. Rokko, near the city center and Arima Onsen (hot spring) set in the suburbs offer a
variety of attractions to visitors. |
|
Koyasan (Wakayama)
 |
-Access: See this link *Reference site: Official site |
Mount Koya (Koyasan) is the center of Shingon Buddhism, one of the most significant personalities in Japan's religious history. Over one hundred temples stand in the small town on top of the wooded mountain. Koyasan is one of the best places to experience Shukubo (a night at a temple) and try shojin ryori, the vegetarian cuisine of monks and participate in the morning prayers. Most of them charge about 9,500 Yen per person and night, which includes dinner and breakfast. At many shukubo, guests have also the opportunity to participate in the morning prayers, which typically start around 6am and last for about 30-45 minutes. | |
Transportation
Osaka Municipal Subway Lines
There are 7 subway lines and 1 New Tram line. You can figure out which line you should take by checking each unique color. Each station is allocated a reference number. For example, Umeda station on Midosuji is M16. See their subway map (PDF file)
A one day ticket is available at 850yen. For more details, please refer to this link.
JR Loop Line (Osaka)
True to its name, the JR Osaka Loop Line (Kanjo-sen) runs in a loop around Osaka. It's not quite as convenient or heavily-used as Tokyo's Yamanote Line, but it stops at all the major stations, cfOsaka, Kyobashi, Tsuruhashi and Tennoji, and by Osaka Castle. Namba and Universal Studios Japan are connected to the Loop Line by short spurs.
Private railways
Many private railway lines stretch all over Kansai region. Major railways are Hankyu(Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe), Hanshin(Osaka-Kobe), Keihan(Osaka-Kyoto-Shiga), Nankai(Osaka-Wakayama) and Kintetsu(Osaka-Nara-Mie-Kyoto).
Surutto KANSAI
This ticket enables you to ride on subways, private railways and buses throughout the Kansai district. As well as enabling you to tour Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, it lets you visit Nara, Wakayama and Koyasan. Purchasing the economical KANSAI THRU PASS that comes in two types; 2-day and 3-day, will let you enjoy a greater value-for-money holiday.
Please refer to this page for more detail.
Multiple Ride Card (Osaka)
The Multiple Ride Card is a prepaid discount card which is valid for transportation on the subway, New Tram, and city buses. No term of validity is set. Price: 3,000yen (good for 3,300yen worth of travel) for adults
Please refer to this page for more detail.
The City Loop Bus (Kobe)
One-way ticket: ¥250. One-day ticket: ¥650. The City Loop Bus circulates around many of Kobe’s sightseeing areas, such as the Foreigner houses, Harborland, Motomachi and the main stations of Kobe, Sannomiya, and Shin-Kobe. You can get on or get off as many times as you like if you buy the one-day ticket. You can also buy it on the bus. Service is offered every 18 - 20min., from 9:20 – evening (1 round: 70min.)
Airport Limousine Bus
There are a lot of bus stops for thelimousine bus. You can check the bus stop and time table on this website.
--->Check the Railway lines or Stations on the train map here!
Guided Tours
Osaka Sightseeing Bus“Rainbow”
There are 4 kinds of tours.
1.Sightseeing and Gourmet (8,500yen)
2.Osaka’s Essence Tour (10,320yen)
3.Strolling around the OSAKA Minami (South) area (3,450yen)
4.“Naniwa” Trip (3,630yen)
For more detail, please refer to this site.
Interpreting service for foreign tourists
1.OSAKA SYSTEMATIZED GOOD-WILL GUIDES CLUB
Service Area---Kansai
Language---The main language spoken by OSGGers is English, and several can speak German,
French, Spanish, Chinese and other languages.
Services offered :
(1) Provide sightseeing/tour information and brochures about Osaka and Kansai area (Kyoto and Nara included) as well as other parts of Japan where possible.
(2) Show you where to go around Namba and Dotombori district.
(3) Guide you to your destination within 30 minutes distance.
(4) Accept reservation for a free guide to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, provided that visitor's needs meet the regulations and rules of OSGG Club and Japan National Tourist Organization.
Service Charge---Free
Website---http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~osakasgg/200-english/210-english.htm
2.Kove Voluntary Goodwill Guides (K.V.G.G)
Service Area---Kansai (Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, Hyogo, Wakayama, Mie, where day-return is possible)
Language---English
Guide Charge---Free
Travel Expenses---Actual expenses incurred (Consultation required)
Other charges---Cost of meals, Admission fees to facilities (museums, etc.)
How to apply :Applications should be made with the representative
(078-821-5456, Ms. Imura), 2 ~ 5 days in advance
3. Kobe Systemized Goodwill Guides Club (Kobe SGG Club)
Service
Area---Keihanshin Area (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe)
Language---English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese
Kinds of service---Interpreting, Translation, Tour guide
Guide Charge---Free
Travel Expenses---Actual expenses incurred (Consultation required)
Other charges---Cost of meals, Admission fees to facilities (museums, etc.)
How to apply---Prescribed forms (available on request) should be filled in and posted to the representative (078-785-2898, Ms. Hiraki).
4.Kobe Student Guide
Service area---Kobe, Osaka, Himeji
Language---English
Kinds of service---Tour guide
Guide Charge---Free
Travel Expenses---Actual expenses incurred (Consultation required)
Other charges---Cost of meals, Admission fees to facilities (museums, etc.)
How to apply---Reservations required (up to one day before)
E-mail---ksg-ml@ml-b8.infoseek.co.jp
Website---http://www.geocities.co.jp/CollegeLife/3136/
Japan Guide Association
This association is a link between you and certified Japanese guide. Please
refer to their website to find the guide matching your language and interest!
Tourist Information Center
- There are Sightseeing Information Center at Shinkobe, Sannomiya, Kitano and Arima in Kobe. Please refer to this site for more detailed business hours.
Culture
Bunraku
http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/en/
The modern name for the traditional puppet drama of Japan which developed in the Kansai region, particularly Osaka, in the seventeenth century. It derives from the name of Uemura Bunraku-ken who opened a theatre, the Bunraku-za, in Osaka in 1872.
Bunraku Theater in Osaka : Nipponbashi on Sakaisuji Line or Sennichimae Line (Subway)
Rakugo & Manzai
Osaka people love a hearty laugh. That's why in more recent times the Osaka-Kyoto area's unique style of entertainment, called kamigata, diverged into rakugo and manzai, two types of comedy, both born in Osaka.
Rakugo is a type of stylized comic monologue delivered by a single storyteller seated on the floor in front of a tiny desk. Manzai, on the other hand, is a vaudeville-like stand-up comedy routine put on by a pair of comedians. They are interesting, uplifting and funny. Rakugo, manzai and other comedic skits are performed on a daily basis at the Namba Grand Kagetsu Theater.
Namba Grand Kagetsu Theater : Namba on Midosuji Line or Sennichimae Line (Subway)
Umeda Kagetsu Theater : Higashi Umeda on Tanimachi Line (Subway)
Sports
Hanshin Tigers
Professional Baseball team belonging to the Central League. They have the most authentic fans of all the teams. The home stadium is called Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya city ( in between Kobe and Osaka).
Sumo - Osaka Basho
A national sport in Japan, Sumo is a competitive contact sport where two wrestlers called rikishi face off in a circular area. The sport is popular in Japan and is surrounded by ceremony and ritual. Osaka is one of the stops of the annual sumo championship.
Food
Okonomiyaki
A cross between a pancake, pizza, and omelet. The basic ingredients are flour, yam, egg, cabbage, spring onion. Most okonomiyaki restaurants have pork okonomiyaki and squid okonomiyaki. Some restaurants have other options for the topping like shrimp, beef, cheese, rice cake, etc…
Takoyaki
Bits of octopus inside fried dumplings. Takoyaki is best eaten from street vendors' carts, which can be found all over the major districts around nightfall. As you compare the surface with Okonomiyaki, The taste of the sauce is similar to Okonomiyaki.
Kobe Beef
It's one of the most executive type of beef in Japan. Kobe beef can be prepared as steak, sukiyaki, shabu shabu, sashimi, teppanyaki, and more.
Fugu (Blow fish)
Fugu (blow fish) is a fish which contains deadly poison in the organs. Despite the risk, fugu dishes remain as special feasts in Japan. Even the milt is considered as a great delicacy. Fugu is referred to as blow/globe/puffer fish since it blows its body up.