Japan: Five things to do in Osaka

The third largest city in all of Japan, Osaka is known for its neon lights and its street food. Now, you already know where to eat in Osaka (and Kobe) because of my last blog post, so here's five things not to miss when you're exploring:

1. Pose like the Glico Man in Dotonbori
Dotonbori is probably the most famous area of Osaka, and it's known for that double whammy I've mentioned above of neon lights and street food. It's also a shopping area of the city, filled with arcades full of shops that link the area together. One of the most crowded places will be in front of the Glico Man neon sign, which has been there for over 80 years. His victory pose represents the idea of achievement and success... I was not very successful in replicating the pose! 

     

Located along the Dotonbori canal, boats run up and down it if you want to escape the crowds and see Dotonbori from the water. And if you prefer to see things from above, the Don Quijote Ebisu Tower is the place to do that from. The ferris wheel is unique in that it has a cabin that rotates horizontally. And Ebisu, in case you're wondering, is the deity of commerce. Fitting then that it's the Don Quijote wheel given Don Quijote is a famous Japanese discount store located all throughout Japan. 

2. Find out whether you're going to heaven and hell 
On the outskirts of Osaka in Hirano-ku, a more residential area, this unique temple (全興寺) is worth the journey. (Obviously depends on whereabouts you are in Osaka, but it only took us one line on the Metro, the Tanimachi Line, to get there; we were on it for about 25 minutes. Remember you stand on the right on the Metro in Osaka, like London; everywhere else in Japan, it's the left!)

Free to enter, Senko-ji is a beautiful little Buddhist temple, and definitely my favourite temple we visited in Osaka. It's free to enter, but donations are always welcome, though if you want to find out whether you're going to heaven or hell, there is a small charge. Ask for a Jigoku-do ticket, pay 100 yen, and then scan the QR code on your ticket to get into hell. 

    

Once you're done, there's a quiz outside that will determine where you're heading in the afterlife - Google Lens and Translate is your friend here - before it's time to explore the rest of this small temple. There's a rock called "Hell's cauldron" where you stick your head in and can hear the screams from hell. I couldn't hear anything, which must be because I got heaven on my quiz! The rest of the temple is dedicated to the heaven side of things, including a beautiful stained glass mandala surrounded by Buddhas.

    

As with all temples, remember that they are temples first and foremost, not tourist attractions. Ladies, cover your shoulders and wear something knee-length. And if there are locals praying, wait until they've finished if you're taking photos etc. But I would highly recommend a visit to Senko-ji, it's a very quirky temple that you won't forget! 

3. Admire Osaka Castle
Built originally in 1583, Osaka Castle is one of the largest castles in all of Japan. It was, however, mostly destroyed in World War II, so it's a reconstruction nowadays. Whilst it's worth walking around the park and admiring the castle from the outside, you don't necessarily need to go into the castle. (We didn't.) If you want to though, it's only 600 yen (around £3.15 at the moment). 

4. Slide down Shin-Sekai
Shin-Sekai is a retro neighbourhood, similar to Dotonbori in that it's known for its neon, street food and shopping, but it does have a different vibe to Dotonbori so is worth visiting. Likened to a cross between Coney Island and Paris, Shin-Sekai's version of the Eiffel Tower is their Tsutenkaku Tower.

    

Depending on the time of year you visit, depends on which colour you'll see the tower lit up in. We were there in April, so cherry blossom season, and saw the tower in a splendid purple (not sure why it was purple and not pink!). And if you don't fancy taking the lift down once you've admired the view, you can always slide down from the third floor. (We stuck with the lift.)

5. Pay a visit to a lucky lion
Another famous shrine in Osaka is Namba Yasaka, also known as the lion temple. The large lion's mouth is said to eat evil spirits, and the shrine itself is popular with those after some luck in either school tests or business deals. 

    

Is Osaka on your list? x