Classic Route Day 4

Osaka city itinerary

In this chapter, we introduce a route that uses the Osaka Amazing Pass 1-day pass to create a best-value itinerary.

• For Harukas 300 Observatory, the Amazing Pass does not include free entry, and only a partial discount applies.

Reserve the Dotonbori River Cruise

This is included on the first day you use the Osaka Amazing Pass because it is often difficult to ride the Dotonbori River Cruise without an advance reservation.

Reservations open at 10:00 am, so it is best to arrive before 10:00 am, show your Amazing Pass, and book first. Then you can continue with the rest of your day more efficiently.

• Free reservation and boarding with the Amazing Pass
• Service may be suspended without notice due to river water levels, weather, or vessel inspections
• Departs on the hour and at 30 minutes past the hour
• Operating hours: 11:00 ~ 21:00

Osaka Castle

1) Main Tower

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous castles. It was built from 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉), who first unified Japan.

After Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) died due to betrayal by his retainer when unification was near, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, his loyal general, removed the rival forces and took real power.

To show his power, he mobilized 100,000 people to build the castle, and decorated it with gold leaf. Its scale was considered exceptional in Japan.

Later, Toyotomi showed his ambition to invade Joseon (Korea) and Ming China and started the Imjin War. The war became long due to the Joseon navy and Ming support. Toyotomi also gave a cruel order to take the noses of Koreans as war trophies, which is linked to the origin of the Mimizuka (Ear Mound) in Kyoto.

Near the end of the war, Toyotomi’s health worsened, and he died, leaving his only son Toyotomi Hideyori (豊臣秀賴).

After Toyotomi’s death, the Japanese army withdrew from Korea, but soldiers and samurai who did not receive rewards became unhappy with the Toyotomi government. Over time, the conflict grew into a confrontation between the Toyotomi supporters and Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康).

The Toyotomi side asked Ieyasu, who had been pushed out to Edo (today’s Tokyo), for help, but he refused. Instead, he won the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and took control of the government.

In 1603, he established the Edo shogunate and became shogun. To keep an eye on Toyotomi Hideyori, whose power still remained, he started the Osaka Winter War in 1614.

At that time, Osaka Castle had strong defenses, including three moats, and it did not fall. In the peace terms, they agreed to fill in the outer moat.

However, after filling the moat, Ieyasu also destroyed parts of the walls and demanded land, increasing tensions. Hideyori began to dig the moats again, and the Osaka Summer War in 1615 began.

In the end, Hideyori lost and committed suicide with his mother, Yodo-dono, and the Toyotomi clan fell. Ieyasu burned Osaka Castle and ended the war.

Later, Ieyasu’s third son Tokugawa Hidetada (徳川秀忠) rebuilt the castle from 1620, but it was reduced to about one quarter of the former size. The main tower, however, was built larger and more grand to symbolize the Tokugawa era and erase traces of the Toyotomi period.

The current main tower was rebuilt in concrete in 1931. Inside is a museum, with many videos and exhibits that present Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s achievements in a positive way.

• Free entry with the Amazing Pass
• Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
  • Extended by 1–2 hours during cherry blossom season, Golden Week, and peak summer season
• Closed: December 28 ~ January 1 every year

2) Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden

Nishinomaru Garden was created in 1931 with 1.5 million yen in donations from citizens at the time (about 74 billion yen in today’s value). It is known as the former residence site where Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s main wife lived.

The garden is known for its seasonal scenery. Cherry blossoms in spring, azaleas in summer, and autumn leaves in fall add a different charm to Osaka Castle.

• Free entry with the Amazing Pass
• Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 (until 16:30 from November to February)
• Regular closing: Every Monday (next day if a holiday), December 28 ~ January 4

Exclusive TourCast Tips!

20 minutes on foot to the main tower—how to get there more easily

If you search 'Namba Station → Osaka Castle' on Google Maps, it usually suggests getting off at Tanimachi Yonchome Station and walking about 20 minutes (1.5 km).

However, Osaka Castle’s main tower is inside a large park, so you will need to walk some distance no matter which station you use.

If you visit without knowing this, you may end up walking for more than 20 minutes.

If the weather is nice, walking can be fine. But if you are traveling with children or elderly family members, it can feel tiring, so it is helpful to check the transport options below in advance.

• Road Train route (red)
• ① In front of Morinomiya Station / In front of JR Osakajokoen Station → ② JO-TERRACE OSAKA Information → ③ Gokurakubashi (Gokurakuden Bridge) stop
• Electric car route (blue)
• ① Jonan bus parking area → ② Banbacho → ③ Otemae → ④ Sakuramon → ⑤ In front of Hokoku Shrine
• Operating hours: 9:30 ~ 17:30
• Closed: First Thursday of each month (next day if a holiday)
• Notes
• There is a wheelchair-only area in front of the parking area.
• The section ③ Gokurakubashi ↔ ⑤ Hokoku Shrine is connected by the electric car and is a senior and disabled users only section.

Single ride fare	Road Train	Electric car	1-day pass
Middle school and above ~ 64 years old	400 yen	300 yen	1,000 yen
Age 4 and above ~ elementary school	200 yen	200 yen	600 yen
Age 65 and above	200 yen	200 yen	600 yen
Disabled	Free with a disability certificate shown

※ The 1-day pass allows unlimited rides on both the Road Train and Electric Car for one day

However, service may be suspended due to weather or park conditions, and information signs will be placed at each stop.

You can check real-time service status and timetables at the link below.

Same-day service status and timetable

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

This museum inside the Osaka Housing Information Center is Japan’s first museum focused on housing and everyday life in Osaka.

It is especially known for its full-scale recreation of an Osaka town from the late Edo period, letting visitors experience daily life from that time in a vivid way.

In the past, you could try a yukata experience with an extra 200 yen, but now it is available for 1,000 yen. (Limited to 100 people per day, 30 minutes)

• Free entry with the Amazing Pass
• Hours: 10:00 ~ 17:00 (until 16:30 from November to February)
• Regular closing: Every Tuesday, New Year holidays (December 29 ~ January 2)

HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel

In Japan, amusement parks and ferris wheels are popular date spots, so you can often find ferris wheels even in city centers.

With the Osaka Amazing Pass, you can ride not only the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel, but also the Tempozan Ferris Wheel and OSAKA WHEEL, one of the largest in Japan, all for free.

However, Tempozan and OSAKA WHEEL are a little far from the city center, so if your schedule is tight, the most efficient choice is the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel in central Umeda.

The HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel is 106 meters high and stands out with its bright red color. The ride takes about 15 minutes and offers wide views of Osaka, making it especially popular for night views.

• Free ride with the Amazing Pass
• Hours: 11:00 ~ 23:00 (last ride 15 minutes before closing)
• Regular closing: Irregular

Umeda Sky Building Observatory

The Kuchu Teien Observatory was once known as one of the best places to view Osaka from above, but today it may feel like the spotlight has moved to Harukas 300.

Still, this place has a strong charm of its own. The thrilling experience of taking the floating escalator that connects two buildings is a unique highlight. At the rooftop, the fully open 360-degree structure lets you feel the Osaka skyline all around you.

If you feel hungry after your visit, stop by Takimi Koji (滝見こじ), a retro restaurant street on B1 that recreates the Showa era.
You can enjoy not only the food, but also the nostalgic atmosphere.

• Free entry with the Amazing Pass
  • 20% off for entry after 15:00
• Hours: 09:30 ~ 22:30 (last entry 15 minutes before closing)
• Open daily

Shitennoji

Shitennoji (四天王寺) is considered Japan’s first state temple and was founded by Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子), making it one of the starting points of Buddhism in Japan. Buddhist culture from the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje took root here, and the tradition continues today.

To understand Shitennoji’s background, you should know about the Soga clan, the prince’s maternal family. The key figure was Soga no Umako (蘇我馬子), a leading supporter of spreading Buddhism.

At that time, Japan faced a fierce power struggle between the Soga clan and the Mononobe clan over Buddhism. After the war, the Soga clan won, and Buddhism became the national religion. People believed that they won after praying to the Four Heavenly Kings (四天王), and the temple built in response was Shitennoji.

Prince Shotoku learned Buddhism from Hyechong, a Baekje monk, and spread ideas that value harmony, known as wa (和). This concept remains in modern Japan, seen in daily life terms such as washoku (和食), washitsu (和室), and washiki (和式).

He also emphasized the idea of “taking the best parts” (良いとこ取り), meaning he was willing to accept good ideas. This has influenced Japan’s openness and practical approach even today.

Shitennoji was built with the skills of Baekje craftsmen. One artisan, Yoo Jung-gwang (柳重光), was given the family name Kongo (金剛) by the imperial court and changed his name to the Japanese-style Shigemitsu (重光), settling in Japan.

He later founded Kongo Gumi (金剛組), a company specializing in temple construction. It was long recorded as the world’s oldest company. (※ It went bankrupt in 2006 due to financial difficulties and was later absorbed by a Japanese construction company.)

Shitennoji follows the traditional garam layout of Baekje temples. In Japan, this is called the “Shitennoji-style” layout, and it is seen as a typical Buddhist temple plan of the Asuka period.

• Free entry with the Amazing Pass
• Hours: Apr–Sep 08:30–16:30 / Oct–Mar 08:30–16:00 (last admission to the garden: 30 minutes before closing)
• Open daily

Tsutenkaku

If you watch Japanese manga or dramas, you may often see a tower that looks like a robot head. This is Tsutenkaku, the symbol of Shinsekai (新世界).

Today’s Tsutenkaku is the second building, rebuilt in 1956. It was originally inspired by the Eiffel Tower, but it looks quite different. The first Tsutenkaku was destroyed by fire, and it is also known as Japan’s first observation tower with an elevator.

• Free entry with the Amazing Pass
  • On weekdays, the Tower Slider is also free
  • Observation deck height: 26 m above ground
  • The outdoor deck “Tenbo Paradise” costs an extra 300 yen (100 yen discount with the Amazing Pass)
• Hours: 10:00 ~ 20:00 (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
• Open daily
• Tsutenkaku lights are on from sunset to midnight

1) Tower Slider

A new 60-meter-long slide installed in May 2022. On weekdays, it is free with the Amazing Pass. It is very popular, with more than 200,000 users per year.

2) Dive & Walk

A new hands-on attraction that opened in July 2024. It includes Dive, a 14-meter drop from 40 meters above ground, and Walk, an experience that lets you walk at 26 meters above ground. With the Amazing Pass, it is free on both weekdays and weekends.

This one experience alone can easily cover the cost of the Amazing Pass.

• No items allowed except your phone
• For QR video recording, you must dive within 45 seconds
• Not allowed with skirts, dresses, sandals, high heels, or dirty shoes

Harukas 300 Observatory

As the tallest observatory in Osaka, Harukas 300 offers a full city view from 300 meters high on the 60th floor.

Unfortunately, free entry is not included with the Osaka Amazing Pass, but you can get a 10% discount on admission. Even so, it is still considered an observatory worth visiting at least once.

• Free entry with the Kansai Joy Pass

Since opening in 2014, it has become one of Osaka’s top night view spots. The best time to visit is around sunset, when the sky slowly becomes darker.

• With the Amazing Pass: 10% off admission
• Hours: 09:00 ~ 22:00 (last entry up to 30 minutes before closing)
• Open daily