5 Unique Things to Do in Osaka – A Local’s Guide to Authentic Activities

I will show you both how to enjoy Osaka as a tourist and how to have fun in Osaka as a person accustomed to Osaka. ๐Ÿ˜Ž

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Osaka night view

Our “Osaka’s best places to visit” article have already introduced many of Osaka’s attractions. Here are some other unique activities and things to do, to enjoy Osaka even more!

We have also included a description of when you can particularly enjoy the day ๐ŸŒž or night๐ŸŒ› to the fullest, so please take a look.

WhenWhatWhy
Day ๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Traditional Kabuki AppreciationA deep experience of classical Japanese culture and the beauty of the theater.
Day or Night ๐ŸŒž ๐ŸŒ›๐ŸŽ๏ธ Go Kart TourAn extraordinary experience of running through the streets of Osaka as a popular character.
Day or Night ๐ŸŒž ๐ŸŒ›๐ŸŽฎ old-fashioned gamesTime flies by as you play the game, feeling the atmosphere of the retro era!
Night ๐ŸŒ›๐Ÿ•บ Go to a nightclubNightclubs in Japan may be different from those in your country?
Night ๐ŸŒ›๐Ÿบ Let’s drink cheaply in Tenma and Lantern StreetTaste traditional Osaka food culture and evening fun in an intimate atmosphere!

Traditional Kabuki viewing (Osaka shochikuza) ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art characterized by unique makeup, gorgeous costumes, and spectacular stage sets. The delicate acting of the actors, their unique gestures, and the accompaniment of live musical instruments draw the audience into a world of deep emotion and otherworldliness.

Strong narrative stories that reflect the historical background and customs of Japan provide the audience with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and the emotions of its people.

These visual and auditory elements make Kabuki enjoyable even for those who do not understand Japanese. In addition, some performances offer subtitles and commentaries, which we recommend that you check when you watch the performance.

Go kart tour ๐ŸŽ๏ธ

Go kart
Photo by Tripadvisor

Costumed go-kart tours in Osaka offer an extraordinary experience of driving through the city while dressed as your favorite character.

Wearing a costume transforms the tour from just a drive into a photogenic adventure that goes one step further and is sure to draw more attention and photo requests from passersby.

A one-hour experience costs 78 โ‚ฌ.

Cart in osaka
Here I saw the go-kart tour driving by in my last Osaka visit ๐ŸŽ๏ธ

Through this tour, participants can enjoy Osaka’s famous tourist attractions and cityscape from a new perspective, while also providing a great opportunity for communication and creating memories among participants.

โš ๏ธ An international driver’s license is required.

Fancy old-fashioned game (Shinsekai) ๐ŸŽฎ

The Shinsekai district is an area where visitors can enjoy Osaka’s traditional downtown culture and cuisine. Restaurants and eateries such as kushikatsu (skewered pork cutlets) and takoyaki (octopus dumplings) are clustered here.

That’s not all! Here, you can also enjoy the atmosphere of the old days, with retro-style buildings and signs lining the streets. The Smartball and target shooting games are two of the things I would like everyone to enjoy.

Smart ball

Smart ball

This is a game similar to pinball, it has a nice retro/old vibe to it that makes it simple and easy to get lost in. Players operate a lever to launch a small ball and place it in a specific hole. If they succeed, they win prizes.

You can hit 30 balls for only 100 yen. If the ball is placed in the hole, more balls will be awarded. It is quite common to get absorbed in the game and time flies by.

โš ๏ธ Japanese coins are required, so you must be prepared.

Target Shooting

Target shooting is a game in which participants aim and shoot at a target using a cork gun. If you succeed in shooting down the target, you will receive a prize. Although it looks simple, it actually requires skill, which is why it is so attractive to those who are up to the challenge.

Go to nightclub๐Ÿ•บ

Some people visit nightclubs in the country they are traveling to on their overseas trips because they can enjoy a different atmosphere and presentation from the clubs in their own country.

Of course, the night life in Osaka is also very HOT๐Ÿ”ฅ Nightclubs in Osaka are mainly located in Umeda, where Osaka Station is located, and in the Shinsaibashi area near Dotonbori, although there are more nightclubs in the Shinsaibashi area.

Admission is cheaper for women, and in the month of birthdays, women can enter the clubs for free, which is another unique feature of Osaka clubs.

Recommended night clubs ๐Ÿ’ƒ

OWL (in Umeda)

The night club is open until 5:00 a.m. the next morning, with most customers in their 20s and 30s. On weekends, there can be a long line of customers.

Giraffe Japan (in Shinsaibashi)

It is divided into four floors, with different genres of music on each floor. It is popular with people of all ages. I have been there several times and I have the impression that there are more foreigners there than in other nightclubs.

Ammona (in Shinsaibashi)

Even on weekdays there are more people, especially around 24:00. There are more men than women. The interior has a luxurious atmosphere.

Bambi (in Shinsaibashi)

This nightclub is very popular among young people up to their early 20s, and is crowded with many people even on weekdays.

Maharaja (in Shinsaibashi)

The atmosphere is a bit different from other nightclubs as it has the feel of a nightclub from a long time ago. the club is a bit more relaxed as it is visited by people in their 40s.

Joule (in Shinsaibashi)

Big nightclub with a capacity of about 1000 people. The main floor is large and the music genres are diverse. This nightclub is recommended for those who want to enjoy drinks and music. Sometimes invites big-name DJs from abroad.

Let’s drink up cheap in Tenma and Lantern Street ๐Ÿบ

Lantern street in Osaka

The Izakayas and bar culture is part of my best things to experience in all of Japan. And this place located one stop away from Osaka Station has something really special. The area is a fusion of old shopping streets and modern eateries, a lively place loved by locals.

It is especially fun and enjoying to interact with the friendly store owners and staff of this area!

There is a word “senbero,” which means that you can drink so cheaply that you can get drunk for only 1,000 yen. There are many such restaurants in Tenma.

Draft beer is around 200 yen, and highballs (whiskey mixed with carbonated water) are as low as 39 yen.

Here are just a few of the many places where you can enjoy cheap drinks!

๐Ÿ  NameAkasiya TenmaTyu-toro to TonsokuShi-jidai Osaka-Tenma
๐Ÿ“Address4 Chome-10-6 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041ใ€’530-0034 Osaka, Kita Ward, Nishikicho, 3โˆ’12 ใ‚ขใ‚ฆใƒญใƒฉใƒ“ใƒซ B1F4 Chome-12-4 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041

Tenma’s izakaya (Japanese style pubs) and bars offer traditional and local Osaka cuisine and the famous local sake at affordable prices.

Lantern Street is a restaurant district full of retro atmosphere with lanterns hanging everywhere, where you can enjoy a special evening.

This is a great opportunity to experience Osaka’s HOT nights in earnest.

Conclusion

These are the things that tourists should definitely experience in Osaka, a lot because these are the things that locals enjoy in Osaka.

I hope that you will immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Osaka with these tips from a local!

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