11 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Osaka - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Osaka

Asahi Plaza Capsule Hotel

The first, the original... the hotel room in a pod.

Gate Tower Building

The Hanshin Expressway goes right through its 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.

Fudo Myo-o Statue

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

Tavern Pachimon Wars

This bar is filled with Star Wars merchandise from around the world, all of it unlicensed knockoffs.

Izakaya Toyo

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

Gakutensoku

Japan's first automaton went missing, only to be revived by the Osaka Science Museum.

Chapel Goedele

A 14th-century European chapel sticks out of the facade of a Japanese hotel.

Sewerage Science Museum

Near the mouth of the Yodo River, this museum offers visitors six floors of hands-on learning about Osaka's raw sewage.

See All 11 Things to Do in Osaka See All 11 Places

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Osaka

Tavern Pachimon Wars

This bar is filled with Star Wars merchandise from around the world, all of it unlicensed knockoffs.

Izakaya Toyo

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

Atlas Obscura Trips

Artisans & Exiles: Exploring the Hidden Traditions of Japan’s Sado Island

Exploration through a history of exile, gold rush, and thriving cultural traditions.

Community Forums / East Asia / Japan

Top Discussions in the Japan Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Crepe Vending Machine	4 September 26, 2019	2283	September 26, 2019
Traditional fishing village wood buidling	0 June 28, 2019	780	June 28, 2019
Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower	3 July 16, 2019	2044	July 16, 2019
Chicken Sashimi	5 December 28, 2019	712	December 28, 2019
Seikan Tunnel	3 October 26, 2019	1151	October 26, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Osaka, Japan

Launch Map

Osaka Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Osaka Activity

loessnoes20 wants to go to Gate Tower Building

carolynrey has been to Dotonbori Hotel Front Pillars

libbymarie34121 wants to go to Taiyoshi Hyakuban

snailgal1225 wants to go to Gakutensoku

carris10 wants to go to Taiyoshi Hyakuban

Stories About Osaka

<em>Taishū engeki</em> is usually split into two distinct halves: a play that fuses Edo-period drama in the style of a soap opera, followed by bouts of dancing and music.

In Japan, ‘Theater for the People’ Makes Fandom a Part of the Show

The constantly evolving form of taishū engeki bends both gender and genre.

by Will Stewart

October 22, 2020

<em>Karakuri</em> dolls have been an ornate element of Japanese craftsmanship since the Edo period.

What It’s Like to Build a Traditional Japanese Automaton From Scratch

All you need is a good imagination. And a whole lot of patience.

by Isaac Schultz

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.