Osaka Activities

What to Do in Osaka

There are plenty of activities to discover and enjoy around Osaka for all tastes and budgets. If you’re looking for genuine old-world Japanese charm, try attending a beautiful traditional tea ceremony and you can later relax in Japanese style at one of the city’s onsens (spas). For those who want to mix excitement with outdoor activities, make a stop at Maishima Sports Island for go-karting, bowling and lots more. Osaka has its own popular beaches; Nishikinohama Beach Park and the artificially built Rinku Minamihama Beach. Golf enthusiasts will be happy to know that Japan has almost 2,500 golf courses, some of them located in the Osaka area. Many of them are private courses but are open for visitors, plus tee-off fees are lighter nowadays, when compared to a few years back.

Spa World

Spa World is an experience to enjoy at least once when staying in Osaka. Popular among locals and lately with tourists too, Spa World is, in its own words, “An onsen theme park with full resort facilities.” The spa sections feature different themes such as Asian and European, each segregated into rooms such as the Bali room, the Japanese room, the Finnish room and the Greek room. These rooms operate on a rotating schedule, allowing access to male and females on alternate days. Other facilities include restaurants, shops, a bar, massages, beauty treatments, saunas, outdoor Jacuzzis and a big amusement pool area with a ‘lazy river’ and water slides. Major credit cards accepted.

Opening Hours: 24 hours (maintenance is from 08:45 – 10:00. During this time, guests cannot use the bathing facilities.)
Amusement Pool Zone open only in summer from 10:00 – 22:00
Family Spa (or Bade Zone) open all year round from 10:00 – 22:00
Location: : 3-4-24 Ebisu-higashi, Naniwa-ku Osaka (about a five-minute walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR and Nankai Lines and a five-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae Station on subway line.)
Tel: +81 (0)6 6631 0001

A Taste of Culture (Japanese Cooking Class)

A Taste of Culture is a culinary arts centre in with classroom facilities in both Tokyo and Osaka. Directed by Japanese culinary scholar Elizabeth Andoh, her classes are said to be very inspiring and easy to follow. The three-hour class in Osaka is in residential Sumiyoshi Ward and conducted in English. Andoh is also the author of a popular cook book: Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen. She has also contributed to some well-known publications including the New York Times Travel Section and Gourmet magazine.

Opening Hours: Please contact the centre for the latest schedule
Location: In residential Sumiyoshi Ward
Tel: +81 (0)3 5716 5751 (Mon - Fri 10:00 - 16:00)

Maishima Infinity Go-Kart Circuit

This popular Go-Kart track is located on a manmade island called Maishima Sports Island, off the northern port of Osaka. Racers can rip around the bendy circuit using 200cc, four-stroke engines. A week’s advance booking is recommended.

Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 – 22:00
Location: Maishima Sports Island, off the northern port of Osaka
Tel: +81 (0)6 6466 2022

Fukuyama Bowl

With 156 lanes, Fukuyama Bowl is one of the largest bowling centres in the world. It is an ideal place to go to enjoy yourself during poor weather and is fit for people of all ages. Located on Maishima Sports Island, it is a popular relaxation destination for Osaka residents. Other facilities on the island include a games arcade, a drive-in movie theatre, a camping area, a huge sports stadium, and a hotel.

Opening Hours: All year round
Location: Maishima Sports Island, off the northern port of Osaka
Tel: +81 (0)6 6460 9855

Nishikinohama Beach Park

Nishikinohama Beach on a good day is totally packed with residents and visitors who come to enjoy beach leisure activities such as swimming, beach volleyball, Frisbee, kite flying, water skiing and jet-skiing.

Opening Hours: All year round but swimming is allowed only in July and August.
Location: Less than an hour by train from Osaka city centre (The beach is about a 10-minute walk from Nishikinohama Station on the Nankai Line.)

Rinku Minamihama Bathing Beach

Another beach to visit in Osaka is the artificially built Rinku Minamihama Bathing Beach (aka Southern Beach). Southern Beach is the place to enjoy beautiful white sand, windsurfing and many other beach sports and games.

Opening Hours: The beach is open in July – August from 09:00 – 17:00 and 08:00 – 18:00 on weekends.
Location: Across the sea from Kansai International Airport (about a 15-minute walk from Tarui Station on the Nankai Line)

OCS City Rock Gym (Rock Climbing)

In 1989 OCS City Rock Gym opened the first of its indoor rock climbing centres in Osaka. The gym has outdoor facilities as well as air-conditioned inside climbing walls and offers different levels and facilities from beginners to advanced climbers. Since opening they have gained many followers and now accept memberships as well as running a second branch in Nara City. Climbing shoes can be rented for a marginal price but don’t expect to find exceptionally large sizes. If you are looking for a cheaper deal check out OCS’s reduced rates from 17:00 onward. Advance booking is recommended.

Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 – 22:00
Location: In Yodogawa-ku about a 20-minute walk from Juso Station on the Hankyu Line.
Tel: +81 (0)6 6306 0914

Osaka Tea Ceremony

Sakai City in Osaka is well known as the birthplace of the country’s legendary Tea Ceremony Master, Sen-No Rikyu. Born in Sakai in the 16th century, he is considered to be the father of all Japanese tea ceremonies. Visitors will find that there are many popular teahouses around Osaka that have organised and beautiful traditional tea ceremonies, including the Shinan and Obaian teahouses.

The Shinan Teahouse

Opening Hours: 09:30 – 16:30, closed on Mondays
Location: Daisen Park, Sakai City

Obaian Teahouse

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 16:00, closed on Mondays
Location: Daisen Park, Sakai City

Osaka Onsens

Osaka is blessed with many onsens (Japanese hot spring spas) due to its geographical position of being surrounded by mountains. Many of the onsens come in the form of ryokan (or Japanese-style inns) and most offer day use of their onsens without obligation to eat or to stay at them. All have separate bathing facilities for men and women. They also feature private bathtubs for guests who stay at the inn.

Minoo Spa Garden Onsen

Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 – 22:00
Location: In Minoh City
Tel: +81 (0)72 723 2324

Fushio-kaku Onsen

Opening Hours: Daily from 11:00 – 21:00
Location: In Ikeda City, about 25 minutes north of Osaka City
Tel: +81 (0)72 751 3540

Ishikiri Onsen

Opening Hours: Daily from 06:00 – 23:30
Location: Part of the Hotel Seiryu located at the foot of Mt. Ikoma (Ikomasan) in eastern Osaka
Tel: +81 (0)72 981 5001

Golf

If you fancy a game of golf or just want to practice your swing, Osaka has many beautiful golf courses. You can find more of their details from your hotel tour/receptionist desk. Alternatively please see the list below.

The Ibaraki Kokusai Golf Club

Features two, 27-hole courses

Location: In Ibaraki
Tel: +81 (0)72 643 5931

Hirakata Kokusai Golf Club

An 18-hole course established in 1959

Location: In Hirakata
Tel: +81 (0)72 858 8311

Kansai Kuko G.C.

Offers an 18-hole course.

Location: Lies in Izumi-shi
Tel: +81 (0)72 554 2022

Kishiwada Golf Club

Kishiwada Golf Club was designed by William F. Bell and has 27-holes.

Location: In Kishiwada-shi
Tel: +81 (0)72 479 1551

Shirasagi Golf Club

Shirasagi Golf Club was first opened to the public in late 1996 and offers 18 holes amid lovely pine forests.

Naruo Golf Course

Naruo Golf Course is located halfway between Osaka and Kobe and is one of the oldest courses in the country.

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