Osaka attractions

6 top sights, in our order of priority for a first visit.

1. 1Osaka CastleMuseums & culture · Allow 2 hA reconstructed 16th-century castle with a museum inside the keep and a moat and parkland around it.
2. 2Dotonbori Street Food TourFood & drink · Allow 3 hA guided food walk through the neon canal district, sampling takoyaki, okonomiyaki and local snacks.
3. 3Universal Studios JapanWith kids · Allow Full dayA large theme park with Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thrill rides.
4. 4Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanWith kids · Allow 2 h 30 minOne of the world's largest aquariums, with a giant tank holding whale sharks and manta rays.
5. 5Nara Day TripDay trips · Allow 5 hA day trip to Nara's Todai-ji temple and the friendly deer in the park, about 40 minutes from Osaka.
6. 6Umeda Sky BuildingTickets & passes · Allow 1 hTwin towers joined by a floating observation deck with 360-degree views of the city.