The Bay Area faces Osaka Bay. It is home to the Osaka Kaiyukan, famous for its whale shark exhibit, and Universal Studios Japan (USJ), which attracts people with its many attractions.
The Osaka Bay Area offers tourist attractions such as Kaiyukan, INTEX Osaka, and Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium, sightseeing events such as the River Festival, the Yochi-Yochi-Walking Grand March, the Penguin Parade, and the 1300-year-old traditional Nagare Nagare-Suijin Festival - River Festival, and local gourmet foods such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and sake lees soup.
It can be said that Tempozan is one of the most amusement-oriented areas in the port area of Osaka. Not many people know that there really is a mountain. The lowest mountain in Japan, listed by the Geographical Survey Institute as 4.5 meters above sea level, is Tempozan. However, few people know this fact because the surrounding facilities are so famous.
The area is also famous for the newly built Universal Studios Japan (USJ), one of the most exciting amusement complexes in the world.
Among the various amusement facilities in Tempozan, the first one I would like to introduce is the famous Kaiyukan. The world's largest shark, the whale shark, is the centerpiece of Kaiyukan.
The world's largest aquarium is truly impressive, and the complete reproduction of the undersea ecosystem is a wonderful sight that can only be seen here.
The collection of various fish and sea creatures, as well as the night tank that recreates the world of the deep sea, make Kaiyukan a fun amusement that will make you lose track of time as you see so many rare and unique things.
In addition, the Tempozan Market Place, Osaka Culture Museum Tempozan, and Naniwa Shokushinbo Yokocho are located next to the Kaiyukan. The "Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel" is another famous tourist attraction located here.
In front of the Kaiyukan Plaza, street performers are always entertaining visitors with their performances. It is a sightseeing spot that can be enjoyed by couples, families, and other visitors of all kinds.
Speaking of gourmet food, "Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho" is the place to go. This amusement park recreates the atmosphere of Osaka in its heyday around 1970, with a shopping district in front of the station, a downtown area, and other themed areas.
In this atmosphere, representative gourmet foods of Naniwa have been carefully selected and opened. If you want to experience Naniwa's food culture and eat until your stomach bursts, please enjoy Naniwa's gourmet food to your heart's content. There is also a food court at Market Price.
And after all, the most recent amusement in this area is USJ. The area to explore, including the surrounding hotels, is very extensive.
The attractions are all designed to stimulate the five senses and are reminiscent of the famous Universal movies, and can be enjoyed by everyone from couples to families.
The food is also very popular, with many of the stores and restaurants in the area being Americanized. The surrounding hotels and shopping amusements are also good, and the high level of satisfaction can be assured.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is a world-famous theme park located in Konohana Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. Inspired in part by the layout of Universal Orlando Resort in the United States, the park recreates the worlds of Hollywood movies and offers immersive entertainment experiences for visitors from Japan and around the world. Among the five Universal Studios theme parks worldwide, USJ ...»
Kaiyukan Aquarium is one of Japan’s largest aquariums, located in Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka City. Since opening in 1990 as part of the Tempozan Harbor Village complex, Kaiyukan has welcomed visitors from Japan and around the world with its impressive collection of marine life and innovative exhibitions. Among its many highlights are the enormous whale sharks and manta rays. The aquarium is p...»
A 360-Degree Aerial Experience with Stunning Views and Illuminations The Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel is a popular sightseeing attraction located within Tempozan Harbor Village in Minato Ward, Osaka. Opened in 1997, the Ferris wheel stands 112.5 meters tall and has a diameter of 100 meters. At the time of its opening, it attracted considerable attention as one of the largest Ferris wheels in the w...»
Osaka is often called the “City of Water”, thanks to its network of rivers, canals, and attractive waterfront scenery. Osaka Water Bus offers sightseeing cruises aboard a variety of distinctive vessels, including the Aqua-Liner, Santa Maria, Aqua mini, and Himawari. Exploring Osaka from the water provides a different perspective on the city's architecture, historic landmarks, bridges, and waterfr...»
A Major Entertainment Hub in Osaka Bay Tempozan Harbor Village is a large entertainment and leisure complex located in Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka City. Stretching southwest of Tempozan Park, it opened in 1990 as part of a waterfront redevelopment project for the Port of Osaka. The area from Osaka Chikko’s Central Pier to Tempozan Park was extensively redeveloped, bringing together a wide var...»
Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan is an art and cultural facility located within Tempozan Harbor Village in Minato Ward, Osaka City. The building was formerly operated as the Suntory Museum [Tempozan], but was renamed in 2013. Today, it serves as a cultural hub where a wide variety of exhibitions and events are held, attracting visitors from Japan and overseas....»
An Entertainment and Shopping Complex Next to Universal Studios Japan Universal Citywalk Osaka is an entertainment-focused commercial complex located in Konohana Ward, Osaka City, directly adjacent to Universal Studios Japan (USJ). The complex brings together a wide variety of restaurants, distinctive shops, and convenient hotels, offering visitors an easy way to enjoy dining, shopping, and enter...»
Osaka Port is a major port located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and is designated as an International Strategic Port. It is one of Japan’s five major international trading ports and, together with Kobe Port, forms part of the Super Core Port system, playing an important role in supporting Japan’s economy. The port officially opened in 1868. After a long history of development and transformati...»
One of Osaka’s Most Unusual Landmarks Tempozan is an artificial hill, or tsukiyama, located in Tempozan Park in Minato Ward, Osaka City. Its elevation is just 4.53 meters, making it exceptionally low for a mountain. Nevertheless, its name is officially shown on maps produced by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, and a second-order triangulation point is located at its summit. Osaka C...»
Chikko Red Brick Warehouse is a historic building standing along the waterfront of Osaka Port. Built during the Taisho period, it is located on Kaigandori in Minato Ward, Osaka City. Its imposing red-brick appearance recalls the prosperity of Osaka’s port in the past and continues to attract visitors today....»
Osaka Bay Tower is a high-rise complex located in Benten, Minato Ward, Osaka City. Rising approximately 200 meters above the city, the building originally opened in 1993 under the name ORC 200. Since 2018, it has been known as Osaka Bay Tower and has become one of the landmarks of the Osaka Bay Area....»
A Landmark Overlooking the Osaka Bay Area Sakishima Cosmo Tower, officially known as the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building, is a supertall skyscraper rising above Sakishima in Nanko-Kita, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City. The building has 55 floors above ground and 3 basement levels and reaches a height of 256.0 meters. Its striking profile has made it a well-known landmark along the Osaka...»
A Haven for Migratory Birds Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary, located in Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, is a valuable waterfront green space created to conserve birds and other natural habitats. Operated by the Osaka City Port and Harbor Bureau, the sanctuary provides opportunities for visitors to observe wild birds and learn about the natural environment. It is particularly important as a stopover and hab...»
A Peaceful Place to Enjoy History and Nature Sumiyoshi Park, located in Hamaguchi-Higashi, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, is one of the parks with the longest history among Osaka Prefectural parks. This spacious urban park provides local residents with a place to relax and enjoy flower gardens, ponds, playground equipment, and sports courts. In addition to serving as a popular recreational space, the...»
Konohana Ward is one of the 24 administrative wards that make up Osaka City. Located along Osaka Bay, the area is where historic cultural sites coexist with modern attractions. With a wide range of entertainment facilities and green spaces, Konohana is enjoyed by both local residents and visitors from around Japan and overseas. The artificial island of Yumeshima, which hosted Expo 2025 Osaka, Kans...»
Minato Ward is located along Osaka Bay and is one of Osaka City’s waterfront areas, with a wide variety of attractions. Around JR Bentencho Station, high-rise buildings reaching approximately 200 meters create a modern urban landscape. The waterfront is home to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest aquariums, as well as a diverse range of attractions, from historic buildings to mode...»
Ajigawa Floodgate is an important tidal flood-control facility located at the mouth of the Ajigawa River. It was built to protect the Osaka area from storm surges caused by typhoons and strong winds blowing in from Osaka Bay, helping safeguard the lives and property of local residents....»
Taisho Ward is one of the 24 administrative wards of Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. Surrounded by canals and waterways, the ward has a distinctive geography. It has also historically been home to many migrants from Okinawa, and its strong Okinawan cultural presence has earned it the nickname “Little Okinawa.”...»
Shinmei Shrine, located in Taisho Ward, Osaka City, is a historic Shinto shrine that has long been deeply respected by the local community. It was formerly known as Shinmei-gu. The shrine enshrines three major deities: Amaterasu Sume Okami, Hachiman Okami, and Kasuga Okami. It is also known as one of the Three Shinmei Shrines of Osaka, traditionally called the Naniwa San Shinmei....»
A Waterfront Neighborhood from Ancient Seas to the Modern City Suminoe Ward is one of the 24 administrative wards of Osaka City and is located in the southwestern part of the city. It is the largest ward in Osaka City by area and has a rich history shaped by its relationship with the sea and waterways. The ward was established on July 22, 1974, after the western part of Sumiyoshi Ward was separa...»
Osaka Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Suminoe Ward, Osaka City. It enshrines the spirits of people from Osaka Prefecture and those with connections to the prefecture who died in service to their country. Approximately 105,665 spirits are enshrined here, making it one of the largest Gokoku shrines in Japan in terms of the number of enshrined spirits, following Gokoku shrines in Okinawa ...»
A Landmark of Osaka Nanko Asia & Pacific Trade Center (ATC) is a large-scale multi-purpose complex located on Sakishima in Suminoe Ward, Osaka City. The complex consists of two main buildings, the O's Building and the ITM Building, and is widely known as Osaka Nanko ATC. Combining business, shopping, dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities, ATC is one of the landmarks of the Osaka Nank...»
With a height of 112.5 meters and a diameter of 100 meters, this is one of the world's largest Ferris wheels, standing right next to Kaiyukan. During the 15-minute ride, visitors can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the Ikoma Mountains to the east, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and the Rokko Mountains to the north. Of the 60 gondolas in to...»