Couple of Hours in Osaka

Will be on a cruise overnighting in Osaka. On our full day we are taking the ship's excursion to Kyoto. But we've got a few few hours before the ship departs the next day.

Any suggestions for what to see and do?

Also, I am considering using http://www.aitaijapan.com/ so I have total flexiblity. Does anyone know anything about this company and their volunteer guides?

Thanks

I've been to Japan a few times. The port area in Osaka is a really nice place to explore and of course convenient for getting on your ship. It's a bit of a market atmosphere.

The aquarium building is really cool - you can't miss it, it's red and blue. I didn't go inside as I don't like aquariums but the day I was there someone was juggling in front of it. There's a huge ferris wheel which apparently gives views over the city.

If you're not over boats I really enjoyed the bay cruise on the Santa Maria. The boat is based on an anime but you wouldn't know just by looking at it. It has a running commentary on interesting features.

The building between the aquarium and the ferris wheel is a shopping centre. There's a 'food museum', where you can try different Osakan specialty food.

One station along is Cosmosquare. The coastal footpath from the train station to the Osaka Maritime Museum is great if you want to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. The museum is probably a bit more catered to kids but I enjoyed it.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4010.html (for Bay Area)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html (for Osaka generally)

This website lists some local tourist discounts - might not be useful to you for such a short visit but worth a look. I found the Osaka Unlimited 2-Day Pass to be fantastic value.

https://www.osaka-info.jp/en/access/other_card.html

I've been to Japan a few times. The port area in Osaka is a really nice place to explore and of course convenient for getting on your ship. It's a bit of a market atmosphere.

 

The aquarium building is really cool - you can't miss it, it's red and blue. I didn't go inside as I don't like aquariums but the day I was there someone was juggling in front of it. There's a huge ferris wheel which apparently gives views over the city.

 

If you're not over boats I really enjoyed the bay cruise on the Santa Maria. The boat is based on an anime but you wouldn't know just by looking at it. It has a running commentary on interesting features.

 

The building between the aquarium and the ferris wheel is a shopping centre. There's a 'food museum', where you can try different Osakan specialty food.

 

One station along is Cosmosquare. The coastal footpath from the train station to the Osaka Maritime Museum is great if you want to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. The museum is probably a bit more catered to kids but I enjoyed it.

 

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4010.html (for Bay Area)

 

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html (for Osaka generally)

 

 

This website lists some local tourist discounts - might not be useful to you for such a short visit but worth a look. I found the Osaka Unlimited 2-Day Pass to be fantastic value.

https://www.osaka-info.jp/en/access/other_card.html

THANK YOU!

Exactly the type of info I am looking for