Osaka is a city full of unique surprises – from weird attractions to delicious street food, to traditional cultural experiences, Osaka, Japan has something for everyone! This guide showcases some of the most weird and unique things to do in Osaka.
This post is divided into a few segments, including unique eating and drinking activities in Osaka (because it’s Japan’s kitchen after all!), unique sightseeing and attractions, unique activities and tours, and other unique things to do in Osaka.
There is something for everyone on this list celebrating weird and unusual things to do in Osaka.
If you love this post, be sure to check my list of unique things to do in Kyoto and weird and unique things to do in Tokyo too.
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Unique things to do in Osaka: Eating and Drinking
The number one item on any list of things to do in Osaka, including this one, is to have a taste of some of the city’s amazing food. Osaka is known as the food bowl of Japan, and is the perfect place to try unique Japanese foods and experience distinctly Osakan food experiences.
1. Join a unique Osaka food tour
Joining a food tour in Osaka is a no-brainer activity for visitors to this eclectic city.
The two best places to go on a food tour in Osaka are the Shinsekai and Dottonbori neighborhoods, with each one having its own personality.
Shinsekai is known for retaining its retro charm, so trying different foods here is like a blast from the past. Expect classic Japanese street foods here as they have been enjoyed for centuries. Dottonbori is a more contemporary street food street in Osaka. Try unique street foods here as well as Osaka staples like takoyaki, skewered meats, and more.
While both streets have restaurants that offer English menus, make the most of this unique Osaka experience by joining a guided tour with a local host.
Popular Osaka food tour options include:
2. Make your own takoyaki
If there’s one street food that’s the most iconic in Osaka, it’s takoyaki. What better way to celebrate your time in Osaka than to have a takoyaki party and make your own takoyaki?
Takoyaki are balls of dough which are filled with pieces of tako, or octopus, cooked to perfection, and topped with things like sauce, mayonnaise, and katsuo dried fish shavings. Cooked on the outside and fluffy on the inside, takoyaki is an Osaka street food staple.
As part of this takoyaki-making experience, try your hand at making this iconic Osaka street food yourself (while sipping on sake too). You might even be inspired to buy your own takoyaki-making hot plate as a souvenir from Japan!
3. Visit a Themed Café
Japan has created an entire sub-culture around themed cafes, and while it’s popular to visit these weird attractions in Tokyo, Osaka also comes to the table with great themed café options.
Themed cafés in Japan provide unique, immersive experiences with decor, food and drinks all designed around specific fandoms or pop culture elements.
Examples of themed cafes you can visit for a unique experience in Osaka include:
4. Go on a Pub Crawl
No visit to Osaka is complete with a taste of the nightlife here. Going out for a pub crawl in Osaka is the perfect way to enjoy the city’s vibrant and fun-loving spirit, and experience the city’s dynamic nightlife.
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, a local pub crawl is a fantastic way to meet fellow travelers and boisterous locals, while discovering hidden gems that you wouldn’t find on your own. Who knows, you might even end up at a karaoke joint at the end of the evening! Check out these pub crawls in Namba/Shinsaibashi and Uranamba.
5. Visit an (ethical) animal cafe
Visiting an (ethical!) animal cafe is a cool and unique Osaka experience. Sipping on drinks while patting and enjoying the company of furry friends has been a growing trend in Japan. Animals featured in popular animal cafes include dogs, mini pigs, otters, hedgehogs, and even meerkats!
In order to make your visit to an animal cafe an ethical one, I recommend doing some research ahead of time.
In Osaka, check out the Save Cat Cafe for example, where all of the resident cats are rescued street cats, or Dogree where the dogs are all up for adoption.
6. Eat Michelin takoyaki
Yes, this is another unique Osaka activity that includes takoyaki, the most iconic street food of Osaka. This is because takoyaki has been featured in the Michelin Guide for Kyoto and Osaka!
A number of takoyaki stores in Osaka have been granted the Bib Gourmand rating for high quality and good value food by Michelin. If you want to have your mind blown by some of the best takoyaki in Osaka (and the world), check out these takoyaki restaurants which have received mentions in the Michelin guide over the years:
- Takoyaki Wanaka
- Yamachan
- Takoyaki Umaiya
- Aizuya (which is said to have invented takoyaki)
7. Make your own fake food
Fake food, or plastic food, is a common sight in Japan, especially showcased outside of restaurants. These extremely life-like replicas show guests exactly what kind of meals to expect inside the store! The replicas aren’t always life-sized either, and many are made into miniature versions for decorating and celebrating everyone’s favorite foods.
In Osaka, visitors can make their own plastic food keychain or magnet – a perfect souvenir from Japan! Make your own takoyaki or favorite sushi as part of this fake food class in Osaka. A weird and unique experience only available in Japan.
8. Visit a Maid Cafe
Another weird and unique thing to do in Osaka is to spend time at a Maid Cafe! Here, waitresses dressed up in maid costumes create an interactive service experience for their guests. Often located in whimsical settings, try cute and unique foods here while having a chat, playing games, and taking photos with the maids.
Fans of Japanese pop culture will enjoy this experience. It’s better not to just jump into any maid bar though, because they may not all be family friendly.
Maiddreamin Maid Cafe, reservable through this link, is a family-friendly maid cafe with locations in Osaka and Tokyo.
9. Explore Osaka's Kitchen Street
When visiting Osaka, “Japan’s kitchen”, it’s a worthwhile detour to visit Osaka’s main kitchenware street, Sennichimae Doguyasuji. Browsing Osaka’s main kitchen and restaurant street (similar to Tokyo’s Kappabashi street) is a unique Osaka activity that’s perfect for foodies, chefs, and aspiring home cooks.
This entertaining shopping street offers a mix of traditional cooking tools and restaurant appliances to novelty kitchen gadgets.
Here, you can find everything from takoyaki-molded hot plates to colorful ramen bowls, high-end Japanese kitchen knives, to quirky kitchen tools you never knew you needed!
Unique sightseeing and attractions in Osaka
10. Namba Yasaka Shrine - the lion head shrine
Osaka’s Namba Yasaka Shrine is one of the most unique shrines in all of Japan. This shrine features a massive lion head statue! Although it looks like the creature might swallow you whole, the lion head is actually said to swallow evil spirits in order to bring good luck. Aside from the giant lion head, the shrine features traditional Japanese architecture and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for exploring.
Namba Yasaka Shrine is a great photo spot in Osaka and a unique location to escape the bustle of the city.
11. Amerikamura (American Village)
Amerikamura, Amemura, or American Village, in Osaka is a weird and unique neighborhood in Osaka that reflects the city’s ecelctic population. It’s a trendy hub for Osaka youth culture and fashion – a more rock ‘n’ roll version of the cute Takeshita Street in Tokyo.
Amerikamura has countless thrift shops, boutique stores, cafes, and amazing street art and murals. It’s a great place to shop for thrifted and antique items, and is a popular photography spot. At night, Amerikamura becomes a lively entertainment area with bars and live music venues – you might even see some low-riding cars too!
12. Osaka Kaiyukan (Osaka Aquarium)
The Osaka Aquarium is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world. If you have a half-day to fill in Osaka, visiting the aquarium is a wonderful, family-friendly activity in Osaka. This unique aquarium is home to over 30,000 creatures and a variety of marine life, with its most famous inhabitant being a whale shark.
While many animal-based attractions in Japan are known for questionable animal welfare treatment, the general consensus is that the Osaka aquarium is on-par animal welfare wise as its Western counterparts.
Because of Osaka Aquarium’s popularity, it’s best to book tickets ahead of your visit to secure an entry time slot that works best for you.
13. Senkoji Temple's Hall of Hell
Did you know that Osaka is home to a portal to hell? Senkoji Temple is a unique Osaka temple known for offering visitors glimpses of both heaven and hell, so you can choose your actions wisely.
The temple’s Hall of Hell is a cramped, uncomfortable, and scary hut that is home to Emma-o, the Japanese lord of hell. Alternatively the Hall of Heaven is a serene and comforting spot with dozens of Buddha figurines lovingly watching over you. On the property is also a rock where if you stick your head in, you can hear the sounds of hell!
While the hell side of the temple is there to scare kids into behaving, it’s also a great, quirky place in Osaka to reflect on which side you’d prefer to spend eternity.
14. Tsutenkaku Tower in Shinsekai
Tsutenkaku Tower is an iconic symbol of Osaka which offers panoramic views of Osaka from the historic south side of the city. Other famous skyscrapers in Osaka, including the Umeda Sky building, are located in northern Osaka in the business districts.
Tsutenkaku Tower to Osaka is what Tokyo Tower is to Tokyo – a historic monument that has been towering over the city for decades. Walk through a bit of Osaka history at this observatory.
Tsutenkaku Tower also offers a number of quirky and unique experiences that you won’t get at Umeda Sky building. One is a 60-meter slide that connects the 3rd and 2nd floors of the building, if you don’t feel like taking the elevator down. Another is a protruding observation deck on the rooftop, popular for proposals – if you’re not scared of heights!
Purchase tickets in advance here.
15. Gate Tower Building - a building with a highway running through it
One of Osaka’s most unique views is one of a building with a highway running through it, the Osaka Gate Tower Building. This is the weird outcome that was agreed upon by city planners when both the building, and the path for the Hanshin Expressway (the highway connecting Osaka to Tokyo) were to be constructed in the same place. Somehow, it all works!
Aside from checking out this unique Osaka building from the street view, Osaka’s Umeda Sky Building also has a great vantage point of the Gate Tower Building and highway.
Check out tickets for the Umeda Sky observatory here.
16. Hattori Tenjin Shrine - the Foot Shrine
Hattori Tenjin Shrine located in northern Osaka is a traditional Japanese shrine with a quirky twist – it’s dedicated to the health and wellbeing of feet! Why, do you ask? In 901 a poet and scholar was traveling through Osaka on his way to Fukuoka when he could no longer walk due to a leg ailment. His visit to this small sanctuary in Hattori village eventually healed his ailment and he was able to complete his journey, leading to the establishing of Hattori Tenjin Shrine.
Today it is still a shrine where visitors come to pray for blessings and healing of their feet and leg ailments, for safety in travels, or even success in (foot-based) sports. They even host a foot festival every September/October!
The amulets sold here are shaped like geta, or traditional Japanese wooden sandals. While you’re supposed to write a wish on them and leave them at the shrine for foot blessings, they also make a great souvenir from Japan too.
17. Giant mechanical store signs
Dotonbori is known for being the street food capital of Japan. It’s also known by locals for its collection of massive, 3D, mechanical signs (food-related of course) above many of the iconic shop fronts there. The first and most famous of these is the 12-foot mechanical crab, but there’s also one of a passionate (angry-looking) sushi chef, a giant fugu pufferfish, and a giant octopus marking a takoyaki storefront.
Dotonbori isn’t the only place you’ll find these 3D signs either. These outrageous 3D signs have become a symbol of Osaka restaurants and you’ll likely stumble upon many unique ones when exploring Osaka.
Check out some examples of them here.
Unique Activities and Tours in Osaka
18. Dotonbori Canal Tour
This unique Osaka experience is not one that you’ll find in Tokyo or Kyoto. Osaka’s Dotonbori canal cuts through some of the busiest intersections of the city. A boat tour lets you see all of the crowds and neon lights of Osaka from a different perspective (and in a more relaxed setting).
The best time to join a canal tour in Osaka is in the evening, when the city’s colorful reflections in the water add a little extra magic to your experience.
19. Real-life Mario Kart
For an unforgettable and quirky Osaka experience, join a real-life Mario Kart tour in Osaka. Dress up in your favorite Nintendo characters or other weird costumes, and cruise through the Osaka city streets in your very own go-kart.
This weird and unique Osaka activity blends urban exploration with cosplay and adrenaline, making for a fun and novel adventure.
Just be sure to get your international drivers license before coming to Japan in order to take part in this activity.
Two main go-kart companies offer this unique Osaka tour, and both take guests through highlights of the city like Osaka Namba, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and American Village.
20. Universal Studios Japan
Osaka is home to Universal Studios Japan, and the hype is real people! This world-class attraction has unique segments like Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, a NEW Donkey Kong Country, and classics like Jurassic Park and Jaws universes.
This theme park is worth a trip to Osaka by itself – offering thrilling roller coasters, mind-blowing shows, and unique parades that are fun for visitors of all ages. A visit to Universal Studios in Japan is a guaranteed experience you’ll never forget!
In order to make the most of your day at Universal Studios, it’s critical to purchase an express pass in addition to the studio pass (entrance pass). Don’t lose your whole day waiting in lines.
21. Ride the Don Quixote ferris wheel
Osaka is home to a unique attraction that everyone has seen but not everyone has fully appreciated: The world’s first oval ferris wheel, and in the heart of the city at that!
Osaka’s centrally-located Don Quixote store has a small ferris wheel attached to the exterior. This ride overlooks Osaka’s canals and neon lights, and is a wonderfully weird and unique experience to add to your list of things to do in Osaka! Combine it with a shopping trip to Don Quixote, which is an unique experience in and of itself.
22. Watch a sumo show with dinner
The sumo wrestling grand tournament in Osaka happens only once per year in March – if your visit timing doesn’t overlap, don’t fret! There are other opportunities to watch sumo in Osaka too.
As part of this experience package, watch a Japanese sumo wresting show in Osaka while enjoying the same style of hot pot that sumo wrestlers eat – chanko nabe. This interactive sumo experience lets you get up close and take photos with the sumos as well.
Book this Osaka sumo experience here, to add to your unique things to do in Osaka!
Check the official sumo grand tournament schedule here too.
23. Samurai Experience
Unleash your inner samurai warrior by dressing in authentic samurai clothing and learning traditional Japanese swordsmanship.
This unique, hands-on experience in Osaka is a memorable one where you can learn about Japanese history and tradition, and look and feel pretty cool while you’re learning too!
In addition to being a fun and interactive activity, you can take home photos of your self in samurai attire.
Book this unique Osaka activity with GetYourGuide here.
24. Solaniwa Onsen Theme Park
Solaniwa Onsen at Osaka Bay Tower is an onsen theme park where you can experience all of the joys of relaxing in onsen hot springs in the heart of Osaka. Real onsen waters are brought up from over a kilometer below the surface to ensure guests get the real onsen experience.
Solaniwa Onsen offers nine different onsen baths including both indoor and outdoor onsen. They also have an expansive Japanese garden with ashi-yu, or foot baths, saunas including a bedrock sauna, and 10 reservable private onsen rooms with mini Japanese gardens and small outdoor onsen baths. These are perfect for families with kids, or anyone who’s uncomfortable bathing in the nude in front of strangers. The onsen theme park also offers yukata rentals, festival games and arcade games, massage chairs, and a food court.
Be sure to read the rules of visiting onsen from Solaniwa before visiting – including how clothing and swimsuits are not allowed. Visitors with tattoos that can be covered up with stickers are able to bathe here.
Purchase tickets in advance via Klook here.
The video below shows a quirky collaboration video between Solaniwa Onsen and Avantgardey dance troop!
25. Make your own kitchen knife
Sakai knives from Osaka are some of the best in the trade, with many Japanese chefs preferring a Sakai blade over the rest. As part of this knife-forging workshop hosted by Wada Shouten, Sakai knife experts, you can create your own engraved kitchen knife to take home with you!
Start by admiring the history of Sakai knives, as well as knives displayed as works of art at the Sakai Knife Museum, before going to Wada Shouten’s workshop to sharpen your own knife, attach a handle of preference, and learn about how to care for and maintain your Sakai knife.
Learn more about this traditional Japanese experience here.
Unique Museums in Osaka
26. Osaka Cup Noodle Museum
The Osaka Cup Noodle Museum is a unique Osaka museum that is only one of two in the whole world (the other one is located in Yokohama and day-trip distance from Tokyo). The Cup Noodle Museum celebrates the life and legacy of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant cup noodles, and deep dives into the evolution of cup noodles throughout history.
Guests can also create their own custom instant noodles, including choosing the filling and different toppings, then designing the exterior of the cup. This interactive museum is a fun and unique Osaka attraction that caters to all ages.
Read more about the Cup Noodles Museum in my post comparing Yokohama’s two ramen museums (the Cup Noodle Museum vs the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum).
27. Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
History buffs and fans of Japanese tradition and culture will love this museum of Housing and Living in Osaka. This unique museum recreates townscapes of Osaka starting in Japan’s Edo era (1603-1868), but also the Meiji era (1868-1912), Taisho era (1912-1926), and Showa era (1926-1989). The Edo-era streetscape is life-sized, while other eras are shown in detailed miniature models.
Not only can you take a peek into Japanese residential and commercial buildings from hundreds of years ago, the museum changes the interiors of the buildings depending on the season so each visit has something new to see. Traditional workshops and musical performances are also held here to add to the time slip vibe.
28. Asahi Beer Museum and Suita Beer Factory
Beer and alcohol fans shouldn’t miss a stop at the Asahi Beer Museum and Asahi Suita Brewery. This historic brewery opened in 1891 and still brews one of the top beers in the world. Taking a tour of the brewery, including admiring exhibits on the history of Asahi and the beer production process, is a unique thing to do in Osaka.
Not only does this brewery showcase the history of beer-making in Japan, it also introduces world-class automation and technology during the present-day brewing process. How else are they going to produce millions of beer cans and bottles per day?
Of course there’s a gift shop on-site where you can buy Asahi merchandise and a tasting room to try different draught Asahi beers as well.
29. Osaka waste-to-energy facility
Visitors to Osaka who are interested in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), buzz words like circular economy and net zero, or who are just fans of weird and unique architecture and experiences, should visit the Osaka Maishima Incineration Plant and museum run by the Osaka Waste Management Authority. The plant is nicknamed one of the most beautiful waste facilities in the world due to its whimsical exterior design, and also uses combustible and bulky waste to generate electricity.
That’s not all, the waste-to-energy facility in Osaka provides a number of educational exhibits around waste management, SDGs, and also explains their state-of-the-art technology used to convert waste to electricity.
Learn more about the facility’s history and architecture here.
Other Unique Things to do in Osaka
30. Visit a Teamlab Exhibit
Teamlab digital art museums are some of the most popular attractions in Tokyo. But did you know Osaka has one too? Visit Teamlab Botanic Garden in Osaka, located in the Nagai Botanical Garden and park. This is a great after-dark activity that’s fun for the whole family. Reserve your tickets ahead of time from Klook or GetYourGuide.
If you’re not sure which Teamlab location to visit, you can check out my post about Teamlab Osaka vs Teamlab Tokyo.
Osaka also has a Teamlab Cafe, called A Cafe in the Field of Can Can Factory, or nicknamed Teamlab Field. Located in eastern Osaka at an actual can factory, the cafe offers desserts and drinks in a similar whimsical, light-up atmosphere as the Teamlab museums.
31. Stay in a Bookshelf Capsule Hotel
One of Osaka’s capsule hotels offers a cool experience for their guests: you sleep inside of bookshelves! The capsule-like dorm beds at Book and Bed Osaka are surrounded by books, making this an Instagrammable and very unique capsule hotel in Osaka.
Book and Bed is famous for their Shinjuku, Tokyo location. The sister hotel location in Shinsaibashi, Osaka is the same concept but with a more sleek and minimal interior. The Osaka location also has a cafe attached with plenty of workspaces, making it a great accommodation option in Osaka for digital nomads.
If you’re interested in capsule hotels, be sure to check my list of best Capsule Hotels in Tokyo (many have locations in Osaka too).
32. Shop at the House of MinaLima, Osaka
Harry Potter fans shouldn’t miss this unique Osaka destination. MinaLima is the graphic designing duo and couple behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie franchises. They designed everything from the sorting hat to Godric Gryffindor’s sword, to the Daily Prophet newspaper covers. MinaLima stores only exist in a few places around the world, and Osaka is one of them.
Pick up postcards with your favorite Harry Potter art on them, buy beautifully illustrated Harry Potter books (1-3) or other classic fairytale books, and pick up some original screen printed MinaLima poster art too.
MinaLima in Osaka can be found here.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan visiting Japan, don’t miss the Warner Brothers Making of Harry Potter studio tour in Tokyo.
33. Smash things at Unusual Underground
Pick your weapon and smash the sh*t out of household items and old electronics at Unusual Underground in Osaka. This weird and unique Osaka activity is perfect for blowing off some steam by breaking everything around you or taking part in other destructive activities in a safe space.
Unusual underground, or U2, provides various de-stressing rooms, where visitors can smash electronics, rent an air soft machine gun, or “try out their favorite anime moves” with bats and katana to break household items. You can even do a Japanese table flip!
Whatever your life problems are, a visit to this unique place in Osaka will leave you feeling happy and refreshed afterwards!
34. Explore the Expo '70 Commemorative Park
Osaka’s Expo 1970 Commemorative Park is a spacious outdoor park and garden which was built on the site of the Japan World Expo in 1970. This unique attraction in Osaka is the perfect place to spend an entire day just outside of Osaka because it offers a number of special activities that blend nature, history and culture. Depending on the time of year, many events also take place at this park including markets and performances.
Relax outdoors at the park, explore the spacious Japanese Garden, and visit a number of unique museums here, including the Japan Folk Crafts Museum and the National Museum of Ethnology. The symbol of this park is the Tower of the Sun, a massive structure designed by renowned Japanese artist Taro Okamoto, and there’s a museum here dedicated to it as well.
Venture off-the-beaten-path in Osaka by exploring this unique park and destination that has something for everyone to enjoy.
35. Visit Lalaport Expo City VS Park
VS Park in Osaka’s Lalaport Expo City mall is one of the most weird and unique attractions in Osaka. It gives visitors a chance to test their skills and luck at ninja warrior-style obstacle courses and other games usually only seen on TV. It’s like an adult theme park or a Chucky Cheese on steroids!
Example activities include jumping over spinning obstacles in an inflatable pit, Mario Kart on tiny carts, and sprinting to test your speed against wild (virtual reality) animals. A visit to Lalaport Expo City VS Park will be a wild and funny experience for all ages! After you’ve finished playing all of the games here, you can spend time in the rest of the mall including in their game center, movie theater, and food court.
Check out the full list of wacky activities at Osaka’s VS Park on their website here.
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Borderless or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
