castle
Osaka Castle
A Japanese castle that played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century, set among sprawling urban parklands.
2 km · about 5 min drive
AsiaJapanOsaka
Osaka
Osaka, Japan · Asia
About Osaka
Osaka works well as a base: 15 minutes from Moriguchi, 39km from Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Osaka is in Japan, with about 2.8 million people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Moriguchi, about 7 km away.
Osaka (Japanese: 大阪市, Hepburn: Ōsaka-shi; pronounced [òó.sá.ká.ɕì, óó.-]; commonly just 大阪, Ōsaka [òó.sá.ká, óó.-] ) is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the second biggest prefectural city, third-most populous city proper inRead more
Japan, following the special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With an estimated population of 2.8 million as of October 1, 2025 and a population density of about 12,505 people per square kilometer, it is the largest component of the Keihanshin metropolitan area, the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and the 10th-largest urban area in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.
Osaka was traditionally considered Japan's economic hub. By the Kofun period (300–538) it had developed into an important regional port, and in the seventh and eighth centuries it served briefly as the imperial capital. Osaka continued to flourish during the Edo period (1603–1867) and became known as a center of Japanese culture. Following the Meiji Restoration, it greatly expanded in size and underwent rapid industrialization. This accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and Osaka was the industrial hub in the Meiji and Taishō eras. It made contributions to redevelopment, urban planning and zoning standards in the postwar period, and developed rapidly as one of the major financial centers in the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area.
Osaka is a major financial center of Japan and is recognized as one of its most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities. It is home to the Osaka Exchange and the headquarters of multinational electronics corporations such as Panasonic and Sharp. Osaka is an international center of research and development and is represented by several major universities, including Osaka University, Osaka Metropolitan University, and Kansai University. Landmarks include Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Dōtonbori, Tsūtenkaku in Shinsekai, Tennōji Park, Abeno Harukas, Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, and Shitennō-ji, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Osaka?
Within an hour or so of Osaka: Osaka Castle (2 km), Dotonbori (3 km), Jiyuken (3 km), Universal Studios Japan (7 km).
Are there any good drives near Osaka?
The nearest famous roads are Philosopher's Path, Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail and Uradome Coast.
Where is Osaka?
Osaka is in Osaka, Japan, about 7 km from Moriguchi.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,753,862
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Osaka
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 34.6938, 135.5011
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Osaka
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Dotonbori
Osaka's dazzling neon-lit entertainment and street food district along the Dotonbori canal, famed for its giant animated signs.
3 km · about 5 min drive
restaurant
Jiyuken
An Osaka institution open since 1910, serving meishi curry with the rice already mixed through the sauce and a raw egg on top, to be stirred in with Worcestershire sauce.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Universal Studios Japan
Osaka's blockbuster theme park featuring world-class rides, the Wizarding World, and Super Nintendo World.
7 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the world's largest public aquariums in Osaka featuring a massive Pacific Ocean tank with whale sharks.
8 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Nara Deer Park
A vast public park home to over a thousand free-roaming sacred deer that bow for crackers from delighted visitors.
31 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Todai-ji Temple
Home to the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, housed within one of the largest wooden buildings ever constructed.
31 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A mesmerizing pathway through towering bamboo stalks in western Kyoto, creating one of Japan's most photographed natural scenes.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Osaka
3 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 45 kmPhilosopher's PathA peaceful stone-paved canal path lined with hundreds of cherry trees, connecting major temples in Kyoto's eastern hills.
- 51 kmMount YoshinoJapan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot with over 30,000 trees covering an entire mountainside in waves of pink each spring.
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