Visiting the Kumano Sanzen is the top thing to do when you’re in Shingu and Hongu. Read on to find out what to visit, how to get there, where to stay in this quick and easy travel guide blog.
Located on the Kii Peninsula in the prefecture of Wakayama, Shingu can make for a perfect side trip on your trip to Kii Peninsula. The city is famous for Hatayama Taisha and other Shinto shrines of key importance in the Kumano faith.
During our exploration of the Kumano Kodo area, we make a trip to Shingu (新宮) and Hongu (本宮町) for its sacred Kumano Grand Shrine. Together with Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, the Kumano Hongu Taisha at Hongu and Kumano Hayatama Taisha at Shingu are referred to as Kumano Sanzan. They are the head shrines of the Kumano Shrines of which there are about 4,700 throughout the country.
Read our Shingu Travel Guide below to find out all about this sacred destination!
How To Get To Shingu
To get to Shingu, traveling can take the JR train from Shin-Osaka or Nagaya direction to the Kii Peninsula. From either direction, it’s about a three-and-a-half to four-hour journey each way.
From Nagoya Station, take the Limited Express Nanki to Shingu or Kii-Katsuuura. The journey takes about 4 hours. The Japan Rail Pass and JR Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass are valid for this route. But JR Pass is required to pay with an additional charge of ¥800 for using the Ise Private Railway route. It is always recommended to reserve a seat for JR limited express Wideview Nanki due to limited seats available.
If you are in Nachikatsuura, you can either takes the local train or bus to Shingu. The journey take about 20 minutes train ride from JR Kii-Katsuura station.
Getting Around in Shingu
Shingu is a pretty compact city. It is a great city to walk or bike in to visit the city!
Many hotels offer complimentary or inexpensive bike rentals, but you can also rent a bike at Tourist Information Center located opposite the JR Train Station. We rented the electric bike at Tourist Information Center when visiting the attractions in Shingu.
Where To Stay
There are a few business hotels and guesthouses in Shingu if you are looking for where to stay in Shingu. But we choose to stay in Nachikatsuura as there are a number of good onsen hotels. From there, we take the bus to Shingu to visit the Kumano Grand Shrine.
Here is our recommendation:
High-Range: Kumano-bettei Nakanoshima – This is one of the best hotels in the area if you want a luxurious stay! It is a seaside Ryokan located on a private island in Katsuura Bay.
Mid-Range: Hotel Urashima – A popular onsen resort with beautiful hot springs in Nachi Katsuura. The most famous is the Bokido, a natural hot spring bath in a cave overlooking the ocean. Truly amazing!
Budget: Why Kumano, Hostel & Bar is a convenient hostel accommodation with a bar and café in front of the. It is housed in a narrow three-story building with a tasteful design.
Firstly, head to the Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine (熊野速玉大社). This shrine is part of the “Kumano Sanzan” and oldest among the three. It is also the smallest, but also the least crowded.
Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine is a beautiful vermilion shrine with magnificent architecture. Offering prayer at the sacred ground of Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine is said to bring fortune in this life.
The ground is spacious and with many lovely features. There is a huge nagi tree that stands on the shrine grounds. It is believed to be 800 years old and locals believe the leaves can help to sustain relationships.
Getting there: About a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Shingu train station.
Kamikura Jinja Shrine
A relatively short walk from Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine is the Kamikura-jinja (神倉神社), a shrine that marks the grand shrine’s former site. It is situated at the top of a cliff and some effort is required to reach it.
To get to the shrine, you have to climb up the 538 stone steps leading up to Kamikura-jinja Shrine. The stairs can be a little treacherous and physically demanding. Make sure you’re wearing good shoes when you hike up and be extra careful.
At the top of these steps is a large, sacred rock called Gotobiki-iwa. Legends have it that this rock is the dwelling place of one of the shrine’s deities. Many people make the journey to worship there. The area is very calm and serene. You will also be rewarded with the best view of Shingu City. Worth the hike!
Shingu Castle Ruins (Tankaku Castle)
While visiting Shingu city, we also have a quick stop at the Shingu Castle ruins. There are nothing exceptional and no structures remaining from the original castle.
The ground is nice to walk around and have a get great views of Shingu City from the top. A great place for a quick stopover.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
Lastly is the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine (熊野本宮大社). This is the most important shrine for Kumano Kodo pilgrims and is located at the center of the Kumano Kodo network of pilgrimage trails. A must-visit if you are in Hongu.
A moderate amount of stairs to climb from the entrance will get you to the main shrine area.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is classic Shinto design. The shrine itself was elegant and rustic, with a thick thatched roof (with cypress shingles). Symbols of Yatagarasu, (eight-span crow) with three legs are everywhere. The three-legged crow represents the sun in Japanese myth.
The original shrine was built closer to the river (at Oyunahara). It was moved to its current location after the original structure was destroyed in the flood in 1889. If you have the time, walk 15 minutes or so to Oyunohara, the original site of Kumano Hongu Taisha where the Japan’s biggest Torii gate is.
Getting there: Take the local bus from Shingu Station to Hongu. The main bus stop in Hongu is the Hongu Taisha-mae bus stop, in front of the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine. This is also near the Hongu tourist information center.
Overall: A Trip to Shingu
All in all, we hope this Shingu City guide helps you on your visit to the sacred Kumano Sanzen! We visited some of the important shrines in Japan and were truly amazed by them. Although Shingu and Hongu is not popular travel destination, this trip was one of the most memorable during our time in Japan. We could really enjoy the experience and feel the authentic vibe of a Japanese sacred place. If you are planning to visit off-the-beaten-path parts of Japan, you should definitely add Shingu to your list!
In this Osaka travel guide blog, we compiled lists of things to do in Osaka and some of the best day trips where you can plan for your Osaka itinerary.
Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka) offers a wide range of activities or day trip options that are easy to add to your Osaka itinerary. We’ve visited Osaka many times through the years but there are still many places or attractions awaiting us to discover. Plus, with the strategic location and well-connected public transport system, it is very convenient to use Osaka as a base to explore nearby interesting places like Kyoto, Nara, Kinosaki Onsen, Nagoya, or even Hiroshima.
As Osaka with so much to do, working out how to experience the best of Osaka and get the most out of your trip can be challenging on your own. But don’t worry.
In this comprehensive Osaka travel guide blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to plan your Osaka itinerary. We will share with you what is the best time to visit, how to get around, where to stay, and what to do in Osaka for 1 day, 2 days, 5 days, or even one to two weeks. Let’s start planning your Osaka trip here!
To plan your visit to Osaka, you’re going to want to think about the timing of the trip. Although Osaka is a year-long travel destination, choosing the wrong time for your visit and you could face large crowds of tourists, or even worse, typhoons.
Generally speaking, the best time to visit Osaka is during Spring, especially Sakura season or Autumn foliage season. These two seasons are the most popular time to visit Osaka and the city is very beautiful. It is also peak tourism time, so expected more people and it can be crowded.
While August to September is typhoon season and weather can be bad. So it is best to avoid the typhoon season. Besides, we would also recommend avoiding Golden week in the first week of May as this is Japan’s biggest holiday. So expect many local visitors and increasing in room rates during Japan Golden Week.
How Many Days Should I Spend For Osaka
If you are planning your first trip to Osaka, we highly recommend you spend at least 1 or 2 days within the city and spend the rest of the days with day trips from Osaka to other nearby cities. It would be better if you can stay in Osaka for at least 5 days as this will allow you to visit some of the highlights from nearby cities: Kyoto, Nara, Uji, Kobe, Hiroshima, Himeji, Okayama, Kinosaki Onsen, and more.
Depending on how many days for your Osaka itinerary, you can adjust based on your interest. But generally, 7 days is the best duration for a perfect Osaka trip. And I am pretty sure, you will come back and re-visit Osaka for sure!
Traveling To Osaka
Haruka Limited Express
By Airplane – The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport (airport code: KIX) with frequent domestic and international flighs. The airport and city is well connected by various of public transport with different option available. If you choose to staying in Osaka, we recommended taking the JR Haruka Airport Express. This line takes you straight from KIX to the city, stopping at major stations Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, Osaka station which is very convenient.
By Shinkansen train – For international travelers, most people will be landing at Narita International Airport and arrive in Tokyo. If you’re coming from Tokyo, most likely you will be getting to Osaka via Shinkansen, Japan’s famous ultra-fast bullet train. We would recommend you get the Japan Rail Pass to get the unlimited JR train ride. Buying the Shinkansen ticket separately would already cost almost as much as the JR pass, so it’s worth it. You can reserve your JR Pass here and redeem it when arrive in Japan. It is cheaper and very convenient.
Osaka is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area, boasting great transportation links of buses, trains, metros, and even Shinkansen. It is very easy to get around in Osaka as everywhere is well-connected. There are several ways for getting around in Osaka.
When getting around in Osaka with the metro, we would recommend you get the Osaka Metro Pass for 1 or 2 Days based on your need for unlimited rides on the subway. It is very useful when you are hopping around Osaka city center without worrying about getting lost or going down the wrong subway station.
Alternatively, get the IC Card – ICOCO Card as it will save you the hassle to buy tickets at every station.This tap-and-go card will pre-load with a certain amount and you can use it for transportation fees and even convenience store purchases.
Where To Stay
When looking for where to stay in Osaka, we highly recommended staying close to the major train station. Staying in the right place can absolutely make your trip easier as it helps you saves a lot of energy and time. Anywhere near Umeda, Shin-Osaka, Namba, or Shinsaibashi station is a great option.
Below is our editor’s pick when looking for a convenient place to stay in Osaka:
Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka is an unbeatable pick. It is directly connected to JR Namba Train Station and OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) located right next to the hotel within a minute’s walk. You can direct the airport shuttle bus to/from Kansai Airport easily.
Cross Hotel Osaka is located about 5 minutes walk from the Namba Station Midosuji Line. This 4-star hotel is always the top pick of travelers due to its fantastic location situated between Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.
Nest Hotel Osaka Umeda is a 3-star hotel situated nearby Umeda Station. It is a decent chain of business hotels in Japan. All rooms are cozy and modern. Very suited and practical for the traveler who looks for a comfortable stay. Reasonable price tag too!
Osaka Travel Guide Tips: If you’re planning on visiting Osaka during the high season, you should book your accommodation in advance. You will then have a greater selection of hotels and hostels to choose from and also lower prices.
Planning for Osaka itinerary
Osaka is truly a convenient place to plan for the Osaka itinerary for 2 days, 5 days, 7 days, or even 2 weeks. You can easily tailor your itinerary based on your interest in the nearby cities or small towns. Among all the cities, Osaka and Kyoto are definitely the two must-visit places. You should allocate at least 1 or 2 days to visit them. I can easily spend just 5 days just visiting these two cities alone.
If you want to explore some of the other places, we recommended the Nara, Uji, Himeji, Okayama, or even Hiroshima. The traveling journey would take you about 1 to 2 hours depending on the destination chosen. Plus, you can utilize the Japan transport pass to save you on transportation fees. I will share more information on the transport pass on each attraction below.
Do I Need JR Pass for Osaka itinerary?
Japan Rail Pass provides unlimited rides on JR trains and this includes high-speed bullet trains (Shinkansen). It is available for either 7, 14, or 21 days. With this physical ticket, you can make the most of the extensive and reliable network of trains that connects every corner of Japan. However, it doesn’t mean that you always need to get a JR pass whenever visiting Japan. There is the same regional JR Pass that designed for the Kansai region.
For example, if you are already holding the JR pass as you are coming from Tokyo or other places, then you can fully utilize the pass to save some traveling fees. If you are already in Osaka, and only looking for exploring the Kansai region, then regional JR Pass is a better deal compared to JR Pass.
Here is the Regional JR Pass that you can consider for your Osaka itinerary:
Pro Tips: Make sure the pass is cover on your destination, else you will need to top up the route if you are taking the train that are not covered by the pass.
Besides, if you only plan to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Uji, or Kobe, you don’t needto get the JR pass. Instead, you can consider traveling by local train. Local trains might take longer time but it is cheaper and can access to more places. You can also plan your Osaka itinerary and then see which transport pass is best suit your itinerary.
Hanshin Tourist Pass provides unlimited access to the Hanshin Electric Railway lines (Osaka-Kobe).
Kansai Thru Pass provides unlimited use of trains, subways, and buses in the Kansai Region.
Things To Do in Osaka itinerary
Planning on visiting Osaka for the first time? Here are my top things to do in Osaka for a beginner’s guide. There are so many exciting things to try out in Osaka and the activities cater to all types of travelers. Here is our recommendation.
Things to do in Osaka itinerary:
Visit Osaka Castle
River Cruise Ride in Osaka
Back to Old Times of Japan
Food Hunting at Dotonbori
Seafood Feast at Kuromon Ichiban market
Shopping at Shinsaibashi
Enjoy Osaka Ariel View
Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Side Trip To Kyoto
Day Trip to Nara, or Uji
Day Trip To Kobe
Onsen Trip to Kinosaki Onsen
Trip To Hiroshima and Miyajima
and many more.
Visit Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. It is located in the heart of Osaka and you could easily spend half or a whole day in the area. The main tower of the castle had been burnt and destroyed in the war. It was restored to its original and reconstructed to new glamour with the support of the government and Osaka people. The castle now houses museums and exhibitions for historical of Japan. Travelers can also go onto the viewing platform on the 8th floor for an ariel view of the citadel.
Don’t forget to take a picturesque stroll to the large, beautiful, and spectacular castle park with free entry. Locals come here for morning jogs or to enjoy the sun. The park is a popular place to visit during Hanami (Sakura) or Momijigari (Autumn) season.
Osaka Castle (Osakajo)
Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 to 17:00 (Last Admission at 16:30)
Pro Tips: The admission to Osaka Castle is free with Osaka Amazing Pass.
River Cruise Ride in Osaka
Taking a river cruise or boat ride is another popular thing to do in Osaka. During the old time, water transportation is very important for locals to transport goods. It now becomes sightseeing option where visitors can see the city’s major attractions along the river by the river cruise or boat ride.
There are plenty of boat rides available in Osaka city. For example Osaka Suijyo Bus (Aqua-Liner), Cruise Ship Santa Maria Day Cruise, Pirates Of Osaka, and more. You can go on a boat ride along the Osaka Castle, Dotonbori River, or even Osaka Harbor.
The best part most of the river cruise is included in the Osaka Amazing Pass and it was truly a great deal. We tried Osaka Wonder Cruise and Tombori River Cruise during our last visit. You may consider getting the pass if you plan to take the river cruise ride.
Back to Old Times of Japan
If you want to experience the old times of Japan, we recommended visiting the Shinsekai (新世界). Literally “New World”, Shinsekai is a district in Osaka that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. It is a old neighbobour that full of full of uniqueness and memorability.
When visiting Shinsekai, you will be amazed by the colorful banners, neon lights, and vintage things. All these make it like old times Japan for good photo opportunities. You can also couple your trip to visit the Tsutenkaku Tower and try the popular Kushikatsu here.
Getting there: 5 minutes walk from Dobutsuen-mae station. Else, Ebisucho Station on the Sakaisuji Subway Line (Exit#3) with 2 minutes walk.
Food Hunting at Dotonbori
Osaka is a paradise for food-lovers and it truly is one of the best places to visit if you enjoy food. There is so much good food to be had in Osaka. In fact, it’s one of a handful of cities we could visit again and again just for the food.
While the Dotonbori (道頓堀) is the busiest place in Osaka and you can find almost everything here. The iconic food street is full of shops, restaurants, and bars with eye-catching billboards and neon lights. Come for food hunting at Dotonbori. You basically can find all of Osaka’s specialties here.
The popular food to eat in Dotonbori includes takoyaki, Kushikatsu, okonomiyaki, ramen, crab dishes, seafood, and many more. Eat till you drop!
Seafood Feast at Kuromon Ichiban Market
Kuromon Ichiba Market (黒門市場) is a traditional covered public marketplace with an extensive selection of food to experience the Japanese market culture. It is the most popular place for food hunting in Osaka and you can have a variety of food in one place.
Here, you can sample as much as possible of Japanese street food in the market. For example, takoyaki, grilled scallop, seafood, sushi, sashimi, and more.
I personally love to patron the seafood stall to taste the fresh Oyster and sea urchin whenever in Kuromon Ichiba market. The fatty tuna also can’t be missed for tuna lovers. Enjoy your stroll and stopped for good food when walking through.
A great location to have a seafood feast or grab a bite with some fresh delightful Japanese specialities.
Getting there: Right outside at the exit of the Nippombashi subway.
Operating hours: Daily from 09:00 to 18:00 (Come early as stalls may closed)
If you are traveling to Osaka and want to go shopping, then you will be amazed by the number of shopping areas, arcades, streets, and malls. The city boasted a huge variety of shops from luxury goods to novelty items.
Adjacent to Dotonbori is the Shinsaibashi (心斎橋), Osaka’s best-known shopping area. You’ll find countless shops, from high-end retailers to street vendor shops. Besides, there are also restaurants, cafes, and bars lining both sides of the arcade. Another option for shoppers is the Umeda (梅田) area. This area is home to many malls, shops, restaurants, and cafes so you may want to spend an entire day exploring the area.
Osaka Ariel View
Umeda Sky Building
So far, you’ve only seen Osaka City at street level, but a trip over to the Umeda Sky Building or Abeno Harukas will soon fix that. Both provide a birds-eye view of the city and are highly included one of it in the Osaka itinerary.
Umeda Sky Building is located in the city’s business district. This building is uniquely designed and consists of two towers connected by the “Floating Garden Observatory” on the 39th floor. We managed to get to the observatory deck before the late evening. And it was the best time to get a glimpse of Osaka’s majestic sunset. The view was so breathtaking. It was one of the best times for us in Osaka. The entry to Umeda Sky Building cost ¥2,000 and it is free with Osaka Amazing Pass / Osaka e-Pass before 15:00.
Osaka Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory
Address: 1 Chome-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-6023, Japan
Opening Hours: daily from 9:30 to 22:30 (Last Admission at 22:00)
Enchanted escalators tunnel trip in Umeda Sky Building
Another option is the Abeno Harukas located nearby Tennoji station. The Observation Platform Harukas 300 is on the 60th floor, 300 m above ground, Japan’s highest point. You get a 360-degree view of Osaka City which takes in everything from the city center including Osaka’s famous sites such as Osaka Castle, famed landmark Tsutenkaku, and Shitenno-ji Temple.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is the most popular attraction in Osaka and it isn’t hard to understand why. This place is mind-blowing and fun no matter what your age. Favorite attractions include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Minions, Transformers, and the new Super Nintendo World aka Super Mario Land!
A 1-day pass to Universal Studios is not cheap but you can sometimes get a discount if you purchase advanced tickets through Klook. Plus, purchasing the USJ tickets through Klook will help to get in the park faster and avoid long queues on the day. We also highly recommend getting the Express Pass as it is super helpful and saves queueing time.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Another popular attraction to visit for the Osaka itinerary is the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. It is one of the world’s largest aquariums and had plenty of sea creatures from all over the globe. You can enjoy seeing the deeper depths of the ocean and the Arctic.
The biggest aquarium featuring a shark whale is one of the biggest attractions in Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Penguins, stingrays, and any type of marine life can be found here. Additionally, there are food-feeding activities, so please come early.
The admission costs are ¥2,400 for adults and ¥1,200 for kids ages 7-15. You may get discounted e-tickets from Klook and skip the ticket queue, especially during weekends or holidays. Highly recommended and a good place to visit for families with kids.
Getting there: 5 min walk from Osakako Station, Exit 1.
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 to 20:00
Entrance Fee: ¥2,400. Kids ¥1200 for ages 7-15 and ¥600 for ages 4-6.
Side Trip To Kyoto
It is a shame that did not include a side trip to Kyoto on your Osaka itinerary. The historical Kyoto is full of historical charm and Japanese culture. It has boasted many historical shrines and has many natural hidden gems. Kyoto can be easily planned for a few days of the itinerary. It’s about half an hour away from Osaka and can easily be visited on daily trips from Osaka.
Nara is another popular trip to take from Osaka due to its proximity – only 30 minutes by local train. During your visit to Nara, take a historical visit to Todai-Ji Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, or some other ancient buildings in Nara. Or wandering around at Nara Park with a free-roaming Sika deer encounter. You can purchase some Shika-senbei (Deer rice crackers) to feed them.
Nara is easily doable on your own, but if you prefer to go with a guide and learn a bit more history, I recommend taking the guided tour. Delve into Japan’s ancient imperial past on a history-inspired tour with Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka / Kyoto. One of the popular day tours in Kansai.
Day Trip To Uji
Byodoin Temple
Uji is more like a hidden gem with peaceful charm yet historical importance. It is famous for its traditional green tea and historical shrine. Here you also can find the historical temple, Byodo-in, and a range of historic architecture to explore.
You can check out our Uji travel guide to help you plan your trip. Don’t forget to taste the green tea when visiting there.
Day Trip To Kobe
Kobe is a good option for an easy day trip from Osaka. It is easy to access with public transport and takes only 30 minutes to get there from Osaka by train. The city is filled with a variety of shopping, dining, and sightseeing attractions. The popular attractions include Kitano Ijinkan, Motomachi, Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown), and Kobe Harborland. You can also taste the world-famous Kobe beef during your trip to Kobe!
Located in northern Hyogo Prefecture, Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) takes about 2.5 hours from Osaka. This picturesque idyllic town is built along a willow-lined river and is famous for its natural hot spring water. It has been running since the Heian era (794-1185) and is rated as one of the most charming hot spring towns in Japan. Many locals and travelers are flocking to Kinosaki Onsen to soak into its nourishing hot spring waters and even spend their nights in the traditional ryokan.
There are 9 direct trains per day and the journey costs ¥5,080 for one way. You can save some money by using the transport pass such as JR Kansai Wide Area Pass.
Trip To Hiroshima and Miyajima
Lastly, Osaka is also can be planned with a day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima by utilized the high-speed bullet train, Shinkansen. Through we recommended spending at least 2 days visiting both attractions. Travelers in more of a rush could also be doing a day trip but have to skip some of the major sights. We recommended getting the Japan Rail Pass or JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass for the Shinkansen ride.
With the grim past, Hiroshima (広島) is full of fantastic sights and historical attractions. The important historical sites like A-Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, and Peace Memorial Museum are all powerful and confronting. A visit to Hiroshima is truly an emotionally-encompassing experience!
While Miyajima (宮島) is beautiful to walk around. You can visit the world-famous Itsukushima Shrine and its enormous Torii gate. At high tide, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the giant Torii gate appear to float on water. Spend some time wondering around the island, admiring ancient temples, and tasting the mouth-watering oysters and local snacks.
Pheww! That’s it for the ultimate Osaka Travel Guide blog to help you plan for your Osaka itinerary. As you can see, there are so many things to do and great places to experience when visiting Osaka.
There are still many places and attractions that I didn’t include in this travel guide. You can easily fill up your Osaka itinerary with days or even weeks. Still, we recommended planning it based on your interest and allowing time for your visit. I am pretty sure you will have an amazing time in Osaka. ENjoy your trip to Osaka!
If you’re visiting Osaka and looking for some of the best Osaka ramen shops to try on, then our Osaka Best Ramen food guide will be very useful to you.
Osaka is a food paradise in Japan and is well-known both for its wide range of food options. It is popular with locals as well as domestic and international tourists in Japan. You can spend a day or even weeks just eating different things here. When it comes to all the delicious types of food, ramen is one of the must-eat food in Osaka. It is the ramen battleground area and you can find various types of ramen in the city.
Ramen is a noodle soup that consists of wheat noodles served in a variety of tasty broths. It is typically flavored with soy sauce, miso, or the popular pork bones. The piping hot bowl comes with different toppings but some of the most common ingredients include pork slides, soft-boiled egg, scallions, dried seaweed, and other ingredients.
During our past visits to Osaka, we tried various ramen in the city. All were outstanding and incredibly flavorful. There are many good ramen restaurants across the city. If you want to know where to eat the best ramen in Osaka, you can check out my recommendations on Osaka best ramen below.
Please note that the the Osaka best ramen lists are based on our past few visits to Osaka. Some may not be located in the popular tourist area or queueing time may longer due to the popularity. Please check the location and allocated time if you plan to have it.
Here is where to eat ramen in Osaka:
Kinryu Ramen Dotombori
Hanamaruken Namba Houzenji
Moeyo Mensuke
Human Beings Everybody Noodles
Menya Jikon
Ichiran-Ramen Dotombori
Kamukura
Osaka Food Tips: When looking for best food in Osaka, we recommended staying nearby subway station to ease on transport arrangement. Check for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Osaka check prices for Osaka Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.
Kinryu Ramen Dotombori
Kinryu Ramen Dotombori Osaka: One of the famous and popular ramen restaurant chains in the city. There are few restaurants located in the city but the iconic dragon sign of Kinryu Ramen in Dotombori is hard to miss. It is easy to find it as long queue always.
Kinryu Ramen serves only two types of ramen: Tonkotsu and Chashu. Both are quite good but not very impressive. Diner can experience eating at Japanese-style tatami mats with low tables. There are free-flow sides of kimchi, chives, and garlic to add on. You can eat it separately or add it to the ramen to elevate the taste.
The best thing about Kinryu Ramen is the shop is open 24 hours and you have a hot bowl of ramen anytime whenever visit the area. Plus, the price is also very reasonable and considered cheap for a bowl of ramen in the bustling Dotonbori area.
Hanamaruken Namba Houzenji is another popular ramen restaurant in Dotombori. This tiny shop only can sit about 20 people and is always packed with diners. It is operated 24 hours per day but there’s usually a line, but it’ll move fast. Expect to queue for the bowl of ramen as this place is very popular.
Order the slow-cooked pork rib ramen and this is what they’re famous for. The broth is thick and topped with a huge torokotsu (pork rib). The pork rib was so tender and something I’ve never had before in ramen. It almost melts when it gets into your mouth. Would highly recommend it.
The signature Kishu duck ramen from Moeyo Mensuke is a must-try when visiting this local favorite ramen shop. This tiny ramen stop is located in the alley with merely 10 seats only. So expected to wait in line for this bowl of Kinshu duck ramen. The broth is very flavorful, yet delicate and balanced. The special slide ducks from Kishu taste slightly smoked. The soft-boiled egg is heaven. Highly recommended it.
If you want to taste duck ramen in Osaka, try this one. Although queueing took lots of time, the Kishu duck ramen at Moeyo Mensuke was worth it!
Moeyo Mensuke (燃えよ麺助) Address: 5 Chome-12-21 Fukushima, Fukushima Ward, Osaka Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00 and 18:00-21:00. Sundays from 11:30 to 16:00. Closed on Mondays.
Human Beings Everybody Noodles
When people looking for the best ramen in Osaka, for sure Human Beings Everybody Noodles or Jinrui Mina Menrui (人類みな麺類) will be one of them. Many ramen ranking websites even rate Jinrui Mina Menrui is at the top of the best Osaka ramen shop.
Human Beings Everybody Noodles is specializes in soy sauce (shoyu) ramen. They only served three types of ramen: Genten Ramen, Micro Ramen, and Marco Ramen on their menu. Besides, this ramen shop is well-known for its ridiculously massive slabs of chashu pork. You can choose whether you want 1 or 2 slabs. But we highly recommended going for 2 slabs.
I personally try their Micro Ramen and the broth is thick and sticky. See the picture above of my bowl of Micro Ramen with 2 slabs of chashu pork. Absolutely delicious.
Human Beings Everybody Noodles (人類みな麺類) Address: 3-6-16 Nishi Nakajima, Yodogawa-Ku, Osaka Business Hours: Daily from 10:00 to the next day 3:00. Opened 1 hour early and closed 1 hour late during the weekend.
Menya Jikon
Menya Jikon (麺や而今) might not so well-known among travelers but it is popular among the locals. The main store located at Daito and it is slightly far from the downtown area. But you can try the the ramen from Menya Jikon at their Shinsaibaishi branch.
The noodles is chewy and delicious. The broth is also very creamy and flavorful. It is rich in favor and slightly thickened. One of my friend prefer ramen from Menya Jikon and rated it as his most favorite ramen restauran in Osaka.
Menya Jikon (麺や而今) Address: 1-5-7 Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0013 Osaka Prefecture. Business Hours: Daily from 11:00 to 15:00; and from 18:00 to 21:00. Closed on Sunday.
Ichiran Ramen Dotombori
Ichiran (一蘭) Ramen needs no further introduction. Origin from Hakata, this popular chain ramen restaurant is well-known for its flavorful tonkotsu ramen. There are many branches in Japan and even all around the world. You can easily find three Ichiran Ramen just in Dotombori and Shinsaibashi areas. Some are even operated 24 hours!
During ordering, you have the option for the spicy level, firmness, or softness of the noodles and extra meat. The ramen has a chewy texture and the broth was rich and flavourful. While the meat was tender, and the egg was boiled to perfection.
In short, I wouldn’t rated Ichiran Ramen is the best ramen in Osaka, but we enjoy this tasty bowl of ramen and always come back for it whenever visit Japan.
Kamukura
Another popular ramen chain shops where you can also find it even at oversea.
Kamukara Osaka (神座) served great ramen at an affordable price. Compared with others, the bowl of ramen from Kamukara is relatively less oily and with an abundance of vegetables. The bowl of ramen comes with a tasty soft-boiled egg, crunchy cabbage, slices of bacon, and spongy texture noodles. While the taste of the broth is mild, with a lot of meat and cabbage flavors. It is even best to couple your meal with the gyoza or garlic fried rice.
Kamukura has a few shops scattered around the Osaka such as Dotombori and Shinsaibashi area. Get the one near you!
Overall: Osaka Best Ramen
All in all, we hope this Osaka best ramen guide can help you to find the best ramen to eat in Osaka. We’ve had many bowls of ramen in different cities throughout Japan. We honestly didn’t think we can judge which is the best ramen in Osaka. Each ramen has its own unique flavor. And there are still many ramen awaiting our taste on it. We are providing our best Osaka ramen guide to help you find the best bowl when visiting the city. Hope this help!
Kii Katsuura was one of our stops on our trip to explore the Kansai Wide region. We stayed in Hotel Urashima when visiting Nachikatsuura. It is the most memorable one and highly recommended it. Check out my Hotel Urashima Review and you’ll know why.
Hotel Urashima (ホテル浦島) is a Japanese onsen resort in Nachikatsuura, a quaint fishing port town in Kii Katsuura. The location sits prominently on the east side of Katsuura Bay on a rugged peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the best accommodations in the Nachikatsuura area which is located near Nachi Falls and Kumano-Kodo trails. Visitors can choose to stay in Hotel Urashima for 1 or 2 nights while planning the itinerary for the areas.
We stayed in Hotel Urashima during our trip to Kii Katsuura. It was an awesome experience with some pros and cons when spending your night in the hotel. Read more details in our Hotel Urashima Review.
Hotel Urashima is not a traditional ryokan, instead, it is the onsen resort that perfectly mixes with traditional and modern features.
The hotel complex is composed of four separate buildings – Honkan (本館), Nisshokan (日昇館), Nagisakan (なぎさ館), and Sanjokan (山上館) connected by a network of tunnels, elevators, and escalators. It is slightly dated and its long history adds to its charm.
Depending on your room selection, each provides different views and experiences during your stay. Guestrooms, especially in the Sanjokan, offer excellent panoramic views.
The building is so huge and color-coded lines are set into the floor to help guests explore this labyrinth. Guests will be provided with maps with explanations of facilities during check-in.
Staying in Hotel Urashima, guests can enjoy the numerous facilities including souvenir shops, karaoke bars, and game centers lining the halls. There is even Lawson Konbini on-site, which is conveniently located in the lobby and open 24 hours for shopping and looking for Japanese snacks!
Boarding Point To Hotel Urashima for shuttle van and boat
Getting to Hotel Urashima is a bit tricky. The property is on its own little, rocky peninsula sticking out into the bay of Katsuura.
To get there, you’ll need to either take the shuttle van or a boat to pick up the guests at the pier which was convenient. There will be hotel personnel awaiting at the pier to take you to the hotel, either by boat or van depending on the time. But generally, a shuttle boat will be used during the peak check-in and check-out time.
During our stay in Hotel Urashima, we were using the shuttle van twice.
One is during the first day when we are doing early check-in by storing our luggage at the early noon. The shuttle van is stopping right opposite the pier. We were also arranging by shuttle van as we are departing from the hotel to the town early morning to see the tuna auction show before 7:00.
Getting to Hotel Urashima by boat was a unique experience. We were using the shuttle boat after our visit to Nachi Falls in the late afternoon and after check-out. We enjoy the breezing sea wind with nice during the boat ride.
Friendly Reminder: Hotel Urashima may not be the great place to stay if you are on the tight schedule. It is also advised to allocated some buffer time for getting to the Hotel Urashima.
Japanese-Style Tatami Room
We booked a traditional Japanese room in the Nagisakan building on the Pacific side. So you are not looking at the fishing harbor, and the views from the room are excellent. It is slightly more expensive compared to the main building. But we are not regret. The view was excellent and so amazing.
Our room was very spacious, incredibly clean, and very comfortable. During check-in, you’ll find a Japanese low-lying table with tatami mats over a heated floor. Our room also has a refrigerator, and private balcony overlooking the ocean.
The Japanese-style mattresses and futons are usually kept in the closet. It was prepared by the hotel personnel when we were out for dinner. So lovely.
Plus, the ensuite shower facility in the room is greatly appreciated. It is unlike some other onsen accommodations which only provide shared bathing or showering facilities.
We booked this room at a discounted rate during the promotion period through Agoda. It was truly a great deal. You can compare the price from Agoda.com and Booking.com.
Hot Spring Bath (Onsen)
The best thing about staying in Hotel Urashima is the hot spring bath (onsen). There are several hot spring baths scattered throughout the facility including the 2 cave onsen. Hotel Urashima proudly features its famous Bokido, a natural hot spring bath in a cave overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The cave onsens in Hotel Urashima are separate by gender and will swap at the alternate day. So you can soak in the onsen with a different view during your overnight say.
We were amazed by the natural hot springs built inside caves. It was the best onsen I ever had. It was very cool to have a view of the pacific ocean while soaking inside the onsen. Do check in early to enjoy the fantastic ocean view from the onsens before it gets dark.
The only bad thing is many people are enjoying the onsen too. But still, with the large size of this hotel, there is always a quiet spot or hot spring bath to escape to for people that what to relax. We managed to have private time on the cave onsen during the early morning section.
Noroshiyama Yuen
The hotel is a huge resort with a long escalator connecting the buildings up to the hill, what an engineering feat! Visitors could go up to 32 floors (top of the hills) for an awesome panoramic view of the whole area and enjoy the sunset. The staff was also extremely friendly, which also added to our positive experience.
In the mid-way, you can also visit the Noroshiyama Yuen with the small shrine and torii gate in the hotel building. We have a quick visit inside the park but wish to spend more time. You might plan to visit it as it also featured the 360 panoramic view platform on the Pacific Ocean.
The opening time of Noroshiyama Yuen is from 5:00 until 17:00. The entrance will be closed to ensure the safety of the visitors.
What To Eat When Staying in Hotel Urashima
Our stay in Hotel Urashima is half-board, including breakfast and dinner. Depending on where is the building you stayed, you will know where you know your dining location with meal time chosen during check-in.
The buffet meals are extensive and offered a good number of food selections. Sometimes the venue is included with entertaining Tuna filleting shows. You can find, sushi, sashimi, grilled beef, seafood, Wakayama ramen, salad bar, Japanese pickle, miso soup, drinks, and many more. The best time to taste a big variety of Japanese foods.
Frankly saying, we didn’t find many that we liked. Plus, with the number of guests, the buffet venue can be very crowded. But still, we have a happy tummy for dinner and breakfast.
There are a few restaurants serving izakaya food and ramen which will be operated after meal hours at the main lobby. But not many food options and variety. Alternatively, there are also many vending machines and Lawson convenient stores where you can get some food, drinks, snacks, and even souvenirs!
Pro Tips: Hotel Urashima only have a buffet option and vegetarian options on the buffet can be limited. You can also select the room-only plan if the meal option is not suitable. There is also a kaiseki meal option if you are staying in Sanjokan at a higher rate.
Overview: Staying in Hotel Urashima
In short, our conclusion on the Hotel Urashima review: Great value for money!
The only bad thing about staying in Hotel Urashima is not enough time! I only stayed one night in Hotel Urashima and it is a bit rushed for me to enjoy all the facilities within 1 night. You will need to take time to walk from one site to another site when touring the premise. Plus, the building is also slightly dated and it can be also crowded with people on local and foreign tours.
But still, with the affordable price offered, we would highly recommend staying in Hotel Urashima. We truly enjoy the onsen bath and serene views from the room. We would stay 2 nights if your itinerary is allowed to truly enjoy the facilities. In short, we can highly recommend this hotel.
If you’d like to make a reservation at Hotel Urashima, then you can do so through Agoda. There are many room options for your selection so be sure to go through the room listing to find one that best suits you. Alternatively, you can look for the price listed on Booking.com as well.
