World Travel with MJ Family

Introduction:

Osaka, Japan is a popular destination for tourists due to its rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. Our family of four recently took a trip to Osaka and had a wonderful time exploring the city. In this post, we will share our experiences and recommendations for things to do and places to see during our first day in Osaka.

Day 1: Tempozan and Kaiyukan

Our journey began with a flight on Peach Air from Korea to Osaka. We arrived at Kansai International Airport in the early morning and took the train to our hotel, the Osaka Bay Tower Hotel. The hotel was conveniently located near the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, which was our first destination for the day.

Tempozan is a large complex that houses a variety of attractions, including an aquarium, a shopping mall, and the Ferris Wheel. The Ferris Wheel is a popular spot for tourists to take in the stunning views of Osaka Bay and the city skyline. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete one revolution, and the view from the top is breathtaking.

Next, we visited the Kaiyukan Aquarium, which is one of the largest aquariums in the world. The aquarium has a wide variety of marine life, including giant manta rays, whale sharks, and dolphins. The exhibits are organized by different regions of the Pacific Ocean, and visitors can learn about the diverse ecosystems and habitats found in these areas.

Lunch at Tempozan Marketplace
After spending several hours at the aquarium, we headed to the Tempozan Marketplace for lunch. The marketplace is a large shopping and dining complex located near the Ferris Wheel and aquarium. We found a restaurant that served delicious sushi and sashimi, which is a must-try when in Japan.

Exploring the Rest of Tempozan
After lunch, we explored the rest of Tempozan. We went to the Legoland Discovery Center, which was a hit with our kids, and then visited the Santa Maria, a replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship. The Santa Maria is open for visitors to explore, and it was interesting to learn about the history of the ship and the voyages it made.

Dinner at Kani Douraku
For dinner, we went to Kani Douraku, a famous crab restaurant chain in Japan. The restaurant is known for its fresh, high-quality crab dishes, and it did not disappoint. We ordered a variety of dishes, including grilled crab legs and crab hot pot, and everything was delicious.

Conclusion:

Our first day in Osaka was filled with adventure and excitement. From the stunning views at the top of the Tempozan Ferris Wheel to the fascinating marine life at the Kaiyukan Aquarium, there was so much to see and do. We also enjoyed the delicious cuisine that Osaka has to offer, from sushi and sashimi to fresh crab dishes. We highly recommend adding Tempozan and Kaiyukan to your Osaka itinerary and don’t forget to try some of the amazing restaurants in the area as well.

If you want to explore the 3 days itinerary, please check this post.

If you want to know more about Osaka, please check this link.

If you want to check other travel posts, please check this link.