The 5 Best Free Things to do in Osaka

Osaka is like Tokyo's wild little brother. The city is the third largest in Japan — after Tokyo and Yokohama — but it is known and loved for being the birthplace of many of the nation's funniest comedians and guiltiest snack foods.

As you can probably tell, it's a place where folks don't take themselves too seriously and are always up for a little fun. The locals here are also famous for loving a good deal. So if you're traveling on a budget, Osaka is the perfect place to be, with plenty of free and cheap activities to enjoy, sights to see, and cultural delights to experience. From free museums, to castle hopping to bar-gawking by Dotonbori, here are some of our favorite free things to enjoy in Osaka.

Let's start with the biggest, most obvious choice because it is worth mentioning, but there are plenty more local free hacks in here to be found. Osaka Castle is one of the city's most famous landmarks and well worth a visit no matter your motivation, the fact that you can explore the castle grounds for free is simply a bonus.

For a little historical context, it's worth knowing that the castle was built in the 16th century under the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Over its lifetime, it has gone through a series of renovations and rebuilding, and the current incarnation you see was most recently renovated in 1997.

Spend a little time admiring the green-roofed beauty from the surrounding Osaka Castle Park. The park covers a sprawling two square kilometers and is also home to cherry trees, sports facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall), a shrine, and plenty of space to lay in the sun.

If you have a few loose coins in your pocket, you can always explore the lush Nishinomaru Garden (200 Yen admission), which boasts a 600-large collection of cherry trees, a tea house, and an excellent vantage point from which to admire the castle.

If you want to experience Osaka's wilder side, then look no further than Dotonbori after dark. One of the most recognized neighborhoods in Osaka, Dotonbori is a shopping, entertainment, and dining district and one of the city's most tourist-loved destinations.

Bright, bold, and shamelessly loud, Dotonbori's illuminated signs reflect off the Dotomborigawa River, painting the central strip in bright splashes of color and energy. Stroll along the canal to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, see the famous Glico running man sign, and catch some street performers while you're there.

It's a more modern side of the city, with The Shochiku-za Kabuku Theatre, a relic from the 1930s, being one of the very few reminders of the district's history. But if there's one thing you'll learn about Osaka is that it's a city that loves to live in the moment.

If you're feeling hungry, be sure to try some of Osaka's most iconic street food, like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, of which you'll find plenty of price-friendly options here.

For a different side of the city, head on over to Shinsekai for a self-guided tour through retro-Osaka.

The area came into being in the pre-war Japan era, and at the time, was considered the height of modernity. The name of the neighborhood reflects the ambitions for the area when it was built, as Shinsekai translates literally into "New World". It was largely destroyed during the bombing raids of World War II, and was rebuilt following the war, hence the 1950s retro Showa-era ambience.

The Tsutenkaku Tower is the symbol of the neighborhood. The building was erected in the 1970s and still stands tall and proud, overlooking the shopping strips that line the neighborhood.

It's an excellent place just to stroll, take pictures, and people-watch, and it feels almost like a retro-amusement park. Deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables, known as kushikatsu are the area's signature local dish. Cheap and tasty, they're well worth trying out.

Osaka's local art scene is thriving. The city has several free galleries, some of which you'll be able to discover some of the city's new and emerging artists.

Gallery Nomart is a key underground Osaka cultural institution. The gallery was founded in 1989 when Satoshi Hayashi (Nomart Director), was a university student. At the time of the gallery's founding, he wanted to create a Western-style printmaking studio in Japan that would combine publishing and printmaking. Five years later, in 1999, the gallery opened a new exhibition space, "Project Space", where experimental projects and special exhibitions could be developed, leading to the current Gallery Nomart you can see today.  

If you're interested in the city's local culture, there are plenty of cultural museums worth checking out, for free, too!

For a different pace, swing by the Glico museum in Osaka. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Glico candy company, the creators of some of Japan's most famous sweets, including Pocky, Pretz, and Caplico. The museum is located on the 8th floor of the Glico building and is free to enter; it covers the company's history and how it grew from a small confectionery shop to become one of Japan's leading candy manufacturers. All displays are in English and Japanese.

KIX Sky Museum is one for aviation geeks. This museum is located inside Kansai International Airport (KIX) and is designed to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the airport's operations and aviation history in Japan.

The museum has a few different sections, each with its unique area of focus. There's a section that focuses on the history of aviation in Japan, featuring displays and artifacts that showcase the evolution of aircraft design and technology over the years. Another section is dedicated to the airport itself. Get inside the mind of a pilot with a little whirl inside the flight simulator before heading to the observation deck to catch all the happenings of Kansai International Airport in action.

For a little cultural learning, head over to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine; it's one of Japan's oldest and most important shrines and is located in the Sumiyoshi ward of Osaka.

The shrine's history dates back over 1,800 years, making it one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is free to explore, as are the shrine's grounds, which include several smaller shrines, a pond, and a bridge, and traditional Japanese gardens, which have been artfully landscaped to represent the four seasons.

If you're visiting in July, be sure to visit as the shrine is home to the Sumiyoshi Festival held in July, which features traditional dance performances and a procession of boats on the nearby river.

While it's not technically free, one handy little travel hack worth looking into is the Osaka e-Pass, a one or two-day multi-pass that gets you "free" entry into many of the city's major attractions. Depending on where you go, you only have to visit two locations before you've made your money back!

Some of the popular attractions include Nakanoshima River Cruise, Glion Museum, the Cruise Ship Santa Maria Twilight Cruise, and the Osaka Wheel, but the whole list is up on the e-Pass website. A one-day pass costs 2,000 Yen, while a two-day pass costs 2,500 Yen. Visit the e-Pass website for more information.