Don Quijote Dotonbori Store
Known for its late-night hours, quirky shelf displays, and handwritten promotional signs, Don Quijote is a beloved all-in-one discount store. The Dotonbori branch is especially eye-catching thanks to its iconic yellow Ferris wheel attached to the building’s façade-now a well-known landmark along the Dotonbori River in Osaka’s Minami district.
They have everything—beauty products, snacks, medicine, toys, clothes. So many choices!
TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY
Developed by JR East, Takanawa Gateway City is a bold urban redevelopment project transforming a former train yard into a 9.5-hectare next-generation smart city. Centered around the newly completed Takanawa Gateway Station, the complex is slated for four high-rise towers and a low-rise cultural facility, bringing together commercial spaces, hotels, offices, residences, a multipurpose cultural center, and an international conference hall.
The layout is really well planned, so it's not easy to get lost. Walking around never feels chaotic.
Osaka Ikuno KoreaTown (Miyuki-dori Shopping Street)
Osaka Ikuno Korea Town refers to the “Miyuki-dori Shopping Street, Miyuki-dori Central Shopping Street, and Miyuki-dori East Shopping Street”. The area is the home of Miyukimori Tenjingu Shrine, which has a history of 1,600 years. It is a shopping street with about 120 stores lined up along a 500-meter stretch from east to west.
It's not as lively as I expected. I bought a bubble tea and it tasted really bad!
Tsutenkaku Tower
A steel tower which looks like the Eiffel Tower and 75 meters high was built In 1912, on top of a building which was the motif of the Arc de Triomphe, and named “Tsutenkaku” meaning “A building reaching the heaven'' by Nangaku Fujisawa, a Confucian in the early Meiji period. After being broken down due to a fire, citizens lobbied for rebuilding and the current 2nd Tsutenkaku was built in 1956.
They didn't tell us that the Osaka Amazing Pass only lets you in after 6 p.m. at night. Plus, the place felt a bit messy and disorganized.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka
Originally launched in 1932 with a mission to foster “knowledge and learning through fun”, this themepark is dedicated to the same LEGO® blocks that are loved by kids and parents around the world.
You can get in for free with the Osaka Amazing Pass, but you have to bring a child with you to enter.
Sankeien Garden
Sankeien is a Japanese Garden built by Hara Sankei, an entrepreneur who was also a man of culture. Extending over an expanse of 175,000 square meters, many important cultural assets were relocated here from Kyoto and Kamakura. They have been masterfully arranged throughout the garden.
This is a classic traditional Japanese garden with a rustic charm. It's definitely worth a visit if you want to experience Japanese garden culture.
Yokohama Cosmo World
This multi-level urban amusement park has a bit of everything, from thrilling rides like a giant Ferris wheel and roller coasters to games, haunted houses, virtual reality attractions using VR and 3D technologies, and children’s rides like merry-go-rounds and character cars.
The Yokohama Ferris wheel is located in the Minato Mirai 21 area. It's the world's largest clock Ferris wheel! Riding it at night and seeing the Yokohama city lights is just gorgeous.