6 Easy Sightseeing Spots Near the Osaka-Kansai Expo You Can Enjoy on the Side!

※This article is automatically translated into multiple languages based on the original Japanese text
English (English)/Chinese (中文（简体）)/Korean (한국어)/Thai (แบบไทย)

In our previous article, Chihiro Ono from the GMO Internet Group Track & Field Club introduced five indoor spots in Tokyo that are perfect for rainy or hot days! (Read the previous article here)

The Osaka‑Kansai Expo 2025 is in full swing this summer!
After enjoying the Expo, you’ll probably want to do a bit of sightseeing in Osaka as well!!

But you might be thinking, “I’m worn out from the Expo and don’t want to go too far…” or “I only have a short time and need somewhere quick to explore.”
So here are six carefully curated hidden gems in Osaka that you can reach easily from the Expo venue (Yumeshima) and enjoy in just half a day to a full day!

1. Graze Your Way Through Osaka’s Kitchen From Morning! (Kizu Wholesale Market)

※Source: Kizu Wholesale Market official site (https://kizu-ichiba.com/)

▼ Key Points!

✔ Osaka’s oldest wholesale market with a history of over 300 years
✔ A hidden gem with few tourists—experience the real Osaka!
✔ Enjoy ultra‑fresh seafood and produce at bargain prices!

Kizu Wholesale Market feels more local than Kuromon Market and is far less crowded.
Many stalls open early, and you can savor a fresh seafood bowl for around ¥1,000.
With roughly 150 shops, even professional chefs come here to stock up—it’s the real deal.

Favorites include “Kanae Sushi,” where chefs prepare sushi right before your eyes, and the seafood bowls at “Kizu Uoichi Shokudō.”
Get up early and drop by before heading to the Expo!

• Address: 大阪府大阪市浪速区敷津東2‑2‑8
• Access from Expo site: Yumeshima Stn → (Hokko Technoport Line) → Cosmo Square Stn → (Chuo Line) → Namba Stn → (Sennichimae Line) → Daikokucho Stn, 5‑min walk (about 35 min)
• Opening hours: Closed Sundays, holidays & some Wednesdays; varies by shop (most open 4:00–14:00)

2. Experience Deep Osaka in a Classic Shopping Arcade (Senbayashi Shopping Street)

※Source: Senbayashi Shopping Street official site (https://www.senbayashi.com/)

▼ Key Points!

✔ A 660 m‑long covered arcade—one of Osaka’s longest
✔ Nicknamed “Japan’s cheapest shopping street” for its rock‑bottom prices
✔ Retro downtown scenery straight out of the Showa era

Senbayashi Shopping Street bustles with locals and nostalgia.
It’s a treasure trove of cheap eats, from baby‑castella cakes to mouth‑watering croquettes for under ¥100!

Don’t miss the ultra‑cheap bento boxes at “Super Tamade” or the grilled gyoza at “Senbayashi Gyoza.”
Many long‑standing kissaten cafés dating back to the Showa era let you savor retro Osaka vibes.
Weekdays are recommended, as weekends get crowded!

• Address: 大阪府大阪市旭区千林1丁目～2丁目
• Access from Expo site: Yumeshima Stn → (Hokko Technoport Line) → Cosmo Square Stn → (Chuo Line) → Hommachi Stn → (Midosuji Line) → Yodoyabashi Stn → (Keihan Main Line) → Senbayashi Stn, right outside (about 45 min)
• Opening hours: Varies by shop (most 10:00–19:00)

3. Take a Sky Walk Through a Massive Multi‑Level Garden (Namba Rooftop Garden)

※Source: Namba Parks official site (https://nambaparks.com/garden)

▼ Key Points!

✔ A huge 5,500 m² rooftop garden in the heart of the city
✔ A free, hidden healing spot
✔ A sky oasis with seasonal flowers and greenery

Known to savvy locals, “Parks Garden” sprawls across the rooftop of Namba Parks.
It’s a terraced multi‑level garden that makes you forget you’re atop a nine‑story building.

About 70,000 plants representing 300 species offer different scenes each season.
Plenty of benches make it perfect for resting tired Expo feet.
Twilight is especially beautiful, and you can also enjoy Osaka’s nightscape!

Address: 大阪府大阪市浪速区難波中2‑10‑70
Access from Expo site: Yumeshima Stn → (Hokko Technoport Line) → Cosmo Square Stn → (Chuo Line) → Namba Stn, 3‑min walk (about 30 min)
Opening hours: 10:00–24:00 (free admission)

4. Retro Streets Perfect for Photo Ops! (Nakazakicho)

※Source: Cafe Taiyō‑no‑Tō main store (https://taiyounotou.com/cafe/honten/)

▼ Key Points!

✔ Stylish cafés in renovated old houses
✔ A hidden gem within walking distance of Osaka Station, yet few tourists
✔ Plenty of Instagram‑worthy secret spots

Nakazakicho, just a 10‑minute walk from Umeda, blends retro and modern vibes.
Quaint streets that survived wartime bombings are dotted with unique cafés and boutiques.

A crowd favorite is “Cafe Taiyō‑no‑Tō,” where the retro, secret‑base‑like interior and fluffy pancakes spark childlike joy.
Stroll the narrow alleys to discover your own hidden gems.
It’s best to visit on weekdays, as weekends get busy!

• Address: 大阪府大阪市北区中崎西エリア
• Access from Expo site: Yumeshima Stn → (Hokko Technoport Line) → Cosmo Square Stn → (Chuo Line) → Hommachi Stn → (Midosuji Line) → Umeda Stn, 10‑min walk (about 40 min)
• Opening hours: Varies by shop (most cafés 11:00–19:00)

5. The Holy Land of Osaka Subculture (Denden Town)

※Source: Nipponbashi‑suji Shopping Street Promotion Association (https://www.nippombashi.jp/shoplist.php)

▼ Key Points!

✔ Western Japan’s largest electronics district—everything from retro games to the latest gadgets
✔ A mecca for anime, manga, and figures
✔ Plenty of maid cafés and game centers

While Akihabara reigns in Tokyo, Denden Town is the heart of otaku culture in Osaka.
Beyond electronics, you’ll find anime goods, retro games, plastic models, and more.

Pick up nostalgic retro titles at “Super Potato,” score the newest figures at “Volks Osaka,” or relax at Kansai’s first maid café “CCO Cha.”
Hunting for rare finds is half the fun—you might lose track of time!

• Address: 大阪府大阪市浪速区日本橋3丁目～5丁目
• Access from Expo site: Yumeshima Stn → (Hokko Technoport Line) → Cosmo Square Stn → (Chuo Line) → Namba Stn → (Sennichimae Line) → Nipponbashi Stn, right outside (about 35 min)
• Opening hours: Varies by shop (most 10:00–20:00)

6. Artsy Warehouse District Along the Canal (Kitakagaya Area)

▼ Key Points!

✔ Art spaces in renovated shipyard warehouses
✔ A rising hub for Osaka’s new culture
✔ Photogenic canal‑side scenery

Kitakagaya has transformed shipyard warehouses into creative venues.
Centered on the “Former Namura Shipyard,” galleries, studios, and cafés dot the area.

“Creative Center Osaka (CCO)” hosts contemporary art exhibitions and workshops.
Artwork is scattered through the streets, making for unique photo spots.
The canal scenery has a distinct atmosphere, especially stunning at dusk.
This hidden area lets you discover Osaka’s new charms before it goes mainstream!

• Address: 大阪府大阪市住之江区北加賀屋2丁目周辺
• Access from Expo site: Yumeshima Stn → (Hokko Technoport Line) → Cosmo Square Stn → (New Tram) → Suminoe‑kōen Stn → (Yotsubashi Line) → Kitakagaya Stn, 5‑min walk (about 25 min)
• Opening hours: Varies by facility (CCO 11:00–19:00)

Summary

We’ve introduced six hidden sightseeing spots in Osaka that you can enjoy alongside the Osaka‑Kansai Expo 2025.
Each location is reachable from the Expo site (Yumeshima) by train in about 25–45 minutes.

These off‑the‑beaten‑path destinations let you experience the deeper, more authentic side of Osaka.
After exploring the future at the Expo, discover Osaka’s lesser‑known charms and make unforgettable memories!

Combine the Expo with these hidden gems and enjoy a one‑of‑a‑kind trip to Osaka!