Osaka Bay Area, mostly famous among Japanese and international families, is a well-known attraction zone that houses a lot of large-scale entertainment complex. Osaka Bay Area is a good place for a group of family and friends to hang around and enjoy a whole day of outing activities together. Enjoy the sky view of the city, enjoy tasty Osakan’s native dishes, and also enjoy thrilling rides in one of the world’s best international theme park.
About Osaka Bay Area
Osaka Bay Area is a spot with large-scale entertainment facilities. Located in the eastern part of Osaka, facing the Osaka Bay, the Osaka Bay Area is the collection of area erected on man-made waterfront island and peninsulas, where each of these areas housed two of the well-known entertainment complex know in Osaka: Universal Studio, and Tempozan Harbor Village.
What To Do In Osaka Bay Area
Being a famous spot among Japanese and international families, there are a number of entertainment facilities that seems special to the city of Osaka. The followings are the main 3 places of interest that are unique only to this area:
Universal Studio Japan
Universal Studio Japan (USJ) is a theme park that features rides and performance, based majorly on western blockbuster film and movies such as Spider Man, Harry Potter, Terminator, Jurassic Park and many more. If you are into roller coaster and other adrenaline-pumping rides, and also a fan of the western films, you will find this place and interesting place to visit.
- Street address: 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 554-0031, Japan
- Business Hour: Between 8.30 AM to 10 PM
- Access:
- 4-minute walk west of Universal-City Station
- 11-minute on the train from Osaka Station
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
The city largest Ferris Wheel in Osaka is the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. Riding on it will bring you up 112.5 meters into the air and allows you to have great panoramic views of the Osaka Bay Area as well as the city of Osaka from above.
- Street address: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 052-0022, Japan
- Business Hour: Between 9.30 AM to 10 PM
- Access:
- 6-minute walk northwest Osakako Station
- 16-minute on the train from Osaka Station
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
This is one of Osaka’s featured attractions. Dubbed as one of the largest public aquaria in the world, Kaiyukan features over 15 large tanks, with the largest tank, sized at 9 meters deep and 34 meters in length, it is capable of holding 5,400 tons of water, housing the whale sharks, the world largest fish species. Each of these tanks is built to recreate specific region of the Pacific Rim, giving visitors a virtual view of the Pacific Ocean. There is also a lot of interactive exhibition as well.
- Street address: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 552-0022, Japan
- Business Hour: Between 10 AM to 8 PM (subject to changes on certain dates)
- Access:
- 11-minute walk west of Osakako Station
- 16-minute on the train from Osaka Station
Osaka Bay Area Japan Guide
You might be wondering how long you should allocate time to explore the area. There are 3 main areas that can be reached via the train lines. Since there is roughly few section that offers a different kind of attractions, at least a proper 2 days is needed to enjoy the area.
At least 1 whole day at USJ would be sufficient. There will possibly a big crowd requesting the Universal Studio Japan, it is also a good idea if you might want to get your hands on the Universal Express Pass (on top of the entry ticket) so that you can shorten the waiting for the attractions that you wanted to go to. If the whole day is not enough for you, you can get a 2-day Studio Pass (entry ticket) and enjoy your time to the fullest.
You can spend another 1 day at the Tempozan Harbour Village, where you can enjoy the sky view from the Tempozan Ferris Wheel and also enjoy the sight inside the Osaka Aquarium. Right in between is the Tempozan Marketplace, where there is Naniwa Food Theme Park inside. After a whole day of the trip, you will surely feel empty stomach, so having such a place is a great idea to enjoy lots of Osakans native dishes and specialties.
The Sakishima Island and Cosmo Square are more designed to accommodate business conference and trade fair, but it is a good spot to drop by if you have extra time as it was just 1 station after Osakako Station near Tempozan Harbour Village. At the westmost part of the island, there is Nanko Bird Sanctuary, where these are is a pit stop for most migrating birds throughout their migration process. Do check tide times and another season for certain types of birds that can be seen there.
Access to Umeda Sky Building
Apart from the Tempozan Ferris Wheel and the Osaka Aquarium that is well known as a landmark of Osaka, not Osaka Bay Area, there is another world-renowned landmark of Osaka, the Umeda Sky Building – Floating Garden Observatory. It is about 18 minute on train-ride, from Osakako Station (near Tempozan Harbour Village) to reach Osaka Station (south of Umeda Sky Building).
This building has 40 floors and 2 underground floors. Being 173 meters in height, you can have a higher view than the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, plus you can stay and enjoy the top view for a longer time.
- Street address: 1-1-87 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 531-6023, Japan
- Business Hour: Between 9.30 AM to 10.30 PM
- Access:
- 10-minute walk northwest of Osaka Station
- 28-minute on the train from Osakako Station (near Tempozan Harbour Village)
- 27-minute on the train from Universal-City Station (near USJ)
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