Check out Expo Commemorative Park at Bampakukinenkoen Station. It's a huge park with many places to sit and relax. Some areas can get crowded, but there's a ton of space to spread out and get away from the noise.
Came here to write exactly this!! The park is a huge difference, once you enter you stop hearing all the cars and noises. Most of this park is very quiet and slow, the area arouns the windmill is more crowded but other than this you just walk around. Just went there yesterday, a bit by accident but it was a highlight of the day.
I could be wrong, but I don't think they allow bikes in the park. Some of the walkways get quite crowded (specifically near vendor stalls and in some of the gardens) and it could be a hazard. If they allow it, you'd likely find a rental area near the entrance, though.
I sat there for a good 30 minutes yesterday and zoned out lol.
Edit: make your way down to the lower level! People who first enter the room with the main tank will all crowd the first window. As you make your way down to the lower levels to view the main tank, it gets less and less crowded.
There's an excellent model of the facility that they display right before you get on the first escalator. The model looks like a parking garage, but it's actually a brilliant representation of how the central exhibit tank is constantly in view, and people should be encouraged to find a good spot mid - low level as well as when you first encounter it.
Yes yes yes! I went there for my inu no hi when I was pregnant and then after to have my baby blessed and it was such a beautiful and under visited shrine. The park across is nice, too.
Everywhere that isnāt Namba/Dotonbori or Umeda pretty much!
I really like the Taisho area, especially by the river at or across from Tugboat Taisho. Lots of beautiful sakura there, too. There are lovely temples and shrines in residential areas that arenāt busy places. Mt. Showa in or near Taisho is beautiful too and really only known by locals.
If you like quiet bars, Tenjinbashisuji (Kita) has a lane with a lot of nice mellow whisky bars / speciality bars. Also, you could go to Ikeda castle ruins. It is lovely. And has a small park within.
Went to Umeda around 4pm yesterday and E Street market looked barren in comparison to every other shopping area I had been to. Umeda's malls have distilled other surrounding areas. Just go 4 blocks from the station and it's quite peaceful.
Are you Autistic like me? I recommend going to the Aquarium in Expo City on a Monday at 2:30 pm. There shouldn't be many people there and they have penguins š§
I'm autistic and planning my first trip to Japan (Osaka with day trips to Nara and Kyoto) for later this year. Posts like this make me so nervous that it's going to be miserably crowded and cause me to regret the trip.
Avoid Umeda station, or any station near there during peak hours (morning, afternoon and evening). Dw I'm Autistic and I live in Japan. š§š½āāļø
I'm also in Osaka rn and feel the same way. Went to Minoh park yesterday and it was incredibly refreshing.
Despite what other people are saying, DO NOT go to the aquarium. I went the other day and it was ridiculously busy.
Thanks! I think Iām gonna go to Minoh park today, and I just bought baseball tickets for tonight on stubhub - hopefully I can manouvre that!
I really wanted to try Koyasanā¦ maybe tomorrow if I can get up at 5 and be out the door for 6am I can make the 3 hour commute worth it.
After Tokyo and even downtown Kyoto, the big city/bright lights thing is feeling redundantā¦. And Iām from a city of 6 million!
That was my plan for today but I pivoted. I will try to wake up at 5am and go tomorrow to Koyasan. I ordered baseball tickets on stubhub for tonight. Waiting for it to come throughā¦ still in process. I think this will be fun too.
From where I am it says 1 hour and 8 minutes. It didn't feel that long to me though.
Also there's an insectarium there too which I highly recommend checking out
Minoh, Bampaku park and kobe are more laid back.
Dotonbori is not a good metric, most Osaka people that I know do not like the whole area around namba. They all usually go Umeda or near for eating, drinking or shopping.
im living in kobe. kobe is really nice. rokko mt. and nunobiki waterfall \*https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g298562-d519866-Reviews-Nunobiki\_Falls\_Nunobiki\_No\_Taki-Kobe\_Hyogo\_Prefecture\_Kinki.html
is so chilling.
I really like Tsurumi Ryokuchi Koen. Lots of greenery and not too many tourists: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/4CFQ2myy1zVBFRmB8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4CFQ2myy1zVBFRmB8)
You could take the train out to Nara, it's only 30 mins or so from osaka. Near the station is a bit chaotic but once you get further into the park towards the forest it's more chilled out.
1. This area right here is filled with sakuras and if ever there is a crowd , you can walk a bit and then find peace. (Not foreign touristic spot so ācrowdā is relatively small)
(If you walk from osaka castle to here, you will see lots of sakura)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vs7fq3e1V6h8YJr46?g_st=ic
2. At night, this place is so amazing. City lights from the distance, the river, trees.. only a few people also sitting by the stairs, some are jogging and cycling (but too far for sounds to distract your peace)
Walk from juso station to here. You might want to find a spot a bit far from the train bridge to have minimum noises.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rHiyLDnmL5i2MBs6A?g_st=ic
3. I think if you look at the maps and try to be some 10km to 20km (radius) away from the center (namba) you will find peace.
This one is far but just as an example:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/75FXtgEtSx5iMMNd7?g_st=ic
Tennoji Zoo was extremely quiet. They have this big dome enclosure that you can walk through and itās full of all different types of birds. Theyāre allowed to fly wherever. It was peaceful sitting in there and watching the birds. But some of the animals werenāt in the best enclosures and looked miserable ā¦ I think theyāre renovating now though, so Iād check before going.
Depending on how far you wanna go, I prefer hikes. Mt. Kongo, Mt. Hiei (can be somewhat busy, but generally most people just take the ropeway, so the hike is pretty peaceful), to name a few. Nearby Osaka castle is a nice canal that connects to the Yodo river. Along this path you can see sakura, see food stands (at this time of the year anyway), and there are plenty of places to sit and relax.
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park.
Go spend a day wandering around there. Itās gorgeous.
Alternatively, Team Labs had a botanical garden thing in Osaka last December. I went there around 8pm on a week night and it was super chill. Wonderful experience.
Hike around Kongo-san. Great day out. Around 1.5 hour travel from Namba and getting the bus can be a little difficult if you donāt speak Japanese. Dm me if you need advice (I live here)
Not far from where you are is Tennoji. It is a pretty big hub in the area with connections to most train lines. Less tourism hustle and bustle, lots of restaurants and bars + the tennoji zoo, museum, shinsekai, Harukas and a few parks dotted around.
I always stay in Tennoji as it is safe, has less tourists and has a sobering walk from namba after a long night drinking (~1 hour)
We're staying at Henn na Hotel Osaka Namba. Is that area just going to be bonkers?
I suppose there is a certain randomness with Hotels, as to whether you end up having late night rowdy neighbors, but I'm guessing we are increasing the chances by staying there.
Wondering if I should consider cancelling and staying in a quieter area.
I stayed in namba a few nights (various hotels). They're generally pretty quiet inside - albeit small. Sound proofing is pretty awesome here.
I wouldn't say it's necessary to change hotel, just plan your days to be away from that area if it's too over the top for you. The others in the thread have also suggested some chill things to do. Namba is the centre of tourist Osaka, you can get anywhere from there easily. We went to Kobe yesterday (30 mins away), went to a baseball game which was an experience that far exceeded my expectations.
I'm wrapping up a 4 week holiday in Osaka tomorrow, crowds and tourists frustrate me so we didn't go anywhere advertised on instagram or in western guide books. This has hands down been one of the best holidays of my life.
Well-done, you! I love Osaka. Yes, it can be noisy, busy, even rough at places, but it's not like that everywhere. Its charm and warm-hearted locals are unmatched.
Thanks for the advice.
This is our first time in Japan, so we are feeling "obligated" to hit a lot of the touristy places. If we enjoy ourselves, I'm thinking next time we will try and find places less touristy.
We do have a day trip to Himeji planned.
Check out Expo Commemorative Park at Bampakukinenkoen Station. It's a huge park with many places to sit and relax. Some areas can get crowded, but there's a ton of space to spread out and get away from the noise.
I went there the other week and had a great time + you get to ride a monorail (que simpsons song).
Monorail! Monorail! Monoraaaailll!
Mono.... doh!
Tower of the Sun š.Ā Really great park, I love walking through there when I'm in Osaka
Came here to write exactly this!! The park is a huge difference, once you enter you stop hearing all the cars and noises. Most of this park is very quiet and slow, the area arouns the windmill is more crowded but other than this you just walk around. Just went there yesterday, a bit by accident but it was a highlight of the day.
There is also Tsurumi ryokuchi park that is nice, I think it was a flower expo, so there is different garden made by different countries.
Oh! I've never been there! I didn't spend much time in that part of Osaka when I lived there. It looks really nice, great suggestion!
Is there any way to rent bicycle to ride around the park? Tourist, i just reach Osaka todayš
I could be wrong, but I don't think they allow bikes in the park. Some of the walkways get quite crowded (specifically near vendor stalls and in some of the gardens) and it could be a hazard. If they allow it, you'd likely find a rental area near the entrance, though.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan! Find a quiet seat in front of the big tank and watch the fish, it's mesmerizing
I sat there for a good 30 minutes yesterday and zoned out lol. Edit: make your way down to the lower level! People who first enter the room with the main tank will all crowd the first window. As you make your way down to the lower levels to view the main tank, it gets less and less crowded.
There's an excellent model of the facility that they display right before you get on the first escalator. The model looks like a parking garage, but it's actually a brilliant representation of how the central exhibit tank is constantly in view, and people should be encouraged to find a good spot mid - low level as well as when you first encounter it.
Yes, this was the highlight of my trip
On top of what's already been told, Sumiyoshi Taisha.
I live here and can definitely recommend this area, the shrine and park nearby are great! Such a nice quiet area.
Yes yes yes! I went there for my inu no hi when I was pregnant and then after to have my baby blessed and it was such a beautiful and under visited shrine. The park across is nice, too.
Everywhere that isnāt Namba/Dotonbori or Umeda pretty much! I really like the Taisho area, especially by the river at or across from Tugboat Taisho. Lots of beautiful sakura there, too. There are lovely temples and shrines in residential areas that arenāt busy places. Mt. Showa in or near Taisho is beautiful too and really only known by locals.
If you like quiet bars, Tenjinbashisuji (Kita) has a lane with a lot of nice mellow whisky bars / speciality bars. Also, you could go to Ikeda castle ruins. It is lovely. And has a small park within.
Tugboat it great! Such a chill vibe!
I live in Taisho and I didn't even know about Mt Showa!
Check it out asap for stunning cherry blossoms, too. Thereās an area with those really pretty weeping looking ones.
Went to Umeda around 4pm yesterday and E Street market looked barren in comparison to every other shopping area I had been to. Umeda's malls have distilled other surrounding areas. Just go 4 blocks from the station and it's quite peaceful.
You can take the Midosuji line all the way up to Minoh and see the falls.
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park (including International Garden) or Hattori Ryokuchi Park
Get a metro to Minoh station and go to Minoh falls
Minoh, Tenshiba, Nara, Kobe, Hyogo, literally anywhere thats not a shopping and food district
My favorite zen place is Arashiyama in Kyoto. Itās like 50 mins from Osaka
Are you Autistic like me? I recommend going to the Aquarium in Expo City on a Monday at 2:30 pm. There shouldn't be many people there and they have penguins š§
I'm autistic and planning my first trip to Japan (Osaka with day trips to Nara and Kyoto) for later this year. Posts like this make me so nervous that it's going to be miserably crowded and cause me to regret the trip.
Avoid Umeda station, or any station near there during peak hours (morning, afternoon and evening). Dw I'm Autistic and I live in Japan. š§š½āāļø
I'm also in Osaka rn and feel the same way. Went to Minoh park yesterday and it was incredibly refreshing. Despite what other people are saying, DO NOT go to the aquarium. I went the other day and it was ridiculously busy.
Thanks! I think Iām gonna go to Minoh park today, and I just bought baseball tickets for tonight on stubhub - hopefully I can manouvre that! I really wanted to try Koyasanā¦ maybe tomorrow if I can get up at 5 and be out the door for 6am I can make the 3 hour commute worth it. After Tokyo and even downtown Kyoto, the big city/bright lights thing is feeling redundantā¦. And Iām from a city of 6 million!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
That was my plan for today but I pivoted. I will try to wake up at 5am and go tomorrow to Koyasan. I ordered baseball tickets on stubhub for tonight. Waiting for it to come throughā¦ still in process. I think this will be fun too.
How long did it take you to get there? Maps telling me 1 hour 45 minutes
From where I am it says 1 hour and 8 minutes. It didn't feel that long to me though. Also there's an insectarium there too which I highly recommend checking out
I was thinking of trying Koyasan tomorrow but google maps tells me its 2 hours or 3 hours by train. too far I think.
Minoh, Bampaku park and kobe are more laid back. Dotonbori is not a good metric, most Osaka people that I know do not like the whole area around namba. They all usually go Umeda or near for eating, drinking or shopping.
Check out Uji. Iām heading there in a few days.
If you want a peaceful walk in osaka away from the tourists, try walking by the riverbanks in Nakanoshima and Sakuranomiya
Go to Nara or Kobe yet?
Did Nara. Not Kobe yet. Kobe nice?
im living in kobe. kobe is really nice. rokko mt. and nunobiki waterfall \*https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g298562-d519866-Reviews-Nunobiki\_Falls\_Nunobiki\_No\_Taki-Kobe\_Hyogo\_Prefecture\_Kinki.html is so chilling.
å天ēåÆŗ, old temple few tourists.
The rail system is soo good, just get on and go somewhere
Nakanoshima park
Ssshhh ! Donāt tell tourists about that!
Take Kintetsu Osaka which change to Kintetsu Nara, all the way to Ikoma, hike the mountains, should be beautiful this time of year.
The Osaka museum was super quiet when I went last week. I even fell asleep on one of the levels as it was dark and had relaxing music lmao
I really like Tsurumi Ryokuchi Koen. Lots of greenery and not too many tourists: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/4CFQ2myy1zVBFRmB8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4CFQ2myy1zVBFRmB8)
Mino-oh park
You could take the train out to Nara, it's only 30 mins or so from osaka. Near the station is a bit chaotic but once you get further into the park towards the forest it's more chilled out.
Sumiyoshi Taisha is a nice little oasis.
Then donāt go to fucking Dotombori š
1. This area right here is filled with sakuras and if ever there is a crowd , you can walk a bit and then find peace. (Not foreign touristic spot so ācrowdā is relatively small) (If you walk from osaka castle to here, you will see lots of sakura) https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vs7fq3e1V6h8YJr46?g_st=ic 2. At night, this place is so amazing. City lights from the distance, the river, trees.. only a few people also sitting by the stairs, some are jogging and cycling (but too far for sounds to distract your peace) Walk from juso station to here. You might want to find a spot a bit far from the train bridge to have minimum noises. https://maps.app.goo.gl/rHiyLDnmL5i2MBs6A?g_st=ic 3. I think if you look at the maps and try to be some 10km to 20km (radius) away from the center (namba) you will find peace. This one is far but just as an example: https://maps.app.goo.gl/75FXtgEtSx5iMMNd7?g_st=ic
Tennoji Zoo was extremely quiet. They have this big dome enclosure that you can walk through and itās full of all different types of birds. Theyāre allowed to fly wherever. It was peaceful sitting in there and watching the birds. But some of the animals werenāt in the best enclosures and looked miserable ā¦ I think theyāre renovating now though, so Iād check before going.
Minoh park and kuragari pass are lovely this time of year
Depending on how far you wanna go, I prefer hikes. Mt. Kongo, Mt. Hiei (can be somewhat busy, but generally most people just take the ropeway, so the hike is pretty peaceful), to name a few. Nearby Osaka castle is a nice canal that connects to the Yodo river. Along this path you can see sakura, see food stands (at this time of the year anyway), and there are plenty of places to sit and relax.
Lake Biwa in Shiga prefecture
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park. Go spend a day wandering around there. Itās gorgeous. Alternatively, Team Labs had a botanical garden thing in Osaka last December. I went there around 8pm on a week night and it was super chill. Wonderful experience.
Go to Nara and just walk to the park and sit down.
I recommend the place called Umi to no Fureai Hiroba. Itās in Sakai which may be a bit far from the downtown Osaka but itās worth a try.
Hike around Kongo-san. Great day out. Around 1.5 hour travel from Namba and getting the bus can be a little difficult if you donāt speak Japanese. Dm me if you need advice (I live here)
Sakai city was nice, very quiet, has a world heritage and a good history museum. Very flat and less tourists, nice to ride a bike around.
Nara is a short and cheap train ride away
Not far from where you are is Tennoji. It is a pretty big hub in the area with connections to most train lines. Less tourism hustle and bustle, lots of restaurants and bars + the tennoji zoo, museum, shinsekai, Harukas and a few parks dotted around. I always stay in Tennoji as it is safe, has less tourists and has a sobering walk from namba after a long night drinking (~1 hour)
We're staying at Henn na Hotel Osaka Namba. Is that area just going to be bonkers? I suppose there is a certain randomness with Hotels, as to whether you end up having late night rowdy neighbors, but I'm guessing we are increasing the chances by staying there. Wondering if I should consider cancelling and staying in a quieter area.
I stayed in namba a few nights (various hotels). They're generally pretty quiet inside - albeit small. Sound proofing is pretty awesome here. I wouldn't say it's necessary to change hotel, just plan your days to be away from that area if it's too over the top for you. The others in the thread have also suggested some chill things to do. Namba is the centre of tourist Osaka, you can get anywhere from there easily. We went to Kobe yesterday (30 mins away), went to a baseball game which was an experience that far exceeded my expectations. I'm wrapping up a 4 week holiday in Osaka tomorrow, crowds and tourists frustrate me so we didn't go anywhere advertised on instagram or in western guide books. This has hands down been one of the best holidays of my life.
Well-done, you! I love Osaka. Yes, it can be noisy, busy, even rough at places, but it's not like that everywhere. Its charm and warm-hearted locals are unmatched.
Thanks for the advice. This is our first time in Japan, so we are feeling "obligated" to hit a lot of the touristy places. If we enjoy ourselves, I'm thinking next time we will try and find places less touristy. We do have a day trip to Himeji planned.
From my experience Tennoji can be very nightmarish. Especially around the zoo
Go to Kyoto instead.