Osaka’s rich history makes it a must-visit destination for any tourist in Japan.
Over the years, the city has undergone serious change.
What was once an economic hub morphed into the imperial capital, and then into the cultural center of Japan.
Today, Osaka has a bustling financial district and many exciting attractions for tourists visiting the area.
In particular, the Japanese city is a great location for couples.
Between cruising along Osaka Bay and exploring the city’s many historic temples, there are plenty of romantic activities fit for two.
Continue reading for 18 romantic things to do in Osaka for couples.
1. Osaka Helicopter Tour
See the sprawling metropolis of Osaka from above on this romantic helicopter tour.
It is perfect for all adventurous couples.
Tours range in length from 4 minutes to 15 minutes, allowing you to choose how long you prefer to be flying in the sky.
Tours of under 10 minutes are great for first-timers, while tours of 15 minutes are best suited to couples after a radical helicopter sightseeing experience.
Helicopters will fly over the city’s biggest attractions, including Universal Studios Japan, Kyocera-dome, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, International Exhibition Centre, Cosmo Tower, and Nakanoshima.
You’re sure to feel the romance as this private tour zooms you above the city!
Inclusions for most tours
- All fees and taxes
- Professional pilot
2. Osaka Bay Cruise
Step aboard the Santa Maria and set sail on Osaka Bay.
This sightseeing cruise is perfectly suited to Osaka, otherwise known as the Water Capital.
The ship is modelled after the one Christopher Columbus sailed in to America.
Tours will pass by Universal Studios Japan and the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the most famous aquariums in the world.
In addition to the attractions you’ll see from the ship, this is your chance to cuddle up with your date on the deck.
All boarding fares are included so as soon as you hop on board, you won’t have to worry about a thing!
Tour details
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Departure Point: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, 1-chōme-1-10 Kaigandōri, Minato-ku, Osaka
- Inclusions: Boarding fares
3. Osaka Walking Tour
Experience all that Osaka has to offer by foot!
This three hour walking tour will give you and your partner the chance to become acquainted with the city.
Tours will go through the city’s most famous neighbourhoods.
Plus, a beverage and authentic Osaka food tasting is included.
Of course, another great part about walking tours, is that they give you a chance to interact with the locals.
Your knowledgeable local guide will be there every step of the way to answer all of your questions.
Tour details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure Time: 9:50 am
- Departure Point: Tourist information Osaka
- Inclusions: Local guide, beverages, food tasting, entry fees
4. Osaka Bike Tour
Experience Osaka like the locals do – on two wheels!
There are many bike tours in Osaka that will have you cycling around the city with a small group.
All tours are led by a professional guide.
You’ll get the lay of the land in Osaka while exploring some of the most stunning attractions.
Most tours pass by Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple and Shin Sekai.
You’ll have opportunities to take breaks along the way, ensuring a leisurely ride for all.
Inclusions for most tours
- English-speaking guide
- Bottled water
- Bike rental
- Helmet rental
5. Kuchu Teien Observatory
Visit a garden in the sky, otherwise known as the Floating Garden Observatory.
This Osaka attraction will send you and your partner to the 40th floor of the Floating Garden Observatory, where you’ll find the most stunning views of the city.
The striking architecture of the building makes it one of the most interesting in Osaka.
From the top, visitors can enjoy 360 degree views of the city.
Remember to bring your camera!
This will be the perfect place to strike a pose (and perhaps even pop the question!).
Entry details
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 10:30 pm
- Departure Point: Kuchu Teien Observatory, 1-1-88 Oyodonaka Umeda Sky Bldg., Kita, Osaka
- Duration: 1 hour
6. Tempozan Harbor Village
Strolling around Tempozan Harbor Village is the perfect way for a couple to spend the afternoon.
It is situated on the waterfront of Osaka Bay, roughly 20 minutes from the central business district.
The village is a modern complex of shopping and entertainment.
There is something at Tempozan Harbor Village to suit every couple.
Soar to new heights with a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel or visit the Osaka Aquarium, one of the biggest aquariums in the world.
There are also plenty of shops, the Suntory Museum which houses an IMAX theater, and Tempozan Marketplace, where you can sample Japanese food court offerings.
Inclusions for most tours
- English-speaking guide
- Entry fees
7. Osaka Temples, Gardens & Kofun Tombs Tour
Explore the quiet side of Osaka on this private tour of the city’s many temples and gardens.
This tour will pick you up at your hotel and take you to new parts of Osaka.
Couples will see the city’s notable temples, a historic entertainment quarter, gardens, and the famous “kofun” tombs.
Next, you’ll head south to Sakai City, where you’ll be treated to a stunning view of Osaka to the north, the mountains to the east, and the coast to the west and south.
An English-speaking guide driving a luxury vehicle will be with you every step of the way.
This is a great alternative for couples wishing to learn about Osaka’s history while escaping the hustle and bustle of the financial district.
Tour details
- Duration: 8 hours
- Departure Time: 8:30 am
- Inclusions: Local guide, hotel pick up, transport by private vehicle
8. Osaka Castle and Osaka River Cruise
Become king and queen for a day with this Osaka Castle tour.
An expert, English-speaking guide will first take you on a tour of the city’s most famous attraction.
Osaka Castle is a sight to behold any time of year, but is particularly famous in spring when the cherry blossoms surrounding it come to life.
Couples can walk around the castle ground, visit the castle museum, and spend some time in Osaka Castle Park.
But that’s not all!
After your tour of the castle is complete, you’ll be welcomed on a 1 hour cruise ride on Osaka Bay.
Tour details
- Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Departure Time: 12:30 pm
- Departure Point: Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-番１号 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Inclusions: Entry fees, 1 hour cruise, English-speaking guide
9. Osaka Aquarium
The Osaka Aquarium is famous for a reason!
As one of the largest aquariums in the world, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a must-visit for all animal lovers.
Exhibits focus on marine life in Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and beyond.
There are 27 tanks in total (one that is a whopping 9 meters deep) that will allow you to see all kinds of exciting marine creatures up close.
Couples can visit seals in the Arctic zone, watch adorable penguins in the Falkland Island zone, touch sharks and manta rays in the Maldives zone, and even marvel at the whale shark.
You’ll also find reptiles and birds at the Osaka Aquarium.
Osaka Aquarium details
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Departure Point: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, 1-1-10 Kaigandori Minatoku, Osaka
- Inclusions: Entry fees
10. Universal Studios
Did you know there is a Universal Studios theme park in Osaka?
Now you do!
Osaka has one of only two Universal Studios’ theme parks in all of Asia.
Step into your favourite movies at this fun amusement park.
They have attractions from Harry Potter, Minions, Spider Man, Jurassic Park, Jaws, and more.
One of the most popular areas of the park is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Wander through Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade village before riding wizard-themed rides.
Tour details
- Duration: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Opening Hours: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm
- Departure Point: Universal Studios Japan, 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka
- Inclusions: Entry fees
11. Inunakisan Hot Springs
Just 40 minutes from Kansai International Airport lies this incredible hot springs experience.
This is your chance to get some much needed rest and relaxation.
Bathing in the Inunakisan hot springs is sure to soothe your muscles and make your skin soft and supple.
The hot springs are located in a Japanese inn called Fudouguchikan.
After your bath experience, you’ll be able to indulge in a traditional Kaiseki lunch, which includes one course of beautifully prepared Japanese cuisine.
To finish off the tour, a knowledgeable local guide will teach you about Japanese culture.
Tour details
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure Time: 10:30 am
- Inclusions: Local guide, lunch, tour escort/host
12. Nature Walk at Minoo Park
Spend the morning or afternoon (your choice!) taking in the beauty of Minoo Park.
This forested park located on the outskirts of Osaka is home to a picturesque waterfall and Mount Minoo.
Minoo Park was designated as a quasi-national park in 1967 and with good reason.
It is a treasure trove of natural wildlife, with over 1,300 different types of plants, 3,500 insects, and plenty of animals, from wild birds and mammals to amphibians and reptiles.
The waterfall is the first stop on the walking tour, which will then be followed by lunch at Yamamoto Coffee House.
At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to rest your tired feet at Yuzuru-No-Ashiyu, a foot spa near Minoo station.
Tour details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure Time: 9:00 am or 2:00 pm
- Departure Point: Minoo station, tickets gate
- Inclusions: Local taxes, professional guide
13. Tenma and Kyobashi Food Tour
Attentino all foodie couples!
This is the tour for you.
This evening food tour of Osaka will take you to two of the city’s most well known areas for food and drink, Tenma and Kyobashi.
You’ll get to try authentic Osaka street food, meet some locals, and enjoy three complimentary beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic – it’s up to you!).
Combining gastronomy and history, your local guide will show you some off the beaten path locations in these two neighbourhoods.
Tours are limited to just six people, ensuring a personalised experience.
Tour details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure Time: 6:00 pm
- Departure Point: McDonald’s Temma Station, 4-chōme-12-1 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Inclusions: Dinner, three drinks, entry fees, public transportation, English-speaking guide
14. Tea Ceremony in a Kimono
When in Japan, do as the Japanese do.
This is your chance to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
You will learn how to make green tea in an ancient-style tea room while wearing a kimono.
Hairstyling for the ladies and a complimentary kimono for both the men and women is included.
Sipping on matcha while in Japan?
Sounds like the perfect romance activity to us!
Tour details
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Departure Point: Maikoya Osaka
- Inclusions: Kimono costume, hairstyling, green tea, utensils, snacks
15. Sake Tasting
Sake is one of the first things that comes to mind when people think of Japan.
This rice beverage has an important role in Japanese culture, and is often drunk at religious gatherings and weddings.
A private sake tasting for just you and your partner will allow you to try three cups of authentic sake while in the country that invented it.
You’ll also learn about the brewing process.
To provide a bit of background, sake is created by fermenting rice in large vats and distilling it into a clear, alcoholic beverage.
In addition to sampling three different brands of sake, you’ll also be given some tasty nibbles to snack on while you drink.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departure Times: 12:00 pm or 5:00 pm
- Departure Point: Maikoya Osaka
- Inclusions: All taxes and fees, snacks, three tasting cups of sake
16. Osaka Cooking Class
Who doesn’t love Japanese food?
Japan has some of the best cuisine in the world and now’s your chance to learn how it’s made!
This Osaka cooking class will have couples learning how to cook authentic dishes from an expert, English-speaking cooking instructor.
You’ll be shown how to prepare the Osaka specialties of takoyaki and okonomiyaki, as well as miso soup.
To finish off the meal, you’ll whisk green tea and sample taiyaki, a popular fish-shaped waffle.
Rest assured, you’ll come away with a full stomach on this romantic date!
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Departure Point: 1 Chome-1-43 Morinomiyachuo, Chūō-ku, Osaka
- Inclusions: Lunch or dinner, sake or beer tasting, all ingredients for cooking, English-speaking instructor
17. Japanese Sweets Making Workshop
Are you a dessert addict?
This tour will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!
This Japanese sweets making experience is something you and your partner will surely remember forever.
You’ll learn how to make nerikiri, which you can mold into any shape you wish.
Nerikiri travels well so you’ll be able to bring some home as a souvenir.
All couples will be given chef’s jackets so you can feel like a professional!
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departure Point: Maikoya Osaka
- Inclusions: Ingredients, utensils, chef jacket
18. Vacation Photographer in Osaka
Celebrate your trip to Osaka with an impromptu photo session!
Photography sessions are offered in varying lengths of 30, 60, or 100 minutes, so you can choose what’s right for you.
This activity is ideally suited to couples, especially those on their honeymoon or those planning a surprise proposal!
A local photographer who knows the ins and outs of Osaka will be able to recommend the best locations and outfits for your shoot.
Within 4 days of the session, you’ll receive access to an edited, HD gallery of all your photos.
Then when you return home, you can print and frame the ones you like best, forever remembering your time in this beautiful Japanese city.
Tour details
- Duration: 30-100 minutes
- Inclusions: Photo session, edited HD pictures, recommendations for the best locations and outfits
Osaka is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, with plenty of romantic attractions perfect for couples.
From a private photography session to a Japanese tea ceremony, we hope you enjoyed this list of 18 romantic things to do in Osaka for couples.
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