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Hyperactive Osaka is a hard-working, progressive, fun-loving city whose shopping, dining and street life provides a heady counterpoint to Japan’s cultural sights.
Who goes there
Some cruises do start or finish in Osaka, particularly those operated by small-ship companies such as APT, Heritage Expeditions, Ponant, Scenic and Travelmarvel. However, most ships are passing through, either on longer Asian itineraries that link Japan with other Asian ports, or on Japan-intensive itineraries. Nearly all the major cruise lines now visit, so you have an abundant choice of budget, style and itinerary.
Tourists flock to Osaka’s Dotonburi to have a Japanese shopping experience.Credit: iStock
Sail on in
Japan’s energy and culture is what amazes visitors, not its urban infrastructure, which tends to the prosaic and concrete. Nondescript buildings and port facilities greet you from the deck of a cruise ship as it sails past several small islands and into the mouth of the Aji River. The most notable landmark is the Ferris wheel that looms over the cruise quays.
Berth rites
Ships dock at Tempozan Passenger Terminal, reopened in May this year and now twice the size of its previous incarnation. There isn’t much at the terminal itself, but it sits on a redeveloped waterfront with plenty of Osaka buzz, a shopping mall, and attractions such as a Ferris wheel, enormous Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan theme park. Families could easily spend the whole day here.
Going ashore
Osaka’s extensive metro network includes a station close to the cruise terminal which makes visiting the city by yourself easy if you want to save on excursion costs. You’ll also get a much better chance to soak up the urban vibe. Osaka isn’t so much about sights as street life – crowded, pulsating, neon-lit – plus endless opportunities to shop and snack. Dotonbori-bashi alone features kilometres of fashion stores and side-alley eateries. The more sedate can plunder brand-name boutiques along upmarket Midosuji-dori or the venerable stores of nearby covered street Shinsaibashi. Hit Amerika-mura for youthful fashion.