theater Archives | Japan Cheapo

Nothing makes the neon streets more photogenic than some raindrops, but once you've got your atmospheric shots, what else can you do on a rainy day in Osaka? Unfortunately, plenty of the main sights in Osaka -- Dōtonbori, Tennoji Temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha, for example -- require some outdoor strolling, which can be pretty unenjoyable in the miserable rain. You might not have factored in the wet weather, but in a city that sees around 110 days of rain a year, you probably should have. Fortunately, Osaka did, so you're not short of things to do -- from huge covered shopping streets to relaxing spas and great museums and galleries. Take a look at our top 10 suggestions, and you might find yourself hoping for a bit of rain. Looking for extra inspiration? Check out the current events -- many feature indoor exhibitions and activities. 1. Explore the past at Osaka's many museums Given its rich cultural history, it's no surprise that Osaka has a great selection of museums where you can explore different aspects of the city's past, among other cultural things. Whether it's through local ukiyo-e artworks (which can't be seen anywhere else) or through realistic reconstructions, you can easily spend your day indoors, learning something new. Here are our four recommendations. Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Dōtonbori Buy tickets For a local feel, head to the Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, which has displays of prints featuring popular Kabuki and Bunraku (types of theater) characters. From the late Edo era, the prints form the only permanent exhibition in the world of Kamigata Ukiyoe. Kamigata is the old name of the Kyoto-Osaka region, and the prints are distinctly different to those from elsewhere in Japan thanks to their realistic style. Osaka Museum of History Ōtemae Buy tickets At the Osaka Museum of History, you can explore a full timeline of the city's past, from ancient times to the modern era. Through a mix of models, reconstructions, and historical objects, you'll get a glimpse of how people lived throughout the ages. There are also a few interactive elements scattered throughout the exhibition, Plus, from the 10th floor of the museum, you can enjoy an elevated view of Osaka Castle. Osaka Museum of Housing and Living Tenjinbashi Buy tickets Similar to the Museum of History, this museum has carefully recreated the city streets. With a full-sized historical townscape, the Museum of History and Living allows you to see what day-to-day life was like in Edo-era Osaka (rather than just battles and wars, like many museums). Traditional festivals, games and shops are explored using murals, videos, and small- and large-scale models. Guests can rent a kimono and stroll through the streets for some vintage shots, as well as enjoy the special exhibitions and events including crafts and tea ceremony. Dōtonbori Museum Namikiza to Dōtonbori Buy tickets Down Dōtonbori, you'll find the Dōtonbori Museum Namikiza -- a museum where you can learn about the history of Japanese theater. Focusing mainly on Bunraku and Kabuki, this place offers its visitors are few different types of experiences (for different prices). Activities include a Kabuki makeover, stage experience, and other content, ideal for both children and adults. Duskin Museum Free Suita NA A different type of cultural museum -- one which is more interactive and designed for the whole family. Duskin Museum is the official (and only) museum in the world dedicated to Mister Donut. If you're wondering why it is in Osaka, it's because the first Mister Donut store in Japan opened in nearby Minō. Inside this free museum, you can learn about the history of the company, see and sample some donuts, as well as make your own in the Mister Donut Kitchen (advance reservation required). 2. Shop in the city's shōtengai Part market, part mall, these covered shopping streets host a mix of food, clothes and souvenirs -- offering a safe haven to shoppers on rainy days. Protected from the elements, these shopping arcades maintain a strange half-in, half-out feel thanks to the glass ceilings (literal ones), allowing natural light. While some are more modern, like Shinsaibashi-Suji (just off Dōtonbori), some are a little more retro like the Karahori and Kohama shōtengai. If you head out to Shinsekai, you can also find Nanyo-dori Shopping Street (known as Janjan-Yokocho), plus Shinsekai Market -- which also have the retro vibes. Alternatively, head to Tenjinbashi-suji, which claims to be the longest in Japan, stretching out to 2.6 km. It's less crowded than Shinsaibashi as it's a little further afield, but has enough stores and shops to keep you busy for a long while. If it's kitchen goods you're after, stick to Doguyasuji -- the short-but-sweet Osaka shōtengai filled with knives, utensils and more. 3. Go thrifting in Ame-mura Thrifting is another great indoor activity, and there's no better place for it than Ame-mura -- Osaka's answer to Harajuku. The area embraced its "American identity" back in the 1970s, when shops began selling imported clothes. Since then, it has grown into a hub full of cafés, live venues, and more. While the neighborhood isn't fully covered, the shops are close to each other, making it easy to hop from one to the next. You'll also find larger shopping complexes like Shinsaibashi Big Step. This particular shopping center houses The Silver Ball Planet -- a retro pinball arcade where you can try out over 100 rare pinball machines. Once you're done shopping, check out some of the trendy cafés nearby. One of our favorites is Café LA, a cozy underground spot with an international vibe and great toasties. Pro tip: Lover of vintage? You could also spend a rainy day following our Ultimate Osaka Vintage Guide and finding some standout pieces. 4. Watch a traditional live performance If you're feeling cultural, then a show at one of Osaka's theaters will be right up your alley. The National Bunraku Theater ~ Nipponbashi Offering performances of Bunraku -- a traditional art form from the Kamigata (Osaka and Kyoto) area, the theater opened in 1984 and has a smaller branch in Tokyo. A type of puppet drama, Bunraku is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Tickets can be bought online or at the box office -- if you're looking for student discounts, you'll have to get the tickets in person. Osaka Shochikuza Theater to Dōtonbori Experience the colorful and cultural world of Kabuki at Osaka Shochikuza Theater. Standing proudly at the end of the main strip in Dotonbori, this historic venue hosts a different performance each month. Typically, there are three shows daily -- morning, noon, and evening. While it's recommended to book tickets in advance, you can also purchase them at the box office on the day. Tickets range from to , depending on the seat. Do keep in mind that if you buy on the day, you may not get the best seats. Asahi Theater ~ Shinsekai A smaller theater located in the retro area of Shinsekai, the Asahi Theater puts on two popular theater-style shows per day (12 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Depending on the production during your visit, you can expect some laughs or slightly more emotional moments. Luckily, you can just grab tickets on the day at the venue. Tickets for a performance start at . Note: All these performances are in Japanese. 5. Feed the fish at Kaiyukan Aquarium Kaigandori Buy tickets Embrace the water and spend a couple of hours at one of the largest public aquariums in the world. Known for having a whale shark, the aquarium is one of the big draws for locals and visitors alike. The areas include a "Deep Japan" display with giant spider crabs, as well as a "Japan Forest" which has salamanders slinking around. There are different feeding times and a touching tank for kids, so you can entertain families easily, as well as adults. 6. Eat away the day at Tsuruhashi Market Free Higashiobase Similar to the city's shōtengai, Tsuruhashi is a food-focused market with countless stalls to sample from. Located in Osaka's Koreatown, this market will keep you well fed and stocked for days. The atmosphere is distinctly shabby but in a charming way (hopefully), with plenty of signs, lights and distractions to keep you entertained. There are around 800 shops in the market, which stretches through three areas (Tennoji, Higashinari and Ikuno). This is where the chefs and restaurant owners of Osaka gather in the mornings to get the best produce for the day, so trust in the knowledge that you'll be getting good quality when you shop here. Pro tip: Be sure to arrive hungry as the food stalls sell everything Japanese and Korean -- you'll have a hard time choosing from them all! 7. Soak away the day at Spa World to Shinsekai Buy tickets Probably the best way to enjoy a rainy day in the world, this is basically a hot-spring theme park with a rooftop pool. In the delightfully sketchy Shinsekai area of Osaka, Spa World is divided into two sections: Asian and European, with genders swapping between the two each month. Spend your time between blue caves, Grecian pools and salt saunas, with traditional Japanese cypress baths around too. The water is sourced from a proper hot spring, it's just jazzed up a bit by the surroundings -- so enjoy the benefits on your skin and embrace the bizareness of it all. Note: The pool at the top is mixed and requires bathing suits. Be aware there is a strict no-tattoo policy (but if you can hide them you'll probably be fine -- from personal experience once you're in, you're alright). Admission to all areas of Spa World costs for adults and for children. Additional fees apply for other amenities such as the waterslides and certain baths. 8. Step inside Osaka Castle Osakajo Buy tickets Maybe so obvious it passed you by, Osaka Castle includes a historical museum, perfect for rainy days. While wandering in the surrounding park won't be much fun, you can step inside for a few hundred yen and learn all about the history of the castle and the city it protected. Once the largest castle in Japan (and still impressive) the castle has been through various disasters including lightning strikes since its original construction in 1583. The modern version was built in 1931 and renovated in 1997, and will teach you everything you need to know about the battles, bloodshed, and building work that's taken place over the centuries. 9. Make your own Cup Noodles at the Ramen Museum Free Masumicho If a museum doesn't have it's own cup-noodle making room, is it even a museum? Not in Japan, and the proof is right here at the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. With a much more well-known sister museum in Yokohama, this museum is smaller but still fun -- with the added bonus of being the hometown of the creation. With wall-to-wall displays tracking the design changes, movies about the history of cup-noodle development and giant models dotted around the place, you'll love it here, even if you only like instant ramen a bit. The place is a lot of fun before you even reach the cup-noodle making area, which is factory-like in efficiency (as we would expect no less from Japan). Design your cup, the contents and then take it through the packaging process, all before packing it in an inflatable pouch. If you're still peckish, there's an Ippudo ramen shop on the way back to Ikeda Station. 10. Make a proper Japanese knife Sakai Book here Another perfect rainy-day activity is to attend a workshop, and Osaka is full of them. From cooking classes to traditional experiences, there's a whole host of options to choose from. Admittedly, they do require advance booking -- but if you see a rainy day on the horizon, go for it. If you're looking for something unique to Osaka, consider this exclusive Japanese knife-crafting class at the legendary Wada Shouten. Specializing in Sakai blades, these knives are crafted in the traditional way by artisans -- without the use of machines or molds. Notably, Sakai remains one of Japan's top three cutlery-producing regions. This workshop includes access to the Sakai Knife Museum, as well as the Wada Shouten workshop. There, you'll have the opportunity to make your own knife, choosing from Santoku, Deba, or Sasihimi styles. To make the experience more special, you can brand and engrave the knife with your name. Before taking your knife home, you'll also learn how to properly maintain it so it lasts for years to come. Pro tip: If you simply want to buy a kitchen knife, head over to Tower Knives Osaka in Shinsekai. Rainy days in Osaka FAQs What is the rainiest month in Osaka? June is known as the rainiest month in Japan. While it often rains heavily, the weather tends to stay quite warm. That said, it doesn't always rain every day. What is the best month to visit Osaka? This is subjective, however, the general opinion is that March to May and September to November are the best times to visit Japan overall. This is because of the warmer temperatures, as well as the various cultural events and seasonal blooms. For more insights, check out our guide to the best and worst times to visit Japan. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in January 2019. Last updated in May 2025, by Jane Pipkin.

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