Osaka Castle, first built from 1583 by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, rises above huge stone walls and wide moats in a large park. The main tower, rebuilt in 1931, holds a museum of the castle’s history, and the grounds fill with plum and cherry blossoms in spring.

Walk this order. The Castle of Hideyoshi → Giant Stone Walls → Museum and Tower → Castle Park Blossoms → Exit Toward the Bay.

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, opened in 1990 beside the harbour, is one of the largest public aquariums in the world. Its tanks follow the Pacific Ring of Fire, and its huge central tank is home to a whale shark, rays and great schools of fish.

Walk this order. The Ring of Fire → The Whale Shark Tank → Around the Pacific → Jellyfish and Touch Pool → Exit Toward the Wheel.

The Tempozan Ferris Wheel was the tallest in the world when it opened in 1997. A ride takes about fifteen minutes, with views over Osaka Bay and the city, and its lights change colour at night to show the next day’s weather.

Walk this order. The Giant Wheel → View over the Bay → Weather in Lights → The Smallest Mountain → Exit Toward the River.

The Aqua Liner is a sightseeing water bus on the rivers of central Osaka, the city of water. It cruises past Osaka Castle, along the Okawa River and around Nakanoshima island, with its bridges, offices and historic public hall.

Walk this order. City of Water → The Okawa River → Nakanoshima Island → Life on the River → Exit Toward Universal.

Universal Studios Japan, opened in 2001 on reclaimed land by Osaka Bay, brings famous films, cartoons and video games to life, with Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, thrilling rides and colourful parades.

Walk this order. The Film Park → Super Nintendo World → The Wizarding World → Rides and Parades → Exit Toward Umeda.

The Umeda Sky Building, completed in 1993 and designed by Hiroshi Hara, joins two towers at the top with the Floating Garden Observatory. Escalators cross the open air between the towers, and the rooftop deck looks out over the whole city.

Walk this order. Twin Towers → Escalator in the Sky → The Rooftop Deck → Takimi Koji and Garden → Exit Toward Shinsaibashi.

Shinsaibashi-suji is Osaka’s most famous covered shopping arcade, named after a seventeenth century bridge. Department stores, fashion boutiques and snack shops line the street, with the youthful American Village nearby.

Walk this order. The Covered Arcade → Shops and Daimaru → American Village → Sweets and Snacks → Exit Toward Dotonbori.

Dotonbori runs along a canal dug in the early seventeenth century in the Namba district. It is famous for its neon signs, the Glico Running Man, giant moving shop signs and street food such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

Walk this order. The Canal of Doton → The Running Man → Eat Until You Drop → Along the Canal → Exit Toward Kuromon.

Kuromon Market, the kitchen of Osaka, is a covered market street with almost two hundred years of history. Its stalls sell fresh seafood, Japanese beef, fruit and street snacks, many cooked to eat on the spot.

Walk this order. Kitchen of Osaka → Fresh Seafood → Beef and Fruit → Market Manners → Exit Toward Sumiyoshi.

Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, founded according to tradition more than eighteen hundred years ago and dedicated to the gods of the sea. Its steep red arched bridge, ancient halls and stone lanterns make a peaceful final stop and farewell to Osaka.

Walk this order. Shrine of the Sea Gods → The Arched Bridge → The Ancient Halls → Lanterns and Wishes → Farewell to Osaka.