Located outside Universal Studios Japan, this huge American-style dining and shopping complex can be visited for free (ie, without paying to enter Universal Studios Japan). It’s not a bad stop if you’re staying in the vicinity, but don’t bother making the trip out here just for this.
Universal City - image © Chris Rowthorn
Universal City Walk Osaka is an American-style shopping mall filled with American chain restaurants and a few local, Japanese dining options. Think chains like TGI Fridays, 551 Horai (pork buns), Hard Rock Cafe, and more. This slice of USA is pretty odd place to visit if you’re coming from North America - there’s more than a small sense that you’ve just come home.
The mall is mostly an excuse to sell visitors a ton of Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs. But, one of the more interesting places to visit here is the Osaka Takoyaki Museum. They’re not plastic food displays; rather, it’s a collection of takoyaki vendors gathered in one place, where you can sample them all one after the other.
Universal City Walk Osaka is relatively fun to walk around if you’re already in the area, and the food, while junky, is quite tasty. It’s not really worth making the trip out here if you’re not visiting the theme park next door, but it’s great if you’re staying in one of the hotels nearby.
For more Osaka resutoran-gai choices, see our Best Resutoran-gai in Osaka page.
English name:
Universal Citywalk Osaka
Japanese name:
ユニバーサル・シティウォーク大阪
English address:
6-2-61 Shimaya, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, 554-0024
Japanese address:
〒554-0024 大阪市此花区島屋6-2-61
Opening hours:
Shops: 11am-10pm
Restaurants: 11am-11pm
Price:
Nearest Transport:
Train: Directly connected to Universal-city Station on the JR Yumesaki Line.
Telephone:
+81-6-6464-3080
Website:
Official website (floor map in English)
Near To Here:
Universal Citywalk Osaka is located in Osaka's bay area. See our complete list of things to do in the Osaka's bay area, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Best Osaka Restaurants
See our list of the best Osaka restaurants for even more ideas about great places to eat in Osaka.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help