5 Recommended Tourist Spots around Teradamachi! Encounter Cute Animals and Delicious Food

Teradacho Station is one of the stations on the JR Osaka Loop Line. In the area surrounding this station, which is filled with the nostalgic atmosphere of Osaka’s downtown, there are several tourist spots that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, including Koreatown and a zoo. In this article, we will introduce five recommended tourist spots around Teradacho Station.

※All information in this article is current as of July 2023. Be sure to check for the latest information when visiting.

1. Railway Cats Diorama Restaurant

The “Railway Cats Diorama Restaurant” is a tourist spot that cat lovers should definitely visit. Inside the restaurant, there are dioramas resembling small railways and train stations, where cats freely relax and play. It’s a unique place in Japan where you can watch cats crossing the tracks, just like a scene from a monster movie. All the cats at this establishment are rescue cats. In addition to running the restaurant, they also support the matching of rescue cats with adoptive families.

The restaurant is divided into three sessions: lunchtime, teatime, and gathering time, each with a two-hour time limit, and advance reservations are required. You can enjoy your meal while admiring the cats relaxing in the finely crafted dioramas.

Even if you’re not a train enthusiast, if you love cats, this place is easy to enjoy, so be sure to visit if it piques your interest.

Basic Information Address: 2-5-16-102 Teradacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, 543-0045 Business Hours: 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays) Access: 2 minutes’ walk from Teradacho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://www.railway-cats.com/

2. Osaka City East Central Wholesale Market

The “Osaka City East Central Wholesale Market” is one of the central wholesale markets in Osaka City that deals with fresh produce, seafood, and processed food products. It is often referred to as the “East Market” for short.

You can purchase fresh ingredients such as tofu, kamaboko (fish cake), vegetables, eggs, and meat, as well as processed products. There are also restaurants serving sushi and rice bowl dishes where you can enjoy fresh seafood and ingredients sourced from the market. Due to its limited operating hours, it’s recommended to visit early.

Basic Information Address: 1-2-68 Imabayashi, Higashi-Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 546-0001 Business Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Operating hours vary for restaurants) Access: Approximately 27 minutes’ walk from Teradacho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://toubusuinaka.com/

3. Osaka Koreatown

Located to the north of Teradacho Station is “Osaka Koreatown,” a place where you’ll find authentic Korean restaurants and Korean grocery stores. While “Osaka Koreatown” may sometimes refer to the Tsuruhashi shopping district near Tsuruhashi Station, it more precisely refers to the Koreatown in Ikuno.

Comprising three shopping districts around the Gokomachi Mori Shrine, it has a total of around 150 shops, making it one of the leading Koreatowns in the Kansai region. You’ll find shops specializing in kimchi, Korean restaurants, Korean dessert shops, and Korean cosmetics stores, among others. It’s bustling with tourists every day, and simply strolling through the area will make you feel like you’re on a trip to Korea.

Basic Information Address: Near 4-5-15 Momodani, Ikuno-ku, Osaka, 544-0034 Business Hours: Vary by shop Access: Approximately 28 minutes’ walk from Teradacho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://osaka-koreatown.com/

4. Tennoji Zoo

Tennoji Zoo is a zoo located within Tennoji Park. It was founded in 1915 (in the 4th year of the Taisho era) and is the third oldest zoo in Japan.

Spread over approximately 11 hectares, the zoo is home to about 1,000 cute animals and birds from around 180 species, including African savannah animals like hippos, giraffes, and lions, as well as crocodiles, turtles, polar bears, and penguins. It can get crowded on weekends, so it may be convenient to purchase tickets in advance.

Basic Information Address: 1-108 Chausuyama-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, 543-0063 Business Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM) Closed on Mondays Access: Approximately 21 minutes’ walk from Teradacho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://www.tennojizoo.jp/

5. Abeno Harukas

“Abeno Harukas” is the second tallest building in Japan, constructed in 2014. The building stands at a height of 300 meters above ground and has 60 floors. The name “Harukas” comes from an old Japanese word meaning “to brighten up” or “to clear up.”

It is directly connected to Kintetsu’s “Osaka Abenobashi” Station and JR/Subway “Tennoji Station,” and it houses one of Japan’s largest department stores, hotels, art galleries, and more.

Especially, the view from the observatory “Harukas 300” spanning floors 58 to 60 on the topmost floors is outstanding. On clear days, you can have a panoramic view extending to Kyoto Tower, Mount Rokko in Kobe, and Kansai International Airport.

Basic Information Address: 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-6016 Business Hours: Vary by facility Access: Approximately 11 minutes’ walk from Teradacho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://www.abenoharukas-300.jp/index.html

Summary

The recommended tourist spots we’ve introduced in this article are all within walking distance from CONTEXTED. When staying at CONTEXTED, be sure to visit these places. You’ll enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the downtown area and create wonderful memories of Osaka.