When It Comes to Entertainment, Osaka Has Something for Everyone
Osaka buzzes with energy at any time of day or night. The City of Osaka actively promotes the Metropolis' Night Culture. Restaurants and tourist attractions are open until late at night. Many forms of entertainment, such as live performances, begin once the workday is over. Trains and subways also run until late at night so there's plenty of time to enjoy the evening.
For visitors interested in learning about Japan's traditional arts, there's Bunraku, Noh, Kyogen and Kabuki. For those who like humor, Osaka is famous for its comedy, which is presented in various forms. First-run Hollywood movies are shown at movie theaters around the city, while virtually every variety of major dance, opera, symphony and concert can be enjoyed here. Why not enjoy the staggering variety of places to eat and drink? Or take in the ambience of fine jazz at a homey live house? Try an evening cruise on one of the rivers, or a nighttime tour of one of Osaka's most enchanting districts. Enjoy the breathtaking night view of the city from one of the giant Ferris wheels. Or how about just strolling through neon-lit streets? The number of night culture attractions in Osaka is endless.
Concerts & Live Music
Osaka is a frequent tour stop for concerts by world renowned rock musicians. And Osaka also offers a highly-diverse mix of classical and contemporary live music, everything from classical symphony to popular ballad.
There are many concert halls in Osaka that showcase the best talent in rock, jazz and classical music:
There is, of course, Festival Hall, the Kansai Region's preeminent music hall, which is located on Nakanoshima and seats more than 2,700. A wide range of musical performances are held here. Adjacent to Festival Hall is the smaller, multi-purpose Recital Hall, a fine 563-seat venue. There is also Osaka-jo Hall, an enormous oval, 16,000-seat multi-purpose facility situated within Osaka Castle Park. The Osaka Koseinenkin Kaikan is another multi-purpose hall, one that often hosts concerts by famous performers from overseas. Namba Hatch, located inside the main ward of the octagonal Minatomachi River Place, is one of the biggest music halls of its kind in Japan, with standing room for 1,500 people, and features both up-and-coming artists and famous big names. For classical music there is Symphony Hall, where many of the world's top musicians and soloists have performed.
The 250-seat Ishihara Hall has its own string orchestra and shows premier performances. Izumi Hall, with its warm wooden interior, was designed after a famous music hall in Vienna. The remarkable Phoenix Hall is designated for chamber music, and has a large window at the back of the stage where the audience can see nighttime views of the Kita Area. For jazz lovers, there are a number of live jazz venues around the city, including
Billboard Live OSAKA, which showcases the finest jazz talent from overseas and Japan.
Opera, Ballet, etc.
Major opera and ballet companies from Europe and the U.S. visit Osaka on a regular basis. Most of their lavish productions are staged at Festival Hall. On occasion, traveling troupes put on Broadway musicals at Festival Hall or Osaka Koseinenkin Kaikan. The spectacular Canadian show, Le Cirque du Soleil, makes regular visits and performs in a special tent in Nanko. Disney on Ice also visits Osaka every summer with dazzling shows at Osaka-jo Hall. The Takarazuka Grand Theater is home of the Takarazuka Revue, an all-female troupe that has performed to sold-out audiences overseas.
Movie Theaters
Hollywood, European, Asian and domestically produced first run movies are shown at many cinemas in Osaka. If you just happened to miss a film while it was showing back home, there's a chance you can see it in Osaka. There are three multiplexes in Umeda: the Navio Toho-plex; Brug 7; and Piccadilly Theater. Cinemas in Namba include the Shikishima Cine Pop. Art films are shown at three cinemas in Umeda: the Garden Cinema; Cine Libre; and the Teatoru. They are also shown at the Shinsaibashi Cinema Deux and Cine Nouveau in Kujo.