A Day in Tennoji, Osaka – Zoo, Temple and Shinsekai

After having lunch at Osaka Ohsho in Dotonbori, we took the subway and headed for Tennoji. We were going to be visiting the Tennoji Zoo, Shintennoji Temple and walk around Shinsekai. We took the Midosuji Line (Red M22) and got off at Dobutsuen-mae Station. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see these whimsical animal murals at the station.

Just follow the clear signs to get to the zoo.  Once you reach the subway exit, you can either choose to walk along the road or thru the alleys of Shinsekai. It takes a little bit longer but it’s much more interesting.

This is the entrance to Tennoji Zoo.

We bought the 2-day Osaka Unlimited Pass at the Kansai International Airport for ¥2800 (P1040) which include 2 days unlimited travel on city subway and buses. I just checked, it’s been renamed the Osaka Amazing Pass and price has gone up a bit to ¥3000 (one day pass is ¥2300) but it’s still super worth it because you get free entrance to 28 Osaka attractions. Tickets for the zoo would have cost ¥500/person.

Here’s some pics of the wildlife in Tennoji Zoo.

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Lauren had a nice time feeding the sheep with food pellets that cost ¥100 a pack.

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The ice cream monster just has to have her dose of creamy goodness.

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The zoo might not be the best we’ve ever been to but we still had fun because we love zoos and aquariums.

After the zoo, we headed for Tsutenkaku Tower inside Shisekai. It’s an observation tower with wonderful views of Osaka. Upon reaching the entrance we were greeted with an 1 and 1/2 long line so we decided to skip it and just eat and rest a bit instead.

We chance upon this Takoyaki store across the Tsutenkaku tower and gave it a try because of long queue outside. We luckily found seats inside to rest our weary feet and enjoyed Osaka’s most famous streetfood. The takoyaki are plump and filled with big pieces of octopus.

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Shinsekai is the seediest district in Osaka and we were warned not to go there during nighttime. There are many restaurants inside the area but the most popular is the many Kushi-katsu (fried skewers) there.

After our takoyaki snack, we headed for the last place on our itinerary, the Shintennoji Temple. Shintennoji Temple is Japan’s first Budhist temple and was built in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku. It’s about a 10 minute walk from Shinsekai/Tennoji Zoo and looks like we got there during an event as the place was teeming with people.

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The most beautiful structure in Shintennoji Temple is the a 5 story pagoda. I found the details of the pagoda really beautiful.

These are cute turtle shaped breads we saw on our way out of the temple.

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We turned right after leaving the temple and walked towards Shitennojimae Yuhigaoka Station (Purple T26) to head back to Shinsaibashi.  Before leaving I spotted an interesting donut store called Floresta and had to have a piece or two.

It was a great day to go adventuring in Osaka. Tennoji is an interesting neighborhood with Shinsekai not being as bad as we were warned about although there were some parts that were a little sketchy looking.

Tennoji Zoo/Shinsekai/Shintennoji Temple

Getting There – Midosuji Line (Red M22), get off at Dobutsuen-mae Station

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