Using the 1-Day Ticket: Enjoy Eco Card for Great Value in Osaka! Must-Visit Spots

📍 Osaka · 👁 1965 reads

● Osaka's Best Travel Companion! 1-Day Ticket: Enjoy Eco Card

Merhaba! I'm Aysel from Turkey.

I moved to Osaka 20 years ago. I absolutely love this city for its livability and the warm-hearted locals!

If you're not sure where to go in Osaka, it's best to start with the must-visit spots for first-time visitors and discover the charm of Osaka. Today, I want to explore the classic Osaka sightseeing route that you simply can't miss. Let's set off with Osakka Metro's most popular 1-day ticket, the Enjoy Eco Card! You can buy the Enjoy Eco Card at ticket vending machines inside subway stations – it's very easy to purchase!

As for the price, it's 800 yen for adults on weekdays, 600 yen on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (children 300 yen). It's valid on the entire Osakka Metro network and on most Osaka city buses (except some routes). While it's convenient and offers discounts to use IC cards like PiTaPa during your trip, if you plan to visit many places in one day, the Enjoy Eco Card is highly recommended!! Plus, it comes with coupons that give you discounts at various sightseeing facilities in Osaka – a great deal! Today I'm going to make full use of the Enjoy Eco Card!

How to buy the ticket and pass through the ticket gate (and how to pay for excess fare)

● Start from the Umeda Sky Building's Kuchu Teien Observatory!

I headed straight to Umeda. First, I plan to visit Osaka's landmark, the "Umeda Sky Building • Kuchu Teien Observatory."

The Sky Building looks really cool from Osaka Station City!! Its smooth surface reflects the blue sky and surrounding buildings, making it very beautiful. On the underground passage leading to the Sky Building, I also discovered some mural art! I recommend taking a photo here too.

It's about a 10-minute walk from Umeda Station! This is how it looks when you stand directly beneath it. The Umeda Sky Building has a very unique architecture, rarely seen in other buildings. It has been selected as one of the "Top 20 World Buildings," so it's very popular among foreign tourists.

Excitedly, I went to the famous photo spot on social media like Instagram – the Kuchu Teien Observatory. The transparent escalator gives a futuristic feel, doesn't it? If you focus too much on taking photos, you'll see the unobstructed outside view and it can be a bit scary...

At the ticket counter, if you show your Enjoy Eco Card, you can buy an adult ticket for 1,350 yen instead of the regular 1,500 yen. I was so happy to get a discount on the entrance fee ♡

Next, I headed up to the observatory! Wow! A 360-degree panoramic view. So refreshing! I took a deep breath under the vast sky. Even though I'm wearing a mask, I could still breathe in the fresh air. The weather was great too – the glass of the buildings reflected the clear sky. Surrounded by endless high-rises, I gazed out at the blue sea and leisurely enjoyed the scenery of Osaka. Every angle here gives you a photo worth keeping!

Colorful padlocks are lined up in rows – this is the famous love locks at the Sky Building. It's a very popular romantic spot for couples. After coming down from the observatory, I could also see couples at the cafe on the 40th floor. It's quite romantic ♡

Oh, and there's even a cute gashapon machine at the Sky Building!

On the B1 floor, there's "Takimi Koji," which recreates a retro street, giving you a taste of old Japan. The Umeda Sky Building really offers something from the top floor to the basement – truly Osaka's best!

Futuristic Umeda Sky Building

Not only can you enjoy the spectacular views from the sky garden, but there's also plenty of entertainment.

Next, I used the Enjoy Eco Card to take the Midosuji Line from Umeda to Shinsaibashi. Right outside the station, you can go shopping at Daimaru and Shinsaibashi PARCO.

Walking along the arcade shopping street while looking at the window displays, I soon reached Ebisu Bridge, which crosses the Dotonbori River. This place is the epitome of THE・Osaka! Although the number of people is not as high as before the COVID-19 pandemic, it's still bustling and lively.

On the bridge, you have to strike the classic Glico pose for a photo.

And also imitate the Kani Doraku crab sign.

Then I went to see Osaka's most famous drummer – Kuidaore Taro.

The "Ukiyo Koji" alley next to "Dotonbori Imai," famous for its kitsune udon, is also a very photogenic spot.

The retro atmosphere gives a sense of detachment from the mundane world.

The Dotonbori area is a treasure trove for exploring street food. First, I tried the takoyaki from "Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka." Even though I can only eat halal food, I ordered the "suyaki" (plain) takoyaki with no salt or seasoning, so I could eat it safely. The dashi broth was rich, and the crispy exterior wrapped around the soft filling – it was so delicious I could only nod in approval.

On Ebisubashi-suji, I found "Samsung Dessert," which caught my eye with its strawberry-topped sweets. The choices of strawberry, roasted sweet potato, and matcha desserts were overwhelming, but I finally chose the seasonal roasted sweet potato crepe. It was generously sized and super satisfying ♡

After dessert, I looked for something salty. So I bought some crispy fried chicken at "Golden Fried Chicken" nearby. It was an endless cycle of sweet and savory.

From Dotonbori to the Namba area, you can stroll around, shop, and eat to your heart's content – it's truly satisfying.

Next, I went to "Osaka Castle," which once topped the list of most searched spots by foreign tourists and is Osaka's most popular attraction! At Namba Station, I took the Midosuji Line to Honmachi Station, then transferred to the Chuo Line to Tanimachi 4-chome Station.

After exiting Tanimachi 4-chome Station, I walked past the impressive Osaka Museum of History and entered Osaka Castle Park. Passing through the main gate "Otemon," I saw a straight path. My mood instantly lifted.

This is the Otemeguchi Masugata giant stone. How did people in the Edo period manage to move such huge stones?

Originally a historic building, it has now been transformed into a complex called MIRAIZA Osaka Castle. It houses elegant restaurants and shops where visitors can experience being a ninja.

And finally, I reached Osaka's iconic landmark – the Osaka Castle Keep (Tenshukaku). It's a luxurious castle with gold decorations. Let's go up to the keep! When I showed my Enjoy Eco Card at the ticket counter, I got a 10% discount on the regular 600 yen ticket, so I paid only 540 yen.

Inside the keep, there's an elevator, giving it a modern feel that's a bit different from the outside impression. The exhibition halls display various exhibits, allowing you to learn more about Osaka Castle's history.

From the middle, you have to climb stairs. Are these steep stairs remnants of the original keep? When I stepped out onto the outer corridor, I was greeted by a lush green view of Osaka.

The angle and height were different from the view at the Sky Building, offering a unique perspective.

The outer walls of the castle are decorated with gold shachihoko (tiger-headed fish) and tiger replicas. No wonder Toyotomi Hideyoshi, known for his love of luxury, built such a resplendent castle.

Next, I took the Chuo Line in the opposite direction to Osakako Station. It took only 15 minutes without changing trains. When you think of Tempozan, you have to mention the Giant Ferris Wheel. Looking up, you can see just how huge it is.

Here, showing the Enjoy Eco Card gives you a discount from 800 yen to 700 yen.

The view from the Ferris wheel provides a sweeping and beautiful panorama of Osaka's port area.

At Tempozan Market, I found something interesting. It's a traditional Japanese candy art called "Amezaiku." I watched as hot candy was quickly shaped into an animal before it hardened, turning into a cute unicorn. It was like magic! It felt too wasteful to eat it!

After spending a whole day at Osaka's must-visit spots, it was already evening. I also love watching the sunset from Tempozan Market. Unfortunately, the "Santa Maria" sunset cruise has been canceled for the entire year this year, and the last departure was at 4 PM, so I missed it... What a pity. With the Enjoy Eco Card, the Santa Maria ticket would have been discounted from 1,600 yen to 1,000 yen! A great deal.

I took another boat called the "Captain Line" departing from the Kaiyukan West Pier. The last departure of this boat was at 5 PM, and I finally made it. Showing the Enjoy Eco Card discounted the one-way adult ticket from 800 yen to 720 yen (round trip from 1,500 yen to 1,350 yen). The Captain Line is not a loop; it goes to Universal City. I got on board and went to the open deck on the second floor, just in time for the sunset over Osaka Bay. The ocean was dyed in shades of orange – dreamlike!

The view of Kaiyukan and Tempozan Market from the boat had a special charm.

I took a photo with the beautiful Tempozan Bridge in the background. Passing under this bridge was a fresh experience. While enjoying the view from the boat, I soon arrived at Universal City Port.

After disembarking, I took a commemorative photo at the entrance of Universal Studios Japan, which is loved by people all over the world. If I happened to be there during the time when night tickets are sold, I could buy one and go in! Would that be too greedy? But just experiencing the atmosphere of USJ was enough! I took many photos of the beautiful neon signs and felt overjoyed.

Today, I visited all the must-see spots in Osaka. Starting from my accommodation, if I had paid regular subway fares, it would have cost 1,150 yen, but because it was Sunday, I only paid 600 yen. That's a saving of 550 yen compared to a weekday. Including the 390 yen discount on facility tickets, I saved a total of 940 yen!! That's enough for a lunch! Such a convenient and cost-effective Enjoy Eco Card – you should definitely use it when visiting Osaka! Next time, I plan to buy a super value ticket and explore more of Osaka city.

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1. ■ Related Articles

2. ● Heading to Dotonbori – a treasure trove of food and photo spots

3. ● Osaka Castle Keep – the most popular spot among foreign tourists

4. ● Finally, head to the bay area – Tempozan

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