To explore the suburbs of Osaka, renting a car and driving around is the most efficient way to go.
Check out GO!GO!Rental Car for flexible plans and great rates before you head out.
In this article, we’ll introduce three model rental car courses around Osaka, all starting from Shin-Osaka Station and Osaka Station:
- Hokusetsu Area
- Osaka Bay Area
- Sakai & Sennan Area
We’ve included how to navigate each spot, plus parking and access details, so you can use this as a complete planning guide.
1. Hokusetsu Area | Departing from Shin-Osaka Station
Here’s a model course for exploring western Hokusetsu with Shin-Osaka Station as your base:
A rental car lets you enjoy Osaka’s rich nature and scenery at your own pace.
- Shin-Osaka Station
- ↓ Head north on Shin-Midosuji, approx. 33 min
- Minoo Falls | Minoo City
- ↓ Via Minoo Driveway / Pref. Route 43, approx. 7 min
- Katsuō-ji Temple | Minoo City
- ↓ Via Pref. Route 4, approx. 14 min (closed to traffic at night)
- the Farm UNIVERSAL | Ibaraki City
- ↓ Via Pref. Route 1, approx. 18 min
- Expo ’70 Commemorative Park · LaLaport EXPOCITY · NIFREL | Suita City
- ↓ Via Pref. Route 2, approx. 28 min
- Senrigawa Dote | Toyonaka City
- ↓ Via National Route 176, approx. 23 min
- Shin-Osaka Station
Below, we’ll walk you through each of these spots in detail.
Minoo Falls | Minoo City
Minoo Falls is a 33-meter-tall waterfall selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls”.
It’s about a 40-minute walk from Hankyu Minoo Station, making it a great choice for a hiking-style day out.
You can browse the souvenir shops and eateries lining the path, and in autumn, the surrounding maple foliage creates one of the most stunning landscapes in the region.
| Address | 2-2 Minoo Koen, Minoo City, Osaka 562-0002 |
| Access | ・From Shin-Osaka Station, head north on Shin-Midosuji (National Route 423) and turn left at Hakushima 2-chome intersection ・About 40–50 min walk from Minoo Station’s Parking Lots 1 & 2 ・About 15 min walk from Otaki-ue Parking Lot |
| Parking | Parking guide |
| Official Site | https://www.mino-park.jp/ |
Katsuō-ji Temple| Minoo City
Katsuō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Minoo City belonging to the Koyasan Shingon sect — widely known as the “Temple of Winning Daruma (Katsu-Daruma)”.
To pray for success and victory, the temple grounds are filled with countless daruma dolls — a truly striking sight.
The spacious grounds bloom with cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and seasonal flowers throughout the year, so you can enjoy both the temple architecture and the changing landscape.
| Address | 2914-1 Aomatani, Minoo City, Osaka 562-8508 |
| Access | ・About 26 min from Suita IC (Kinki Expressway / Chugoku Expressway / Meishin Expressway) ・About 22 min from Ibaraki IC (Meishin Expressway) ・About 33 min from Ikeda IC (Chugoku Expressway) |
| Parking | From Feb 1, 2025, weekend/holiday parking is fully reservation-only Parking guide Reserve parking |
| Official Site | https://katsuo-ji-temple.or.jp/ |
the Farm UNIVERSAL | Ibaraki City
the Farm UNIVERSAL is a large garden center nestled in the Saito hills of Ibaraki City, designed to be enjoyed by all ages.
Inside the spacious grounds you’ll find a café and a plant nursery (plants are available for purchase), with plenty of greenery to soak in.
The café serves fresh-baked pizzas and thoughtful dishes and drinks made with carefully sourced ingredients.
There’s also a Kids Garden on the terrace where children can play freely, making it a relaxing spot for the entire family.
| Address | 193-2 Saho, Ibaraki City, Osaka 568-0095 |
| Access | ・About 6 min from Shin-Meishin Ibaraki-Sendaiji IC ・About 15 min from Meishin Ibaraki IC ・About 20 min from Chugoku Suita IC |
| Parking | Free on-site parking available (300 spaces) |
| Official Site | https://the-farm.jp/osaka/ |
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park · LaLaport EXPOCITY · NIFREL | Suita Cit
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is the former site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition.
The iconic Tower of the Sun stands just inside the entrance, surrounded by a wide relaxation plaza.
Within the expansive grounds you’ll find cafés, a Japanese garden, and the National Museum of Ethnology — facilities where you can enjoy nature and learn history side by side.
The vast plaza often hosts live performances and flea markets, so be sure to check the official site before your visit.
Right next to the park, you’ll also find LaLaport EXPOCITY shopping mall and NIFREL aquarium, home to penguins, capybaras, and many lively animals.
It’s truly a destination that offers something for every age group.
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
| Address | Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka 565-0826 |
| Access | ・About 8 min from Suita IC on Chugoku Expressway ・About 6 min from Suita IC on Meishin Expressway |
| Parking | Multiple paid parking lots inside the park Parking info |
| Official Site | https://www.expo70-park.jp/ |
LaLaport EXPOCITY
| Address | 2-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka 565-0826 |
| Access | About 8 min from Suita IC on Chugoku Expressway About 6 min from Suita IC on Meishin Expressway |
| Parking | On-site multi-story paid parking Parking guide |
| Official Site | https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/lalaport/expocity/ |
NIFREL
| Address | NIFREL 2F, EXPOCITY, 2-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka 565-0826 |
| Access | ・About 8 min from Suita IC on Chugoku Expressway ・About 6 min from Suita IC on Meishin Expressway |
| Parking | Use the adjacent LaLaport EXPOCITY paid parking |
| Official Site | https://www.nifrel.jp/ |
Senrigawa Dote | Toyonaka City
Senrigawa Dote is a riverbank spot where you can watch planes landing at Itami Airport up close — a dream location for aviation fans.
It sits along the Senri River, just southeast of Itami Airport, separated from the runway only by a fence.
Walk all the way to the spot directly under the landing path and you’ll see planes passing right over your head, just seconds before touchdown.
You can feel the roar and wind pressure of the aircraft as you take in the view, and at dusk, the combination of plane takeoffs and the night skyline creates a once-in-a-lifetime scene.
| Address | 2-1-29 Haradanaka, Toyonaka City, Osaka 561-0807 |
| Access | About 12 min from Ikeda IC on Osaka Central Loop |
| Parking | Use nearby coin parking |
| Official Site | Toyonaka City website |
2. Osaka Bay Area | Departing from Osaka Station
Here’s a model driving route through the Osaka Bay Area, starting from Osaka Station.
It’s also a great date course, packed with scenic spots and even a hot spring.
We’ve included route details and travel times below for easy planning.
- Osaka Station
- ↓ Via Hanshin Expressway Route 16 (Osaka-ko Line) / Route 16, approx. 18 min (toll section included)
- Kaiyukan Aquarium
- ↓ Via Osaka-ko Sakishima Tunnel, approx. 10 min
- Sakishima Cosmo Tower
- ↓ Via Minato-dori / National Route 172, approx. 17 min
- Solaniwa Onsen OSAKA BAY TOWER
- ↓ Via Hanshin Expressway Route 16 (Osaka-ko Line) / Route 16, approx. 13 min (toll section included)
- Osaka Station
Let’s take a closer look at each of these Bay Area spots.
Kaiyukan Aquarium
Kaiyukan is one of the world’s largest aquariums, designed to recreate the natural environments around the Pacific Rim.
About 620 species and 30,000 animals live here, including whale sharks and manta rays.
The tanks are divided by region, and the massive central “Pacific Ocean” tank — where whale sharks glide above your head — is simply breathtaking.
You’ll also find adorable creatures like penguins and ringed seals, making it a fantastic destination for all ages.
After 17:00, the aquarium transforms into a more atmospheric “Night Kaiyukan,” perfect for a date.
| Address | 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 552-0022 |
| Access | ・About 30 min from Toyonaka IC on Hanshin Expressway Ikeda Line ・About 40 min from Ikeda IC on Hanshin Expressway Ikeda Line ・About 50 min from Kyobashi IC on Hanshin Expressway Kobe Line, via Bayshore Line ・About 45 min from Kansai International Airport via Rinku JCT and Hanshin Expressway Bayshore Line |
| Parking | ・Large on-site paid parking ・About 1,000 spaces Parking guide |
| Official Site | https://www.kaiyukan.com/ |
Sakishima Cosmo Tower
Sakishima Cosmo Tower rises 252 meters in the heart of Sakishima — an observation deck offering 360-degree views over Osaka Bay.
A glass-walled elevator carries you smoothly from floor 1 to 52, after which a long escalator takes you up to the observation deck on the 55th floor.
The deck features a slanted terrace and floor windows that look straight down — letting you experience the views in every direction.
The sunset and night views from here are listed in both “Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets” and “Japan’s Top 100 Night Views” — among the most beautiful in the entire Kansai region.
| Address | 1-14-16 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 559-0034 |
| Access | ・About 3 min from Sakishima-side exit of Osaka-ko Sakishima Tunnel ・About 7 min from Nanko-kita exit on Hanshin Expressway Bayshore Line ・About 10 min from Nanko-minami exit on Hanshin Expressway Bayshore Line ・About 15 min from Tamade exit on Hanshin Expressway Sakai Line |
| Parking | Paid parking in the basement of the building |
| Official Site | https://sakishima-observatory.com/ |
Solaniwa Onsen OSAKA BAY TOWER
Solaniwa Onsen OSAKA BAY TOWER is one of the largest onsen theme parks in the Kansai region.
The natural mildly alkaline hot spring water is drawn from 1,000 meters underground, and you can enjoy it in various baths including open-air pools and carbonated baths.
There’s even a “garden-view bath” overlooking the spacious Japanese garden, plus saunas, bedrock baths, fish therapy, and traditional Japanese festival-style amusements.
You can visit for the day or stay overnight at the connected hotel.
Change into a yukata provided inside the facility and snap some photos in the Instagrammable interiors — highly recommended.
| Address | 1-2-1 Benten, Minato-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 552-0007 |
| Access | ・About 3 min from Bentencho exit on Hanshin Expressway Route 17 (Nishi-Osaka Line) ・About 5 min from Namiyoke exit on Hanshin Expressway Route 16 (Osaka-ko Line) ・About 8 min from Kujo exit on Hanshin Expressway Route 16 (Osaka-ko Line) |
| Parking | ・On-site paid parking ・800 spaces available Parking info |
| Official Site | https://solaniwa.com/ |
3.Sakai · Sennan Area | Departing from Osaka Station
Here’s a rental car model course exploring the nature and scenery of the Sakai · Sennan area, starting from Osaka Station.
Route details and travel times are listed below for your reference.
- Osaka Station
- ↓ Via Hanshin Expressway Route 14 and Matsubara-Nachikatsuura Line / Hanwa Expressway, approx. 47 min (toll section included)
- Sakai · Green Museum Harvest Hill
- ↓ Via Hanshin Expressway Route 4 (Bayshore Line), approx. 39 min (toll section included)
- Kanku Observation Hall Sky View
- ↓ Via Hanshin Expressway Route 4 (Bayshore Line), approx. 47 min (toll section included)
- Osaka Station
Below is a closer look at each spot so you can make the most of your trip to Osaka.
Harvest Hill
Harvest Hill is a hands-on agricultural park in Sakai City, where you can interact with plants and animals.
It’s home to Kansai’s first Sylvanian Park and family-friendly go-karts, plus plenty of facilities for kids and adults to play to their heart’s content.
In spring and summer, you can enjoy seasonal flowers across the wide grounds, and in winter, there are Christmas markets and illuminations to keep things festive.
You can also try a wide variety of hands-on activities including sausage and bread making, wreath making, and pottery.
| Address | 2405-1 Hachigamineji, Minami-ku, Sakai City, Osaka 590-0125 |
| Access | ・About 15 min from Sakai IC on Hanwa Expressway ・About 15 min from Sukematsu JCT on Hanshin Expressway Bayshore Line |
| Parking | ・Free on-site parking ・1,800 spaces available |
| Official Site | https://farm.or.jp/ |
Kanku Observation Hall Sky View
Kanku Observation Hall Sky View is an observation facility located on the grounds of Kansai International Airport , where you can watch planes and runways up close.
The observation deck offers a dramatic view of planes taxiing along the runway, just meters away.
It’s the perfect way to wrap up your drive — a spot where you can simply lose track of time and gaze at the scenery.
You can also relax at the airport cafés or do some shopping, so there’s plenty to enjoy beyond plane-spotting.
Bonus: the Hanshin Expressway Bayshore Line that connects directly to Kansai International Airport is one of the most scenic drive routes in the area.
Use GO!GO!Rental Car to make the most of your Osaka road trip.
| Address | 1 Senshukukokita, Izumisano City, Osaka 549-0001 |
| Access | ・About 7 min via Rinku JCT (Hanshin Expressway) and the Airport Connecting Bridge Route guide |
| Parking | On-site paid parking Parking info |
| Official Site | https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/shop-and-dine/skyview |
For Osaka Travel, GO!GO!Rental Car Is the Way to Go
If you want to explore Osaka’s suburbs efficiently, driving is hands-down the best option.
GO!GO!Rental Car lets you rent at prices well below market rate, making it incredibly convenient.
Early reservations are supported too, so you can finalize your schedule well in advance.
On top of the savings, GO!GO!Rental Car also offers a wide range of perks:
- Guaranteed non-smoking vehicles
- Liability insurance included in the base price
- Car navigation and ETC device standard
- Baby, child, and junior seats free of charge
If you’re thinking about renting a car for your Osaka trip, give GO!GO!Rental Car a try.
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