Osaka is known as Japan’s vibrant kitchen and cultural powerhouse. The streets are lined with neon-lit signs, and in every corner there is something new to see. Osaka can sometimes be overlooked on a beginners guide to Japan, or many people only come to the city for a day trip, but if you leave yourself enough time to truly dive into everything this city has to offer, I promise you won’t be disappointed. From the stunning Osaka Castle, to the Takoyaki and food specialties that are never-ending, Osaka is such a fun, vibrant city that you could spend weeks in.
Since I know most of you don’t have weeks to spend in Osaka, myself included, here is my guide on how to make the most out of just 3 days in the city.
Day One
Kick your day off by heading to Osaka Castle (9am-6pm). Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed when we entered this beautiful, historical castle to find a modernized inside. Although I wish the inside was preserved from what it once was, the castle itself is so grand and beautiful. Even if you only enjoy it on the outside and spend some time in the park that surrounds it. Since this is a major tourist attraction, going early, and buying your tickets online will help you beat the crowds.
When we visited in late April, the cherry blossoms were all in bloom in the park around the castle and we grabbed a drink at a convenience store in the park and set up shot underneath the blossoms with the locals. It was one of my favourite afternoons. Even if you aren’t visiting during cherry blossom season, the park is quite grand and can be a great spot to pack a picnic and enjoy some nature right in the midst of the busy season.
For the afternoon, you can pick and choose what to do based off your interests. Some options:
- Osaka Museum of History (9:30am-5pm, closed Tuesday’s): Right next to the castle, with cool exhibits and panoramic city views from the top floors.
- Namba Yasaka Shrine (Open 24 Hours): Famous for its giant lion-head front. Most people do not go inside this shrine so it’s a quick add on to just walk by and enjoy the outside.
- Osaka Science Museum and/or National Museum of Art (9:30am-5pm, closed Monday): Both on Nakanoshima Island.
- River Cruise on the Okawa River (10am-4pm): Chill way to see Osaka’s skyline from the water. They also run sakura cruises during sakura season.
- Umeda Sky Building (9:30am-10pm): An observation deck with beautiful views of the city.
After you choose something from the above, head to Dontonbori for the rest of the afternoon/evening. Also, if nothing interests you from above you can just head straight here from Osaka Castle. Dontonbori is Osaka’s famous entertainment district. You’ll find endless streets of neon lights, giant billboards, and the iconic Glico running man. It’s a paradise for foodies, packed with street stands selling local delicacies and everything in between. You could spend hours here just people watching and eating.
If the idea of Dontonbori seems overwhelming to you, there are lots of tours you can join that take you to all the spots in this area, including food tours.
Tip: If you’re looking for a super cool speakeasy to go to that’s centrally located in Osaka, try Bar Nayuta. They don’t have a menu and make cocktails specific to what you’re feeling like. Located behind a hidden entrance, this bar is super vibey and a must-do if you’re into cocktails.
Day Two
Start your day off at Kuromon Ichiba Market (9am-6pm). This market is a giant market filled with vendors selling street food, fresh produce, seafood, and everything in between. We did a food tour of this market and it was a great way to try and learn about different foods from the area.
Nearby you will find Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street (10am-6pm) which is a street dedicated to kitchen supplies and souvenirs. It’s a great spot for shopping, especially if you are looking to bring home Japanese cookware, pottery, etc. I bought a Japanese knife here, and a few dishes.
Next head to Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai Area for a glimpse of Old Osaka. This area was developed before the war so it has a retro vibe. It can be a little dodgy at night, but there’s always so many people around you will feel fine. Spend your afternoon here eating and exploring. A local delicacy to this area to try is Kushikatsu which is a deep-fried skewer of meat, seafood or veggies. You’ll see lots of vendors selling these. You can also go up Tsutenkaku Tower which has an observation deck at the top.
Once you head back to your hotel and get cleaned up, I recommend trying a local omakase. There are tons in Osaka because it is such a food-centric city, but we picked Sushi Atsuya because it was reasonably priced and had great reviews. Make sure to make a reservation well in advance as these restaurants have limited seating.
Tip: If you are a picky eater or have many dietary restrictions, an omakase is likely not for you as mostly all of them do not cater to this. They follow a set menu that rotates regularly and you don’t usually know what you’ll be enjoying until you are there. So if you fall under this umbrella, opt out of the omakase and look for a regular restaurant with a menu instead!
Day Three
Since Japan is so well connected with public transit, day three will be spent day tripping to a nearby town. There are lots of options you can choose from to day trip to from Osaka. Here are some options:
Nara (30-50 minutes via train)
Nara is TikTok famous for its bowing deer but it’s also home to some incredibly UNESCO sites and you can make a day trip very easily in the beautiful town of Nara. It is only about 30-50 minutes from Osaka via train (depending on if you get an express train or not) and it was one of our fav day trips we did while in Japan. We visited from Kyoto but it’s similar distance from Osaka. Check out my full guide here.
Kurashiki (1-1.5 hours via train)
We opted for a day trip to Kurashiki from Osaka and although a bit further than Nara, it was so worth it. The historic centre of the town is full of charm and the canal that runs through it makes you realize why it is nicknamed the “Venice of Japan”. I have a full guide of Kurashiki here.
Kyoto (30 minutes via train)
You’d be doing yourself a disservice by only visiting Kyoto for only a day but I understand that not everyone has the privilege of having endless time in Japan and sometimes you are forced to choose between Kyoto or Osaka. Thankfully, you can visit Kyoto on a day trip to explore some of the key sites in the historic district. Although my guide here is for spending 4 days in Kyoto, you can take some tips from it to help you plan your day.
Kobe (30 minutes via train)
Kobe has both European and international influences and is most famous for kobe beef and overall a great foodie destination! Aside from the food, it also is home to beautiful harbour views, hot springs and Onsen’s, and can be a great day trip from Osaka.
Himeji (30-60 minutes via train)
Himeji is famous for Himeji Castle which is said to be one of the most spectacular surviving feudal castles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Himeji is also famous for Koko-en Garden, located right next to the castle which has nine different themed gardens, ponds with koi, teahouses, and little waterfalls.
Koyasan (1.5-2 hours via train)
Tucked high in the mountains, Koyasan is the perfect spot to escape the busy city of Osaka. It’s home to 100+ temples and the largest cemetery in Japan (Okunoin Cemetery). It’s a great day trip for gorgeous nature and fresh mountain air, paired with spiritual and cultural immersion.
Which day trip are you going to choose? You can’t go wrong with any of the above!
FAQ
How many days should I spend in Osaka?
Of course there is so much to do in the city of Osaka but 2-3 days should allow you to scratch the surface and do some of the main sites. 4-5 days lets you explore the city more leisurely and allows more time for an additional day trip.
Is Osaka or Kyoto better to stay in?
This is an impossible question to answer because both cities have so much to offer. Osaka is livelier, with better nightlife and food, while Kyoto is more traditional and temple-focused. Personally, I loved Kyoto more but Osaka was special in its own way. The good news is, both are easily reachable from each other so you can choose either or as your base.
Is Osaka walkable?
Central neighbourhoods like Namba and Shinsaibashi are very walkable but like any city in Japan, Osaka is huge! Thankfully everything is very well connected by transit so you can easily get around.
What’s the must-try food in Osaka?
Takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancake), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), and anything in Dotonbori street stalls. Osaka is known as Japan’s kitchen so it does not disappoint in the food department!
Where should I stay in Osaka?
Namba/Shinsaibashi are the most walkable, central neighbourhoods that are best for nightlife, food and shopping. Umeda is the transportation hub and the business district, while Shin-Osaka is also a great spot as it’s convenient for taking Shinkansen trains to/from.
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