In spite of being the country’s second-largest city, Osaka is one of the most overlooked destinations in Japan. Many people come here only as a day trip from Kyoto, assuming they even come at all.
The good news is that Osaka richly rewards travelers willing to devote a few days to it. From underrated sacred sites, to deservedly celebrated street food, Osaka is a city that punches far above the weight of its far-too-modest reputation.
The better news? When you use my Osaka travel guide to plan your trip, you leave room only for discovery—never for error.
Where to Stay in Osaka
Many of the best Osaka hotels are located right in the center of the action—in other words, within walking distance of Namba Station. Here, you have higher-end properties like the Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, as well as simpler ones such as the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba. You also have a certain number of Airbnb properties—though, as is the case throughout the rest of Japan, they’re limited in both number and quality.
If you want to stay at a very high-end hotel—The St. Regis Osaka is probably the city’s best luxury hotel—you’ll have to sacrifice a bit on the location front. Conversely, one of the few traditional stays in the city is located at Waqoo Shitaderamachi, located in the sacred neighborhood of the same name (which is home, among other sites, to Shi-tenno-ji temple).
My Favorite Things to Do in Osaka
Eat street food along Dotonbori, in Shinsekai or at Kuromon Market
Osaka is known as the “Kitchen of Japan”—and with good reason. Although there are plenty of great sit-down restaurants in Osaka, street food hubs most clearly demonstrate this. If you’re an early riser, you can head to Kuromon Market and eat sushi for breakfast. At lunch or especially dinner, meanwhile, takoyaki fritters along the Dotonbori pedestrian street or kushikatsu (fried food on sticks) in Shinsekai are your best sets.
Explore Osaka Castle, inside and out
It’s not a secret that Osaka Castle is an essential part of Osaka itinerary (even if the castle—spoiler alert—is not one of Japan’s 12 original such structures). What you might not know is that you shouldn’t just go inside the castle’s tenshu (or keep) or explore Osaka Castle Park. Rather, make sure to view the castle from the Osaka Museum of History, whose 10th floor observation deck allows you to see it in context.
Get some fresh air in Minoh or at Katsuo-ji
Osaka is one of the largest cities in Japan, and while it feels a lot less crowded than Tokyo, it’s still pretty confined. An easy way to escape, especially if you’re visiting during autumn, is to head north. The more cultural choice is Katsuo-ji, a temple that’s filled without thousands of red daruma figurines. Alternatively, if nature is your prime motivation, choose Minoh, where you can eat fried maple leaves en route to a maple-framed waterfall.
Say a prayer at one of Osaka’s sacred sites
Back in the city center, another one of my favorite things to do in Osaka is visit temples. Although they’re fewer and farther between in this modern metropolis than they are up in Kyoto, you can still find them. A more classic option is towering Shi-tenno-ji, which is Osaka’s oldest temple. Alternatively, head west to the Namba Yasaka Shrine, whose lion head is a truly bizarre piece of spiritual architecture.
Take a day trip to Himeji, Kobe or Nara
If you don’t mind being outside of Osaka for an entire day, the city is a great base for day trips around the Kansai region. You could ride the JR Yamatoji Line eastward, for example, to Nara. Or head west via Shinkansen, pairing a morning at Himeji Castle (which is an “original”) with an afternoon or evening eating wa-gyu beef in Kobe. You might also visit Universal Studios Japan, or the Kaiyukan aquarium.
How Many Days in Osaka is Enough?
As you’ll see if you read my post about the topic, I’m of a couple different minds when it comes to how long in Osaka you need. The reality is that many travelers will simply make a day trip from Kyoto, if they come at all. And some won’t even devote the entire day to Osaka but rather, an evening of street food after a morning at Himeji Castle and a wa-gyu lunch in Kobe.
Ideally, of course, I’d say that 2-3 nights in Osaka is better, with more nights necessary the more excursions and day trips you want to take. Likewise, if you plan to visit in July during the Osaka Tenjin Matsuri, I’d recommend dedicating a full day to that. This way, you can watch the start of the parade at Osaka Tenman-gu shrine, and follow it until the end of the night, when fireworks go off over the river, with Osaka Castle in the different.
Other FAQ About Visiting Osaka
Is 3 days in Osaka too much?
Three days in Osaka is definitely not too much, though I do recommend that you stay busy in order to make the most of it. Spend at least a full day at central Osaka attractions like Osaka Castle and Shi-tenno-ji temple, and one night each eating street food in Dotonbori and Shinsekai. Then, plan on taking day trips from Osaka to Nara, Kobe and/or Himeji.
Which part of Osaka is best to stay in?
I personally prefer staying near Namba Station, which is not only convenient to various public transportation lines, but is walking-distance from the Dotonbori street food area and Kuromon Market. Other popular areas include the streets near Shinsaibashi, Hommachi and Umeda Stations.
Is Osaka a walkable city?
Individual neighborhoods of Osaka tend to be extremely walkable because the city is flat and arranged primarily in a grid pattern. However, it’s necessary to ride the subway or local trains at times (for example, traveling between the Osaka Castle or Tennoji areas and Namba or Umeda), simply because of the large distances that separate them from one another.
The Bottom Line
I hope my Osaka travel guide has helped you feel more confident about your upcoming trip. In some cases, you’ll simply visit Osaka for the day from Kyoto, whether on a comprehensive excursion, or in conjunction with a morning in Himeji and an afternoon in Kobe. Ideally, however, you’ll spend at least a night or two here. This will allow you to dig deep into the city, from street food adventures along Dotonbori pedestrian street and in the Shinsekai district, to panoramic views from Osaka Castle. Need personalized help putting your Osaka adventure together? Consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary!
