Planning a day trip to Osaka and not sure how to make the most out of it? This one-day Osaka itinerary shows you the most efficient way to see the best of the city!
Osaka may not be as popular as Kyoto or Tokyo, but visiting the city should definitely be on your Japan itinerary. Located in the Kansai region, Osaka is only a short train ride away from Kyoto. This seaside city is mainly known for its fresh fish, delicious street food and amazing nightlife scene.
With so much to see and do in Osaka, you could easily fill a few days. Having visited the city multiple times, I’m still finding new places to explore and enjoy. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the food is fantastic.
But since there is so much to see and do in Japan, you have to make choices when it comes to your itinerary. And more often than not, it’s not possible to spend more than one day in Osaka. That’s why we’ve put this efficient one-day Osaka itinerary together. Here is how to see the best of Osaka in under 24 hours!
What’s in this guide?
Here is a map with the route for this one day Osaka itinerary:
Click here for the interactive map
When you only have one day in Osaka, this is our recommended itinerary:
If you’re taking a day trip to Osaka, the Kita/Umeda district is where you’ll arrive. The main station (Osaka JR train station) is located here.
But since Osaka also makes for a great base when staying in Kansai (as we explain in our guide comparing Kyoto and Osaka), you can also choose to book a hotel here. The Kita/Umeda district is less busy compared to Minami (where nightlife is key!), so a great choice if you’re looking for a quieter place to stay.
Hotels in Osaka are (usually) cheaper than hotels in Kyoto – and since you can take a lot of day trips from Osaka, it’s. a great idea to make this your base during your time in Kansai.
This part of Osaka is also known as the daytime heart of the city, due to all the transport and business hubs that can be found here. “Kita” roughly translates to “North”, and during our day in Osaka, we’ll slowly move south to explore the rest of the city.
Inside Osaka JR Train Station, you can find lots of shops and restaurants too. Including Osaka’s Pokemon Centre and Nintendo Store.
Check out our guide on where to stay in Osaka for the best hand-picked hotels and areas in the city!
Whilst in the Umeda district, make sure to stop by the Umeda Sky Building. This observation deck on one of the tallest building in Osaka gives you a spectacular view of the city.
It’s located close to Osaka Station, which makes it the perfect start to your day after having arrived in the city. The Floating Garden Observatory is located on the 39th floor and is free to visit.
Osaka Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. To get here, take the subway from Osaka Station to Osakajokoen Station – this should take around 10 minutes. From there, you can walk to the castle.
Osaka Castle played a major role in unifying Japan back in the 16th century. You can learn all about it’s history in the museum inside.
Personally, I don’t think the museum was worth the entrance fee, but the heat and the crowd may have played a role in that when we visited. I did enjoy the view from the top of the castle though. If you’re trying to do Japan on the cheap, you might want to skip going inside. Especially since the gardens around the castle can be enjoyed for free.
Make sure to take some time to walk inside the castle gardens and check out some of the food vendors that have lined up outside the castle. It’s a great place to try some takoyaki – one of the things Osaka is famous for.
Next on this day trip itinerary is Shitennoji Temple. This is one of Japan’s oldest temples. To get there, take the subway to Osaka-Uehommachi station. From Osaka Castle, this should take around 10 minutes.
Shitennoji was established in the year 593 by Prince Shotoku. He was one of the main people that helped guide Buddhism into Japan. Inside the main hall, you can find the Prince’s shrine. When visiting this beautiful temple, make sure to have a look inside the five-storied pagoda and the Gokuraku-Jodo Garden.
It’s free to visit the outside of the temple but a small fee is requested for visiting the gardens and the main hall.
From the Tennoji District, take the subway to Ebisucho Station. From there you can walk to Shinsekai – our next stop on this Osaka itinerary.
Shinsekai roughly translates to “New World“. This district was developed in 1903 – in the middle of the National Industrial Exposition. As you may be able to see, it was inspired by France’s capital city. Tsutenkaku Tower is one of the district’s most iconic sights, which slightly resembles the Eiffel Tower.
In Shinsekai, you can find many shops and the most amazing street food stands. It’s the perfect place to grab some Osaka speciality dishes like kushikatsu. If you didn’t have enough time to visit the observatory deck in Umeda Sky Building, you can decide to view Osaka from the Tsutenkaku Tower instead.
If you have an extra day in Osaka and want to learn more about Japanese cuisine, I highly recommend taking a cooking class with Chef Yuki. I had the best time learning how to make tempura and miso soup at home!
Where Tokyo has Akihabara, Osaka has Den-Den Town in Nipponbashi. Similar to its Tokyo equivalent, Den-Den Town is filled with the coolest gadget shops, arcades and places to buy (retro) video games. If you’re after anything pop-culture related, this is the place to be.
From Shinsekai, it only takes about 10 minutes to walk here. However, if you’re not really into this side of Japanese culture, you can skip it and go straight to Namba Yasaka Jinja – the next stop on this itinerary.
Some of the big names in anime/video game stores like Super Potato and Animate can be found in Den-Den Town. But there is a host of other independent stores that are filled with (usually pretty affordable) collectables.
Some of our favourite stores to check out include:
Check out our full guide on where to find the best retro video game stores in Japan for more information on what to look for when buying retro games!
The 12-meter tall lion-head-shaped building is a must-see, even if you only have one day in Osaka. Namba Yasaka Jinja is located 5–8 minutes from Namba Station, but you can also head over from Den-Den Town after you’re done exploring (or shopping…).
Legend says the giant lion head swallows any evil spirits surrounding its visitors, making it a popular place to go for people looking for success in school or business. During our last visit, we spoke with a Japanese gentleman who told us he visits the shrine daily and prays for his company to do well. According to him, it worked – and who I am to not believe him?
The shrine closes around 5PM so make sure you stop by before then. Admission is completely free, so there’s no reason not to visit!
In the evening, we’re going to explore Minami District. Located right outside of Namba station, Minami is the heart of Osaka’s nightlife and its name means “South” in Japanese. Very fitting, since this is the south of the city. One of the best things to do in Osaka at night is simply wander around and explore this area.
The sea of neon lights, music and fresh street food is a little overwhelming at first, but it’s something you’ll get used to pretty quickly. In Minami, you can also find the famous Dotonbori Street. Other things to do include:
As you might have noticed in the rest of this itinerary, Osaka is BIG on street food. Dotonbori is the perfect place to try some of these beautiful dishes. After having had something to eat, you can spend some more time shopping, playing games in one of the many arcades or finding a bar to try some Japanese sake.
Even though you might only want to spend one day in Osaka, staying overnight can be very beneficial. Especially because other cities such as Kyoto and Nara are so close, sleeping in the same hotel for a few nights avoids you having to carry your suitcases from city to city.
Especially since most hotels in Osaka are much cheaper than in Kyoto, you can save quite a bit of money by booking your hotel in here and taking the train to visit other places nearby. We’ve got a full guide on where to stay in Osaka, including the best areas and hotels for different types of travellers.
The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi is one of my personal favourites, as they hold a “Free Ramen Event” every single day. As the name suggests, you can get a free bowl of ramen every night – including sake, beer or sodas. Plus, the hotel is only a short 10-minute walk from Dotonbori!
If you don’t have time to read the full guide, here is a quick overview:
By following our one-day Osaka itinerary, you can see most of the city’s highlights in a day. However, if you have more time, I would recommend spending at least two days in Osaka.
There is a lot more to see in the city itself, but it’s also home to Universal Studios Japan (which includes Super Nintendo World) and Kaiyukan Aquarium. They can make for a great addition to your Japan itinerary, depending on how much time you have.
Yes, Osaka is 100% worth visiting! The fantastic nightlife, iconic neon signs, unbeatable street food and beautiful sights like Osaka Castle make Osaka a must-visit.
Since Osaka also offers generally cheap accommodation (compared to nearby tourist hotspots like Kyoto), it also makes for a great base when spending time in Kansai. By booking a hotel in Osaka for a few days, you can easily take day trips to nearby cities like Kobe, Nara and Kyoto without having to move your luggage around.
For some more inspiration, you can check this guide to best day trips from Osaka.
By plane – Osaka has its own international airport called Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. It’s one of Japan’s biggest airports and is often used to fly to by foreigners when visiting Japan for a holiday. If you’re looking at flights to Japan, it might be worth checking how much flights to Osaka cost rather than only looking at Tokyo’s airports – it could work out much cheaper!
By train – The easiest and fastest way to get around Japan is by train. The bullet train can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can use the JR Pass to potentially save a lot of money too – check out my JR Pass review for more information.
The metro/subway is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to get around Osaka. You can use one of Japan’s smart travel cards (Suica/Pasmo) – these can be bought and topped up with money at any station.
When using public transport, you simply tap in and out at your stations and the correct fee will be taken off automatically. Alternatively, you can buy a one-day metro card for Osaka. This gives you unlimited access to the metro for the entire day.
Osaka is such a fantastic city, and you should definitely take at least one day to check it out. Even if you only spend one day in Osaka, it’s 100% worth it.
Save for later…
Osaka may not be as popular as Kyoto or Tokyo, but visiting the city should definitely be on your Japan itinerary. Located in the Kansai region, Osaka is only a short train ride away from Kyoto. This seaside city is mainly known for its fresh fish, delicious street food and amazing nightlife scene.
With so much to see and do in Osaka, you could easily fill a few days. Having visited the city multiple times, I’m still finding new places to explore and enjoy. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the food is fantastic.
But since there is so much to see and do in Japan, you have to make choices when it comes to your itinerary. And more often than not, it’s not possible to spend more than one day in Osaka. That’s why we’ve put this efficient one-day Osaka itinerary together. Here is how to see the best of Osaka in under 24 hours!
What’s in this guide?
- One day in Osaka map
- One day Osaka itinerary
- Where to stay in Osaka
- Is one day enough in Osaka?
- Is Osaka worth visiting?
- How to get to Osaka
- How to get around Osaka
- Conclusion – One Day Osaka Itinerary
One day in Osaka map
Here is a map with the route for this one day Osaka itinerary:
Click here for the interactive map
One day Osaka itinerary
When you only have one day in Osaka, this is our recommended itinerary:
Kita/Umeda District
If you’re taking a day trip to Osaka, the Kita/Umeda district is where you’ll arrive. The main station (Osaka JR train station) is located here.
But since Osaka also makes for a great base when staying in Kansai (as we explain in our guide comparing Kyoto and Osaka), you can also choose to book a hotel here. The Kita/Umeda district is less busy compared to Minami (where nightlife is key!), so a great choice if you’re looking for a quieter place to stay.
Hotels in Osaka are (usually) cheaper than hotels in Kyoto – and since you can take a lot of day trips from Osaka, it’s. a great idea to make this your base during your time in Kansai.
This part of Osaka is also known as the daytime heart of the city, due to all the transport and business hubs that can be found here. “Kita” roughly translates to “North”, and during our day in Osaka, we’ll slowly move south to explore the rest of the city.
Inside Osaka JR Train Station, you can find lots of shops and restaurants too. Including Osaka’s Pokemon Centre and Nintendo Store.
Check out our guide on where to stay in Osaka for the best hand-picked hotels and areas in the city!
Umeda Sky Building
Whilst in the Umeda district, make sure to stop by the Umeda Sky Building. This observation deck on one of the tallest building in Osaka gives you a spectacular view of the city.
It’s located close to Osaka Station, which makes it the perfect start to your day after having arrived in the city. The Floating Garden Observatory is located on the 39th floor and is free to visit.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. To get here, take the subway from Osaka Station to Osakajokoen Station – this should take around 10 minutes. From there, you can walk to the castle.
Osaka Castle played a major role in unifying Japan back in the 16th century. You can learn all about it’s history in the museum inside.
Personally, I don’t think the museum was worth the entrance fee, but the heat and the crowd may have played a role in that when we visited. I did enjoy the view from the top of the castle though. If you’re trying to do Japan on the cheap, you might want to skip going inside. Especially since the gardens around the castle can be enjoyed for free.
Make sure to take some time to walk inside the castle gardens and check out some of the food vendors that have lined up outside the castle. It’s a great place to try some takoyaki – one of the things Osaka is famous for.
Shitennoji Temple (Tennoji District)
Next on this day trip itinerary is Shitennoji Temple. This is one of Japan’s oldest temples. To get there, take the subway to Osaka-Uehommachi station. From Osaka Castle, this should take around 10 minutes.
Shitennoji was established in the year 593 by Prince Shotoku. He was one of the main people that helped guide Buddhism into Japan. Inside the main hall, you can find the Prince’s shrine. When visiting this beautiful temple, make sure to have a look inside the five-storied pagoda and the Gokuraku-Jodo Garden.
It’s free to visit the outside of the temple but a small fee is requested for visiting the gardens and the main hall.
Shinsekai
From the Tennoji District, take the subway to Ebisucho Station. From there you can walk to Shinsekai – our next stop on this Osaka itinerary.
Shinsekai roughly translates to “New World“. This district was developed in 1903 – in the middle of the National Industrial Exposition. As you may be able to see, it was inspired by France’s capital city. Tsutenkaku Tower is one of the district’s most iconic sights, which slightly resembles the Eiffel Tower.
In Shinsekai, you can find many shops and the most amazing street food stands. It’s the perfect place to grab some Osaka speciality dishes like kushikatsu. If you didn’t have enough time to visit the observatory deck in Umeda Sky Building, you can decide to view Osaka from the Tsutenkaku Tower instead.
If you have an extra day in Osaka and want to learn more about Japanese cuisine, I highly recommend taking a cooking class with Chef Yuki. I had the best time learning how to make tempura and miso soup at home!
Nipponbashi Den-Den Town
Where Tokyo has Akihabara, Osaka has Den-Den Town in Nipponbashi. Similar to its Tokyo equivalent, Den-Den Town is filled with the coolest gadget shops, arcades and places to buy (retro) video games. If you’re after anything pop-culture related, this is the place to be.
From Shinsekai, it only takes about 10 minutes to walk here. However, if you’re not really into this side of Japanese culture, you can skip it and go straight to Namba Yasaka Jinja – the next stop on this itinerary.
Some of the big names in anime/video game stores like Super Potato and Animate can be found in Den-Den Town. But there is a host of other independent stores that are filled with (usually pretty affordable) collectables.
Some of our favourite stores to check out include:
- Animate
- A-Too Media Recycle Shop
- K-Books
- MINT Record
- Super Potato Osaka (often a bit pricier than other stores!)
- Retro TV Game Revival.
Check out our full guide on where to find the best retro video game stores in Japan for more information on what to look for when buying retro games!
Namba Yasaka Jinja
The 12-meter tall lion-head-shaped building is a must-see, even if you only have one day in Osaka. Namba Yasaka Jinja is located 5–8 minutes from Namba Station, but you can also head over from Den-Den Town after you’re done exploring (or shopping…).
Legend says the giant lion head swallows any evil spirits surrounding its visitors, making it a popular place to go for people looking for success in school or business. During our last visit, we spoke with a Japanese gentleman who told us he visits the shrine daily and prays for his company to do well. According to him, it worked – and who I am to not believe him?
The shrine closes around 5PM so make sure you stop by before then. Admission is completely free, so there’s no reason not to visit!
Minami/Dotonbori District
In the evening, we’re going to explore Minami District. Located right outside of Namba station, Minami is the heart of Osaka’s nightlife and its name means “South” in Japanese. Very fitting, since this is the south of the city. One of the best things to do in Osaka at night is simply wander around and explore this area.
The sea of neon lights, music and fresh street food is a little overwhelming at first, but it’s something you’ll get used to pretty quickly. In Minami, you can also find the famous Dotonbori Street. Other things to do include:
- Glico man: This famous sign was first installed in 1935 and has been altered six times since. It’s such an iconic picture of Osaka’s brightly lit Minami district – a must-see when visiting this part of Osaka.
- The Moving Crab: Another Dotonbori icon is the big moving crab. Above the Kani Doraku restaurant on the main street in Minami, he cannot be missed.
- Shinsaibashisuji: One of Osaka’s largest shopping centres/arcades. You can find more Western shops here like H&M and Zara.
- Hozenji Yokocho: Just a few minutes away from the light neon lights of Dotonbori, you can find Hozenji Yokocho Street. This little alleyway leads to Hozenji Temple and transports you right back in time. It has a lovely atmosphere and it feels like the entire city used to look like this a few hundred years ago. Quite a big contrast from the bright lights a few streets further down!
As you might have noticed in the rest of this itinerary, Osaka is BIG on street food. Dotonbori is the perfect place to try some of these beautiful dishes. After having had something to eat, you can spend some more time shopping, playing games in one of the many arcades or finding a bar to try some Japanese sake.
Where to stay in Osaka
Even though you might only want to spend one day in Osaka, staying overnight can be very beneficial. Especially because other cities such as Kyoto and Nara are so close, sleeping in the same hotel for a few nights avoids you having to carry your suitcases from city to city.
Especially since most hotels in Osaka are much cheaper than in Kyoto, you can save quite a bit of money by booking your hotel in here and taking the train to visit other places nearby. We’ve got a full guide on where to stay in Osaka, including the best areas and hotels for different types of travellers.
The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi is one of my personal favourites, as they hold a “Free Ramen Event” every single day. As the name suggests, you can get a free bowl of ramen every night – including sake, beer or sodas. Plus, the hotel is only a short 10-minute walk from Dotonbori!
If you don’t have time to read the full guide, here is a quick overview:
| Area | Best For | Hotel | Book Now |
| Umeda/Kita | First-time visitors | Sonezaki Luxe Hotel | Check Availability |
| Namba/Shinsaibashi | Nightlife & food lovers | The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi | Check Availability |
| Shin-Osaka | Day trips | Hotel Androoms Shin-Osaka | Check Availability |
| Osaka Bay Area | Families & Universal Studio visitors | Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower | Check Availability |
Is one day enough in Osaka?
By following our one-day Osaka itinerary, you can see most of the city’s highlights in a day. However, if you have more time, I would recommend spending at least two days in Osaka.
There is a lot more to see in the city itself, but it’s also home to Universal Studios Japan (which includes Super Nintendo World) and Kaiyukan Aquarium. They can make for a great addition to your Japan itinerary, depending on how much time you have.
Is Osaka worth visiting?
Yes, Osaka is 100% worth visiting! The fantastic nightlife, iconic neon signs, unbeatable street food and beautiful sights like Osaka Castle make Osaka a must-visit.
Since Osaka also offers generally cheap accommodation (compared to nearby tourist hotspots like Kyoto), it also makes for a great base when spending time in Kansai. By booking a hotel in Osaka for a few days, you can easily take day trips to nearby cities like Kobe, Nara and Kyoto without having to move your luggage around.
For some more inspiration, you can check this guide to best day trips from Osaka.
How to get to Osaka
By plane – Osaka has its own international airport called Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. It’s one of Japan’s biggest airports and is often used to fly to by foreigners when visiting Japan for a holiday. If you’re looking at flights to Japan, it might be worth checking how much flights to Osaka cost rather than only looking at Tokyo’s airports – it could work out much cheaper!
By train – The easiest and fastest way to get around Japan is by train. The bullet train can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can use the JR Pass to potentially save a lot of money too – check out my JR Pass review for more information.
How to get around Osaka
The metro/subway is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to get around Osaka. You can use one of Japan’s smart travel cards (Suica/Pasmo) – these can be bought and topped up with money at any station.
When using public transport, you simply tap in and out at your stations and the correct fee will be taken off automatically. Alternatively, you can buy a one-day metro card for Osaka. This gives you unlimited access to the metro for the entire day.
Conclusion – One Day Osaka Itinerary
Osaka is such a fantastic city, and you should definitely take at least one day to check it out. Even if you only spend one day in Osaka, it’s 100% worth it.
Save for later…