Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Osaka?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Osaka?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Osaka during their visit. After all, the cultural city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene.
Osaka is an economic and commercial center in Japan that attracts tourists for its world class culinary scene and vibrant nightlife. The neon lights, high energy shopping areas, and high reaching skyscrapers make this a fascinating and fun Japanese city to experience.
Do you have one or two days to visit Osaka? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Osaka?
Osaka, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the cultural city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Osaka
Osaka is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. The city is filled with impressive sights that are both old and new. A highlight is a visit to Osaka Castle, which dates back to the 1500s. The city's most well known temple is ShitennÅ-ji Temple and the Kobe Port Tower is another recognizable sight. Other highlights include the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and the National Museum of Art.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ultimate Osaka Walking Tour(Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori) ($80)
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle ($184)
- Osaka Castle and a visit to the longest shopping street in Japan ($114)
The delicious food of Osaka is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. It's one of the top culinary cities in Japan, and you'll find both local and regional dishes throughout. Street food is famous here, but there are also award winning restaurants and small traditional venues. Sushi and sashimi is a favorite, and it's focused simple and high quality ingredients. You'll find some great sushi restaurants around Kuromon Ichiba Market. Another unique experience is to visit a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Land lovers should try the Yakiniku and Horumon, which is Japanese barbecue. And, of course, there's the ramen. Don't miss the ramen!
A few tour suggestions include:
- Osaka Cooking Class ($117)
- Hungry Osaka Food Tour ShinSekai (15 Dishes) - Feast Like a Local ($87)
- Authentic SUSHI Course Cooking Class ($87)
Public transit in Osaka is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The best way to get around town is by subway or train. The main tourist areas are located along the Midosuji subway line, which runs north to south.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Osaka?
A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the cultural city of Osaka, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to wander through the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, grab some drinks at a bar, and browse the shops. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Osaka below.
Osaka, Japan
How to spend 2 days in Osaka
With a weekend (two to three days) in Osaka, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Osaka is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There is everything from grand shopping malls to specialty boutique shops that sell antiques or local trinkets. Umeda Shopping Arcade is a large mall that has everything. For international brands, head to America Mura, which is where many of the younger Japanese hang out. Shinsaibashi-Suji Street is a favorite shopping street in the city and also not-to-be-missed.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Osaka Castle and a visit to the longest shopping street in Japan ($114)
- Private Shopping Tour from Osaka hotels to Rinku Premium Outlets ($120)
- Private Shopping Tour from Osaka to Rinku Premium Outlets ($132)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city really comes to life after the sun sets. The buildings light up and the energy is palpable. In addition to the many world class restaurants, there are countless bars, pubs and izakaya, which are Japanese-style bars. Beer is popular, with many internationally recognized brands available. The most popular nightlife area is Dotonbori, which is along the Dotonbori River.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Osaka Nightlife Tour and Bar Hop ($72)
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba ($52)
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area ($40)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Osaka, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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