Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Osaka?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Osaka?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Osaka during their visit. After all, the high energy 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Osaka?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Osaka. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and wander through the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, grab some drinks at a bar, and browse the shops. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the high energy city.
How to spend 3 days 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 Shitennō-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.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Osaka Museum of History. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its extensive exhibits detailing the history and development of Osaka city, including models and artifacts. It's about 600 yen for adults, with discounted rates available for students and children..
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Osaka Castle, which is ¥600. It's great for families and is known for its historical significance, impressive architecture, and beautiful cherry blossom views in spring.
It's worth around 2 hours for Tsutenkaku Tower. Entry is ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children to access the observation deck.. It's known for its iconic status as Osaka's symbol and its panoramic observation deck with city views.
Shitennoji Temple is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for its status as one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples with historic architecture and peaceful gardens, entry is free.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for its distinct Sumiyoshi-zukuri architectural style and cultural significance as one of Osaka's oldest shrines, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ultimate Osaka Walking Tour (Castle, Dotonbori) GROUP OR PRIVATE ($89)
- Osaka Castle Walking Tour and Castle Tower Admission ($29)
- 5-Hour Osaka Bike Tour to the Neighborhood of Osaka Castle ($74)
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 and Sake Tasting with Local Supermarket Visit ($96)
- Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour: 15 Dishes & 3 Drinks-Like a Local ($89)
- 【For adult】Traditional Mochi Pounding Experience with Tasting ($25)
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.
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.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Kuromon Ichiba Market. It's a nice activity for families and is known for fresh seafood, local street food, and a lively shopping atmosphere. It's free.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for Namba Parks. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its rooftop garden and unique architectural design blending nature with retail and dining options. It's free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Osaka Castle and a visit to the longest shopping street in Japan ($165)
- Shopping at Kuromon market and Making Jewel Box Sushi ($21)
- Wakayama Cute Cat and Outlet Shopping Day Tour ($110)
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 Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour ($24)
- Mie: Bar-Hopping in Yokkaichi’s Lively Local Nightlife Scene ($144)
- Osaka Higashi Osaka Nightlife Bar Hopping Tour ($144)
Don't miss Osaka Castle during your trip to Osaka, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Osaka.
Is 4 days enough time in Osaka?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Osaka at your own pace to wander through the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, grab some drinks at a bar, and browse the shops. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Osaka, Japan
How to spend 4 days in Osaka
With 4 days in Osaka, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. If you want to step back in time, head to Shinsekai, which holds tight to its traditional street life scene. There are old-school arcades, traditional shops, and local street food to sample.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Kuromon Ichiba Market. It's a nice activity for families and is known for fresh seafood, local street food, and a lively shopping atmosphere. It's free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ultimate Osaka Walking Tour (Castle, Dotonbori) GROUP OR PRIVATE ($89)
- Osaka Castle Walking Tour and Castle Tower Admission ($29)
- Osaka Castle Walking Tour ($22)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Osaka?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Osaka has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Osaka as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Osaka
If you have more than 5 days in Osaka, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Osaka is renowned for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks. Be sure to allocate a day or so to explore the most popular and famous historical and cultural gems. It is a large and colorful city that is filled with lights, shopping, street stalls, and entertainment.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Umeda Sky Building, which is ¥1500. It's great for couples and is known for offering spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of Osaka from its unique rooftop floating garden observatory.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Abeno Harukas, which is ¥1,500. It's great for couples and is known for being Japan’s tallest skyscraper, offering panoramic views from its observation deck, luxurious shopping at Kintetsu Department Store, and hosting a variety of cultural attractions including an art museum and a rooftop garden.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for Dotonbori. It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for vibrant nightlife, street food, iconic neon signs, and canal-side entertainment. It's free.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for Minami (Namba). It's a nice activity for backpackers and is known for its vibrant nightlife, bustling shopping streets like Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, a wide variety of street food, entertainment venues, and iconic landmarks such as the Glico Running Man sign. It's free.
It's worth around 2 hours for America Mura. Entry is free. It's known for its unique mix of American pop culture, trendy shops, vibrant street art, and youthful nightlife in Osaka.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kyoto's coast Amanohashidate and Ine Boathouse Full-Day Tour ($65)
- Explore Tottori Sand Dunes, Sand Museum & Uradome Coast Cruise! ($89)
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise ($14)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Osaka.
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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