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 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 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 cultural 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 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.
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)
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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ultimate Osaka Walking Tour(Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori) ($80)
- Sakai - Knife Factory and Craft Walking Tour ($67)
- Osaka Bar Hopping Night Walking Tour in Namba ($92)
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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise ($8)
- Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Maizuru Cruise Port ($48)
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels ($66)
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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