Is Osaka expensive to visit?
While Osaka is a popular place for travelers, it is also somewhat affordable and less expensive to visit. The average daily cost is $104, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity with tourists. When compared to other destinations in Asia, many visitors find it to be a moderately priced destination. It's in the top 50% of places in Asia for its travel costs, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Manila and Bangkok.
Osaka, Japan
How expensive is Osaka?
Travelers spend an average of $104 per day when visiting Osaka (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Osaka here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Osaka?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Osaka costs around $313 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $626.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Osaka?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Osaka will cost around $730 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,460.
Is it expensive to backpack in Osaka?
With more than 50 hostels in the area, Osaka is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $20 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Osaka here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $0, but the most expensive can be more than $80 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Osaka.
- $25 for a dorm bed at Guesthouse U-En
- $26 for a dorm bed at Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka
- $22 for a dorm bed at GRAND HOSTEL LDK Osaka Shinsaibashi
Are hotels expensive in Osaka?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Osaka, we find them to be very economical in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $37. The area boasts about 7 five-star hotels with an average rate of $247 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $37 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $68 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Osaka
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 7 | $247 |
| 4 stars | 28 | $67 |
| 3 stars | 151 | $37 |
| 2 stars | 57 | $68 |
| 1 star | 19 | $23 |
| No rating | 1 | $52 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Osaka?
In Osaka, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $20 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $19.
| Name | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan | ¥2400 | more info |
| Universal Studios Japan | ¥8800 | more info |
| Dotonbori | Free | more info |
| Osaka Castle | ¥600 | more info |
| Minami (Namba) | Free | more info |
| Kuromon Ichiba Market | Free | more info |
| Namba Parks | Free | more info |
| Tempozan Ferris Wheel | ¥800 | more info |
| America Mura | Free | more info |
| Shitennoji Temple | Free | more info |
| Tsutenkaku Tower | ¥800 | more info |
| Umeda Sky Building | ¥1500 | more info |
| Abeno Harukas | ¥1,500 | more info |
| Nakanoshima Park | Free | more info |
| Tennoji Park | Free | more info |
| Osaka Museum of History | ¥600 | more info |
| Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine | Free | more info |
- Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka: $127
- Private Osaka Tour from Your Hotel with Local Guide: $109
- Osaka Day Tour: Secret Spots & Local Treasures: $42
- Osaka: Private Japanese Traditional Ceramics Experience: $92
- 1-Day Kimono Experience in Osaka – Enjoy Day & Night: $35
- Japanese Calligraphy Experience in Osaka: $50
- Traditional Japanese Music Show & Hands-On Experience in Osaka: $45
- Ise Jingu(Ise Grand Shrine) Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $106
Is food expensive in Osaka?
In Osaka, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $42 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $48.
- Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience: $71
- Ramen Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori with Sushi or Gyoza Option: $69
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda: $77
- Well-balanced BENTO (lunch box) Cooking Class: $90
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $58
Is transportation expensive in Osaka?
Exploring local transportation in Osaka shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $13 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $17. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Osaka
If you're planning a trip to Osaka, Japan, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.