Osaka, Japan, a city brimming with a unique and electric charm, is an enchanting blend of modernity and tradition that captivates visitors from all over the world. With its vibrant atmosphere, bustling streets, and an undeniable air of liveliness, Osaka exudes a distinct vibe that sets it apart from other cities in Japan.
Osaka is the second-most visited city in Japan after Tokyo and definitely deserves a spot on your Japan itinerary! Its history dates back over 1,400 years, making it one of Japan’s oldest cities. Renowned for its exceptional food scene, the city is a paradise for food enthusiasts, both locals and tourists alike. Osaka’s culinary offerings are characterized by their rich flavors, creative presentations, and emphasis on hearty and indulgent dishes. If you love delicious food and old-school neon vibes, Osaka is the place for you.
There is much to do, see, and eat in Osaka, so let’s jump right in.
How long to stay in Osaka
Osaka is a large and fascinating city with so much to do and especially eat! It’s the kind of place where you could spend one day or a week and still have plenty to explore and try either way.
I recommend spending at least 3 days in Osaka, ideally 5. That should give you enough time to hit all the highlights, get a good and leisurely feel for the incredible food scene, and do some lazy exploration in the evenings.
Where to stay in Osaka
Osaka has plenty of hotels, especially business hotels for reasonable prices. Here are some of my suggestions:
Budget
- Hotel MyStays Shinsaibashi East: Situated in the lively Shinsaibashi area, Hotel MyStays offers comfortable and reasonably priced rooms. The hotel’s location provides easy access to popular shopping streets, dining options, and vibrant nightlife.
- Hotel Keihan Tenmabashi: Situated along the scenic Osaka Castle Park, Hotel Keihan Tenmabashi offers affordable and comfortable rooms with a fantastic view of Osaka Castle. The hotel’s location allows guests to enjoy peaceful walks around the park and quick access to public transportation.
Mid-Range
- Cross Hotel Osaka: Located in the lively Dotonbori district, Cross Hotel Osaka offers stylish rooms and a contemporary atmosphere. The hotel features a rooftop bar with fantastic city views, adding to the overall experience.
- Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka: This elegant hotel near Namba Station boasts a European-inspired decor, offering a touch of sophistication. Its central location provides easy access to shopping, dining, and sightseeing opportunities.
Luxury
- The St. Regis Osaka: A luxurious choice in the heart of the city, The St. Regis Osaka offers opulent rooms and top-notch services. With its refined ambiance and world-class amenities, it ensures a memorable stay.
- InterContinental Osaka: Nestled in the Grand Front Osaka complex, this upscale hotel provides modern rooms with panoramic city views. Guests can indulge in the hotel’s fine dining options and unwind in its elegant spa facilities.
What to do, see, and eat in Osaka
Let’s jump right in! This is a comprehensive list of all the best things to do in Osaka, including unique activities, beautiful sights, and delicious restaurants.
Yodo River
Flowing gracefully through the heart of Osaka, the Yodo River is an enchanting waterway that weaves its way through the city’s vibrant landscape. Not only is the Yodo River a peaceful place to unwind, but it also plays a vital role in Osaka’s rich history and culture. Boat cruises here are very popular, offering a unique perspective of the city.
We came to Osaka in the spring and there were still lots of cherry blossoms on the trees flanking both sides of the river! Hundreds of locals were spread out on both banks, having hanami picnics and enjoying the springtime air and pale pink petals fluttering above. Between the trees, river, and walking paths, the Yodo River is a wonderful place to hang out and get a feel for Osaka’s quirky and lively vibe.
Like the look of these cherry blossoms? Just a short train ride away from Osaka lies Kyoto, the traditional city of Japan that is famous for its cherry blossoms. Take a look at my Kyoto travel guide or go hunting for the best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto!
Osaka Castle
Standing proudly as a symbol of Osaka’s rich heritage, Osaka Castle is a magnificent structure that exudes grandeur and historical significance. This majestic castle, surrounded by sprawling gardens and encased by moats, is a testament to Japan’s feudal era. You can pay to enter the castle itself, where you can ascend the observation deck and check out panoramic views of the city skyline. The park around the castle is similarly beautiful and historical. You can enjoy the Nishinomaru Garden, a small pond, and the moats around the castle with their cherry trees in the spring.
Dotonbori & Namba
These two districts make up the vibrant heart of Osaka and carry that colorful, urban, neon-studded charm that Osaka is famous for. The electric energy of Dotonbori and Namba districts ignites the senses and creates an unforgettable experience.
Dotonbori, a bustling street running alongside the Dotonbori Canal, is an iconic symbol of Osaka’s lively entertainment and culinary scene. As you stroll along this bustling thoroughfare, you’ll be captivated by the dazzling neon signs, towering billboards, and vibrant displays that illuminate the night sky. This district is part of why Osaka is known for its delicious food, with a plethora of street food stalls, restaurants, and izakayas serving up delectable local specialties such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and sushi.
Adjacent to Dotonbori, the Namba district beckons with its trendy shopping streets, department stores, and stylish boutiques. Known as a shopaholic’s paradise, Namba is where you’ll find everything from high-end fashion brands to quirky, independent stores.
While exploring Dotonbori and Namba, don’t forget to take a step away into Hozenji Yokocho, a hidden gem that transports visitors to a bygone era. This narrow alleyway exudes old-world charm, with its traditional wooden buildings, lantern-lit pathways, and atmospheric ambiance. As you walk down the small street, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a different time and place, away from the bustling crowds of modernity.
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market, located in a covered massive hallway lined with stalls and restaurants, is a historic market in Osaka that has been a food lover’s haven for over a century. As you wander through the bustling aisles, you’ll be greeted by every possible great food you could think of. Watch as expert chefs prepare mouthwatering sushi, sashimi, and grilled skewers right before your eyes. Piles of expensive uni and tuna are just one of the many draws here.
The market is also renowned for its abundant seafood offerings, ranging from succulent oysters and scallops to exotic fish and shellfish. You’ll find raw fish at some of their best prices for excellent top quality, but don’t miss out on the grilled wagyu and lobsters either.
We couldn’t stop ourselves from buying everything we could find here. We ended up having a lunch feast with salmon sashimi, fatty salmon nigiri, ama-ebi (sweet spot shrimps), a giant box of raw scallops, and grilled eel. Everything was unbelievably fresh, sweet, and delicious!
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Namba Yasaka Shrine is one of the most interesting and unique shrines in Osaka. The shrine grounds are very small, but the main draw is the shrine’s location inside a giant lion’s mouth! Stepping into Namba Yasaka Shrine feels like crossing a border into a more peaceful world outside of Osaka’s bustling streets.
Namba Yasaka Shrine holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike, as it is believed to provide protection against misfortune and promote good luck. Throughout the year, the shrine hosts various vibrant festivals, such as the “Namba Festival” and the lively “Lion Dance,” where performers clad in lion costumes showcase their impressive acrobatic skills.
JTRRD Cafe
Osaka is famous for its culinary scene, both traditional and modern. One of the most fascinating places that has sprung up in recent years is JTRRD Cafe, a tiny smoothie and dessert shop located on a side street just off the Yodo River. JTRRD is famous for its aesthetic “art smoothies,” where you simply tell the staff which color you want and the rest is taken care of for you.
The owner makes every drink and pastry herself from behind the counter, and we got to see her in action while we waited for our order. I have so much respect for her artistic talent and hard work! At about 900 yen per smoothie, these are a bit expensive compared to what you could get in the store, but considering the price of fruit in Japan and the incredibly stunning smoothie art, I thought this was entirely worth it.
Day Trip to Nara Deer Park
Nara is a small town located halfway between Kyoto and Osaka in the Kansai region. You can visit on a half-day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka and have plenty of time to see the highlight here: Nara’s famous bowing deer!
At Nara Deer Park, there are hundreds of free-roaming small deer that wander the grass, sleep under the trees, and curiously follow the tourists. Feeding them and watching their delightful little bows is one of the most adorable activities you can do in Japan! If you want to try this for yourself, make sure to read my Nara guide to feeding the deer here.
33 Tea & Bar Terrace
33 floors above Osaka lies one of the prettiest places to eat in the entire city: 33 Tea & Bar Terrace! The restaurant’s glass walls allow you unrestricted views over Osaka, while the plants and elegant glass decor lend a high-end feel. We ordered the black-and-white curry and a strawberry parfait for brunch and were delighted to discover that both of them were absolutely delicious. Japan particularly takes parfaits very seriously and I recommend trying one at least once!
Pro tip: if you want this corner table that we got (there’s only one), make a reservation for opening time at 11 AM. 33 Tea & Bar Terrace doesn’t guarantee specific seating even with a reservation so make sure you claim this spot first! It’s the best seat in the house and the arrangement of the table with the plants gives you some privacy as well.
Katsuo-ji Temple
Katsuo-ji is the dreamiest temple in Osaka. This hidden gem, often referred to as the “Temple of Winning Luck,” offers a unique spiritual experience and a breathtaking natural setting. One of the highlights of Katsuo-ji Temple is the unique daruma dolls that adorn the temple grounds. These round, red-painted dolls symbolize perseverance and the pursuit of goals. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase a daruma doll and make a wish, filling in one eye while setting a personal goal. Upon the fulfillment of the wish or achievement of the goal, the second eye is completed, celebrating success and offering gratitude.
Beyond the spiritual offerings, the temple’s surroundings are a sight to behold. Meander through the beautifully maintained gardens and walk over the entrance bridge through a cloud of mist that makes you feel as if you’re in a movie. If you come in the fall, Katsuo-ji Temple is renowned for its gorgeous vibrant autumn foliage. The tranquil atmosphere of Katsuo-ji Temple provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing for reflection and rejuvenation.
Reaching the temple can be tricky, but don’t worry! I’ve written a detailed guide that encompasses everything you need to know about Katsuo-ji Temple.
Restaurants & Cafes: Where to Eat
You already know this by now, but Osaka is famous for its food. Whether it’s traditional offerings or the most experimental modern cuisine, Osaka has the best version of it in Japan! There are countless places to eat in Osaka, but here are a few of my suggestions that you can’t miss.
- A Happy Pancake: A very popular chain with a few locations in Japan, famous for its souffle pancakes. There’s always a long queue and the service can take a while because they make all their souffle pancake orders on the spot, but it’s so worth it! I’ve never had a souffle pancake better than the ones at A Happy Pancake, where it literally feels like eating clouds. Left photo below.
- Kami-ya: A small hidden gem that we stumbled upon one day while walking around Osaka. This teeny-tiny yakitori joint serves up the best charcoal chicken skewers that you could ask for, including all your favorite cuts like negima, chicken tail, chicken gizzard, and skin. Pro tip: their oyakodon (chicken and raw egg rice bowl) is to die for.
- JTRRD Cafe: Mentioned above, a popular smoothie shop famous for its super-aesthetic and colorful custom smoothies. There’s often a queue because the shop owner makes everything personally, but it’s not a long wait and worth it! A must-visit if you like smoothies or Instagrammable food.
- Yasudaya: One of many gyoza shops in Osaka, but a great place to start if you want a guaranteed hit. The gyoza here are served crispy on the bottom, pan-seared so strongly that the set of 6 fuse together on the bottom. Try all three varieties—pork, veggie, and shrimp—before ordering another set of the shrimp ones (or maybe three). Right photo below.
- Kuromon Market: Mentioned previously, you can’t miss this bustling market famous for its raw fish and seafood offerings. Buy sashimi, sushi, or grilled delicacies at incredible prices and at their freshest before sitting down at one of the market tables and stuffing your face.
- 33 Tea & Bar Terrace: Mentioned above, an elegant and refined restaurant located 33 floors above Osaka. Excellent floor-to-ceiling views and great food at reasonable prices, perfect for date night or having brunch with the girls.
Chochin Lantern-Dori
Osaka is full of small alleys packed with local restaurants and bars, lively conversations full of laughter, and the smell of grilling food and charcoal smoke. Chochin-dori is one of those streets—a very narrow single street tucked away in a maze of izakayas filled with colorful lanterns. The lanterns are a mix of classic red and yellow and some special beer-shaped ones by Asahi as well! It’s a cute spot to have a late-night dinner, grab a Japanese beer, and enjoy the classic Osaka ambiance.
Universal Studios Japan
You can’t visit Osaka and not make it to Universal Studios Japan. Even if you’ve been to Universal Studios around the world before, trust me—you can’t miss the unique experiences at this theme park in Osaka! The park has all the classic rides such as the Amazing Spider-Man and the Despicable Me minions ride, but the real highlights here are the Japanese-specific attractions. Take a VR ride with the lovable cat Doraemon, grab a churro from Spy x Family’s Anya-themed food truck, and of course make sure to go to Super Nintendo World!
Getting into Super Nintendo World is time-controlled, so make sure to download the USJ app in advance and make a time slot reservation under “Area Timed Ticked Entry” on the app as soon as you enter the park.
If you’re planning a trip to Osaka, you absolutely can’t miss out on the incredible experiences this city has to offer. So, whether you’re exploring the vibrant streets, indulging in delicious dishes, or marveling at the seamless blend of tradition and modernity, Osaka’s optimistic charm will have you captivated and eager for more. Embrace the warm hospitality, immerse yourself in the local culture, and savor every moment of this unforgettable adventure through the heart of Japan’s most enchanting city.
Did you find this post helpful? Please consider pinning it on Pinterest with the buttons below, or following me on Instagram!
