Osaka Guide: Things to do in Osaka (2024)

FAQs

How many days in Osaka is enough? ›

You could easily spend a week in Osaka without feeling bored. But, for most people with limited time, a few days in Osaka would be good. For example, if you're coming to Japan for 10 days, it would make sense to spend a night and parts of two days in Osaka (and spend the rest of the time in Kyoto and Tokyo).

Osaka is a charming, relaxed city best known for its food, fun and nightlife—with some history and culture peeking through. Osaka is only a short shinkansen ride from Tokyo, but has a very different personality to Japan's capital city.

Three days is the ideal amount of time to visit Osaka. This will give you enough time to see all the best spots without feeling rushed or bored. While I suggest three days, you can spend as little as one day or as much as five in the city. There's plenty to do, and you can pick the perfect amount of time for your trip.

The Takeaway

Osaka is big, so you'll save a lot of time and energy if you stay somewhere central and convenient. The best places to stay (in order of preference) are Kita, Minami, Honmachi (Central Osaka) and the Shin-Osaka Area. Other decent places to stay include the Tennoji Area and the Osaka Castle Area.

You can visit Osaka at any time of year because the weather is temperate. The best times to visit Osaka are the fall (October/November) and spring (March/April/May). Summer (June/July/August) in Osaka is hot and humid. Winter (December/January/February) in Osaka is cold but not too cold for traveling.

The choice between Kyoto and Osaka will depend on what type of atmosphere you are seeking. Kyoto is a city of historical elegance and traditional charm while Osaka is dynamic and full of urban energy. Kyoto has a tranquil and serene vibe to it where quieter streets offer a peaceful ambiance.

And for many travelers, that's the experience they're looking for. Osaka is still a city of nearly three million people, so some visitors may find it busy and energetic too. But compared with Tokyo, it has a far more laid-back and relaxed ambiance.

Tokyo is more expensive than Osaka in almost every regard. Hotels, eating out, drinks, transportation.

Not only is it safe, it's loads of fun! Not just for solo travelers either. However, you will find that if you are part of large group (or a large tour), you won't be able to get into many of the more atmospheric places. One of the greatest things about the great city of Osaka is the people.

In general, there are no “ghetto” level bad neighbourhoods in Japan, but some locals avoid going to Shimanouchi and Nishinari (considered to be populated with many nightlife workers, prostitutes, dealers and yakuza). Good neighbourhoods are Suita (in the outskirts of Osaka), Kujo, Taisho, Horie and a few more.

Is Osaka foreigner friendly? ›

People in Osaka tend to be a bit more open and generally won't hesitate to speak to you even if you're a foreigner. It's a place famous for its sense of humour and Osaka people love to joke around and laugh. Osaka is also very well known for its nightlife.

Known as the central heart of Osaka s busy Minami district, Dotonbori is well-known for scenes such as tourists crowded around the famous Glico sign to take commemorative photographs.

A good breakdown is 2 days in Osaka and 4 in Kyoto. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the most convenient airport to Osaka and Kyoto. A Japan Rail Pass is not a good idea for this itinerary, but a Kansai Thru Pass may be.

I think seeing Osaka in 2 days is plenty of time to see the main sights of the city. However I would recommend longer if you are planning to use one of your days to visit Universal Studios in Osaka. This sample itinerary for Osaka is only for the city itself.

For travelers wanting to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka exclusively, plan nine to 12 days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as six to eight days.