1 Day Osaka Itinerary: Where East Meets West
The locals we met in Osaka described Tokyans as rigid, strict and prude folks who don’t know how to have fun. Those in Tokyo described Osakans as reckless individuals who are dirty and stand too close for comfort.
Needless to say, we liked Osaka! Osaka, Japan's second largest city, is a unique in that it feels much more casual and progressive compared to many of the other more traditional Japanese cities You’ll find amazing nightlife, fantastic shopping and great local food; it’s the perfect place to let your hair down in Japan.
This Osaka Travel Guide provides a detailed itinerary of the essential things to do in Osaka if you only have one day to spend but we will also share additional attractions and areas to visit if you have more time.
QUICK GUIDE TO OSAKA
Osaka prefecture is in the Kansai region of Honshu and encompasses Osaka's city center as well as 42 other municipalities. We will just focus on Osaka City in this post.
Central Osaka has many districts and neighborhoods, here is an overview of the main ones:
Kita (North), also known as the Umeda Area, is the heart of Osaka.
Minami (South), also known as Chuo Ward, consists of the Namba and Shinsaibashi neighborhoods, great for Japanese cuisine, great shopping and nightlife
Shiinsekai, also known as the New World District, is a popular destination for cheap eats, dive bars and a grittier side of Osaka
Chuo Ward is home to some of Osaka's most famous landmarks
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8AM: If you're utilizing your JR pass, you'll arrive in the JR Osaka Station and can take a local train to the Shinsaibashi train station. Hotel The Flag is walking distance from the station and offers a cool vibe at a good price point. The hotel is centrally located near the Shinsaibashi train station, which provides easy access to many of Osaka’s main sights.
9AM: 9AM: Your first stop will be the Dotonbori District, an entertainment district that is one of the most popular places in Osaka. Dotonbori is near Namba Station if you're using local metro to get around (or a 5-minute walk if you're staying at Hotel The Flag). Stroll along the Tombori Riverwalk while Osaka is still quiet, Dotonbori is a shopping district filled with trinket shops, restaurants and frantic neon lights and going early will allow you to familiarize yourself with the area before the crowds. While you're there, see some of the popular attractions like the Glico Running Man Sign, the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel connected to Don Quijote, an eclectic department store, and Daimaru Shinsaibashi, another department store that has their flagship location Osaka and has an impressive 14 floors.
3PM: Hop on the subway to visit the bohemian neighborhood of Nakazakicho and wander the alleyways and patronize the local artisanal shops before getting your caffeine fix at a local cafe.
6PM: Grab a car or take a short walk to the Umeda Sky Building, a skyscraper in the Kita Ward that is one of the tallest in Osaka. They have an observation deck on the 40th floor with a floating garden observatory and open-air deck that you can visit for a fee. You can also head to the 39th floor (which is free!) for some amazing views and a drink at the Sky Lounge Stardust bar.
8PM: Freshen up at the hotel before heading out to a fantastic food tour through Pinpoint Traveler, which you can gets ticket for on Viator here. You will NOT regret this tour de Osakan street food as you are offered a rare glimpse into local life as your guide leads to you to unassuming dives and restaurant drive-bys. Kevin, the tour owner, was our guide and kicked things off with a brief history of Osaka and a panoramic view of the entire city where you can see Abeno Harukas, the tallest building in Osaka. What follows on the food tour is a wild progression of bizarre eats, local haunts and stories that shed light on the underbelly of Japanese culture.
Here are a few things that are in store on the tour, in additional to delicious food:
Mystery meat (I was dared to eat it and did so, thinking it was probably a less appetizing cut of beef. I was told after it was horse. Yes, you read that right, I ate horse. Apparently it’s a top seller and specialty of the shop.)
Pachinko: Where old ladies go to gamble and smoke compulsively
A brief history of Japanese love hotels (Google them)
Kushikatsu: Delightful meat, seafood and veggies, skewered and deep fried
Soju: aAdistilled liquor that is tough to choke down tbh
A riveting education on the difference between a prostitute and a woman hired to compliment men by the hour (because apparently they ain’t getting that at home)
9PM: Keep the part going at Pacha, a local dive bar where you may be lucky enough to have full remote control privileges to play “American songs” on YouTube for all of the patrons to enjoy. Stumble home when you’re too exhausted to keep going or when the bar kicks you out, whichever comes first!
If you’re looking for a full Japan itinerary, you can find it here: 2-Week Japan Itinerary: The Complete Guide.
If you have more time to explore Osaka, here is a quick guide by interest:
YOUR KIDS (OR INNER CHILD) NEED TO HAVE SOME FUN
Universal Studios Japan will fill your theme park cup and is just 15 minutes outside of Osaka. The Jurassic park ride and Wizarding World of Harry Potter are some of the main attractions at the amusement park.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, located in the Osaka Bay Area, is one of the world's largest aquariums and home to Pacific Rim creatures like whale sharks and penguins.
Tempozan Ferris Wheel towers over the aquarium at 367-foot and offers incredible views of Osaka and Kobe.
Spa World considers itself a hot spring theme park but it's really more for the adults than the kiddos. Check out the 13 different types of hot spring baths and the 8th floor swimming pool spans over three stories.
YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOME AUTHENTIC CULTURE
Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, believed to be built in the year 211.
Shitennoji Temple is a 5-story Buddhist Temple built in 593 in the Tennoji Ward of Osaka.
Katsuaoji Temple has been the temple of good luck since the year 1300.
Osaka Castle Park is the 15-acre home of Osaka Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and former residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a powerful Japanese military leader from the 16th century. You can also visit Nishinomaru Garden, the former residence of Nene, Hideyoshi's wife, which was turned into beautiful gardens in the Edo period. The park is known as one of the best places to see cherry blossoms.
Okumizuma Onsen offers natural hot springs where visitors have soaked their weary bones for centuries.
YOU’RE A HISTORY BUFF
National Museum of Art houses over 8,000 works of contemporary Japanese and international art
Osaka Science Museum offering interactive exhibits for the science nerds in us all
Osaka Museum of History features over 100,000 artifacts from Osaka's history, including World War II
Osaka Museum of Housing is a unique display of Japanese homes, furniture and household objects
Instant Ramen Museum is just what you think it is
Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum was created to celebrate the woodblock printing of ukiyo-e
YOU WANT TO TAKE A DAY TRIP
Nara is a fantastic option for a day trip. Nara is home to sacred deer, beautiful parks and some of the oldest temples in Japan. Check out our full guide, Kyoto to Nara: Planning a Perfect Day Trip to Nara!
Himeji Castle, also known as the "White Heron Castle", is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most beautiful castles in Japan
Kobe is known for it's meat, hiking and port and is an interesting city to pop in to for a day.
Hiroshima was rebuilt after the atomic bomb demolished it in World War II. The Hiroshima Museum of Art and Hiroshima Memorial Park and must-visits to understand the devastation the city and its residents endured. Hiroshima is a pit stop in our guide Hiroshima to Miyajima: A Prefect Getaway to Miyajima Island if you’re curious to learn more!