How Many Days in Osaka? How Long Should You Stay?
Osaka is one of the best cities in Japan. It has excellent nightlife, fantastic food, and some of the best shopping in Japan. And how long should you stay here?
Well, that depends on your time off work and what kind of trip you want to take. If you have only a few days, I recommend focusing on one area or part of town instead of trying to see everything simultaneously.
If you have more time, it’s worth spending multiple days exploring other areas, such as Umeda or Nakanoshima Island, which are beautiful places to visit with their unique charm!
There’s plenty to explore, so you’ll have no shortage of things to do once you arrive.
The best way to plan your trip is by creating an itinerary in advance; this will give you more control over how much time you can spend on each activity and where exactly it takes place.
Once your plans are set, try adding additional days! As long as there are still places left that intrigue you, there’s no need to be concerned about running out of things to do here.
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What to do in Osaka? Where to Go?
- The best time to visit Osaka is during spring or autumn when fewer tourists are around (especially during Golden Week).
- Summer is Osaka’s busiest time, with many families taking vacations. You will see many people wearing yukata kimonos at Dotonbori, making the area feel like a festival!
- Winter is also an excellent time to visit Osaka. The weather can be cold, but you will still have many attractions.
Osaka 1-Day Itinerary
Osaka Castle:
Osaka Castle is located in the middle of Osaka City and is easily accessible by train. Several buses will take you directly to the castle.
The Osaka Castle is a great place to start your tour of Osaka. The castle was built in 1538. Today is a museum with samurai armor and swords exhibits. You can also climb up the tower for views of Osaka city.
Osaka Castle is located in the middle of Osaka and is easily accessible by train. Several buses will take you directly to the castle.
The castle is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during the week, but on weekends and holidays, it’s open until 6:00 pm. There is a small fee for visiting Osaka Castle, but it’s well worth it.
Umeda:
Umeda is one of the largest and busiest areas in Osaka. Located near Osaka Station, Umeda has many shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, including a cinema and bowling alley.
The area also houses several large department stores, including the Hankyu Department Store and others nearby.
The Umeda Sky Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in Osaka. It’s located next to Osaka Station, so it’s hard not to see it when you first arrive in the city.
Osaka 2 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Osaka Castle and Umeda
We start our day in Osaka Castle Park, where you can explore the grounds around the castle and look at the view from the top of one of its towers.
From there, we’ll walk through Dotonbori to discover some of Osaka’s most famous attractions, including Glico Man, Kani Doraku crab restaurant, and Tsutenkaku Tower.
After lunch at Tsuta (considered by many to be one of Japan’s best ramen shops), we’ll head to Umeda.
You can spend the afternoon exploring this part of Osaka alone or with us, but we highly recommend attending the Hanshin Tigers baseball game if you have time!
Day 2: Osaka Aquarium
The aquarium is a must-see for anyone visiting Osaka. It’s a massive complex with many exhibits, but your ticket will give you access to the main one, which features sharks and rays and penguins, otters, and seals in their unique habitats.
There are also plenty of other attractions, such as an underwater tunnel where you can see jellyfish and marine life swimming above your head.
Osaka 3 Days Itinerary
Day One: Osaka Castle
After you’ve arrived at Kansai Airport, the first place you should visit is Osaka Castle.
Day Two: Namba, Shinsaibashi, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Namba is one of the most popular areas in Osaka. It’s filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
You can spend hours wandering around Namba and visiting some of its many attractions. The most popular ones are Shinsaibashi, Nipponbashi, and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.
Shinsaibashi is a lively place with many restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. You can spend hours wandering around Shinsaibashi and visiting some of its many attractions.
The most popular ones are Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and Nipponbashi.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is one of the most popular attractions in Osaka. It’s located near Namba and Shinsaibashi, so it’s easy to reach by train or bus.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is a very peaceful place with beautiful nature around it. You can spend hours wandering around Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and visiting some of its many attractions.
Day Three: Shinsekai and Dotombori
The third day of your trip can be spent around Shinsekai and Dotombori.
The most popular places are the Kani Doraku crab restaurant and Den Den Town, where many shops sell anime and manga merchandise.
You can spend hours wandering around Kani Doraku crab restaurant, shopping at Den Den Town, and visiting many attractions.
Osaka 4 Days Itinerary
- Day 1: Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi
- Day 2: Osaka Castle and Umeda
- Day 3: Tennoji and Shinsekai
- Day 4: Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios
Osaka 5 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Minami
The best places to start your trip are Namba, Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi. You can spend the whole day walking around these areas and still not see it all.
The best part about visiting this area is that it’s accessible via public transportation, so you don’t have to worry about finding parking or driving in Japan.
Day 2: Japanese Culture in Osaka
The Nipponbashi District is a great place to visit. You can shop at the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, watch some traditional Japanese kabuki theater at the Shin-Kabuki-za Theater, or walk down the famous Dotonbori Street.
Osaka Castle is worth checking out, but you may need more than one day to see everything there.
Day 3: Umeda
The Umeda District is a great place to visit if you want to shop. Several shopping centers are here, including the famous Hankyu Umeda Station Building.
You can also visit Namba Parks and check out some of Osaka’s best restaurants in this area. The Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade is nearby if you want more traditional Japanese shopping experiences.
Day 4: Day Trip to Nara
One of the best things to do in Osaka is take a day trip to Nara. This city has many temples and shrines worth visiting, including Horyuji Temple, built in 710 AD.
The Great Buddha at Todai-Ji Temple is also impressive with its massive size. If you want to see more wildlife than humans, head to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, where deer roam freely around its grounds.
Day 5: Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios
One of the best things to do in Osaka is visit the Osaka Aquarium, which has a wide variety of aquatic life worldwide.
You can also visit Universal Studios Japan (USJ) to experience more fun attractions. This theme park has many designed rides, like famous movies and TV shows, including Harry Potter and The Simpsons.
What is the best area to stay in Osaka?
The best place to stay in Osaka is Namba. Namba is also located near the city’s central train station, making getting around easy.
There are a lot of shops and restaurants along the streets in Osaka, making it easy for travelers to find what they’re looking for.
In this article, I talk about some of my favorite places to stay when I’m visiting Osaka.
Summing Up: how long should you stay in Osaka?
Osaka is a great city with lots to see and do. If you only have a few days, you can still make the most of your time here.
You could easily spend two or three days in Osaka and get an idea of what it offers, but if you’re willing to slow down and soak up the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, then spending 5 Days here will be well worth it.
Osaka is a fantastic city with plenty to see and do. If you only plan to visit for a few days, you can still make the most of your time here.
There are plenty of things a family can do together during their stay in Osaka, which makes it an ideal destination for families looking for a fun vacation away from home.
