Planning a visit to Osaka, Japan, and also you’re uncertain which points of interest to prioritize? Whether or not you’re on the town for a day or every week, Osaka presents loads of methods to remain busy, and I need to share all of them on this information on the most effective issues to do in Osaka!
From town’s tallest skyscrapers that supply the most effective panoramic views to all of the historic shrines and temples that can make you’re feeling such as you’ve traveled by way of time – I’ve obtained loads of ideas on what to do in Osaka. And I’ve equally prioritized amusement parks and huge nature parks.
Osaka is the third largest metropolis in Japan, so it will get busy. Nevertheless it additionally presents serene inexperienced areas simply minutes exterior of the city jungle, so you possibly can simply escape the noise and bustle of its crowded streets.
Genuine adventures in Osaka vary from driving go-karts on town streets to consuming fried fish skewers. Museums, historic landmarks, and delightful nature parks are all obtainable on this metropolis, guaranteeing that anybody can have the time of their life in Osaka. So, let’s get into all the beautiful experiences which can be staples of this neon-lit metropolis.
Better of Osaka Fast Information
Should See: Osaka Citadel, Abeno Harukas, Hozenji Temple, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Dotonbori, Shitenno-ji Temple The place To Keep: First Cabin Nishi Umeda, Bespoke Lodge Shinsaibashi, The Royal Park Lodge Enjoyable To Do: Minoh Park, Pachinko parlors, Umeda Sky Constructing, Common Studios, Go-Kart Excursions Day Journeys: Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima Should-Strive Meals: Sushi, Udon, Ramen, Kobe beef, Kushikatsu
Finest Issues To Do In Osaka, Japan
As Japan’s third largest metropolis by inhabitants, Osaka presents a plethora of attention-grabbing points of interest to guests. Town seamlessly blends the outdated with the brand new, providing a chance to tour a Sixteenth-century fortress, however exit to a busy road with skyscrapers when you cross the moat.
It’s the place to be in Japan in case you ever dreamed of racing round metropolis streets in Go Karts, or needed to be inside a Tremendous Mario online game. Osaka can also be recognized for the most effective meals in Japan and has lengthy been generally known as the nation’s heart for soul meals. Town appeals to everybody, so it’s no shock that it’s among the best locations to go to in Japan.
1. Stroll Round Dotonbori
Dotonbori district is the bustling heart and the center of Osaka. It’s finest recognized for its giant neon indicators, and strolling round this district at evening is a particular expertise. Though Dotonbori presents many points of interest price testing within the chilly mild of day, returning to its road after darkish is a should.
The brilliant, colourful lights of the neon indicators give off a cyberpunk vibe. It’s really an expertise you possibly can have solely in Japan, and it’ll immediately make you fall in love with town. Dotonbori is dwelling to many outlets, eating places, and the most effective nightlife in Osaka.
It was all the time the principal a part of town for leisure. All through historical past, Dotonbori has been dwelling to lots of Osaka’s finest theaters and different dwell leisure venues. These days it’s higher recognized for dance golf equipment and bars, however it’s nonetheless dwelling to most of the metropolis’s finest theaters.
Sensible Info
Dotonbori is a metropolis district accessible by public transport. Get out at Namba Station to begin exploring Dotonbori.
2. Go to the Hozenji Buddhist Temple
Hozenji Temple is within the heart of the Dotonbori district, so it’s a historic landmark you’ll come throughout throughout the exploration of central Osaka. It’s tucked away within the Hozenji Yokocho alley, so it’s not the simplest landmark to identify in case you don’t know what you’re on the lookout for.
The small historic temple is finest recognized for the moss-covered statue of Fudomyoo, an essential deity in Japanese Buddhism. From the second you step onto the temple grounds, you possibly can really feel a way of calm. It’s much more fascinating that this oasis of tranquility is located in the midst of Osaka’s busiest neighborhood.
There aren’t many guidelines in locations for visiting the temples (or shrines) in Japan. It’s essential to be respectful and put on applicable clothes.
Sensible Info
Hozenji Temple is located on the heart of Dotonbori, simply accessible from Namba and Kintetsu-Nippombashi practice stations. Entrance to the temple is freed from cost.
3. Tour Osaka Citadel
Osaka Citadel is among the most well-known historic landmarks on this metropolis. It was initially constructed within the Sixteenth century, however the website has been reconstructed since. Sprawling gardens, shrines, and imposing gates are all elements of Osaka Citadel Park.
The fortress has two moats; an outer moat that separates the fortress grounds from the city elements of town, and an interior moat that separates that precise preserve from the parks on the grounds. All the things on the grounds of Osaka Citadel is open to guests, most of it freed from cost.
You could pay an entrance price solely if you wish to go contained in the Osaka Citadel, which now serves as a historical past museum. Entrance to the Nishinomaru Backyard can also be charged, however it’s solely 200 Yen ($1.4) within the low season and 350 ($2.4) Yen within the cherry blossom season.
Sensible Info
Entrance to the museum inside Osaka Citadel is charged ¥600 ($4). Osaka Enterprise Park practice station is among the closest to the Osaka Citadel Park entrance.
4. Uncover Outdated Japan in Kyoto
Kyoto is taken into account Japan’s cultural heart. Town served because the capital for a very long time, and it’s most likely a very powerful for Japanese tradition and traditions. Whereas the streets of larger cities like Tokyo and Osaka at the moment are recognized for flashy neon indicators and glass skyscrapers, strolling across the streets of Kyoto nonetheless feels such as you’re touring Japan from a distinct period.
Frankly, I don’t suppose a day is sufficient to absolutely expertise Kyoto. On the very least you want two days for this magnificent metropolis, and I’d advocate prioritizing time in Kyoto over different locations.
Castles, shrines, and temples are what you’ll see most in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha is an iconic Shinto Shrine within the metropolis, well-known for the seemingly countless crimson gates you have to cross by way of when visiting. Kinkaku-ji is town’s most well-known Buddhist temple, recognized for its ornate gold facade.
Sakura timber, Geisha, and slim cobblestone alleys are staple sights on this historic metropolis. Museums and different vacationer points of interest can be found for guests, as are many bars and eating places. However you don’t come to Kyoto for the meals; you come right here for genuine Japanese tradition and custom, which town epitomizes.
Sensible Info
Kyoto is 25 minutes from the Shin-Osaka practice station, accessible by the native Osaka metro. Prepare tickets are ¥580 ($4).
5. See The View From Umeda Sky Constructing
Umeda Sky Constructing is just the nineteenth tallest construction in Osaka Prefecture, however it’s one of many metropolis’s most recognizable landmarks. The constructing consists of two towers over 40 tales, that are linked on the high. Corridors join the 2 skyscrapers, and strolling by way of them feels such as you’re on high of the world.
There’s an observatory on the high, which presents a mesmerizing view of Osaka’s cityscape. It’s among the best views within the metropolis, particularly at evening. A number of eating places are additionally obtainable on the highest flooring of the Umeda Sky Constructing, and having fun with a standard Japanese dinner together with a incredible view of town is a superb option to finish a day in Osaka.
Evenings are the preferred time to go to the constructing, so come right here early within the day if you wish to skip the crowds. Vacationers with the Osaka Superb Cross or the Osaka E-Cross can get in totally free earlier than 4 PM however solely get a 30% low cost for tickets purchased after 4 PM.
Sensible Info
Umeda Sky Constructing is most simply accessible from the Osaka-Umeda station. Full-priced tickets are 1,500 Yen ($10.2) for adults and 700 Yen ($4.8) for kids youthful than 12.
6. An Afternoon At Common Studios Japan
The Common Studios theme park in Osaka is one in all six on this planet. It’s such a particular place in Osaka and if I may, I’d transfer there in a heartbeat and by no means go away. And sure, it’s as a result of they’ve Hogwarts and Hagrid’s Hut on the grounds. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a very talked-about space of the theme park, however actually not the one one price visiting.
Tremendous Nintendo World Japan can also be extraordinarily common, as a result of who wouldn’t need to be inside a Tremendous Mario recreation for a couple of moments? Different areas of the park are devoted to Minions, Spiderman, Jaws, and plenty of different outstanding movies produced by this studio.
Common Studios in Osaka is a should for all lovers of cinema, and households with youngsters. Whether or not you’re touring with the little ones otherwise you need to really feel like a child once more even for simply 5 minutes, Osaka’s most well-known amusement park is a vacation spot to not be missed.
Sensible Info
One-day tickets for Common Studios Japan are priced at ¥8,600 ($58.2). The theme park is open from 9 AM to 7-9 PM each day. Timed-entry tickets are required to enter the Tremendous Nintendo World.
7. Climbing And Waterfalls At Minoh Park
Minoh Park is an oasis of serenity simply Half-hour away from Osaka metropolis heart. Properly, it’s Half-hour away by automobile, however touring by public transport takes a bit longer.
Riverside strolling paths, Buddhist temples, bridges, and numerous statues all await at Minoh Park. The huge inexperienced area is ideal for an escape from the busy metropolis streets, and it’s actually unbelievable that such an exquisite place might be so near the city jungle. For those who journey to Osaka within the fall, a go to to Minoh Park is a should, for the picturesque autumn foliage.
The general public park can also be dwelling to a number of eating places and road meals distributors, so there are many choices in case you get hungry. Along with the strolling trails and temples, the park additionally options an Insectarium.
Sensible Info
Hankyu Minoh Station is the closest to the Minoh Park entrance. It’s roughly a 40-minute stroll from the practice station to the Minoh Waterfall. Entrance to the park is freed from cost.
8. Dangle Out With Deer in Nara
Nara is a superb historic metropolis located lower than an hour exterior Osaka. It was the capital of Japan earlier than Kyoto, and it’s dwelling to many historic shrines and ruins.
Town has fairly a couple of attention-grabbing landmarks, from shrines to fortress ruins, however Nara Park is by far probably the most particular. It’s dwelling to many Shinto Shrines, Buddhist Temples, gardens, and museums. It might take a few days to see each single landmark and go inside each notable constructing on the park – that’s how huge the place is.
Nara Park is particularly recognized for the deer that freely roam its grounds. They’re all tame and you may even purchase crackers and feed them; some deer will even bow to you in an try to coerce you into feeding them extra. Children notably take pleasure in this expertise, and the park is really an exquisite place for households. Go to Nara Park within the spring to benefit from the place in full glory, when all of the Sakura timber are in bloom.
Sensible Info
Nara is roughly an hour from Osaka Station by public transport. The city is accessible by trains that run on the Osaka Loop Line, and a one-way metro ticket is ¥820 ($5.6). Seize your Osaka Metro Cross right here.
9. Eat Lunch at Cup Noodles Museum Osaka
The Cup Noodles Museum is a kind of locations which you could go to solely in Japan. With an exhibit completely devoted to cup noodles all through historical past, this instantaneous ramen museum is extremely attention-grabbing.
The museum exhibit consists of numerous cup noodles mounted to the partitions. It’s floor-to-ceiling cups of instantaneous noodles, but additionally sculptures of cup noodles, and an instantaneous ramen-making station. Within the Rooster Ramen Manufacturing facility, you possibly can even make noodles from scratch.
After all, you possibly can eat cup noodles on the museum. Head to the restaurant and select no matter taste you need. It’s solely 500 Yen for a meal ($3.4), so it’s one of many most cost-effective lunches you possibly can eat in Osaka.
Sensible Info
The Cup Noodles Museum is open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Entrance to the museum is free, however a noodle-making class on the Rooster Ramen Manufacturing facility is 1,000 Yen ($6.8).
10. Observatory At Abeno Harukas
Abeno Harukas is town’s tallest skyscraper within the enterprise district. Till 2023 it was the tallest constructing in Japan, however it was overtaken by the Azabudai Hills complicated in Tokyo. The imposing skyscraper options workplaces, a resort, an artwork museum, eating places, outlets, and a practice station on the underground degree.
There’s tons to do and see at this constructing, particularly if you wish to discover eating places or outlets. However the primary purpose folks come to Abeno Harukas is for the view of Osaka’s skyline from its tallest constructing, and it’s as spectacular of a view as you would possibly count on.
Osaka appears to stretch endlessly, nearly till the mountains within the backdrop. The Abeno Harukas Artwork Museum is one other place price visiting to see some fantastic Japanese artwork, but additionally examples of Western artwork, fashionable artwork, and far more.
Sensible Info
Tickets for the Abeno Harukas observatory might be bought solely on the spot, on the day of the go to. You’ll be able to reserve tickets prematurely however should alternate the reservation for same-day tickets for a price. The usual value of tickets for the observatory is ¥1,800 ($12.2).
11. Go to The Osaka Museum of Historical past
Osaka Museum of Historical past is separated by a moat from the Osaka Citadel Park, and I like to recommend visiting the 2 well-known landmarks on the identical day. The museum is about in a contemporary constructing and superbly contrasts the Sixteenth-century Osaka Citadel.
For Japanese historical past fans, there isn’t any higher place on this metropolis. The museum exhibit is diversified and detailed, with all a very powerful components of Osaka’s historical past on show. It’s essential to notice that there aren’t too many English descriptions of the reveals, however that shouldn’t cease you from visiting the museum. Most reveals are straightforward to grasp even with no description.
On the Osaka Museum of Historical past, you possibly can see how town and its environment developed over the ages. The traditions and methods of the locals are additionally exemplified on this museum and might be noticed in interval clothes, furnishings, and even inside design.
Sensible info
Tanimachiyonchome Station is closest to the Osaka Museum of Historical past. Tickets are 600 yen ($4), and the museum is open from 9:30 AM to five PM each day besides Tuesday.
12. Strive Kobe Beef in Kobe
Kobe is just 20 minutes from central Osaka by practice, so it’s among the best cities for a day journey in Western Japan. There are numerous causes to return to Kobe, from historic alleys to dramatic waterfalls, however the one factor you actually ought to strive within the metropolis is Kobe beef.
Kobe beef is famous within the culinary business. It’s a sort of Wagyu beef from a particular pressure of Japanese Black cattle, that are raised solely within the area round Kobe. Though it has been exported to different nations since 2012, there’s no higher place on this planet to strive the luxurious steak than Kobe.
Steak Aoyama is among the finest steakhouses within the metropolis. Locals and vacationers have been coming right here for Kobe beef steaks for the reason that Nineteen Sixties, and it’s one of many metropolis’s highest-rated eating places. Count on to spend round 10,000 Yen ($68) for a full Kobe beef steak dinner, however considerably much less (2,000-3,000 Yen) for a Kobe beef burger.
Sensible Info
Kobe is 20-Half-hour from Osaka by practice. A one-way ticket is 420 Yen ($2.8). Journey pace and ticket price depend upon the kind of practice you board; the famous time and value are for the trains that run on the Fast Aboshi line.
Shinsaibashi-Suji is a lined buying road within the coronary heart of Osaka. With numerous outlets that promote tax-free items and provide airport supply, it’s the proper vacation spot for memento buying. You’ll discover all kinds of high-end and high-street trend outlets right here, in addition to a great deal of smaller outlets that promote basic Japanese souvenirs and trinkets.
Loads of road meals stalls are nestled between store entrances, and there are many locations the place you possibly can cease for a fast chew.
The buying road finally turns right into a bridge that connects it to the Dotonbori neighborhood. Go to each the busy neon-lit heart and the favored buying arcade, to see two of Osaka’s most well-known areas in a single afternoon.
Sensible Info
The typical working hours for retailers on Shinsaibashi-Suji Avenue are from 8 AM till 11 PM, however the outlets don’t all observe the identical opening hours. Namba Station is the closest to the buying road entrance.
14. Play Pachinko
Pachinko is a combination of an arcade recreation and a slot machine. For those who stroll round Osaka you’ll discover that there are Pachinko parlors in every single place and be at liberty to go in if you wish to have some enjoyable.
Playing is against the law in Japan, so you possibly can’t get cash straight from the machines. However you will get Pachinko balls, which you then alternate for particular tokens. These tokens can then be exchanged for money at a vendor exterior the parlor.
Pachinko is a low-stakes recreation, and a few machines mean you can alternate only one Yen for a ball. Who is aware of, in case you twist the knob excellent, you would possibly simply hit the jackpot.
Sensible Info
Pachinko parlors can be found all through Osaka. Gamers have to be a minimum of 18 years outdated.
15. Avenue Meals Tour of Kuromon Ichiba Market
For a very long time, Osaka was generally known as the nationwide kitchen of Japan. Town’s meals tradition is famous, and exploring the culinary scene of Osaka is critical for understanding its heritage and traditions.
Go to Kuromon Ichiba Marketplace for a pace tour of Osaka’s delicacies. It’s among the best locations within the metropolis for road meals and memento buying. Contemporary and fried seafood dominate the stalls, and also you’ll have a plethora of choices in case you love seafood. And even in case you don’t, there are many different choices.
I like to recommend shopping for meals from a number of distributors so you possibly can strive as many alternative issues as attainable. Don’t simply stick to 1 restaurant since you would possibly miss out on one thing superb.
Sensible Info
Kuromon Ichiba Market is in central Osaka, near Dotonbori. Most distributors keep open till a minimum of 6 PM.
16. See The Namba Yasaka Shrine
Namba Yasaka Shrine is one in all Osaka’s most well-known Shinto Shrines. It’s finest recognized for the small stage that’s formed like a lion’s head, which has turn into an iconic Osaka landmark.
Though Namba Yasaka Shrine may be very near Dotonbori and the center of Osaka, it’s in a way more peaceable space than the buzzing heart. The crowds listed here are smaller, and your complete place feels far more peaceable.
It’s a small shrine and it takes not more than 10 minutes to go to each construction on the grounds. Take a while to benefit from the view, admire the ritualistic stage, and snap a great deal of photographs of Osaka’s coolest vacationer attraction.
Sensible Info
Namba Yasaka Shrine is open for guests every day, from 9 AM to five PM. Entrance to the shrine is freed from cost, and the closest practice station is Namba.
17. Admire The Cherry Blossoms At Nagai Park
For those who really feel overwhelmed by the crowds on Osaka’s streets, escape to Nagai Park. The expansive inexperienced area within the south of town is extremely serene and presents sufficient content material to maintain you busy for a couple of hours.
The park is especially beautiful throughout cherry blossom season when all of the timber are in full bloom. Nagai Park is embellished with many mild installations, which make your complete place come alive after darkish.
Nagai Botanical Backyard is the spotlight of this public park, with numerous attractive flowers and a big pond on the heart. Fields of irises, roses, camelia, and different flowers make the backyard a magical expertise within the spring season. The Osaka Museum of Pure Historical past can also be located on this park and presents perception into the flora, fauna, and geology staple for the area.
Sensible Info
Nagai Park is 20 minutes from Osaka metropolis heart by metro. Nagai Station is closest to the park.
18. Race Round The Streets of Osaka in a Go Kart
You may stroll round Osaka for hours and adore it, however there’s a greater option to discover town. Get behind the wheel of a go-kart and race across the metropolis streets taking in all of the sights. Sure, you possibly can tour Osaka by reenacting Mario Kart in actual life!
It’s among the best and most entertaining experiences within the metropolis, combining an exhilarating journey with basic sightseeing. Simply understand that the operators aren’t allowed to promote it as a Mario Kart journey as a result of Nintendo didn’t like that concept and sued most tour operators some time in the past.
Insider Tip: Go-kart excursions happen on precise roads, so you have to a sound driver’s license. Foreigners will need to have an Worldwide Driver’s Allow to have the ability to drive in Japan.
Sensible Info
Karting excursions round Osaka often take 1-2 hours and can be found solely to vacationers who’re a minimum of 18 years outdated and have a sound driver’s license.
19. Journey The Tempozan Large Ferris Wheel
The Tempozan Large Ferris Wheel is about on a small river island. It’s subsequent to the Osaka Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Heart, within the beautiful inexperienced Tempozan Park. The Ferris Wheel is 112.5 meters tall and it may match as much as 480 passengers without delay. It’s a large construction that provides a spectacular view of Osaka from the highest.
It’s finest to trip the Tempozan Wheel at evening when your complete construction will get illuminated with all colours of the rainbow. And since Osaka’s skyline seems the most effective after darkish when the entire metropolis’s brilliant lights are on.
Sensible Info
Tempozan Large Ferris Wheel is open each day from 10 AM to 9-10 PM (it’s open longer on the weekends). Tickets for the trip are 900 Yen ($6.1).
20. Roam Round Shinsekai
Sinsekai is one in all Osaka’s older neighborhoods. One a part of it was modeled after New York’s Coney Island and the opposite after Paris, and the long-lasting Tsutenkaku Tower was modeled after the Eiffel Tower.
Sinsekai has a tumultuous historical past. It was as soon as a bustling metropolis neighborhood however turned one of many metropolis’s poorest within the aftermath of WWII. Felony exercise flourished, and for some time, Shinsekai was nearly a harmful place to be in Osaka. That’s now not the case, and loads of vacationers in Osaka cease by this colourful district.
Come right here for affordable road meals, memento outlets, arcade video games, Pachinko parlors, and brilliant neon indicators.
Sensible Info
Shinsekai is within the southern a part of Osaka, near Tennoji Park. Ebisucho Station and Dobutsuen-Mae Station are the 2 closest stations to the district.
21. Go to the Shitenno-ji Buddhist Temple
Shitenno-ji is one in all Osaka’s most well-known Buddhist temples. It was first constructed within the sixth century and reconstructed a number of instances over the centuries. Regardless of the numerous renovations, Shitenno-ji is taken into account one of many oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
It’s additionally one in all Osaka’s largest temples, by way of the scale of the complicated. Along with the primary temple constructing, there’s additionally a backyard, a treasure corridor, an outdated bell tower, and a number of other different buildings on the grounds.
Sensible Info
Shitenno-ji Temple is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Entrance to the central temple is ¥300 ($2).
22. Day Journey to Hiroshima
A day journey to Hiroshima is simple to do from Osaka due to the extremely quick Nozomi bullet trains that attain speeds of greater than 300 km/h. Town is finest recognized for the devastating bombing, which took the lives of greater than 100,000 folks.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is the preferred attraction within the metropolis. It particulars the occasions of the atomic bombing and the results it left on town and its folks, in addition to the reconstruction that adopted. Some reveals are very emotional, and the museum offers you a brand new perspective on the occasions of that grim day.
Hiroshima Citadel is one other common landmark, very near the Peace Memorial. Shukkeien Backyard is one other excellent spot to go to with ponds and delightful landscaping.
Sensible Info
Hiroshima is an hour and a half from Osaka by the Nozomi bullet practice.
Incessantly Requested Questions
What Is Osaka, Japan Finest Identified For?
Osaka is finest recognized for scrumptious road meals and pleasant locals. There’s no higher vacation spot within the nation for an intensive exploration of Japanese delicacies.
Is Osaka, Japan Value Visiting?
Sure, Osaka is price visiting. It’s the third most populous metropolis in Japan, recognized for wonderful meals and an exquisite mix of historic and fashionable Japan.
Is 3 Days in Osaka Too A lot?
No, 3 days in Osaka will not be an excessive amount of. It’s simply sufficient time to see the entire metropolis’s finest landmarks and do a fast half-day journey to a close-by vacation spot.
Is Osaka Nicer Than Tokyo?
Osaka will not be essentially nicer than Tokyo, however it’s cheaper and fewer crowded. Tokyo continues to be the most effective vacation spot for a first-time go to to Japan, however Osaka is a wonderful vacation spot for vacationers who’ve already explored the capital.
The place To Keep In Osaka
Discover lodging in central Osaka for straightforward entry to all the most effective points of interest. Resorts within the metropolis aren’t too costly, and there are a great deal of choices for lower than $50 per evening. Lodging exterior the middle is okay so long as it’s near the metro. Listed here are a number of the finest lodges in Osaka for all budgets:
The place To Eat In Osaka
Osaka is all in regards to the meals and there’s no scarcity of fantastic eating places on the town. From road meals stalls to Michelin-starred eating places, Osaka presents something you might need. Among the metropolis’s staple dishes are Kushikatsu (deep-fried seafood skewers), Takoyaki (fried, ball-shaped snacks), Doteyaki (beef tendon stew), Udon scorching pots, and far more.
Kuromon Ichiba Market is the most effective place for road meals. Yakiniku M Hozenjiyokocho restaurant has a number of the finest beef in Osaka, whereas Halal Ramen Naniwaya is among the hottest locations for ramen and katsu dishes. Kashiwaya Osaka Senriyama has three Michelin stars and a inexperienced star, so it’s among the best for high quality eating. Endo Sushi is among the highest-rated sushi eating places in Osaka that’s operated for greater than a century.
Suggestions And Info For Visiting Osaka, Japan
Finest Time To Go to
Osaka has a temperate local weather, so any time of the yr is an effective time to be within the metropolis. I’d keep away from touring to Osaka in the summertime as a result of it’s scorching, humid, and crowded.
Spring is a superb time in Osaka. The climate is gentle, and the numerous flowers and cherry blossom timber within the metropolis are in full bloom. For those who’re most concerned with Osaka’s pure landmarks, spring might be the most effective season to go to.
Fall and winter are additionally good instances to journey to Osaka, particularly in case you’re extra fascinated by Japanese tradition, delicacies, and historical past. Osaka’s historic landmarks stay accessible within the fall and winter, and the gentle climate means it’s hardly ever too chilly to stroll round exterior.
Getting There
Osaka is serviced by two airports – Osaka Worldwide Airport and Kansai Worldwide Airport. Pre-pandemic, Kansai Airport was the third busiest hub in Japan, however these days Osaka Worldwide Airport operates extra flights.
Kansai Airport is located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay. It’s linked to town heart by practice, and it’s roughly an hour and 10 minutes from KIX to Osaka Station.
Osaka Worldwide Airport is way nearer to town heart. It’s additionally linked to central Osaka by practice, and the journey time is just Half-hour. For those who can select which airport you need to land at, Osaka Worldwide Airport is the extra handy possibility. However flying out of Kansai Airpot is a particular expertise, one which takes your journey to a brand new degree.
Getting Round
Japan is world-famous for its insanely quick bullet trains and so they’re by far the best way of touring across the area. For journey between two cities in Japan, a Shinkansen is the quickest and most handy mode of transport. It’s additionally the costliest one, and I extremely advocate the JRail Cross in case you’re within the nation for some time and also you need to discover.
The most affordable JRail Cross is $355 for every week of journey, so it’s solely well worth the cash in case you plan to extensively journey by way of Japan. I like to recommend creating an in depth checklist of all of the locations you need to go to and including up the price of practice tickets to see if the cross is well worth the cash for you.
One factor to notice is that the JRail Cross doesn’t cowl metro traces within the metropolis of Osaka. For that, you’ll want an IC Card or the Osaka Eco Card.
How A lot Time Do You Want
If Osaka is simply one of many stops on an extended tour of Japan, you possibly can set aside two days for town. A tour is doable in a day, however it wouldn’t mean you can correctly benefit from the sights since you’d consistently be dashing to see the following factor. However two days is sufficient time to see all the most effective of Osaka, with some breaks in between sightseeing.
Then again, if you want to do day journeys from Osaka, then I recommend 3-5 days, relying on what number of different locations you need to go to. A visit to Nara is a should as a result of it’s so near town and has loads to supply.
Kobe, Kyoto, and Hiroshima are all very near Osaka and it’s attainable to go to every metropolis on a day journey. Frankly, I believe you want a minimum of three days to totally discover Kyoto, however in case you can’t squeeze it into your itinerary in any other case, even a day journey from Osaka is best than not visiting town in any respect.