Itineraries for Your Trip to Osaka
2 Days in Osaka for First Timers
My New Zealand high school had a sister school arrangement with a senior high school in Osaka, so my first time in this major Japanese city was as a 15-year-old exchange student, living with a local family and attending school. When I returned to live in Japan several years later, I ended up in Tokyo, but I retained a soft spot for Osaka, a smaller, more manageable, and grittier alternative to the capital. Many travelers bypass it on their way to nearby Kyoto, which has a completely different vibe, but Osaka is a fun place to spend two days—especially if you’re flying into or out of Kansai International Airport.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the reconstructed Osaka Castle.
Summers are very hot and humid in Osaka, so visit between October and May for the most comfortable experience.
Get your bearings in Osaka this morning on a walking tour of the city. Check out highlights including Osaka Castle, Shitenno-ji Temple, and the towering Abeno Harukas and Umeda Sky buildings. Although Osaka’s oldest buildings were mostly destroyed during World War II, there are many modern buildings and reconstructions of old ones to admire.
In the afternoon, explore more of the city’s sights in the company of the personal photographer who will capture photos of you with the lively city as a backdrop. Whether the neon lights of the Dotonbori district or the paper lanterns of Hozenji Yokocho are more your cup of matcha, your photographer will take lovely photos as a souvenir of your stay in Osaka.
Food is a big deal in Osaka, a predominantly merchant-focused city, so food should also play a large part in any visit. Sample local favorites—such as okonomiyaki (cabbage-filled pancakes( and takoyaki (fried octopus balls)—on an evening food tour. You’ll be taken to places you may miss if you explore independently, and your guide will help interpret the menus.
Today, spend a few hours at Universal Studios Japan, one of the country’s most popular amusement parks and a must for movie enthusiasts. The rides and exhibits include international movies and characters you’ll immediately recognize, but the park also features some quintessentially Japanese characters, including Hello Kitty. It’s an ideal day out for families.
If flashy modern theme parks are not your thing, you could spend today visiting other Osaka cultural attractions, such as the fascinating Museum of Housing and Living, which is made up of a collection of recreated houses and that allow you a first-hand look at how people lived during Edo-period Japan. Alternatively, you can learn to make your own Osaka-inspired feast with a cooking class.
Osaka is a vivacious city with great nightlife options. Join a bar-hopping tour for your last night in the city, or grab tickets to an English-language comedy show. Most live entertainment options in Japan take place in Japanese and are only accessible if you know the language, but there are some English-language shows, and they offer a great way to relax for the evening.
