16 Must Do Things in Osaka
(2025 Guide)

Bell | 22 April 25

Osaka is known for its delicious food, vibrant nightlife and fun vibe and it’s certainly not a city to miss when visiting Japan. From incredible day trip options to hidden history and so much street food, Osaka really packs a punch.

While many travellers breeze through Osaka or even skip it altogether, I started my trip in Japan’s second biggest city and have no regrets. Osaka is a lively mix of culture, nightlife and shopping as well as the starting point for some incredible day trips.

I ended up spending four nights in Osaka which equated to roughly four full days and thought this was the perfect amount of time. Most guides will say you need a maximum of two, most even only one, days in Osaka but I disagree. I got to see all of Osaka’s highlights and enjoy its incredible food scene to the fullest and still had time for two of my bucketlist day trips.

Here are my 16 must-see things in Osaka, from the most famous to off the beaten path:

Table of Contents

How to get to Osaka?

Whether you are flying into Osaka or headed there from your previous destination by train/bus, here is exactly how to get to the city center:

Flying into Osaka

There are actually three airports within the vicinity of Osaka: Kansai International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport (Domestic) and Kobe Airport. I am including Kobe airport as the time from it to Osaka city center is just around an hour which is comparable to Kansai Airport.

Itami Airport is only for domestic flights so if you come from say Kyoto, Tokyo or other areas in Japan. I actually flew in from Northern Japan, Sapporo, as I had just finished working my ski season there, however, my flight still went to Kansai Airport.

How to get from the airport to Osaka City Center

This will be different for each airport, but I actually used Google Maps to find the cheapest way to get to my accommodation. I stayed slightly outside the city center so this worked great.

You can either buy single tickets for the train (check Google Maps for the amount it will cost as this is what you need to tell the ticket machine). Otherwise, you can get an IC card. Each major city in Japan has one but they all work across Japan (so you could use Tokyo’s Suica card in Osaka and vice versa). Osaka’s version is called Icoca and you can get it at the vending machines at JR stations.

Kansai Airport:
Kansai Airport has a free shuttle bus connecting terminals. I personally got the local trains into the city centre using Google Maps as this was the cheapest option costing around 970yen ($6.7) to Namba Station and taking 45 minutes. There is also the more luxurious Limited Express Rapi:t train that only takes 34 minutes costing $9.29 or the Airport Limousine Bus that costs around $9.

Itami Airport:
You can get the Itami- Airport Limousine Bus for 730 yen ($5) to Namba Station or the local trains to e.g. Umeda Station (check best route on Google Maps) for just 440 yen ($3). Both will take around 40 minutes.

Kobe Airport:
If you search for the closest airports on Skyscanner for Osaka, you will also get Kobe. You can get to Osaka city center in about an hour for 670 yen ($4.7) by taking the Portliner to Sannomiya Station and then e.g. the Kobe Line to Umeda Station. Google Maps will be your best friend here again.

From Tokyo to Osaka

You have three options to get to Osaka from Tokyo. The quickest is flying and can sometimes even be one of the cheapest, check for flights here.

The second option is the famous Shinkansen which costs around $110 and takes between 2.5 and 3 hours. Make sure to book a seat on the Mt. Fuji side (right side when coming from Toyko and left side when starting in Osaka) for the best views.

The last option is an overnight bus, which saves you a night on accommodation but the standard seats are not that comfortable (speaking from experience). If you book early enough, the sleeper comfort seats can still be cheap though and are well worth it. I personally went with Willer Travel as it is the most well-known, but you can find other options here.

From Kyoto to Osaka

Kyoto and Osaka are actually very close together. A local train takes about 40 minutes and will cost you ~500 yen ($3.5) depending on which station you need to get to. You will likely either get the Hankyu-Kyoto or Tokaido-Sanyo Line.

You can also get the Shinkansen which will only take 12-24 minutes and cost around $11 (for non-reserved seats, double that for reserved).

Where to stay in Osaka?

Osaka is a pretty walkable city with a great public transportation network. Some of the best areas to stay in are Namba, Shinsaibashi, Umeda and America-mura as they are central with good transportation links and lots of attractions nearby. Check out my full accommodation guide here.

Best hostels in Osaka for backpackers:

Imano Osaka Shinsaibashi Hostel – great affordable hostel in central location with a girls only floor
Hotel J-ship Osaka Namba – capsule style dorm in super central location
Namba Guesthouse HIVE – right by Namba with beautiful dorms
& AND HOSTEL SHINSAIBASHI EAST – great location for sightseeing

Best hotels in Osaka:

$ Kaneyoshi Ryokan – extremely centrally located and traditional Japanese style rooms at a great price

$$ Hotel Keihan Namba Grande – right in central Namba with nice rooms and amenities

$$$ Centara Grand Hotel Osaka – this hotel is luxury pure with a stunning view over Osaka and all the amenities you could want.

How to get around Osaka using public transport?

Osaka’s public transportation network is extensive and pretty efficient. You can either buy single trip tickets at the ticket machines each time or use an IC card. An IC card is a prepaid card that you can use for transportation or even the convenience stores, lockers and many more things around Japan.

Osaka’s version is called ICOCA but you can also use Tokyo’s Suica card or any other. Prices start at ¥1000 including a 500yen deposit that is refundable at the end of your holiday. The other 500yen are loaded onto the card. You can buy the ICOCA at JR stations or Kansai airport and top it up at any train/subway station and most convenience stores.

I used Google Maps to get around Osaka and navigate the subway system and found it pretty easy. It will tell you where to get on and off and even which exit to best take (stations in Japan have MANY exits so getting the right one will save a lot of time).

Top things to do in Osaka

Here are the 16 attractions you have to see while in Osaka, including the two main day trips.

1. See the famous Glico Man sign in Dotonbori

You cannot visit Osaka without visiting the famous Glico Man sign in Dotonbori. Dotonbori itself is like Osaka’s Times Square, an explosion of billboards and tourists.

The entire area is lively, full of bars, restaurants, live music, street food and shops, such as the huge Don Quijote with the Ferris Wheel on top. It is also famous for its nightlife, where the neon billboards only add to the buzz. I would recommend seeing the area during the day at first to really experience the hustle and bustle, and then heading back at night.

Top tip: try the crab bun from the famous Kani Doraku restaurant as well as some Takoyaki (grilled Octopus balls) from one of the many street vendors.

2. Go shopping in the seemingly endless Shinsaibashi-suji Street

Right by Dotonbori, you will find the famous Shinsabashi-suji shopping street which is a 600m long arcade filled with fashion, cosmetics, souvenirs and more. The street itself is connected to even more side streets with even more shopping.

Make sure to check out: Daiso (for affordable goodies), GU (Uniqlo’s cheaper sister company), the many drugstores (often cheaper than Don Quijote) and the Onitsuka Tiger shop (cool shoes)

3. Join the local youth and trends in America-mura

America-mura is one of my favourite areas in Osaka. It is vibrant, artsy and has lots of unique clothing shops, including thrift stores and vintage American shops. It is just west of Shinsaibashi and has a welcome change in pace with a younger crowd and more hip cafes and restaurants.

I would recommend grabbing lunch here and really taking in the trendy atmosphere.

4. Let out your inner child at Universal Studios

While the ticketing can seem a bit daunting (make sure to pre-book express pass tickets), Universal Studios in Osaka is every inner child’s dream. From Harry Potter to Super Nintendo World, it offers incredible rides, amazing sets and unique food. A highlight for any Osaka visit.

5. See Osaka’s most popular landmark, Osaka Castle

One of the first things on any Osaka itinerary will be Osaka castle and for good reason. It is built on a big complex featuring a moat, shrines, a museum, a shopping mall, street food carts and a garden.

The castle itself is stunning from the outside with graceful architecture and vibrant colours. The inside has been remodelled into a museum.

6. Marvel at the unique Namba Yasaka Shrine

Namba Yasaka Shrine is certainly the most distinctive shrine I’ve seen in Japan, famous for the open-mouthed lion stage that is said to “eat” evil spirits.

My favourite part of the shrine was the “ema” plaques you find at most temples, here they were small wooden plates, where people from all over the world write their wishes and prayers.

7. Wander the bustling streets of Shinsekai

Another very vibrant area of Osaka is Shinsekai, well-known for the many restaurants and food stalls you can find here. I loved strolling through this area and taking in the neon lights, game arcades and many local delicacies on sale at food stalls. Look out for Billiken, the god of good fortune at Tsutenkaku Tower. You will see the funny-looking mascot everywhere here and there even is a shrine.

I would highly recommend trying out the restaurants here, the choice is unbeatable.

8. Head to the top of Tsutenkaku Tower

Tsutenkaku Tower is one of Osaka’s famous landmarks and markers of innovation, and features a 100m high observation platform (book tickets here) where you can get 360° views of Osaka.

9. Visit Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden

You cannot visit Osaka without a daytrip to Himeji Castle, nicknamed the White Heron Castle. It is considered one of Japan’s most spectacular castles and for good reason: its sheer size, it is well preserved and the castle grounds are extensive and beautiful.

Make sure to also check out Kokoen Gardens while you are there (get the combined ticket), they are beautiful, traditional Japanese Gardens.

10. Enjoy 360° views of Osaka at Umeda Sky

Umeda Sky Building is famous for its 360 views over Osaka. On the observation platform, you can see super far over Osaka. I’d recommend an afternoon or sunset spot, as the transformation as night approaches is stunning and you get to see the city light up.

11. Daytrip to Nara to feed the bowing deer

Nara is another must-do day trip from Osaka and only around 45 minutes by train from e.g. Namba (680yen/$4.75). While there are more things there to do than you may think, it is famous for the bowing deer.

Make sure to visit the temples in Nara too as they are some of my favourites I saw around Osaka – Todai-ji Temple, Nigatsu-do Temple, Kasugataisha Shrine

12. Explore Shitennoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest temples

This temple is located in the Tennoji Ward of Osaka and features a stunning five-story pagoda. It is one of Japan’s earliest temples, founded in 593 by the prince Shotoku Taishi. The whole complex is quite big and a beautiful walk in the morning.

13. Soak in nature at Old Fujita house garden and Kema Sakuranomiya Park

If you are up for a bit more nature and beautiful, Japanese gardens, head up to Old Fujita House Garden. It features some beautiful flower displays, even outside of cherry blossom season.

If it is cherry blossom season, make sure to continue on to Kema Sakuranomiya Park for an insanely beautiful display of Japan’s famous cherry blossom trees. This is the perfect area for a picnic, so stop at a conbini on the way and grab those beloved onigiris!

14. Visit the famous Daruma dolls at Katsuō-ji temple

This temple is an hour outside of Osaka, so a little bit of a trek, however well worth it if you have the time. It is famous for being covered in the red Daruma dolls, signifiers of good luck in Japan. The temple itself is picturesque and in a beautiful location and the dolls only add to the experience (and unique photos).

You also get an empty frame when purchasing a ticket that you can fill with stamps while perusing the grounds. In the end, you will have a totally unique stamp of the temple and Daruma dolls as a souvenir.

15. Sumiyoshi Taisha

At almost 2000 years old, this temple was built by the legendary empress-regent Jingū dedicated to the Sumiyoshi Sanjin – the three gods of the sea. It is said to act as spiritual protection over the port of Osaka . A very tranquil place to wander, including the stunning “Sorihashi” bridge.

16. Enjoy fresh fish and streetfood at Kuromon Ichiba Market

Close to Dotonbori and Namba, you will find Kuromon Ichiba Market, known for the many stalls of fresh fish and other streetfood. Some of the most popular fish to try here are conger pike in summer and Fugu in winter.

How many days in Osaka is enough?

I would say you need 4 days if you want to include the most important day trips (Nara and Himeji) and 5 days if you are including Universal Studios on your trip.

You can see the main sights of Osaka in just 2 days, however I would highly recommend adding those extra days for Nara, Himeji Castle and Universal Studios.

What is Osaka best known for?

Osaka is known for its food, especially street food such as Takoyaki, vibrant atmosphere and nigthlife as well as its history.

Key places of interest include Dotonbori for the Glico running man and nightlife, Osaka castle to learn about its culture and history, America-mura and Shinsaibashi for shopping and Shinsekai again for its food.

Is Nara closer to Osaka or Kyoto?

Osaka is a little closer to Nara than Kyoto and I decided to do my day trip from Osaka as accommodation there is a little cheaper than in Kyoto. However, you can easily visit Nara from both cities in under an hour.