osaka driving trip

20 Places near Osaka that are off the Tourists Map (Osaka Itinerary Part 2)

Hey there, ready for Part 2 of my 2-Week Osaka Itinerary where I share unique ideas on what to do around Osaka ? This post will bring you to fascinating places such as Tottori Sand Dunes, Uradome Coast and even “spooky” and cute manga-theme towns.

I’m confident that by the time you finish reading this post, you’ll be thinking about venturing beyond popular cities such as Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Before you continue, have you checked out what we did on Day 1 to Day 5 of our Osaka Itinerary ? Take a look for a better story flow.

Done that? Let’s continue with where we left off. On Day 6, we would leave Okayama and continue our journey up north towards Yonago.

To recap, let’s look at the map above to see the places visited in our 2-Week Trip in and around Osaka. The black arrows show our path made thus far while the red ones are where we would begin our trip today.

TIP : A rental car would be useful and cost-effective when exploring this part of the journey. We got ours at only S$60 per day. You can view latest car rental rates  here.

DAY 6: INLAND DRIVE FROM OKAYAMA TO YONAGO

Today, we checked out of Hotel Maira , bade farewell to Okayama and made a scenic north-bound drive towards Yonago. The inland road trip brought us through quaint villages and presented us with rolling mountains, padi fields and pine tree forests.

What we didn’t expect was how the temperature took a major plunge, from yesterday’s 30 °C to below 20 °C today. It was also a lot windier. 

Our first stop was a place that’s off the tourist map, at Ukantsuneyama Park . There wasn’t a single soul there and the stone windmills were all ours to explore. You’ll be as amazed as us when you see those gigantic windmills made of stone spinning non-stop.

How windy was it at this part of the country? Well, you can only imagine! :)

Next, we visited Yubara Onsen (Hot Spring Town) and intended to dip in the Sanayu Outdoor Onsen . But I was too shy as there were many naked men there. We retreated to the hand and foot bath and warmed our cold limbs in the hot spring water. That water was hot, but soothing.

INFO : If you are looking for hot spring facility that’s located within Osaka city, take a look at this popular hot spring theme park.

The Hiruzen Highlands

After that, we continued our journey further up north. By then, my clothing was a total mismatch of colors as I hastily layered on whatever jackets I could lay my hands on due to the quick drop in temperature.

By the time we reached Hiruzen Diary Factory , the temperature was 16 °C and the strong wind made it feel colder than that. We bought some ice cream and fresh milk before heading outdoor to the vast green pasture. There, we took in the majestic view of the Hiruzensanzan range.

Located nearby was the Hiruzen Winery where we popped by to take a look at the local wine on sale. You can try the wine too at a small fee.

And finally, our last stop within Hiruzen Highlands was at a Farmers Market . The small market sells local produce such as the milk that I bought earlier, plus locally-produced cheese, wine and more.

Final Stop: Yonago & Sakaiminato Cities

By evening, we reached Yonago and made a brief stop at Aeon Yonago Ekimae for a quick dinner. This is probably the most dated-looking Aeon Mall I’ve been to in this trip and reminded me of the 90s.

Luckily we had a rental car which meant we could travel elsewhere such as a stand-alone 100-yen shop – Daiso Yonago Hatagasaki . We also loaded groceries at Lamu Supermarket that was located next door.

And finally, we were willing to make our way to Sakaiminato , a place we would base ourselves for the next three nights. The hotel we stayed in – Sakaiminato Onyado Nono Natural Hot Spring – turned out to be our favorite hotel of the trip.

> MUST-READ: 7 Budget-Friendly Hotels in Osaka

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Map Location for Day 6

Check out Hotel Maira  ( see location ) >>  Ukantsuneyama Park (Stone Windmill) >> Sunayu Outdoor Onsen >> Yubara Hand & Foot Bath >> Hiruzen Diary Factory >> Hiruzen Winery >> Hiruzen Farmer’s Market >> Aeon Yonago Ekimae >> Daiso Yonago Hatagasaki >> Lamu Supermarket >> Check in Sakaiminato Onyado Nono Natural Hot Spring ( see location )

DAY 7: A HAPPY DAY AT SPOOKY MIZUKI STREET

Staying in Sakaiminato made us feel totally relaxed – ya know, the small town vibe with a very loose itinerary.

First thing in the morning, we dropped by Nakaura Fish Market which is a small seafood market. Prices didn’t seem like they were priced for the locals. Luckily, the Huge Boy Statue located outside the market made it a worthwhile trip.

Isn’t this demon boy photogenic or what? He’s called Gaina Kitaro by the way, the star of the town. The eye standing on his head is his “reborn” dad, okay?

Near to the market were a few sushi train restaurants, all with unimpressive online reviews. Well, the reviews seem to be accurate as our lunch at Tairyomaru Sushi Shop was forgettable.

Not really having a plan today, we decided to drive across Sakaisuidoo Bridge to reach another city – Matsue . On our way to the eastern tip of Matsue, we drove past Man-Lady Rocks (男女岩), Miho Shrine and finally stopped at Mihonoseki Lighthouse .

TIP : To get to Sakaiminato city, you can either rent a car from Osaka/Kobe ( check latest car rental rates) like we did and drive northwest all the way, or take a flight to Yonago Airport.

There, we were presented with a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan. The white and stout lighthouse next to it was given a fresh layer of paint as compared to what we saw on Google Map.

Soon, we were back at Sakaiminato City and decided we would do some shopping. I loaded my first pile of beauty stuff from Direx Discount Supermarket while the man piled up his trolley with Japanese snacks and drinks.

Things here were value for money (probably the cheapest we’ve seen thus far). At the cashier, I tried my luck and asked if tax refund worked in this off-central local mart and was surprised that they do. Great, 8% saved! :)

Thereafter, we dropped off our loot and took a short rest at our lovely hotel before venturing out to do what we came here for – to admire cute demons along The Mizuki Shigeru Road .

Even though I’m not a manga-lover, strolling along this 800m-long street really brightened up my day and made me as happy as a lark. There were more than a hundred cute and spooky statues of various sizes to delight both kids and adults alike.

We also visited the Mizuki Shigeru Museum , located at the end of the street. Admission is cheap if you show your passport, though most descriptions were in Japanese. :)

When night fell, we made great use of our private transport  and drove to Aeon Mall Hiezu . This is a huge mall and was more modern-looking than Aeon Yonago Ekimae . And the best thing was the free parking which allowed us to shop till we drop.

On our way back, we made a brief stop at DIO Discount Supermarket to load up on tomorrow’s breakfast and hiking ration.

Map Location for Day 7

Nakauru Fish Market >> Huge Boy Statue >> Tairyomaru Sushi Shop >> Sakaisuidoo Bridge >> “Man-Lady Rocks” (男女岩) >> Miho Shrine >> Mihonoseki Lighthouse >> Direx Discount Supermarket >> The Mizuki Shigeru Road >> Aeon Mall Hiezu >> DIO Discount Supermarket

DAY 8: A SCARY HIKE UP MOUNT DAISEN

Another reason why we traveled all the way to this lesser-visited region was to hike up Mount Daisen . This 1731m-tall mountain is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains .

Unfortunately, the weather report said that it would rain and wind speed would reach 85km/hour. We pondered till late morning and decided to go for it when the rain stopped and weather improved.

I’ll share a detailed account of my adventure in a dedicated post. In short, the hike was steep all the way, with almost every step reaching my knee caps. But that was not the struggle.

It was windy as hell, and we battled constantly against the thought of retreating due to fear of falling branches and rocks. By the time we reached 1,400m, the sense of danger felt so real as the limited vegetation could no longer protect us from the strong gust of wind.

My sunglasses flew off my face and the man was momentarily lifted off the ground. Finally, at the 1,550m mark, the path reduced to a narrow ridge and we knew we had to stop. We couldn’t risk being pushed by the wind as we would fall off the mountain.

Warnings from two local hikers who were on their way down helped us firmed up our decision to surrender at the 90% mark to summit.

TIP : All thanks to Japan’s WiFi data plan, we could communicate and receive warning from two local hikers using Google live translation. On top of that, the WiFi plan also allowed me to check train arrival time, find good F&B and load up on the right beauty product. View latest rates of Japan WiFi SIM card  and Japan Pocket WiFi (good if you travel in a group).

On my way down (and still not out of the danger zone), the wind pushed me down to a sitting position. By then, I was so scared and basically slid my way down the mountain in a sitting position. We were like fighting a war, and only got up to move when the wind took a temporary pause.

“Sit down, Wait! Wait for the wind to stop”

“Ok, move! Quick!”

“Get down! Now!”

“Move, Move!”

It was certainly a memorable hiking experience. LOL! Served us right for going against the element.

Idyllic Lunch at Daisen Milk Ranch

After a difficult 4 hours hike, we rewarded ourselves with a lovely lunch at Daisen Milk Ranch . We also bought some fresh milk and cheese before making our way down the mountain.

With nothing else on our itinerary today, we dropped by Marui Heart Market where the man loaded ready-to-eat seafood. This mart has a great assortment of premium stuff, such as uni (sea urchin) and tuna belly. There’s also a Daiso building next to it where I loaded up on plasters – had some minor cuts. 

Back at our Sakaiminato hotel , I got ready for one of my favorite activities in Japan, i.e. to dip in the hotel onsen that comprised both indoor and outdoor hot springs. We also did our laundry and ended the day early.

> MUST-READ: 11 Things I Love about Japan and I know you would too! 

Map Location for Day 8

Mount Daisen >> Daisen Milk Ranch >> Marui Heart Market & Daiso >> Onsen at Hotel  ( see location )

DAY 9: A DAY WITH DETECTIVE CONAN 

Today, we would check out of our lovely resort hotel in Sakaiminato and drive eastwards to Tottori city. Our lunch was a hit at Hokkaido Kaike , a sushi belt restaurant that was so popular with the locals that we needed to take a queue number.

The sushi quality was excellent and it’s the top two sushi we’ve had in our 2-week Osaka trip.

> RELATED: Best Sushi of the trip on Day 2 of our Osaka Trip

Next, we headed to Tottori Flower Park , which was high on my to-go list. It was a quaint park with stunning architectures and mountain views. We could have been there at the wrong season though, as the flowers had yet to make a full blossom.

TIP : Remember to show your passport to get discounted price off your admission to Tottori Flower Park.

After the botanical trip, we made our way to a “secret place” to take a good photo of Mount Daisen ? Here’s a photo taken at the carpark of Shoji Ueda Museum . :) Yes, just park, take a few photos and go. :)

Detective Conan Town

Midway to our final destination, we passed by a manga-theme town which is all about Detective Conan , a manga character that originated in the 90s. We started our tour at Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory , then crossed the Great Conan Bridge and walked towards Yura Station, otherwise known as Conan Station .

TIP : Prefer not to drive when travelling? This Tottori tour will pick you up from Yonago station and bring you to Tottori Flower Park and Conan Town.

Along the way, we saw many life-sized cartoon characters . As compared to Mizuki Shigeru Road , Conan town seemed more deserted and less developed for tourists. In fact, we hardly saw anyone in the quiet district. The various attractions are also more sparsely spaced as compared to Mizuki Shigeru Road.

By evening, we arrived at Aeon Mall Tottorikita and had our dinner at the modern but quiet mall. Thereafter, we drove to our final stop of the day – Tottori City Hotel , our base for the next two days.

Map Location for Day 9 

Check out Sakaiminato Onyado Nono Natural Hot Spring  (see location) >> Lunch at Hokkaido Kaike >> Tottori Flower Park >> Shoji Ueda Museum >> Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory >> Great Conan Bridge >> Conan Station >> Aeon Mall Tottorikita   >> Check in Tottori City Hotel ( see location )

DAY 10: HIGHLIGHTS OF TOTTORI CITY

Today, we were rewarded with the most scenic coastal view of our 2-week Osaka trip. I didn’t expect Uradome Coast to be this spectacular.

Uradome Coast

There were a few places along the coastal road to take in the view of Uradome Coast, but the best must be at this place . There isn’t even an English name as at time of writing.

You’ll park at 浦富海岸降口駐車場 ( see map ) and take the steps down. At an intersection, you can either take a left or right turn. Both directions will offer you stunning views – 水尻洞門 (“sea door”) on the left, and  鴨ヶ磯 on the right. I highly recommend that you explore both. Just look at the photos below – it’s a paradise!

After the morning hike, we were famished and enjoyed a traditional Japanese lunch at Tastumi Fish of the Season . The sashimi was fresh and delicious and my partner thanked me for recommending this place (thank you, Google!).

Then, we continued exploring Uradome Coast by taking in the views from different places, such as at Tajiri Shrine and a nearby Observatory Platform .

Tottori Sand Dunes

Another popular must-go place in Tottori city is Tottori Sand Dunes . Although this may be the most touristy attraction in the prefecture, it was still not to the extent of being overcrowded (think Arashiyama).

Following the crowd like a sheep in a herd, we walked towards the top of the sand dunes with aching legs. Yes, our muscles were aching badly from yesterday’s strenuous mountain hike. Once we reached the top, the deep blue ocean said hello!

And that concluded our hot day at the Tottori “desert”.

TIP : Based in Osaka City? You can also visit Uradome Coast and Tottori Sand Dunes with this full-day Uradome Coast Cruise Tour It includes an eat-all-you-can seafood lunch.

Tottori Castle Ruin

With nothing else on our itinerary, we scanned through Google Map and decided to pay Tottori Castle Ruin a visit. This ruin offered a great view of the city and required minimal hiking.

Then, we had our dinner at Aeon Totorri and spent the rest of the night at Don Quijote Tottori . That was a great place for me to load up on more beauty purchases as I didn’t have to fight with any crowds in this sleepy town (unlike those that I saw in Osaka).

We then returned to our hotel in Tottori , packed our luggage and got ready for tomorrow’s road trip back to Kobe. 

Map Location for Day 10

Uradome Coast >> Lunch at Tastumi Fish of the Season >> Tajiri Shrine >> Observatory Platform >> Tottori Sand Dunes >> Tottori Castle Ruin >> Aeon Totorri >> Don Quijote Tottori

Conclusion of Part 2 Osaka Itinerary

And that’s it for Part 2. I did a count, and yes, there’re over 20 unique things you can do outside of Osaka city and this excludes food and shopping. For more travel inspirations, check out other posts in this Osaka Travel Series :

• Part 1 –   Day 1 – 5 Itinerary (Osaka, Kobe and Okayama)
• Part 3 –   Day 11 – 15 Travel Itinerary in Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto

What’s next?  I’ll be coming up with more detailed posts of key attractions and activities in and around Osaka. Such posts would provide  more tips, price and logistics info . Stay tuned and revisit this post often as I’ll link the day-by-day posts here when they are ready!

And last but not least, don’t forget to click the button below If you like to get notified of my new posts. Thank you for reading. :)

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Scenic Driving in Osaka (and Kyoto,Nara,Wakayama)

This content is for the people that want to have first time driving in Osaka or Kansai area. By this content, we wish to provide basic but necessary information / knowledge to our readers and make your trip planning easier and faster.

Basic knowledge about Osaka

From view of population, Osaka had 3rd biggest population in prefectures of Japan (Tokyo, the 1st and Kanagaw, the 2ed). If seeing from population density, it is the 2ed. No matter which index, it shows the popularity and prosperity of Osaka.

In geography, Osaka belongs to Kansai area. Nara is on its east side, Kyoto on north-east side, Hyougo on north-west, and Wagayma on south side.

For having plentiful historical spot, natural views, amusements and Kansai style foods, Osaka is always a popular choice of world travelers, and Kansai Airport is the start point of trips to it.

According to official statistics, about 6 million of foreign visitors visit Japan via Kansai airport, second most to Narita airport (6.82 million).

Attractions of Osaka / Kansai

Why Osaka (Kansai area) can attract 6 million people to fly to it every year? Here are some reasons.

Plenty of culture and historical spots

Kansai area was once the capital area in history that left plentiful and various historical and cultural spots. So that, Kansai area is said to be the best place to experience “traditional Japan”. Temples, shines or castles with hundreds or over thousand years of history are not easily seen in other areas, but in Kansai, definitely not. Kingakuji , Kiyomizudera, Todaiji, and Osaka castle are well-know examples.

According to Wiki, Kyoto has 17 spots listed in world heritage, and Nara has 8.

Besides, 2 of the 3 major cultural festivals in Japan are also hold in Kansai area. Tenjin festival in Osaka and Gion festival (and the last one is Kanda festival in Tokyo).

These numerous culture and historical elements make Kansai area unique and must-visit.

Special local cuisine

Where there are people, there will be food, and the densely populated Kansai also has many local specialties, such as: Takoyaki, Skewers, Okonomiyaki, Tofu, Kaiseki cuisine, Matcha, Ramen, Yatsuhashi, and even more. These cuisines attract food lovers from Japan and even around the world to come and eat.

Seasonal sceneries and flower viewing

Kansai area is at high latitudes that has it distinct four seasons and various plant landscapes. With the “Hanami culture”(flower viewing), Japanese plant and view flowers with seasons. For example, in spring, you would see cherry blossoms blooming in almost every park. Hydrangeas show up before summer. Yellow ginkgo and red maple leaves color autumn and winter. People crowd into parks, picnic drink, and view flowers, that make part of Japanese culture.

In Kansai area, tourists can easily find places to enjoy these gorgeous seasonal views, no matter what season you come. And that,s one reason why Kansai is always so fun to visit.

Airport to Osaka: Kansai International Airport

Kansai airport is the closet international airport to Osaka, and it,s very young, opened in 1994.

Kansai Airport is located in Osaka and was officially opened in 1994. It is the world’s first maritime airport made with land reclamation and land cover, and it is also the popular entrance for tourists to travel in and out of Kansai

According to the official statistics in 2018, Kansai Airport has a total of 29 million passengers in and out every year, making it the third largest airport in Japan (first is Haneda i, and second is Narita).

There are two terminals at Kansai Airport, and there is a tram building in the middle, which is the entrance to the JR and Nankai tram lines

Should I rent car to drive in Osaka/Kansai area?

Whether it is tram, bus, or renting a car yourself, as long as it can meet your needs for transportation, it will be a good way. However, according to our observation, guests that use rental car usually have the following demands in common.

1. Don’t want to use overcrowded transportation

Osaka get second dense population in Japan prefectures. It,s not hard to imagine how busy transportation is here. For ex, some trams in Osaka are quite crowded, such as the “Midosuji Line”, “Hankyu Kobe Main Line”, “Hankyu Baoyu Main Line” ( Source: https://reurl.cc/AqeOlZ), and in Koyot, the bus on the sightseeing route may also get overcrowded occasionally (Source: https://reurl.cc/pdjMjl).

For travelers pursue better quality of travel and transportation, self-driving can be a good way.

2. Want to save energy and time for sightseeing, not for walk Though bus or tram is convenient in Japan, it still takes time and energy to walk from stop/statin to spots. If traveling with infant, kid or companion with less physical strength, long walk may be a tiring task. But with a car, this can be easier.

3. Want reduce transportation costs If there are a certain number of people traveling with you, rental car may be cheaper than mass transportation.

Take Kansai Rail Pass for example, its one-day pass is 2,300 yen. If you purchase for 4 people, the fee is 9,200 yen; but if you rent a car, the daily fee is 4,600 yen (including basic insurance) according to NICONICO Rent A Car. Even with the addition of gas money and highway tolls, the total cost may be cheaper than public transportation (It may differ with the driving distance).

4. Access to places without public transportation Although the transportation network in Japan is dense, some tourist attractions are still not easily accessible, or there is even no bus or tram to it . If you want to visit, renting car would be a better solution.

Where should I rent a car in Osaka or Kansai area?

The answer differs according to your travel plan. In our experience, visitors usually plan rental location in following 3 way:

1.rent car near the hotel where you stay 2.rent car near a large station 3.rent car at airport

NICONICO Rent a Car has a shop around Kansai Airport. Check here for more information.

What documents are required when renting a car in Osaka

If you are a foreign tourist who does not have a local Japanese driver’s license, you can still rent a car and drive in Japan with specific documents. The documents required are :

Your driver license of origin country , international driver license or official Japanese translation of the driver license, and passport.

Rental car shop usually check up and make prints of these documents while your picking up cars and signing contracts papers. So please be sure to bring them to the shop.

We also made a post with more detailed information. Check this if interested.

Traffic rules and precautions when driving in Osaka

As for traffic regulations, parking, expressway ETC gateways and other related information, our website has compiled a more detailed content, please refer to this.

Driving time from Osaka Kansai Airport to neighboring prefectures and cities

The following is the time from driving at Osaka Airport to each city, providing as pre-drive evaluation.

To downtown Osaka: about 40 minutes To downtown Kyoto: about 1 hour and 20 minutes To Nara: about 1 hour and 10 minutes To Kobe: about 1 hour To Shiga: about 2 hours To Wakayama : about 1 hour and a half

Sightseeing spots in and around Osaka

We marked famous spots in the following map for reference and easy understanding of the locations .

Th following is popular spot list of Osaka and prefectures around Osaka (Nara, Wagayama, Kyoto).

Osaka Castle Namba Shinsaibashi Dotonbori USJ Tsutenkaku Kuromon Market Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan HSumiyoshi Taisha Tower of the Sun Instant Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda Osaka Museum of History Bus-Aqualiner Osaka Shochikuza Theatre Osaka Takoyaki Museum

Kiyomizu Temple Hanamikoji Street Kamo River Golden Pavilion Temple (Kinkakuji ) Silver Pavilion Temple (Ginkakuji) Byodoin Temple Arashiyama Kyoto Tower Nishiki Market Nijo Castle Nanzen-ji Temple Shimogamo Shrine Kamigamo Shrine

Todaiji Temple (Great Eastern Temple) Nara Park Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) Mitarai Valley Ishibutai Kofun (Ishibutai Burial Mound) Yakushiji Temple Mount Wakakusa Hōryū-ji Heijō Palace( Heijō-kyū ) Kōfuku-ji Tōshōdai-ji (Toshodaiji Temple) Gangō-ji (Gangoji Temple)

Wakayama Castle Kishu Toshogu Shrine Koyasan (Mount Koya ) Kuroshio Market Tomogashima Islands Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine Nachi Falls Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails Katsuura Fish Market Hashiguiiwa Rocks Nanki Shirahama Onsen Engetsu Island toretore market Shirarahama Beach yuasa

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Neighborhoods to Know

Best Hotels

Public Transportation

Top Things to Do

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Osaka

Food to Try

Best Restaurants

Nightlife Guide

Your Trip to Osaka: The Complete Guide

Getty /Ekkachai Pholrojpanya

As Japan’s third-largest city  , as well as its comedy and food center, there’s a lot to love about the city of Osaka. It has a markedly laidback atmosphere when compared to Tokyo, while still having everything you might expect of a big and bustling city. It’s also within easy traveling distance of Kyoto and Nara, making it a fantastic hub for exploring the country further. Find out everything you need to know before planning your trip to Osaka.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : Summers are humid, hot and can be rainy during June and July, so anytime during spring or fall is ideal. Osaka comes to life with cherry blossoms during spring and yellow ginkgo trees in the fall, and the weather is temperate.
• Language: Japanese. Osaka locals famously have their own strong dialect, which is known as Osaka-ben.
• Getting Around: The subway or train is the best way to get around Osaka. You can pick up the ICOCA travel card or use the Suica or Pasmo travel card from Tokyo to make tapping in and out easier. Much of what you’ll want to see is on the Midosuji subway line, which runs north to south through the city. Taxis are also an option, and you’ll find them outside most stations, or you can flag them down, but they can be expensive.

Getty /fotoVoyager

Things to Do

Osaka is a city that really unravels, given enough time. With quirky neighborhoods and an abundance of food and cafe options, it’s a perfect blend of old city charm and modern skyscapes. Here are a selection of things you must do when visiting Osaka:

• Visit Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle is one of the highlights to any visit to the city. The five-story castle features a museum displaying historical artifacts, armor, and weapons and also a fantastic view of the gardens and city from the top.
• Spend a day at Universal Studios. The first Universal Studios to open in Asia and the only one to feature The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This is a perfect Osaka day trip within the city and fun for all ages.
• Catch a view from the Umeda Sky Building. Two buildings linked at the tip with a giant observatory is the perfect spot for getting gorgeous photos of Osaka from above. The observatory is on the 39th floor and once you’re done at the top you can head to the basement where you’ll find an underground labyrinth of shops and restaurants. 
• Visit one of Osaka’s quirky museums. Osaka has plenty of fun and interesting museums which you won’t want to miss out on. One of the highlights is the Cup Noodles Museum where you can learn all about the international phenomenon of convenience ramen and make your own cup noodle! If you love art then make sure to visit the Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum where you can see rare wood prints and try out woodblock printing for yourself.
• Visit Osaka’s shrines and temples. Like most places in Japan, there’s no shortage of historical spots to explore. In Osaka you’ll find stunning spots like Hozen-ji temple and Shitenno-ji temple which is Japan’s oldest temple.
• Shop in Shinsaibashi. Osaka’s covered arcades are like taking a step into the past. Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade is the best place to indulge in all things shopping with 600-meter long covered area to stroll down featuring everything from stationery to kitchenware.

Plan more of your itinerary with our guides on the best things to do in the city and how to spend 48 hours in Osaka.

Getty/ Calvin Chan Wai Meng

What to Eat and Drink

Osaka is repeatedly named as one of the top food cities in the world, and you’ll notice the sheer amount of street food and restaurant options almost immediately. Osaka is proud of its food culture and with good reason. This is the city that has specializes in three of the most comforting Japanese dishes—okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and takoyaki—all fried and all delicious. 

Dotonburi and Shinsekai are two of the major food districts in the city. Still, you’ll also find gems such as Kuromon Market, which dates back to the Edo Period and Miyuki-Dori Shopping Street, a 300-meter shopping street where you can choose from over 150 Korean restaurants. Aside from the local specialties, Osaka is also a perfect place to tuck into other Japanese favorites such as sushi, ramen, katsu curry, and yakiniku.

Getty /simonlong

Where to Stay

Osaka is a wonderfully exciting city with 24 wards to explore and hotels available all over the city. Here are some of the most popular areas to stay to enjoy your trip to the full.

Minami (Namba): One of the most popular neighborhoods in the city, Namba is the entertainment hub of Osaka and where you'll find the famous Dotonburi canal and running man neon sign. It's one of the most exciting restaurants and street food areas and ideal if you want to experience Osaka's nightlife, whether that's terrific bars or bunraku and kabuki cultural performances at the theater.

Nipponbashi: This is a perfect place to stay if you're hoping to explore the nerd and electronics haven that is Denden Town, Osaka's version of Tokyo's Akihabara. Once a year, there's a big cosplay festival, and there are often small events happening in some of the local businesses. You'll also be close to Kuromon Market and Namba, so it's an easy way to be close to the action but have room to explore some of the smaller neighborhoods.

Osaka Bay Area: This is an ideal area to stay if you’re hoping to be close to some of the family-friendly attractions of Osaka like the giant Ferris wheel and the world’s largest aquarium  ! There is also shopping, restaurants, and a ferry that will take you to Universal Studios. The gorgeous views of the harbor alone make it worth staying here.

Shinsekai: This is a traditional area that’s ideal for foodies and people looking to experience traditional aesthetics and neon side streets. Shinsekai is where you’ll find the iconic Osaka Tower and local hole-in-the-wall restaurants that specialize in kushikatsu, sushi, and yakiniku barbecue joints. You can also pay a visit to Spa World, perfect for relaxing in after hard day sightseeing and the Osaka Museum of Fine Arts

Shinsabashi: This dynamic area near Namba puts fantastic tax-free shopping opportunities on your doorstep. You have the Shisabashi shopping arcade and plenty of boutique shopping options as well as nearby America-mura (also known as Amemura), where you’ll find trendy and vintage shopping plus eclectic cafes and bars.

Getting There

To access Osaka by plane , you’ll arrive at either Osaka International Airport or Kansai Airport, which serves both domestic and international flights. From Osaka Airport, you can reach downtown in around half an hour, and you’ll find several options such as taxis (around $50), a bus ($60 and a combination of train and subway ($6). You can also hire a car from the airport to drive downtown, which will take you around 25 minutes.

If you’re traveling from Kansai Airport, the easiest way to get downtown is via train ($11), which takes around 70 minutes. You can also catch a taxi which will take 45 minutes, but it is a more expensive option at $165. Finally, if you are arriving on the shinkansen from Tokyo or another Japanese city, then you’ll arrive at Osaka Station, which is a prime location to simply hop on the subway to your next destination or get a taxi to your hotel.

Culture and Customs

• There's no need to tip in Osaka. In some cases, it can even be considered offensive.
• If you're shopping, whether at a convenience store, department store, or boutique, make sure to place your money in the dish on the counter. Your change will also be placed there. On that note, remember to carry cash as some places don't take cards. You'll find plenty of ATMs around the city if you're stuck.
• The bow is the standard form of greeting in Japan, but a head nod will usually suffice. Politeness goes a long way!
• When on the subway, make sure not to use the seats reserved for the elderly, even if there are no elderly on the train car who might want to sit down. Even when the car is packed, and those seats are empty, don't ever sit in them.

Money-Saving Tips

• If you’re using a JR pass then you will also be able to use this on the JR subway and train lines within Osaka. If you can avoid buying another pass and just use the JR lines you can save money.
• Get the ICOCA & Haruka card at Kansai airport for discounted travel into the city center on the train. You’ll also be able to use the ICOCA as a travel card going forward.
• Make sure to try some convenience store food and coffee to save money. Stores like 7/11, Lawson, and Family Mart have excellent quality bento boxes and hot snacks—perfect for picking up breakfast, a quick meal or gathering a picnic.
• Take advantage of tax refunds while you’re shopping. Purchases more than 5,000 yen (around $46) are exempt from the 10 percent consumption tax  . Wherever you see the tax refund sign just show your passport and that store and they’ll seal your items and give you a receipt to show at the airport before you leave.
• Look out for Osaka’s free attractions like walking in Minoo Park, exploring the grounds of Osaka Castle, and visiting the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, the third-largest tomb in the world.

Statista. " Population of Osaka Prefecture in Japan from 1920 to 2018 ." November 2019.

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan .

Japan Tax-Free Shop. " Japan's Tax Exemption ."

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Japan road trip itinerary from Tokyo to Osaka

From the hypnotising neon lights of Tokyo, to the traditional temples and shrines of Kyoto, Japan is a country where history seamlessly coexists with modernity, meaning there's no end of things to discover during a Japan road trip.

Our Japan road trip itinerary celebrates the best of the famous Golden Route, travelling west from Tokyo past Mount Fuji to Hakone and Shizuoka, before continuing on to Kyoto and Osaka.

Although the amazing bullet trains and metro systems mean it may not be conventional to travel Japan by car, the roads are relatively easy to navigate and you'll be able to head off the beaten path a little more, making driving in Japan totally worth it.

From sacred shrines and traditional tea ceremonies, to robot restaurants and futuristic skyscrapers, read on for our definitive Japan road trip guide.

Day 1: Tokyo - visit the Meiji Shrine, relax in Kiyosumi Garden & have a traditional kaiseki meal

After flying into Tokyo you'll probably be needing some time to shake off the jet lag before diving into the high-energy, neon-lit side of the city, so spend the rest of day 1 on a more relaxed tour of some more traditional Japanese sights.

You don't need to pick up your hire car until you're ready to leave Tokyo on day 3, so check into your hotel, freshen up after your flight and head out for you first taste of Japan.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Hotels in Tokyo can be really expensive or somewhat basic so finding the right balance is key.

The Conrad Tokyo hotel is a fantastic choice and is really well located for your stay.

The rooms are perfectly decorated with modern lighting and luxury fittings. The location is perfect for getting about the city with the monorail and Shimbashi and Ginza metro stations a short walk away.

It is half the price of other similar quality hotels in central Tokyo and you really get amazing value for your money.

Explore the Meiji Shrine and surrounding Yoyogi Park

Dedicated to the spirits of the Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of modern Japan, and the Empress Shoken in 1920, this beautiful Shinto shrine is one of the most popular in Japan and is a great way to kick off your Tokyo itinerary.

The torii gate, which marks the entrance to the shrine and a transition from the mundane to the sacred, transports you from the busy city into an oasis of natural beauty and calm - exactly what you'll be after having just stepped off the plane.

The main complex of the shrine is a pleasant ten-minute stroll from the southern entrance through a tranquil forest of around 100,000 trees donated from across the country, and is made up of beautiful Japanese architecture to explore.

Have a look around the shrine and take part in some traditional Shinto activities including making offerings in the main hall and writing your wish on a wooden ema to leave in the shrine to be granted.

If you're lucky, you might even catch a traditional Shinto wedding taking place here, making your visit even more magical.

The shrine complex also contains the Meiji Jingu Treasure House where belongings of the Emperor and Empress are on display, as well as the beautiful Inner Garden, thought to be an area of strong spirituality that's particularly scenic in June when the irises are in bloom.

Entry to the shrine is free, however there is a small fee of 500 JPY (Japanese yen) to visit the Inner Garden.

Once you're done at the shrine have a stroll through surrounding Yoyogi Park and head back to the metro to move on to your next stop.

Take the metro to Kiyosumi Garden

Continue with the nature theme and head to Kiyosumi Garden for the rest of the afternoon.

By the time you get there you'll probably be after a quick bite to eat, so grab some food at the tea-house style restaurant Ryotei before you look around (you'll need to reserve a table in advance).

Once you've eaten, spend some time exploring the grounds. This landscaped garden is very carefully designed, with a glittering pond, lush trees, quaint bridges, and the traditional tea house to enjoy as you do the circular walk around the grounds.

Although it's all stunning, one thing to pay particular attention to is the large stones dotted around the garden. Landscape stones are considered extremely valuable in Japan, and here you'll find examples sourced from all over the country.

Be sure to hop along the stepping stone paths and spot the fish and turtles in the water as you go around, and stop regularly to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the garden as the afternoon draws to a close.

Entry to the garden costs 150 JPY.

Go for a traditional kaiseki meal at Ao to celebrate the start of your trip

Head back to your hotel and put your feet up for a while, then make your way to Ao for a kaiseki meal.

In keeping with your relaxed, authentic day, this type of meal is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner made up of beautifully presented dishes that celebrate the taste, texture, and colours of seasonal ingredients.

There are loads of different places where you can enjoy a kaiseki meal in Tokyo, however we'd recommend you book a table at Ao, an unassuming restaurant close to Shibuya which offers a six course meal for 3,400 JPY (a steal when it comes to kaiseki).

They base their dishes on fresh, seasonal Japanese ingredients, but draw on techniques from lots of other cuisines to create unique and delicious flavour combinations.

The dishes on offer change monthly so it's impossible for us to predict what you'll eat during your visit, but we're pretty confident you won't be disappointed.

Enjoy your food, toast the start of your trip with a glass of sake, then head back to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

Day 2: Tokyo - have sushi for breakfast, visit the teamLab Borderless Museum, go shopping, & walk the world's busiest street crossing

Day 2 is all about experiencing the side of Tokyo you've seen in the pictures, AKA the crazy museums, bustling streets, neon lights, and high-end shopping; you're in for a busy day!

Kick off day 2 with a sushi breakfast at Toyosu Fish Market

Yep, sushi for breakfast is most definitely a thing in Japan, especially at the fresh fish markets where the catch of the day arrives in the early hours of the morning, meaning it's expertly prepped and sliced just in time for your morning meal.

One of the best places to get your sushi fix is at Toyosu Fish Market (the new location of former Tsukiji Fish Market), where popular Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi serve up the freshest nigiri and sashimi from 5.30am.

Unfortunately if you want to beat the queues you have to get there when it opens at the absolute latest, but don't worry, it'll mean you arrive in time to witness the famous tuna auction, and give you time to wander round the market without eating into the rest of today's itinerary.

If you can't face getting up that early there are plenty of other food options that don't tend to have such long waiting times, including soba noodle restaurants and coffee shops.

Head to nearby teamLab Borderless Museum

By the time you've queued for your breakfast, watched the auction, and had a potter around the market it'll probably be the ideal time to head to the teamLab Borderless Museum (officially the Mori Building Digital Art Museum Epson teamLab Borderless) for its 10am opening.

This quirky digital art museum pretty much sums up the modern side of Tokyo, and is a multi-sensory experience made up of breathtaking light shows that adapt and change as you walk around; you won't see the same thing on a loop here.

From hundreds of colourful flowers projected on the walls and ceilings, to rooms full of LED lights made to seem never-ending with mirrors and polished floors, this art stimulates all the senses and offers a truly unforgettable experience.

You can even stop for a cup of green tea containing digital flowers that bloom right in front of your eyes - magical.

Tickets cost 3,200 JPY and should be bought online in advance.

Grab a quick lunch then do some shopping

A trip to Tokyo wouldn't be complete without a shopping spree, so grab a quick bite to eat after you leave the museum (street food is always a good idea), and set off in search of some retail therapy.

The shopping options in Tokyo are pretty diverse, ranging from high-end malls, to vintage boutiques, to traditional markets, so where you choose to go should definitely depend on how you're feeling on the day.

We've got a few varied suggestions for you to choose from which cover the best of Tokyo's shopping:

For high end (window) shopping head to the modern Ginza district. Dotted with upmarket boutiques and department stores, this is the place to go if you're after some designer souvenirs to take home. You'll also find some traditional craft shops nestled amongst the glamour, so you shouldn't feel too far removed from authentic Japanese culture as you browse.

For vintage shops and quirky boutiques Shimo-Kitazawa is the place to go. Located a little outside of the commercial centre, expect to find the coolest record stores, one-of-a-kind vintage clothes shops, and casual eateries all buzzing with trendy art students and bohemian locals. This is a great place to discover another of Tokyo's many personalities.

If you'd rather shop for traditional Japanese trinkets then Nakamise Shopping Street is the best option. The street is one of the oldest shopping areas in the whole of Japan, and is located on the approach to the Sensoji Temple, so the setting is just as authentic as the shops themselves. From delicate folding fans to traditional snacks, the Nakamise Shopping Street celebrates the best of Tokyo's historic shopping scene.

Relax in one of Tokyo's quirky cafes

In our opinion shopping always has to be followed by coffee, and Tokyo isn't short of cafes to choose from.

In the last decade the city has become one of the world's leading hubs for coffee lovers, with countless trendy coffee roasters and specialist shops popping up in every neighbourhood.

We could easily give you a list of 20 amazing spots to hit up, but we've whittled it down to three suggestions to make your choice a little easier.

The Roastery by Nozy Coffee - The coffee roaster takes centre stage at this trendy cafe (literally - it sits in the middle of the room), so you can expect fresh beans roasted to perfection here. With two types of beans to choose from everyday, the friendly English-speaking staff are on hand to help you decide which to go for, and they also sell amazing coffee flavoured soft-serve ice cream if you fancy a sweet treat on the side.

Roar Coffee House - For something a little quirky Roar Coffee House is a great spot. They specialise in multi-coloured coffees, serving up mini works of art to each customer. The coffee connoisseurs among you are probably cringing at the thought of Instagram-worthy rainbow lattes, but they're careful to use the best coffee and roast it in-house, so the flavours are just as good as the visuals.

Tokyo Saryo - Our third option isn't actually a coffee shop but a green tea house - after all, this nutritious infusion is Japan's original brew. Tokyo Saryo offers single-origin green tea hand dripped through their own tea drippers to bring out the best flavour from the leaves. The cafe is clean and minimalist, making it a really calming retreat from the busy shopping districts. Opt for the tasting selection (1300 JPY), choose one tea to try (800 JPY), or grab an iced tea to take away (450 JPY).

If three options isn't enough, our guide to the best neighbourhood cafes in Tokyo will give you some more inspiration and information on what to expect from your Japanese brew.

Have a leisurely coffee then head back to your hotel to relax and freshen up before evening falls.

Walk the world's busiest street crossing in Shibuya and have dinner at the Robot Restaurant

Once the neon lights have switched on, head out to Shibuya before dinner to walk across the world's busiest street crossing just outside of Shibuya metro station - this is the Tokyo you've seen in the pictures.

During rush hour, as many as 2,500 people can cross each time the signal changes, bringing the road to life.

Ordinarily, stepping into the thick of any city's rush hour would be the last thing we'd suggest, but this crossing is made iconic by the crowds, so it's definitely worth braving the bustle this time.

Once you've experienced the crossing make your way to the famous Robot Restaurant to top off your Tokyo itinerary.

Although the food here isn't the best you'll find in Tokyo, the accompanying show, which we can only describe as somewhere between a cabaret and a popular culture explosion, is so wacky and wonderful we doubt you'll even notice.

Expect burlesque dancers fighting reptiles, dancing bunnies playing glittery drums, out of control sharks raging across the stage, and totally in control ninjas battling invaders. And robots, duh.

Put simply: it's complete and utter carefully choreographed chaos.

The whole experience is a little pricey at 8,000 JPY, but it's an unmistakable rite of passage that makes it worth every penny.

Day 3: Tokyo to Hakone via Mount Fuji - take a scenic drive around Lake Kawaguchi to see Mount Fuji on your way to Hakone

Have a lie in on day 2 (you might need it after the Robot Restaurant), then pick up your hire car ready to set off in the late morning - today's focus is a scenic drive to get the best views of epic Mount Fuji.

Before we delve in, a quick note on driving in Japan. On the route that this itinerary follows driving should be fairly hassle free, with wide, well-paved roads connecting the country's major cities.

You'll encounter toll roads on some of the expressways and more scenic routes (such as the Chuo Expressway you'll take today), and in and around the cities can get quite congested, but other than that drivers are generally very safe and considerate, making driving in Japan a breeze.

Drive west out of Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi

Some of the best views of Mount Fuji can be found at Lake Kawaguchi, so rather than heading south straight to Hakone, take a scenic detour west towards the lake.

It should take you around an hour and a half to get there, cruising along Lake Sagami and through stunning verdant mountains and lakes along the way.

You'll probably follow the Chuo Expressway most of the way (don't worry it's still really scenic), but there's also a smaller, toll-free road that runs parallel along the lake if you'd prefer to come off the main road.

Once you've reached Lake Kawaguchi, you'll want to drive to the north side of the lake, park the car (there are various car parks including one near Nagasaki Park), then walk down to the water to admire the view.

You won't be disappointed - on a clear day you'll get a picture-perfect view of the snow-capped mountain reflected on the water, so make sure you have your camera at the ready, and spend some time taking it all in.

Have a late lunch at Lake Bake Cafe

Once you've spent enough time gazing at the view head to Lake Bake Cafe a little further west from the car park for a late lunch.

The walls of this cosy cafe are lined with baskets of delicious baked goods, ranging from pizza-esque flatbreads to crusty loaves and decadent cakes that you can enjoy on their terrace overlooking the lake and Mount Fuji.

Owing to the fact that you're a little off the beaten path the menu is all in Japanese, so this lunch will be more of a point-at-something-that-looks-tasty affair - a great way to discover something new!

Drive on to Hakone

Continue west and do a full circuit of the lake before heading south to Hakone.

The road hugs the water most of the way, making it a really lovely stretch to drive, particularly on the south side where you'll have a beautiful view of the green mountains you've just driven through.

From there drive the remaining 35 miles to get to Hakone, enjoying even more mountain roads and scenic views as you go.

Eat soba noodles at Nakamura

By the time you arrive in Hakone you probably won't have much of the day left, so just check into your hotel, put your feet up for a few minutes then go for another classic Japanese dinner.

Tonight we're sending you to Soba Nakamura, a simple restaurant specialising in traditional Japanese soba noodles. Made of buckwheat flour, these noodles are both nutritious and delicious and come in a variety of different dishes.

They can be enjoyed either hot in a soup or cold with a dipping sauce, and we'd recommend you choose the latter as it's probably unlike any dish you've had before (and you'll probably eat a lot of ramen throughout the trip that's quite similar).

You'll essentially be served a plate of cold noodles with a soy-based dipping sauce and some wasabi and spring onions on the side. The idea is that you mix the onions and wasabi into the sauce then dunk mouthfuls of the noodles into it as you eat.

It's simple yet very delicious, and it's even better if you opt for the side of crispy tempura prawns and vegetables to go with it.

Wash the noodles down with some more sake, then head back to your hotel and call it a night - you'll be up early on day 4 to squeeze in as much as possible before leaving for Shizuoka.

Day 4: Hakone to Shizuoka - go sightseeing in Hakone & drive to Shizuoka

The mountain town of Hakone in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is known for its bubbling hot springs and stunning natural beauty, meaning there's loads of great activities to get stuck into, so wake up early and make the most of your day here.

Start the day with a ride on the Hakone Ropeway

A great way to get a feel for Hakone is to hop on the Ropeway, a cable car which offers amazing views of the steaming hot springs, lush hills, and dramatic Mount Fuji.

The line runs from Sounzan Station in the east to Togendai Station in the west, with stops at Owakudani and Ubako in between.

If you wanted to see as much as possible, you could ride the whole line which pretty much covers the length of Hakone.

However, given the fact that you only have a day to see everything, we'd suggest you simply use the Ropeway as a way to get to your first stop, Owakudani.

We'd advise you check out of your hotel and take the car with you so that you can quickly get between sights later on, so parking the car at Togendai Station and getting on the Ropeway from there is a good option.

A return ticket to Owakudani from here costs 2000 JPY and will take around 20 minutes, and the first gondola departs at 9am.

Explore the hot springs and eat a black boiled egg

Before you've even stepped off the gondola it'll be clear you've reached the geothermal valley of Owakudani.

With white smoke rising from the earth and the unmistakable smell of sulphur drifting across the hills, Owakudani is one of the more atmospheric stop offs on your Japan road trip, even if it does have the age-old nickname 'Valley of Hell'.

Aside from having a wander and snapping a few pictures of the views, one thing you need to do whilst you're in Owakudani is eat a black egg (kuro-tamago).

We're aware this sounds as hellish as the valley's nickname, however they're actually just regular hens' eggs boiled in the natural water of the hot springs that are turned black by the sulphur and iron in the water.

It's just the shell that turns black and the egg inside tastes pretty much the same as a regular boiled egg, except these are thought to add seven years to your life, so probably worth devouring one ASAP.

We'd recommend taking the short 15 minute hike from the station to the egg boiling site where you can watch them being made before trying one for yourself, but it's also possible to buy them from the souvenir shops near the station if you don't fancy the walk.

If standing on top of a mountain eating a black boiled egg all sounds a bit odd, you could always opt for a bean jam bun or cookie fashioned to look like one of the famed eggs - a tasty compromise that's not, well, a black boiled egg…

Drive to Hakone Shrine

Once you're done in Owakudani, take the Ropeway back to Togendai Station and drive five minutes down the road to Hakone Shrine.

Tucked away in a dense forest, you'll only be able to tell the shrine is there by its huge torii gates, two of which are located on the approach from the road on the north side of the complex, and the iconic gate on the edge of the lake in the south.

You'll probably end up approaching from the south because there's lots of parking available, so have a wander down to the water to see the gate before heading up the steps to the main shrine buildings.

The beauty of this shrine is that it's glorious in all weather; whether the sun is filtering through the trees, drops of rain are running off the curved roof, or a blanket of cool mist has settled across the site, the shrine is always a lovely, calming place to spend some time.

Have a late lunch then make your way to the Hakone Open-Air Museum

After you've explored the shrine and you feel suitably serene, go back to the car and drive to Hakone Open-Air Museum.

You'll definitely need a bite to eat before you get stuck into the museum, so leave your car in the car park and go to one of the nearby restaurants for a quick refuel.

The Gyoza Center, which is just around the corner, is a great spot for a quick plate of gyoza - delicate Japanese dumplings filled with fish, meat or vegetables - that should keep you going until dinner later.

After lunch spend the rest of the afternoon at the museum. Japan's first open-air museum, this attraction contains artwork by world-renowned artists, including Picasso and Henry Moore, and was opened in 1969 to try and boost interest in art.

The museum covers around 70,000 square metres against the backdrop of the mountains, allowing visitors to see artwork in a new light away from the confines of a gallery.

You'll want to drive to Shizuoka before it gets dark, so see as much as you can of the museum before you have to set off.

A few particular highlights to look out for include the Symphonic Sculpture made of beautiful stained glass which you can climb inside, the La Pleureuse sculpture of a woman's head, and the extensive Picasso Exhibition Hall.

There's also lots of fun interactive exhibits and an on-site foot spa that add to the uniqueness of this unforgettable museum.

Admission costs 1600 JPY.

Drive to Shizuoka and relax for the evening

After browsing the art, head back to the car and drive on to Shizuoka 60 miles away.

You've had a pretty busy day so just check into your hotel, find somewhere to eat dinner and spend the rest of the evening putting your feet up.

Day 5: Shizuoka to Kyoto - go sightseeing in Shizuoka city, attend a tea ceremony at Gyokuro No Sato Hyogetsu-tei, & drive to Kyoto

Wake up early and visit sunpu castle.

You'll be straight back to big city life once you've arrived in Shizuoka, and you should have just enough time for a whistle-stop tour of the best sights before setting off for Kyoto in the afternoon.

Start your day early with a trip to Sunpu Castle. This important historical sight is thought to have been the centre of the Shizuoka and the point from which the rest of the city expanded, as well as being the retirement home for the famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history, including a final dismantling of the fortification in the 1860s when the Tokugawa family was stripped of its power.

This means that the parts of the castle you can visit today are restored replicas of the original, carefully built according to original construction plans so they're as close to the real deal as possible.

The East Gate is the main building you can explore, and it contains some really interesting exhibits about the castle's history. The grounds are also worth a visit, with the beautiful Sunpu Park and moat adding to the surroundings.

Arguably the star of the show is, however, the intricate Momijiyama Japanese Garden in the park's northeastern corner.

This carefully landscaped space contains a pond, a mound representing Mount Fuji, azaleas representing tea leaves, and pebbles to represent nearby Miho Beach.

Entry to the castle and garden costs 360 JPY.

Eat sakura shrimp for lunch

Two of Shizuoka's most famous products are tea leaves and Sakura shrimp, so once you've finished exploring the castle and garden dedicate the rest of your time here to sampling these delicacies.

First up, shrimp for lunch.

Sakura shrimp are a type of small pink shrimp which are only caught in Suruga Bay bordering the city and in Taiwan, thanks to the fresh water running off the surrounding mountains and creating the perfect water conditions for them to thrive.

As they're plucked fresh from the sea so close to the city, this is the only place where they are fresh enough to try raw, making for a pretty unique lunch experience.

If raw shrimp doesn't take your fancy, it's also traditional to eat them fried, boiled, or dried in the sun like a pink cherry blossom, so you'll have plenty of options.

For the best shrimp we'd recommend hopping in the car or catching the train to Yui, a town just north of the city known as 'The City of Sakura Shrimp', to go to Hama no Kakiageya where you'll be able to try these pink morsels at their best.

Note : for conservation reasons the shrimp are only harvested twice a year, between March - June and October - December, so to eat them fresh try to travel in these months.

Drive to Kyoto, stopping off at Gyokuro No Sato Hyogetsu-tei for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

The best way to explore Shizuoka's tea heritage is to drive to Gyokuro No Sato Hyogetsu-tei, a tea house about half an hour outside of the city on the way to Kyoto, to experience a traditional tea ceremony known as sadou or chadou .

Seeing as Shizuoka prefecture alone contains around 40% of Japan's tea plantations, it's the perfect place to catch your first ceremony of the trip and learn more about treasured matcha green tea.

As with most tea houses in Japan, Hyogetsu-tei is situated in a stunning, tranquil setting in a leafy valley within a picturesque garden. Follow the stepping stone path to the entrance to the tea house, and look out over the pond as you sip your tea.

The tea house itself is really beautiful and traditional, with tatami flooring (made of woven straw), shoji (paper sliding doors) covering the windows, and hosts wearing classic kimonos as they serve.

The tea, which is made from powdered matcha green tea using authentic techniques, is served up with wagashi , a traditional Japanese dessert which offsets the bitterness of the brew, and you'll be shown how to correctly drink it and pay your respects to the ceremony.

The experience costs 510 JPY and is a great stop off to get you ready for the traditional charm that awaits you in Kyoto.

Drive the rest of the way to Kyoto and relax for the evening

After the ceremony continue on to Kyoto. The drive is likely to take around three hours so you probably won't arrive in Kyoto until the early evening.

Check into your hotel and spend tonight having a walk around, grabbing some food, and generally just getting a feel for the city's charm ahead of your full day exploring on day 6.

Day 6: Kyoto - visit some shrines, have lunch at Nishiki Market, celebrate the season, & discover the Gion district

Often dubbed 'the spiritual heart of Japan', Kyoto is awash with old Japanese charm, standing proud as a historical archive amongst Japan's modern skyscrapers.

This leg of the journey is, then, all about the traditional - think temples, tea and geishas.

Spend the morning temple and shrine hopping in Kyoto

If there's one thing synonymous with Kyoto it's temples and shrines, so have breakfast at your hotel then head out for a morning of zen.

There are over 2,000 temples and shrines in Kyoto, so you could literally spend weeks here trying to see them all. Instead, check out a few of our favourites to prioritise during your trip.

The places in our selection aren't located within walking distance of one another so be aware you'll have to travel between them if you do fancy a tour of all of them, but picking just one or two is equally as good and will give you more time to visit them in detail.

Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

The top two floors of this famous Zen temple in northern Kyoto are completely covered in gold leaf to represent the extravagant Kitayama culture of when it was first built.

Each floor represents a different architectural style, making it a really unique and interesting temple to visit.

View the pavilion across the pond and try and have a peek through the open windows; although the building isn't open to the public, the inside is just as decorative as the outside, and the windows are often left open to allow people a glimpse into this opulent temple.

There's also a beautiful garden, a tea house, and various souvenir shops located in the temple complex. Admission costs 400 JPY.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

This Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto is famous for its tunnels of torii gates straddling hiking trails behind the main complex - we're talking thousands of the iconic red archways.

Each gate has been donated by an individual or company, and if you look closely you'll find the donor's name written on one of the posts.

Do the hike if you're feeling energetic (the trip to the top of the mountain and back takes around three hours), or just walk a small stretch of the trail and have a look around the shrine itself.

Admission is free, however if you go into the shrine you should make a small offering.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

As one of the most famous sights in the whole city, this ancient temple was first built in 798 with later additions made from 1633.

Aside from the beauty of the buildings and grounds, there are many traditions you can partake in to grant you a happy and prosperous future.

For example, it is believed that visitors who drink the sacred water from the Otowa-no-taki waterfall will be blessed with health and longevity, and those that spin the rock in the darkness of the Tainai-meguri get to make a wish.

Admission costs 400 JPY.

Note: due to renovations, the outside of the main hall will be covered up until 2020. It's still possible to visit the inside during this time.

Have lunch at Nishiki Market

When the hunger pangs kick in make your way to central Nishiki Market for some lunch.

Known as 'Kyoto's kitchen', this long shopping street is lined with over a hundred shops and restaurants selling all things food-related. You can buy everything here, from the sharpest Japanese knives, to fresh seafood, fruit and veg, dried seasonings, and ready-to-eat bites.

Have a browse, buy some souvenirs, and pick up a couple of skewers of freshly made street food (each stall tends to specialise in a different dish so we'd recommend hitting up a few). Don't expect a sit down meal here, it's all about fast, grab-and-go dining.

Celebrate the best of the season in the afternoon

Once you've refuelled, we've got a few options of what to do next based on the season you're travelling in.

Winter - soak in an onsen

If you're travelling in the cold season, you'll probably be wanting a warming activity after your outdoor morning of temple hopping, and visiting an onsen, (a public bath fed by a hot spring) is a great option.

Not only will it warm you up, the water in these baths is said to have healing properties and be full of minerals that are great for your skin and circulation, as well as being incredibly relaxing.

Whilst you'll find quite a few indoor baths in the centre of Kyoto, we'd recommend you head slightly out of town to Kurama Onsen to soak in the outdoor pool amongst the snowy trees and mountains.

It really is as idyllic as it sounds, but we must warn you - it's birthday suits only in the pools.

Although this sounds pretty daunting, don't let it put you off! This is a daily ritual for the Japanese so they're unlikely to bat an eyelid, and you'll be so relaxed after a few minutes you'll forget to worry too.

It's also worth noting that you must wash before you get in, wrap long hair in a towel to avoid it going in the water, and that you're forbidden from entering the pools if you have tattoos.

Spring - host your own hanami cherry blossom party

If you're travelling in Japan in spring you will have been basking in flurries of blossoms for five days already, however there's no better place to celebrate these photogenic flowers than in historic Kyoto.

Traditionally to welcome the start of spring, hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties consist of people gathering beneath the blossom for food, drinks, music (read: karaoke), and conversation.

Pack your own picnic and throw your own hanami, or make friends with some locals and join in their party.

Travel tip: anywhere is great for one of these get-togethers, however a particularly beautiful spot is the Kyoto Botanical Garden, which is at its best in early April.

Summer - visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Granted, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is an iconic Kyoto sight in any season, however we think it's particularly beautiful in the summer.

This famed pathway through towering bamboo trees is like stepping into another world, and is a calming, unique experience that comes into its own when the summer sun is filtering through the branches as they softly sway in the breeze.

It's also a great place to seek some shade on a particularly hot day and get away from the city for an hour or two.

The summer is also the perfect time to watch traditional cormorant fishing on nearby Hozu River, so you could always head there once you're done at the Grove. You'll be able to catch this technique every day in July and August in the early evening.

Autumn - ride the Sagano Scenic Railway

The fall foliage in Kyoto is just as impressive as the cherry blossom, and if you're travelling in autumn we'd recommend going for a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway (also known as the Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko).

This picturesque train line runs a slow 25-minute route over a 12-kilometre stretch through forested hills which are at their best when the leaves turn in the autumn.

Hop on the train at Saga-Arashiyama Station in the west of the city and ride the line to Torokko Kameoka Station, taking in the views and snapping some pictures.

The trains themselves are also pretty scenic and traditional, and feature four enclosed cars and one fully open-air car that's best for the photographers among you. Book in advance at a JR ticket office to make sure you get the seat you want.

Once you get to Torokko Kameoka you can either get the train back or take a Hozugawa River Cruise back to Arashiyama, both are great for making the most of the orangey leaves.

Tickets cost 620 JPY one way and there are no discounts for round trips.

Spend the evening in the Gion district

Round off your time in Kyoto with an evening in the Gion District, Kyoto's famous geisha quarter and the top entertainment area of the city.

Although a great place to visit at any time, Gion is at its best in the early evening when dusk begins to fall and lanterns are lit along the traditional streets, illuminating the tea houses, authentic eateries, and wooden machiya merchant houses.

If you're lucky you may also see a maiko (apprentice geisha) disappearing around a corner on her way to an appointment, although if you do try not to stare or take too many pictures - they're people not tourist attractions!

Explore the area, wander into one of the many restaurants for dinner (or do some research and book in advance), and enjoy a spot of entertainment if you've got some energy left.

Private geisha performances are really expensive and often pretty hard to come by, so if you fancy seeing these impressive performers in action we'd recommend heading to Gion Corner instead.

This venue puts on hour-long traditional performances which feature seven kinds of Japanese arts including kyo-mai dance performed by maiko dancers, and Kyogen, a form of comical theatre.

Tickets to a show cost 3,150 JPY, and reservation isn't necessary unless you're travelling in a large group.

Day 7: Kyoto to Osaka - drive to Osaka, do some sightseeing & go on a street food tour

The drive from Kyoto to Osaka should take less than an hour, so set off after breakfast to get there around mid-morning ready to kick off the final full day of your Japan road trip.

Although as modern and striking as Tokyo, Japan's third largest city Osaka has a different vibe to the capital.

The city was nicknamed 'the nation's kitchen' during the Edo period when it was a centre for Japanese rice trading, and this label persists today, making the city one of Japan's main foodie hubs.

But more on the food later, first hit up a few of the city's best sights to get you better acquainted with this part of the country.

Purchase an Osaka Amazing Pass and head to some of the best sights in the city

A great way to soak up Osaka's sights is to buy an Osaka Amazing Pass.

This is essentially your golden ticket to around 35 different attractions, plus unlimited travel on buses and city trains for 2,500 JPY for the day. A holiday free of ticket-buying and individual admission fees definitely has our vote.

We'd recommend leaving the car at the hotel and choosing three sights (with a break for lunch in between) to make the most of the pass and get a feel for the city.

Our top three sights included in the pass are:

1. Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Japan due to its role in the unification of the country in the 16th century, and proudly stands out against the backdrop of Osaka's modern skyscrapers.

However don't be fooled, although built to the original Edo-era designs, the castle that stands today is actually a concrete reproduction built in the 1990s (the original was destroyed multiple times throughout history).

Today it houses an informative museum detailing the castle's history, as well as an observation deck on the top floor where you can look out across the city.

2. The Umeda Sky Building

For even more incredible views make your way to the Umeda Sky Building.

This striking skyscraper consists of two towers connected by the Floating Garden Observatory on the 39th floor, an observation deck offering panoramic views of the city.

In the basement there's also a food hall built to replicate a town from the Showa Period - a great place to stop for some lunch to break up the sightseeing.

3. Nagai Botanical Garden

Top off your sightseeing with a walk around the beautiful Nagai Botanical Garden.

Located in the corner of Nagai Park, this lovely green space is home to colourful seasonal flowers, around 1,000 species of trees, local wildlife, and a large pond.

This is the ideal place for a relaxing sit down after your busy few hours in Osaka, and is home to the Osaka Museum of Natural History (also included in the Amazing Pass) if you fancy browsing some artefacts before the afternoon draws to a close.

Spend the evening doing a self-guided street food tour

The arrival of the evening means it's time for food, so have a quick freshen up at your hotel then hit the town for a street food tour. We hope you're hungry - there's a lot to squeeze in!

Eating should, without a doubt, be central to any trip to Osaka to honour the city's unofficial slogan 'kuidaore' meaning 'eat until you drop'.

This saying is best associated with the Dotonbori area of the city which runs along the Dotonbori river and is packed full of eateries ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food vendors.

This strip of eateries lights up at night with hundreds of neon billboards and restaurant signs competing to win your attention, and coupled with the incredible smells drifting through the air the area is unmistakable.

You probably don't need our help in where to go as you're likely to get tempted by the look and smell of dishes as you walk through, however we thought we'd offer our favourite suggestions just in case you're having difficulty choosing.

Kick off your tour with some takoyaki

A great dish to begin your tour is takoyaki , balls of batter filled with octopus, bits of crispy tempura and ginger, drizzled with mayonnaise and topped with flakes of salty dried bonito fish.

These little mouthfuls of joy are perfectly balanced in flavour and are usually devoured by locals as an afternoon snack, making them the perfect appetisers for your street food tour.

They're as mesmerising to watch being made as they are delicious to eat, and a great place to pick some up is Takoyaki Dotonbori Kukuru which sells some of the best takoyaki in the area. To find it just look out for the huge octopus sign (you can't miss it).

Next up, okonomiyaki

Another absolute staple street food in Osaka is okonomiyaki , a kind of Japanese pancake made from batter mixed with shredded cabbage, which is often topped with pork and a rich, sticky sauce.

Warai is undoubtedly the place to go for great okonomiyaki in Dotonbori. This restaurant has loads of different flavours to choose from (including veggie options), as well as lots of other great Japanese dishes if you fancy some accompaniments.

This is more of a sit down affair than the other foods you'll try during your tour as the okonomiyaki is brought to a large hot plate in the centre of your table for you to finish cooking for yourself, all adding to the experience of eating this tasty dish.

Finish your meal by slurping some ramen

There's always room for ramen, so make one more stop before you call it a day on the food.

This world-famous noodle soup is an absolute classic we couldn't leave out of our food tour, so head to Kinryu - a chain with four restaurants in Dotonbori - for the best.

Go for the tonkatsu (pork bone broth) which is their signature dish, and slurp to your heart's content.

Note: contrary to popular belief you don't have to slurp your noodles to show that you're enjoying them. The way you eat your ramen is totally up to you - silence and slurping are both welcome.

Head to a bar to toast your trip (if you can manage it after all that food), then make your way back to your hotel and relax for your final night in Japan.

Day 8: Osaka - see any last minute sights and fly home

We're leaving your day 8 itinerary up to you to shape around your flight time, so just see any sights you missed out on on day 7, have a final taste of your favourite street food, grab one last cup of green tea, then make your way to the airport.

Sayonara! We hope you've enjoyed your Japan road trip!

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A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, osaka itinerary: how to plan your trip to the kansai region.

Osaka is one of the largest metropolitan cities in Japan, second only to Tokyo . It’s a popular tourist destination due to its strategic location, which allows you to make multiple-day trips to interesting cities, like Kyoto , Nara , and Kobe.

I’ve visited this area three times now, and if you need help planning your itinerary to these cities, then I’ve got the perfect blog post for you! Read on 😉

How many days should I spend in Osaka?

• When is the best time to visit Osaka?
• Which rail pass should I get?

How do I get to Osaka?

Where to stay in osaka, osaka itinerary for first-timers.

• Tips for traveling around in Kansai

Getting into Osaka from the Kansai Airport

What to do in the kansai region, fast track your arrival in japan.

You can make your arrival in Japan easier by completing your immigration and customs procedures before your arrival via Visit Japan Web. Read how to do that here

I recommend at least 5 days to see the must-see of the Kansai region, namely Osaka and Kyoto. But it would be better if you could stay for at least 8 days, which will allow you to visit all the best highlights of Kansai: Osaka , Kyoto , Nara , Kobe, Himeji, and Hiroshima.

When is the best time to visit Osaka / Kansai region?

Much like the rest of Japan, you can aim to visit during the Sakura season or during the Autumn foliage season . Click on the respective blog posts for predicted times as they change every year. Keep in mind these seasons would be peak tourism time, so it will be very crowded, but beautiful!

Try to avoid the hurricane or typhoon season from August – September. Also avoid Golden Week in the first week of May, which is Japan’s biggest holiday and will drive a lot of domestic tourism.

There are two popular ways to get to Osaka:

1. By Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

If you’re coming from Tokyo , most people get to Osaka by train from Tokyo via Shinkansen, Japan’s famous ultra-fast bullet train. You can then get off at Osaka Station, where you will have plenty of convenient local trains to switch to.

If you haven’t bought an  Unlimited JR Pass , then I would recommend it since the Tokyo – Osaka train is included with the JR Pass. Buying the Shinkansen ticket separately would already cost almost as much as the JR pass, so it’s definitely worth it.

The price of Unlimited JR Pass has increased by 70% since 1 Oct 2023 . Even though you’ll see many recommendations for buying a JR Pass to save some costs, it could be outdated. Since the price hike, it has become harder to justify the cost of the JR Pass, however regional passes like the JR West Kansai Pass might still be worth it. I am working on updating my blog post to reflect this change.

2. By Airplane + Haruka line

The closest international airport to Osaka is the Kansai International Airport (KIX). If you are flying and landing in KIX and will be staying in Osaka, I recommend taking  Haruka line by Japan Rail to get to the city.

This line takes you straight from KIX to the city, stopping at major stations Tennoji and Shin-Osaka before going on to Kyoto. But if you have the unlimited JR Pass, this journey is already included so you do not need to purchase it separately. From there, you can resume with local trains using an IC card .

• If you are staying at a hotel in Osaka, you might be interested in the luggage delivery services from Kansai International airport . Luggage delivery is common in Japan and reliable. It lets you travel without having to carry your heavy luggages!

Which rail pass should I get for visiting Osaka?

The best way to get around Osaka and the rest of the Kansai area is to use the extensive Japanese train system! The cost of train tickets could add up if you’re planning on visiting multiple cities in Osaka. Thankfully, there are a few rail passes you can consider to help with the costs!

1. JR Pass for Bullet Train

JR Pass is a train pass that basically gives you unlimited rides on JR trains for the duration of the pass validity. This includes the Shinkansen bullet trains, which make it easy to travel through different cities in Japan. However, it doesn’t mean that you always need a JR Pass every time you go to Japan.

If you are flying straight to Osaka and only planning to visit Kyoto and Nara , you won’t need a JR pass since you can easily visit these places via the local trains – consider getting the Kintetsu Rail Pass instead.

For going to Kyoto from Osaka, taking local trains is cheaper than taking the Shinkansen with JR Pass, it just takes slightly longer. However, the difference isn’t that much – it’s only 15 mins by JR train vs. 30 mins by local train.

But if you are going to more cities than just Kyoto and Osaka, you should consider getting a JR Pass. The JR pass you need to get depends on the cities you want to visit and how long you are planning to travel around. So I recommend setting your itinerary first and seeing which JR Pass suits your itinerary.

Here are your JR Pass options for exploring Osaka and Kansai

• JR West Kansai Pass  (available as 1, 2, 3, or 4-day pass)
• 5 Day JR Kansai Wide Pass  (if 4 days are not enough for you)
• JR Kansai – Hiroshima Area Pass (5-day validity)
• Unlimited JR Pass – If you are planning on visiting other areas in Japan that are outside of Kansai prefecture. For example, if you’re flying to Tokyo and want to go to Osaka by bullet train.

Normally, you need to buy JR Pass from outside of Japan and have them mailed to your address, but with Klook you can pick them up at the airport!

What is Klook? Klook is the leading travel and experiences booking website in Asia. And yes, they are legit! I personally always book my activities through them whenever I am traveling. See my review of Klook here .

2. Kintetsu Rail Pass

If you’re mainly interested in going to Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, then the Kintetsu Rail Pass is perfect for you. They have 1, 2, and 5-day Kintetsu Rail Pass which will save you some money.

Please note that Kintetsu Rail Pass does not include limited express trains. If you ask me though, the limited express train is not worth the price for just a few minutes faster, so just use the Kintetsu Rail Pass and board the regular express trains.

Buy Kintetsu Rail pass online which can be redeemed at the train station

In Osaka, it’s best to stay close to a major train station – anywhere near  Shin-Osaka, Namba, Tennoji  and  Osaka-Umeda stations  is a great option.

Here are some recommendations:

• Zentis Osaka in Umeda ($$) – Located within a few minutes walk to Osaka Station. They have studio apartments as well as family rooms for those who want bigger accommodations.
• InterContinental Osaka ($$$) – Also located within a few minutes walk from Osaka station, this hotel is very convenient with many amenities nearby
• Hotel Noum Osaka ($$) – A cute modern hotel located one station away from Osaka-Umeda station.
• Umedaholic ($$) – Small hotel near Osaka-Umeda station and close to the city center.
• Guesthouse Ten-roku ($) – Female-only dorm, perfect for solo travelers who are looking to save on accommodations.

Below I have provided two types of itineraries depending on what type of traveler you are. Some people prefer to squeeze in as much as they can, while others prefer to travel a bit slower.

Itinerary 1: For fast travelers who want to do everything and visit multiple cities (7-9 days)

• Day 1: Arrive in Osaka and explore the city (stay overnight in Osaka)
• Day 2: Take the train to Kyoto (stay overnight in Kyoto / Osaka)
• Day 3: Explore Kyoto (stay overnight in Osaka)
• Day 4: Day trip to Nara (stay overnight in Osaka)
• Day 5: Kobe
• Day 6: Himeji
• Day 7: Hiroshima
• Day 8: Take the train back to Osaka and fly out

The itinerary above assumes you have at least 8 days in Kansai. But if you have fewer days, you can easily tailor this itinerary by omitting some cities. Out of all the cities I listed above, Osaka and Kyoto are definitely the two must-visit places. For other cities, you can choose whether you want to visit them on the same trip or leave it for later, so you have an excuse to come back 🙂

The advantage of this itinerary is of course you get to see a lot more than just the usual Osaka / Kyoto / Nara. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that you’ll need to get a JR Pass, which will cost more. On top of that, you need to be strategic about how to use the JR pass since they are only valid for 5 days maximum. See the “ Do I need a JR Pass ” section for more information. You’ll also need to move around quite a bit with this itinerary, which might be tiring for some people.

Itinerary 2: Slower and shorter itinerary, but still visit all the must-sees in Kansai (at least 5 days)

Another option is to stay put in Osaka, which makes for a more chilled-out itinerary, but you can still get out of Osaka on these day trips:

• Day 1: Arrive in Osaka , explore the city
• Day 2: Go to Kyoto
• Day 3: Go back to Kyoto again
• Day 4: Visit Nara or Kobe , or day trip to Akame 48
• Day 5: Explore Osaka and fly out

The advantage of this itinerary is likely you don’t need to get a JR Pass. All of the destinations above are reachable by local train. You also don’t need to move around much in terms of accommodation – you can choose to stay in Osaka for the entirety of this itinerary. Osaka is a big city so you won’t run out of things to do – I’ve written extensively about Osaka here if you need inspiration!

Below I have outlined each city and what you can expect to see, so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth visiting or not.

Tips for traveling in Kansai

• If you are visiting Kyoto , Nara , and Kobe, I recommend making Osaka your base instead of staying overnight in those cities. Accommodation options are better (cheaper) in Osaka, there is more to do at night, and the train back takes only 15-30 minutes.
• But if you really want to stay in Kyoto, you can do so for one night. Choose to stay at a Ryokan for that authentic Japanese experience. Please read my Kyoto guide for places to stay.
• If you are getting a rail pass , make sure it will be valid for all of the days that you are traveling between cities , and make sure you also account for the day when you are going back to Osaka.
• Flying out late but having to check out early from your accommodation? You can leave your luggage in a coin locker! Coin lockers are available everywhere in major stations. They are quite spacious and cheap to rent. I was able to fit my 45L backpack into a tiny 300 yen one at the bottom. There is English instruction on the machine. Be sure to come early if you are going from a popular station though. I tried to do this in Kyoto station around noon but could not find any unoccupied locker. In the end, I gave up and had to lug my backpack around all day.

If you don’t have a JR pass, or if you want to delay the validity of your JR pass, you can consider getting the Haruka Airport Express train ticket . This gives you the best price for the express train to town.

Make sure to check ahead if your accommodation is closer to Tennoji or Shin-Osaka as there is a slight fare difference. Tennoji is closer to the airport and it’s a little cheaper.

As I’ve said before, Osaka is one of the largest Japanese metropolitan cities, not just in Kansai but in the entire of Japan. I believe they are the second largest city after Tokyo. As with other big cities, you’ll find it very accessible and well-connected, which is why it’s a good idea to base yourself in Osaka while visiting nearby cities like Kyoto, Nara, or even Kobe.

I’ve written extensively about Osaka here , so please check out that blog post if you want to get an idea of what you can do, see and eat in Osaka. I’ve also included general tips on exploring the city and where to stay in Osaka.

2. Kyoto (2 days)

Kyoto needs no introduction – it is definitely a must-visit when you’re in Osaka. The city is an easy 30 minutes on the rapid local train or 15 minutes on the Shinkansen from Osaka. When visiting Kyoto, I would still recommend staying in Osaka because accommodations are cheaper.

Further Reading: I’ve written a dedicated blog post for Kyoto here: Kyoto Travel Guide , so please check that post on all my recommendations for Kyoto.

3. Nara (1 day / Day trip)

Nara is another popular trip to take from Osaka due to its proximity – only 30-45 minutes by local train. The city is quite small, but they have many temples and shrines to visit. They also have a huge park where you can walk and interact with the free-roaming wild Sika deer population in Nara.

Further Reading: I’ve written a dedicated blog post for Nara here: Nara Travel Guide , so please check that post for everything I know about visiting Nara!

4. Akame 48 Waterfalls (1 day / Day trip)

Akame 48 Waterfall is about an hour out of Osaka by train. It’s a short, easy trail following the main river which forms many small waterfalls. Though it’s probably good to visit all year round, I highly recommend visiting during the Momijigari season, which tends to be mid to end of November.

Further Reading: You can read my post about visiting Akame 48 !

5. Kobe (1 day)

Kobe is yet another city that you can easily visit from Osaka. It’s only 30 minutes away from Osaka by train. Kobe is well-known for… well, the delicious Kobe beef. Aside from the beef, Kobe is known for the Chinatown area, the Kobe ropeway, and the Nunobiki waterfall. I think one day will be enough for Kobe.

6. Himeji (1 day)

Himeji is mostly known for the Himeji castle, which is famous for its brilliant white color. Most Japanese castles have white walls and dark roofs, but the Himeji castle’s roofs are light gray, which helps to give it that clean minimalistic all-white look.

This castle is on the way to Hiroshima, so it’s a good stop if you’re heading that way!

7. Hiroshima (1-2 days)

Hiroshima should be a name familiar to those who studied world history in school… which should be all of us. Yes, it is one of the sites of the infamous atomic bomb. At Hiroshima, you can learn about the history of what happened during the world war and how badly it affected the residents. I have to warn you that it could get pretty bleak – not for the faint of heart especially if you’re American, regardless of what your political stance is.

However, aside from its grim past, Hiroshima is also famous for quite a few interesting things: don’t miss out on Miyajima , a shrine that is half submerged in water during high tide. You can visit the shrine during sunset for optimal views. Hiroshima is also famous for Okonomiyaki , so make sure to have some while you’re in the city.

That’s all I have on the Osaka itinerary! If you have any questions,  please feel free to comment below . I usually answer pretty fast and to the best of my knowledge.

Until next time folks!

51 Comments

• January 11, 2024

Dear Melissa,

I am happy to find your travel blog. I will be on a 13 days itinerary from Osaka to Kyoto to Nara to Kobe to Himeji to Hiroshima, being Osaka as my base. Which rail pass should I get?

Thanks, Zen

• December 29, 2023

I will be going to Kansai area for the first time and flying domestic from Haneda. I couldn’t exactly find baggage allowance info for domestic flights though I’ve booked them together with my international flight from SG. If you have experience on this could you share if you have any idea if the international flight baggage allowance would apply to the domestic leg too? I’ve tried calling JAL domestic airport but couldn’t get through for some reason. I might have to opt for luggage delivery from TYO to OSA couple of days in advance prior to reaching OSA as I will usually bring 2 big luggage along.

• January 16, 2024

Hey Jen, i just flew JAL domestically and they only allow 23kg per luggage. I am not sure what would happen if the flights are booked under one booking though. Hope you are able to get through to JAL.

• December 27, 2023

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for this great write up! I will be flying into Osaka, but departing from NRT/Tokyo. I think I would probably be following the 7-9 day sample itinerary you provided. Would it make the most sense then to just get the JR unlimited pass since none of the local passes would cover the shinkansen to Tokyo?

Hey Jeremy, to get the shinkansen covered for Tokyo, you would need unlimited JR pass. Unfortunately they have raised the price for that and it is no longer worth while to get the pass. I can only recommend getting the JR west pass to cover your travels within Kansai.

you can try using this calculator to see if it’s worth it https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

• December 26, 2023

My family (wife + 2 teenagers + myself) visited Osaka / Kyoto / Nara / Mie from 10 – 19 December 2023. And it was was a very pleasant experience. Yes, some of the entrance fees have since gone up (from the last time you were there) but that is to be expected. Transport was a breeze as the trains / buses were easy to navigate.

We want to thank you for sharing your experience.

PS: And I will leave a note at Kaitlin’s site to thank her for the heads up re: Akame 48 Waterfalls Shuttle Bus. LOL

I am glad to hear you had a good time! Thanks for taking the time to come back and write this comment.

• December 4, 2023

Wow your blog is so informative. It will be our 1st trip to Japan, and we are planning 6D 5N trip around Osaka-Kyoto-Nara/Hiroshima/Himeji (can’t decide which of these 3). However, would like advice from you on the following: 1. Which is the best airport we should land at where we can travel to Osaka city center easier – would it be KIX? 2. Should we stay entire 5 nights in Osaka and travel to/from Kyoto and Nara/Hiroshima/Himeji on day trips? 3. Which should we choose – Nara or Hiroshima or Himeji? Looking at more attractions to visit, with lesser travelling time. 4. What’s the difference between Haruka line by JR with JR West Kansai Pass and JR Kansai Wide Pass and which should we get for our entire trip? Especially from airport to Osaka and to other places and back to airport? Should we also get IC? 5. Would you know roughly how much we would be spending on food in a day? Looks like quite a lot of questions. Thank you in advance.

• December 3, 2023

Hi, it will be my first time in Japan next month. So far the only thing I have planned out is “insert blank here” and so I am now looking while trying to study for my finals hahahaha…. I will by landing on Jan 6 in osaka but need to fly out of tokyo. So I guess the only thing I have book is my flight ticket. Your 8 days in the Kansai region, are you saying to book the hotel in Osaka and just take the train to those other locations? If that is the case, what is a good time to be heading out and heading back? Also the rest of the time after those 8 days will be in Tokyo (any recommendations there?) Basically only thing I have planned out is Jan 6 I will be in Osaka for 8 days (Oct 13/14) then take a train to tokyo until Jan 19 (so about 5 days). Do you have any places I should stop by on my way to tokyo? I will be travelling solo.

• November 30, 2023

Hi Melissa, Thank you for your blog. It has great information. I am planing a 24 day trip to Japan sept next year and I would like to have time to spend in a place instead of rushing around. Also I am a senior and I know Japan needs a lot of walking. Hope you can advise on my itinery and should I just get the kansai pass for the kansai area and which other pass should I get pls. Arrive Osaka and spend 4 nights with day trips to. Kobe and hemeji and spending the rest in Osaka. Then train to Nara for will I spend one or two nights pls. If I spend one night then I hope to go to akame 48 and spend one night there. Nextis 4 nights in kyoto. Kanazawa 3 nights will go to shirawago on way to takayama

Takayama 3 nights. Hakone 3 nights Lake kawaguichi 3 nights Tokyo 3 nights Fly out of Tokyo.

I know I can see a lot more places like Hiroshima but I want to leave that out for the next trip as there is a lot to do in Hiroshima and surrounding area. Hope you can help Thank you

Hello, your itinerary looks great! My only advise would be 4 nights in Kyoto might be too long. But its really up to you and what you like to see, so maybe it is okay.

• November 29, 2023

Hi Mel, I am really glad to have found your blog, it’s really very informative. I’m traveling to Kansai this coming Sunday. However, I am really confuse about the many passes available. If my itinerary is as follow, what would you advise 1. Day 1: Arriving Kansai in late afternoon, and intend to travel to Kyoto straight. I guess it would be night time by then. 2. Day 2: Exploring Kyoto, staying overnight 3. Day 3: Day trip to Nara, from Kyoto 4. Day 4: Exploring Kyoto in the morning, before going off to Osaka 5. Day 4: arriving Osaka late afternoon 6. Day 5: Day trip to Kobe, from Osaka 7. Day 6: explore Osaka 8. Day 7: morning check out and proceed to airport Base on the above itinerary, what kind of pass I should be getting, it’s really confusing. Many thanks.

Regards, Mel

Hey fellow Mel, I think the only pass that covers Kyoto, Nara and Kobe is the JR West Kansai pass. However, if I were you, I would just take the local train to travel between Kyoto and Osaka. It sounds like you only need to activate the pass from Day 3 to go to Nara, so the 4 day pass would work well for you.

• November 17, 2023

Hi Melissa. Your blog is tremendously great and helpful. I have never been to Osaka or even any part of Japan and intend to go in 2024 during peak fall which I hv no idea the dates for peak fall. I was thinking of flying straight to Kansai airport and take a train to Kyoto. Spend 2/3 days in Kyoto. Then travel back to Osaka to spend 3/4 days there and hv a day trip to Nara from Osaka. Does this sound ok or I’m being ridiculous. Thanks in advancr

• August 16, 2023

Thank you for the detail sharing on Osaka & Kyoto. I will be travelling to Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and may be to Akame 48 as well from 11-22 Sep 23. As this is my 1st time to Japan, appreciate if you could advise me on the following –

1) Do you have any detail sharing on Kobe & Nara? 2) In your opinion, it is a good time to spend a day to Akame 48 in Sept? Is it worth the time to include in my itinerary since is not during Momijigan ? 3) Which Kansai pass (JR West Kansai Pass or 5 days JR Kansai Wide Pass) will you recommend for the places I intend to go? 4) Can a tourist allow to have multiple Kansai pass be it JR West Kansai Pass or JR Kansai Wide Pass in the same period while in Japan, in my case from 11-22 Sep 2023 but I will only activate either of the pass from different day? For example, can I have 2 sets of 5 days JR Kansai Wide Pass, will activate 1st pass on 11 Sep and 2nd pass on 16 Sep? Or have 1 set of 4 days JR West Kansai Pass and 1 set of 5 days JR Kansai Wide Pass?

Really appreciate your time and if you could advise on my 1st ever Japan trip.

Hi Shirley 1) I have visited but haven’t written a blog post about it. I think both are good as day trips from Osaka, but I would not stay over night 2) I think Akame 48 is still great if you’re looking for an easy nature walk. It probably won’t be as beautiful as during Momijigari, but still a nice relaxing walk 3) These passes both work for your intended places, but I think for Akame 48 it’s better to take the express train which is not covered by JR. So just get the cheapest one and try to group your Nara and Kobe visit together so that they fall within the pass validity (go to Kobe and Nara on consecutive days) 4) I have not done this, but I think it should not be an issue as there is no limit to how many JR pass you can buy

Thank you, Melissa

Any recommendations places of interest (must go) in Kobe and Nara?

Nara is a pretty small area – Todaiji temple and feeding the Shika deer is a must. For Kobe, I really enjoyed the Cable Car and Mount Rokko area!

Thank you so much.

• July 8, 2023

Hi Melissa, Thanks for the excellent information. I will be travelling to Osaka in late August. There are two flight options for me. Option 1 is fly to Narita purchase the 14 days JR pass and travel to Osaka. Option 2 is to fly to Osaka directly. Option 1 with the JR pass is $100 more than option 2. I will base in Osaka for my 10 days since I have free accommodation. I intent to visit Nara(1 day) Kobe (2 days) and Kyoto (4 days) I intend to spend 3 days in Osaka. Would you recommend option 1 or 2 for my flight. I was thinking that with the JR pass I can use it to travel between the cities. Then I can buy the local past for the city commute. Or I should fly to Osaka and buy the Kansai pass for regional travel. Is 4 days in Kyoto too long? What is your suggestion for the itinerary for 10 days. I am not visiting Tokyo , since I did visit Tokyo prior. Is the Osaka amazing pass worth buying?

Hey Colin, I definitely would just fly straight to Osaka and use the regional JR passes, it is usually cheaper overall and saves a lot of travel time. Unless of course, you intend to visit Tokyo during your stay.

• May 25, 2023

Hi Ms. Melissa,

Thanks for the information that you provide, very useful.

We will travel this August, 6 adult and 4 minor. We are looking for a cheap transient house. Is it advisable to hire a van for our 8-day stay there? Do you recommend hiring the services of a tour guide? Where can we have a better foreign money exchange?

Thanks and God bless.

• March 3, 2023

Hey! Lots of love from Germany! Im planning on going to Japan for around 3 Weeks in July. I’ve been therw many years ago in 2006 with my mom and brother and this year i will go with my boyfriend. Its really difficult to decide how long to stay. We have lots of free time, due to university breaks. But staying too long will be too expensive. Its really great that u recommended the amount of times spend in each place! I’ll definitely recommend your blog to my friends and read a lot more here myself.

• March 4, 2023

i’m glad to hear that Lisa!

• January 3, 2023

Very valuable information you shared here Melissa! My wife and I visited Tokyo in Autumn and planning to visit Kansai during cherry blossoms!

• December 20, 2022

I’m going to Osaka, Kyoto & Nara for 10 days in spring, I’ve read up a lot about the commute in Kansai but I’m still very lost… I’m just going around these three places but I’m not sure if I should get the ICOCA, JR pass, or the Kansai Travel Pass?

• December 19, 2022

Hi Melissa, we are planning to visit Kansai around mid April 2023. Am thinking of the following: Day 1 – Arrive at night at Kansai airport. Overnight in Osaka Day 2 – Osaka Day 3 – Osaka Day 4 – Osaka to Kyoto (overnight in Kyoto) Day 5 – Kyoto Day 6 – Kyoto to Nara deer park & Todaij temple, then Nara back to Osaka Day 7 – Osaka to Kobe Mt Rokko, waterfall, herb garden, then Kobe back to Osaka Day 8 – depart Kansai airport

Kindly advise: 1. Should we get the 2days Osaka Amazing Pass? (Is it consecutive days basis?) 2. Which type/s of train pass should we get? 3. Which is the best train option for day 4, 6 & 7? 4. Is half a day sufficient in Kobe if we only visit Mt Rokko area?

• December 16, 2022

Like to ask for your advice on the train pass. I will be staying in Osaka for 7days, if i only plan to go Kyoto, Nara, Kobe Which is the most economical train pass to get Thank you in advance

• December 9, 2022

Hi Melissa!

We’re planning to visit Osaka and Kyoto this spring of 2023. Probably a 2 nights and 3 days itinerary. Plan to go to universal studio the first day and 2nd day is a day trip to kyoto. Would you recommend a hotel in osaka that also makes us easier to go to USJ and the nearest stations? Also, what place in Kyoto would you recommend for a day trip? To see Sakura. Your reply is much appreciated! Thank you!

• December 1, 2022

Hi, I’ve booked a 12 days trip to Japan – both days fly in and out all full days. I’m wondering whether to do both Osaka and Tokyo or just Osaka alone. What do you suggest?

• November 18, 2022

Hi Melissa, Thanks for sharing the information. I will be arriving Kansai Airport and spending my 10days in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Akame and maybe Himeji. Which JR pass should I get. JR west pass or JR wide area pass? A bit confusing on the Japan trains route. Or should I just go by the day pass?

The main difference between the JR Kansai Wide pass and the JR west kansai pass is that the west pass does not include shinkansen (bullet train) aside of the airport express.

JR west kansai pass could be enough for you if you dont mind the slightly longer travel time (For example Himeji is 30 mins from Osaka on bullet train vs 1.5 hours on local train).

Another thing to consider for whether you want to take the day pass or not depends on your plan. If you’re planning to move around in consecutive days, it might be cheaper to get the 4 day pass.

I personally think it’s only worth it for the Himeji portion of your itinerary, since the local trains to Kyoto/Nara/Kobe is pretty cheap on its own.

Thanks for asking this question! you have inspired me to add more details on which JR pass to get on my post 🙂

• November 7, 2022

Hi, really useful thanks. We want to visit the Hokudanshinsai Memorial Park in Awaji. Will I be able to do this on public transport from Kobe? Thanks

• November 8, 2022

It’s possible to take the local train from Kobe to Maiko station, and then you’ll have to resume via a bus from Maiko station to Hokudanshinsai Memorial Park

• October 19, 2022

Hi Melissa, I was going through your itinerary and found it to be quite useful for planning a trip. I wanted your suggestion if I am planning to incorporate Mt. Koya into this trip. Should I keep 2 days for Mt. Koya? Can I club any other site during my visit to Mt Koya?

• October 9, 2022

Melissa Any adv on how I can spend 16 nights in Japan, arriving abd departing from Kansai airport? In the Kansai region, which city do I make my base for 6-8 day, of which one night in Hiroshima and two nights in Kyoto? We also plan to visit and stay in Tokyo for 6-7 days, what places to visits? Late night in Osaka before departing from Kansai. Question, do we complete our Tokyo trip 1st for 6-7 day and than spend the 8 days in Kansai region? Also adv, which are the most suitable different train passes ( for 3 adults) to get for our16 days stay and which train pass to buy and when to start using to safe cost? I understand the JR train pass will be good for us for 7days when going and coming back from Tokyo

• October 11, 2022

Hey Gill, I would base myself in Osaka for Kansai. Hiroshima might be a bit far (1.5 hours by train) but Kyoto will be very close especially if you have a JR pass.

Whether you want to do Tokyo first or not, it’s up to you but definitely group the Tokyo trips together as it takes 3 hours by train to go from Osaka to Tokyo. You could explore Kansai first upon landing, then go to Tokyo, or you could go to Tokyo straight.

Since you’re going to Tokyo, the only suitable JR Pass option is the unlimited JR pass as it covers the regions you want to go to. You can use JR pass for some local trains too as long as they are run by JR rail. You don’t really need JR pass during your time in Tokyo, but you would need it for the train going from Osaka to Tokyo, so I would see the difference of the cost of Single ticket vs JR pass.

• October 3, 2022

What area of Osaka should I stay, planning day trips to Kyoto, Nara, etc.

• October 5, 2022

Hi Liz, I have an Osaka recommendation post here: https://girleatworld.net/things-to-do-in-osaka/ You can find where to stay in that blog post

• September 29, 2022

Where do you recommend to stay in Osaka with young children? Easily accessible to their train station and food. Thank you!

Hi Hazel, I have written about Osaka on a separate blog post here: https://girleatworld.net/things-to-do-in-osaka/

• July 24, 2021

Thansk for sharing tips, After this pandemic I’m planning to go on vacation to Japan

• February 23, 2020

Hi, great blog. It helps so much. I will be traveling to : hadena to Shibuya to hakone to osaka to kyoto.

I know I need the IC card ( suisa) Do i need the jr pass too? I don’t mind if it takes longer by trains than the JR. Thank u for your input

• February 24, 2020

Hey marilyn, SUICA card is only good for local trains. I would still take the JR Pass for the trains from Tokyo to Odawara (you need to go to this station to reach Hakone, then take odakyu line) and Odawara to Osaka / Kyoto. The cost of trains from these destinations would already cover the cost of JR Pass.

• February 25, 2020

Thank u . That helps a lot. Can u tell me if i shoukd take the local train or the jr rail from the airport to shibuya? Are they both heading that way? Thank u

• December 18, 2019

Make sure not to miss the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. Here in the Philippines, super sentai shows, animés and several other Japanese shows like Takeshi’s Castle are very popular here. Two of my favorite movies related to Japan are the Seven Samurai and The Last Samurai. You can enjoy a wonderful exhibit of those in Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

I also remember how we almost missed our tour to the Golden Pavillion because it closes at 5PM. Among all the countries that we visited, our tour in Japan is our favorite. It’s followed by our tour in India. 🙂

• November 17, 2019

Loved this so much, Thanks for sharing such an useful Information

• February 25, 2023

Hi Melissa you’re blog is so useful for 1sttimers going around Japan specifically in. Osaka. Tho we we’re there last mid 2019 we depend our itinerary to our daughter who is techi enough to use her fone looking for our daily DIY tour. Now my problem is my husband who’s going back this coming June together with his 2 siblngs who are in their prime age(.meaning all the 3 are seniors).Iam worried that it will hard for them to get around without help from tour guide.They will be staying there for a week. Maybe can you(with your kind permission) help us design their tour in these beautiful place. I tried checking their local tour guides but their rates are too much expensive hahaha BTW you might think of my daughter who accompanied us before we can no longer bring her since she got married and have a kid and work to get busied with. I hope I get a useful tip from you before these people get to touch down Osaka. Godspeed and TIA ❤️

• October 28, 2019

Great information. Interesting and valuable read. Any information on Okinawa or other parts of Japan that you had been.

• September 24, 2023

Happend to read your blog and is of great information. I am planning for a trip to Osaka with my son (only 2 of us) and is also my first visit to Japan. Has been looking for info but is like bits and pieces everywhere which made me more confused, yr blog is quite informative.

Can I seek your advise if I have 9D8N in osaka, is it better for me to stay in osaka throughout or stay a few days in Kyoto and explore other cities.

And which is a must to visit? We will go USJ so 1 day gone. Trying to plan my itinerary so that I can book hotel as soon as possible.

• September 26, 2023

Hi Doreen, Most things to do in Kansai is easily reachable from Osaka, so staying in Osaka is not a bad thing. I think for 9 days you can explore to stay at other cities, since you have a lot of time, but it is not a requirement. I would recommend staying maybe 1-2 nights in Kyoto for a change of scenery. My must visit for first timers are definitely Kyoto and Nara. You can also visit Himeji for the white castle.

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Home » Asia » Japan » Osaka

Insider Osaka Itinerary for 2024

Osaka is known as the friendliest city in all of Japan, the people are the true gem of the ancient capital of Japan. But besides making new friends, Osaka is full of strange and quirky things to do, a fascinating history, and best of all, home to the tastiest food in all of Japan. 

This is the palace where conveyor belt sushi and Takoyaki were invented. So,  get ready to ditch that tight waistband, my friends, ’cause you’re gonna feast like there’s no tomorrow.

I spent two weeks in Osaka scoping out the BEST things to do in Japan’s foodie capital and I am here to help you plan th e ultimate trip to this wonderful city, whether its a day or a week, you’ll never forget your time in Osaka.

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A Little Bit about this 3-Day Osaka Itinerary

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Osaka’s history, culture, foodie scene, and entertainment district make Osaka a truly memorable city! It has something for every traveler, from world-class theme parks to incredible museums and street food stalls, you’ll never run out of things to do in Osaka!

Whether you’re spending one day in Osaka or 3 days in Osaka, there are some phenomenal options jostling for a spot on your list! I’d personally suggest taking at least two-three full days to explore the city. If you want to see all of the important landmarks you might be able to fit everything into 24 hours, but you’ll miss out on some of the cool and quirky sites that make Osaka so famous. If you can, do set more time aside.

In this 3 day Osaka itinerary, you’ll find each day is packed with action, culture, history, and adventure. You won’t have to rush from A to B though because I’ve sorted everything by proximity. Of course, you can change it up as much as you want. Add stops, swap things around, or even skip some places. Use this itinerary as inspiration to get the most out of your trip!

3 Day Osaka Itinerary Overview

• Day One – Museum of Art | Bunraku Theatre | Namba Parks | Tempozan Ferris Wheel | Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• Day Two – Osaka Castle Park | Mint Museum | Umeda Sky Building | Museum of History | Dotonbori
• Day Three – Expo ‘70 | Universal Studios | Momofuku Ando | Hattori Ryokuchi | Osaka Food Tour

As Japan’s third-largest city, Osaka is filled to the brim with places to see. It’s quite a widespread city with excellent transport options so there is also a wide variety of great places to stay in Osaka. Consider experiencing Osaka Capsule Hotels – a novel and compact stay option that perfectly complements the city’s futuristic and dynamic atmosphere.

The Osaka Castle area is also an ideal place to stay as it is jam-packed with Osaka landmarks and great hotels! There are also some lovely Airbnbs in Osaka .

There are so many exciting things to do in Osaka that it’s pretty hard to go wrong. As long as you’re near a train station and a great place to eat, Osaka is a goldmine of things to do!

Stay at one of these  awesome hostels in Osaka  to really make your time in this city memorable!

Best Hostel in Osaka – Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka

With its epic location inside a retired toy store, the Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka makes the perfect budget accommodation. Nestled in the beating heart of Osaka, but with an atmosphere of tranquillity, this safe and fun hostel will make your trip to Osaka even better. Rent one of their bicycles and head out to explore the city from this centrally located spot!

Best Airbnb in Osaka – Cozy House Namba

This private three-bedroom apartment in central Osaka can accommodate up to 12 people! One bedroom has a double bed and a single bed, another has a sofa bed, and the other has Japanese-style tatami mats.

It has a modern and well-equipped kitchen with a dining table and chairs, separate toilet and bathroom, a washing machine, a living area, outdoor space, Wi-Fi, and four free bicycles for you to use to explore.

Best Budget Hotel in Osaka – Ayana House

Enjoy this immaculate and well-maintained apartment as your home-away-from-home while you’re in Osaka. Just a stone’s throw away from exciting Dotonbori and Shin-Imamiya Station, for easy access to the best of Osaka’s attractions, Ayana House is the ideal place to stay on your holiday!

Best Luxury Hotel in Osaka – Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier

To experience true Japanese hospitality and an unbeatable view of Osaka’s skyline, check in at one of Osaka’s finest luxury hotels. Why pass up the chance of an in-room massage and impeccable facilities when you can have it all, and an amazing view to boot! Make the Mitsui Garden Hotel your accommodation of choice, and with its central location, all you need to do is step out the front door to discover the sights of Osaka!

Osaka is an energetic city full of fun places to visit and with an amazing landscape, all the way from Osaka Bay to the lush outskirts of the city. No matter what you’re looking for, from nearby spots to explore to the more outlandish features, finding your ideal Osaka trip itinerary is beyond easy.

There are so many things to do in Osaka that you will feel spoiled for choice. Let’s dive into our 3 days in Osaka itinerary. Starting with day one…

9AM – National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO)

Take a walk through the hallowed halls of Osaka’s art world beneath the terra firma on the fantastical Nakanoshima Island!

Begin your unique artistic experience at the stunning silver gates, which welcome you into the museum. The gates are shaped like bamboo, and were inspired by the vitality of bamboo, which paints a picture of the growth of contemporary art in Japan!

The National Museum of Art has a fantastic collection of significant international and Japanese works, which have been carefully selected over 30 years. Enjoy a meander through the 3 stories of art from across the years including works by prominent artists Cezanne, Picasso and Ernst. You can also enjoy the stunning post-war pieces by Foujita, Ikemura, Ishiuchi, and Kuniyoshi.

Begin your Osaka travels with this eclectic museum experience that literally takes you deeper!

• Cost – 430 yen ($4) per adult, 130 yen ($2) for university students, free for high school students and over-65-year-olds.
• Getting there: Take the nearest subway station to Higobashi Station via the Yotsubashi Subway Line. From here it’s a 5-10 minute walk.
• How long should I spend there: Around 1-2 hours should be enough, depending on how much you love art.

10.30AM – Namba Parks

Namba Parks is a shopping complex with the ultimate difference. The mall itself is packed to the rafters with fun stores and hidden basement eateries, but it is the stunning range of rooftop parks that make it an oasis in the middle of bustling Osaka!

The building has a unique location in the footprint of Osaka’s old baseball stadium and with its 8 levels of tree groves, rock formations, and waterfalls, Namba Parks is 100% worth a visit. Take in views of the cityscape as you traverse the unbelievable rooftop environment!

As you climb over canyons and enjoy the trickling sound of a stream, the parks make for a surreal experience. There are terraces to sit on and enjoy the view, and you can even search for a vegetable garden or two.

As a lush patch of green in Osaka’s neon-infused streets, the parks are connected directly to the street so commuters and tourists can pass through easily and enjoy a taste of nature!

• Cost – Entrance is free!
• G etting there: Take the subway to Nankai Station, and from there you can enter the parks by the Central and South exits.
• How long should I spend there: 1-2 hours should suffice.

11.30AM – Tempozan Ferris Wheel

For a gondola with a view, head for a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel in Osaka’s Harbour Village. Gaze out over Osaka Bay as you take a 360 degree trip round Tempozan’s giant Ferris wheel!

The brightly colored attraction makes quite a feature on Osaka’s landscape, with its unique role as the local weather vane. The Ferris wheel shines different colors to represent the day’s weather, including a bright orange for sunshine, green for cloudy weather, and blue means it’ll rain.

The giant bay-side attraction used to hold the title for the tallest Ferris wheel in the world when it opened in 1997, and you can see why at an impressive height of 112.5 meters! You can use your view from the top to scope out other amazing Osaka features for the day with Mount Ikoma, Universal Studios Japan, the Mount Rokko and the Akashi Kaiky Bridge visible from your pod in the sky.

For the brave among you, there’s also the opportunity to pick one of the Ferris wheel’s transparent gondolas!

Insider Tip: While you’re in the area, head over to Mt Tempo, Japan’s smallest mountain, which sits at 4.5 meters high.

• Cost – 800 yen ($8).
• Getting there: Take the subway to Osakako Station via the Chuo Line.
• How long should I spend there: No more than an hour.

1:00PM – The Original Pancake House

For today’s lunch spot, we’re heading to The Original Pancake House . In a mall full of delicious options, this is by far the best place to eat! From the uber-popular Dutch Baby to the simple and sweet coconut pancake, the Namba Parks OG pancakes are a great way to refuel for the day!

2.00PM – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

If you’re looking to experience one of the most incredible aquariums in the world, Japan has your answer!

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is designed to take visitors on a journey through the Pacific Ocean, with amazing exhibits which give you an informative and unbelievable look into this aquatic world.

Take a journey around the Pacific Rim as you enjoy the exhibits and features, each designed with a classic creative Japanese style. Begin your travels into this labyrinth of blue as you enter through the Fish Underpass – Aqua Gate , a walk-through tunnel with sea life on every side!

Then, experience every creature from river fish of the Japanese Forest to the adorable tufted puffin of the Aleutian Islands. The aquarium’s main attraction is the Pacific Ocean exhibit, with 14 surrounding aquatic exhibits arranged to match their position on the Pacific Rim!

One of the aquarium’s most spectacular features is the jellyfish exhibit, which gives you the feeling of staring into an aquatic galaxy, amongst the mystical sway of the jellyfish. There are even Japanese spider crabs!

Finish off your first day in Osaka with this trip through the waters of the Pacific, then as night falls, stay for more fun as the Night Aquarium comes to life!

• Cost – 2300 yen ($21) for over-16s, 2000 yen ($18) for over-60s, 1200 yen ($11) for children between 7 and 15 years old, 600 yen ($6) for 4 to 5-year-olds, children under 3 enter for free.
• Getting there: Take the subway to Osakako Station and walk for 5 minutes from there.
• How long should I spend there: 2-3 hours should be enough time to see it all.

7:00PM – National Bunraku Theatre

Enjoy the fantastical stylings of Osaka’s National Bunraku Theatre as you take in a show or explore the memorable theatre itself.

The theatre was opened to protect and further the precious traditional art form of Bunraku . Performers tell emotive stories through the intricate movements of the giant wooden-headed puppets they operate. Bunraku began as a rare form of entertainment for the general public, and the theatre is carrying on that tradition!

The theatre is a jack of all trades in its efforts to preserve the art form as it houses a training institution and a fascinating archive of historical materials. The building is a work of art and history itself as it forms a mix of tradition and modernity while characterizing key elements of Edo era of Japanese architecture.

Enjoy a memorable experience of one of Japan’s classic performance forms, the perfect addition to your Osaka trip!

• Cost – Varies per performance but the exhibition hall is free.
• Getting there: Take the subway to Nippombashi Station and walk from there.
• How long should I spend there: depending on the show.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

For our second day in Osaka, I will be including the more historic and cultural attractions in the city, such as Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori, the nightlife district in Osaka.

9.00AM – Osaka Castle Park

Make the perfect start to your second day in Osaka on a visit to the Osaka Castle Park , a lush landscape full of history and stunning natural beauty!

The park’s defining feature is the stunning Osaka Castle, which sits regally amongst the trees and surrounded by an impressive moat! You can explore the castle corridors and discover ancient weaponry as well as unmissable artwork along the walls. The castle is also home to a museum with an array of historical artifacts and fascinating digital exhibits recounting the castle’s history, including a virtual reality diorama depicting the Summer War of Osaka .

The castle’s architecture is also a fascinating piece of Edo history with 13 remarkable features, including the Otemon Gates and Sengan Turret, which are treasured cultural landmarks in Osaka. Then, head up to the 8th-floor observation deck with a spectacular panoramic view of the park, Osaka Bay, and all the way to Mount Ikoma. Don’t forget to view the incredible stone wall remnants, which are said to be made up of 1 million stones!

You can take a boat ride around the moat-like a royal of old, or explore the endless fields that surround it. If you’re visiting in springtime, enjoy the pale beauty of 600 cherry trees, and discover the many alcoves dotted around the park including Nishinomaru Garden or the Grove of Remembrance!

• Cost – 600 yen ($6), under-15s enter for free.
• Getting there: Take the JR Loop Line to Tanimachi Yonchome Station and walk from there.
• How long should you stay : around 1.5 hours should be enough.

11.30AM – Mint Museum

Experience the life inside a money box at Osaka’s Mint Museum, a great addition to your 3-day itinerary for Osaka. Inside an old power plant, sits the fascinating world of mint (or coin making), which is dedicated to introducing the work of the Japan Mint to the world!

Explore the museum’s 3 floors which give a history of the Osaka Mint Bureau, offer a look inside the coin minting process, and tell the history of coinage from its origins in ancient China to modern-day Japan.

Visit the memorable Experience Corner where you can test your abilities by lifting various coin bags and a hefty senryo-bako chest! Pay a visit to the Mint Shop (not to buy herbs) but to pick up some fun souvenir medallions, paperweights, or commemorative coin collections.

The 3rd floor houses a spectacular coin collection ranging from true antiques to more contemporary collections, including some niche Star Wars designs!

The museum’s 300 cherry trees are also open for viewing for one week each spring when the trees are formed into a glorious tunnel, and beautifully illuminated at night!

• Cost – It’s free!
• Getting there: From Osaka Station, take the JR Osaka Loop Line to Sakuranomiya Station and walk from there.
• How long should you stay : Tours usually last around 90 minutes.

1:00PM – Lunch at the Garden Oriental

For a tasty lunch with great ambiance, head for the Garden Oriental Osaka . Choose from well-priced set menus with tasty options such as the marinated seafood platter or a lighter fare from their cafe, and enjoy your meal in a tranquil Japanese garden.

2.00PM – Umeda Sky Building, An AMAZING Floating Garden Observatory

At the top of Osaka’s spectacular Umeda Sky Building, you will find Kuchu Teien . The incredible Floating Garden Observatory offers some of the best views in Osaka from its spot on the 39th floor!

The viewing platform sits on the bridge connecting the 2 glass towers of the building, with a roof that is perfectly shaped to give visitors an unobstructed 360-degree view of the city, and you can even spot Awaji Island in the distance!

The Umeda Sky Building’s atrium-like attic is pretty spectacular, but their basement is also worth a visit! The building sits over an underground market of traditional Japanese restaurants, which is a nod to Osaka in the early 20th century.

Whether you’re heading to new heights or enjoying the hidden street market, the Umeda Sky Building hits the spot!

• Cost – 1500 yen ($14) per adult, 700 yen ($7) for children between 4 and 12 years old.
• Getting there: Take the nearest subway station to Osaka Station City or and Umeda Station and walk for 10 minutes through an underground passage in Osaka Station.
• How long should I spend there: 1-2 hours should be enough time to take some photos and enjoy to views.

3.00PM – Osaka Museum of History

If you’re looking to discover Osaka’s truly ancient history, the Osaka Museum of History is where you want to be!

Begin your journey through time on the museum’s 10th floor, which houses a full-size recreation of the inside of the Naniwanomiya Palace. Then, take a stroll through exhibits portraying different eras in Osaka’s history, which become more and more contemporary as you reach ground level.

You will arrive when Osaka served as Japan’s first capital and complete your journey during the early Showa Period, with each moment in time captured through amazing visually-intricate exhibits!

With a design that offers visitors an incredible multi-layered experience of the city’s 1350-year history, the museum is any history buff’s dream! Engage with life-size models and scale replicas, as well as storied photographs and films, which dive deeply into Osaka’s past.

• Cost – 600 yen ($6) per adult, 400 yen ($4) for high school and university students, younger students and over-65s enter for free.
• Getting there: Take the subway to Tanimachi Yonchome Station on the Tanimachi or Chuo subway lines and then walk for 5 minutes.
• How long should I spend there: around 2 hours should be enough.

7.00PM – Dotonbori

Experience one of Osaka’s prime nightlife hubs, which is ablaze with activity, neon lights and good food to eat!

Take a stroll across Ebisubashi Bridge and snap a pic of the iconic Glico running man from his spot on one of Dotonbori’s many shimmering facades. Meandering along the river walk is one of the best ways to see the sights and get a taste of the area.

While Osaka is the ‘nation’s kitchen’, Dotonbori is Osaka’s own foodie paradise, with endless eateries that stay open well after midnight! You can also take in a show at the Osaka Shochikuza, a traditional kabuki theater, with amazing performances full of comedic flair and stunning physicality.

The canal is a stunning feature in downtown Osaka, and sailing down the waterways of Dotonbori makes an amazing end to your 2 days in Osaka!

• Cost – Canal boat ride is 900 yen ($9) for 12 years old and up, 400 yen ($4) for children between 6 and 12 years old.
• Getting there: Take the subway to JR Namba Station using your japan rail pass on the Yamatoji line, then walk for 5 minutes.
• How long should I spend there: You could spend all night here if that’s what you are after! If you just want to see the sites, 1-2 hours should be enough.

Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka

Nestled in the beating heart of Osaka, but with an atmosphere of tranquility, this safe and fun hostel will make your trip to Osaka even better.

• 24H Reception

If you’ve found yourself in the amazing position of filling up 3 days in Osaka (or more), we’ve compiled the very best of Osaka attractions and tours for you to enjoy. This is the perfect 3-day itinerary for a short trip to Osaka!

Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park

• The former site of the National Museum of Art, Osaka.
• Features a 300-meter long wooden canopy walkway.
• Home of the National Museum of Ethnology.

Enjoy a day at the site of the 1970 World Fair (or Expo ‘70), which has become a lush landscape filled with gardens, museums and a ton of entertainment options!

One of the most famous sculptures seated on the lawn is the Tower of the Sun, a majestic piece of art, which has become a major feature in the park. The tower has 3 faces, the Golden Mask which stares skyward represents the future, the front Face of the Sun represents the present, and the Black Sun face represents the past. The tower is an original piece from the Expo ‘70 and sits regally in the Natural and Cultural Gardens, which are sprinkled with artworks, seasonal flower displays and beautiful woods to explore!

The park is also the home of 5000 cherry trees, which make for a spectacular sight when they’re in full bloom! If you happen to be visiting Japan in spring and cherry blossom season, it’s a deliciously romantic Osaka honeymoon itinerary spot.

You can also enjoy the shimmering ponds at Expo ‘70 including the ‘Dream Pond’ boating spot and Shinji-ike pond, named after its Kanji heart character. Or, if you’re looking for an extra taste of Japanese culture, walk around the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum, which displays fine ceramics, textiles, and crafts from across Japan.

Expo ‘70 is an amazing way to spend the day in a space filled with history, natural beauty, and endless photo opportunities!

Universal Studios Japan

• Home to the backward roller coaster: Hollywood Dream – The Ride (Backdrop).
• The JR Yumesaki Line trains, which takes you to the park, are all painted with Universal themes so there’s no chance of missing them.
• You can visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

On the edge of Osaka Bay awaits Universal Studios Japan , one of 4 action-packed Universal theme parks across the world. The fun park is like an island of its own with an amazing selection of attractions and rides!

The 9 zones across the park include the animated world of Hollywood where you can pay a visit to Shrek in 4D as well as the Universal Wonderland where you can fly with Snoopy or whizz round in a giant cupcake. Head for Amity Village for a thrilling experience on the iconic Jaws ride, then journey on to another classic location – Jurassic Park, home to the Flying Dinosaur, a roller coaster that takes you upside down!

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to turn into a minion (and who hasn’t), you’ll enjoy the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride at Minion Park!

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

• A Noodle Museum where you can make your own noodles!
• Discover more about one of the world’s most underrated food industries.
• Enjoy quizzes and hands-on exhibits.

One of the most unique places to visit in Osaka is hands down, the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum . For everyone from noodle enthusiasts to the curious traveler, this museum is full of fascinating exhibits and interactive features. It’s got everything you never knew you needed in a museum (and it just happens to be very interesting too)!

If you are backpacking, then subsisting on a diet of Ramen noodles is one way to reduce your costs in Japan . So it only makes sense to come here for a better understanding!

The exhibits take you all the way from his experiments in a shed, to the interactive theater in a giant cup of noodles, where you can see anecdotes from his journey to success play out like a film. Discover the fascinating development of instant noodles in post-war Japan and how it has grown today, including the company’s creation of NASA noodles which can be eaten easily in space. Enjoy a stroll through the instant noodle tunnel, with approximately 800 product packages lining the walls.

For 300 yen ($3), you can also make your own noodle flavor and packaging at the My CUPNOODLES Factory .

Enjoy this unique Osaka attraction as you discover a piece of Japan’s past not often mentioned in the history books!

Hattori Ryokuchi Park

• Has an outdoor concert hall.
• Has a collection of ponds and pools formed by the meeting of 2 rivers.
• During the summer, there’s an outdoor kabuki theater.

The Hattori Ryokuchi Park more than lives up to its name meaning ‘green ground’. Explore the interwoven landscape of bamboo gardens, flower gardens, and fields on a trip to one of Osaka’s stunning parks.

There is also an unbelievable arboretum which grows approximately 120 species of herbs, which fill your senses, and 700 species of camellia, a beautiful Japanese flower that represents the arrival of spring.

Explore the giant forested park, there is a labyrinth of waterways including more than 10 ponds, a swimming pools, and a fishing pond. You can also go for an exhilarating horse ride through the park!

One of the park’s defining features is the surreal Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses with examples of rural architecture from across Japan including Gassho-zukuri, Magari-ya, and Takakura.

Osaka Food Tour

• Find your new go-to Japanese dish.
• Get tips on the best way to order your meals in Osaka.
• Get to know Osaka’s streets from a local perspective.

Being the food haven that it is, you can’t visit Osaka without tasting just about every dish on offer. The best way to do that? Go on an Osaka food tour !

Get an in-depth look at the cuisine and history of Dotonbori while you go beyond the main street and find the hidden gems of Osaka’s food world!

Get a taste of kushikatsu, a classic Japanese dish of deep-fried meat and vegetables on a skewer. Discover the Michelin-rated street food of Osaka, including takoyaki, which are delicious dough balls usually filled with octopus, tempura pieces, pickled ginger, and green onion.

Then finish your night with an electric vibe and tasty offerings at Izakaya, a popular local pub. Enjoy traditional local cuisine like sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef simmered in vegetables, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin), accompanied by a drink of craft beer or Nihonshu (rice wine).

Experience the atmosphere and flavors of downtown Osaka while you spend a night out on the town!

The best time to visit Osaka is anytime! The temperature in the city is often pleasant and much less prone to extreme weather patterns, like typhoons and epic rainstorms. Winters are chilly but not freezing and snow only falls on rare occasions.

If anything, Osaka is only frustrating to visit during certain times of the year when Japanese people are on holiday. For example, during Golden Week and when the Cherry Blossoms are blooming the streets will be much more crowded and prices will be noticeably higher.

Otherwise, visiting Osaka is great whenever. If you can plan a trip around the shoulder months (March, October), you’ll get to enjoy the best weather and the best prices for that matter. It’s a win-win for an awesome Osaka itinerary!

It’s no surprise that Osaka City is pretty big with loads of interesting sites to see. Luckily, you can find a super well-developed public transport network spread throughout all parts of the city. The public transport here also makes taking one of the many day trips from Osaka super easy too.

The subway lines and bullet trains are the lifeblood of traveling through Osaka. Some of the best places to stay are the main stops on the Midosuji subway line , which runs from north to south across the city. These include:

• Shin Osaka Station
• Kita , Minami
• Central Osaka
• Tennoji Station .

Osaka is divided into 24 wards, with 2 major hubs: Kita (in the north) and Minami (in the south). Kita, which is also known as Umeda, is a bustling area with a ton of attractions and restaurants to visit! If you’re traveling from another popular Japanese destination, Kyoto, you will arrive in Kita.

In the south of Osaka, you’ll find Minami (Namba), which is a vibrant cityscape full of fantastic eateries and eclectic Japanese attractions, including the Don Quixote superstore which has a 77-meter-high Ferris wheel perched on top!

The subway network in Osaka is also super easy to navigate. Like Tokyo, it runs on a color and number system, which makes it easy to work out where to go. The JR Loop line, otherwise known as the Osaka loop line, connects Osaka Station to all the main attractions in the city center such as Osaka Castle, JR Osaka Namba Station, Ohatsu Tenjin Shrine and Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. On this line, you can use your japan rail pass, but on other metro lines you will need to buy a ticket.

You will find subway stations in almost all areas in Osaka. You can get a prepaid Icoca card, which can be used on any form of transport in Osaka. However, I would not recommend buses as they are slower and don’t reach the tourist areas as easily as the subway. 

Taxis are also reasonably affordable in Osaka. The average price of a taxi is about Y660 for the first 2km, and then Y80 per 296 meters after that. Taxi drivers in Osaka are also kind and safe. Uber and Lyft are also operational in Osaka and but are rarely used as the taxis are so cheap.

As the third-largest city in Japan and with the population to prove, Osaka’s bustling streets are usually filled with everyone from locals to travelers from all around the globe.

Despite the busy city streets, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, and the overall crime risk is low. However, traveling anywhere, and specifically internationally means taking useful safety precautions. Pickpocketing can be a possibility, particularly in the Shinsekai area, so it’s best to keep an eye on your belongings.

In certain areas such as Shinsekai Tobita Shinchi , drink-spiking can be a problem in bars and nightclubs. Remember to watch your own drink being poured, keep your thumb over any open bottles, and don’t leave your drink unattended.

There are also certain areas such as Kamagasaki , where crime is more prevalent. It is best to avoid these areas when you are alone or at night. So, make sure to follow these tips before visiting:

• Be particularly vigilant in touristy areas like the Shinsekai area.
• Public transport is also a hotspot for petty crime, so hold tight to your belongings for any journeys you take.
• It is generally quite safe to walk around popular areas at night, but keep an eye out for dodgy characters.

Keeping safe while you’re traveling is always a top priority so make sure you keep an eye on your belongings as you move from place to place, and be vigilant as you cross the roads in busy traffic. It’s also a good idea to know emergency numbers (119 in Osaka) for the city you’re visiting. Have a safe trip to Osaka!

Get Insurance Before Smashing Out Your Osaka Itinerary!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Osaka itinerary.

How many days do you need in Osaka?

With so much to see and do, we recommend spending 3-5 full days in Osaka.

What should you include on a 3 day Osaka itinerary?

Don’t skip these awesome Osaka highlights! – Namba Parks – Osaka Castle Park – Umeda Sky Building – Dotonbori

Where is the best place to stay in Osaka?

Umeda (Kita) and Osaka Bay are best if you want to be close to attractions. Honmachi is ideal for budget backpackers, while the best nightlife can be found in Namba.

What are the best day trips from Osaka?

There are some epic day trips from Osaka. Marvel at Amanohashidate, enjoy a snow day at Shiga Kogen, or relax in nature at Minoo Park. For something truly unique, make your way to Japan’s Goldfish Capital!

Have yourself the trip of a lifetime in Osaka, a place of epic dining, rooftop nature parks, and enough historical landmarks to make any history buff swoon! Whether you’re spending a weekend in Osaka or planning an epic Osaka itinerary (one week and counting), you’ll find something for everyone!

Continuin on and travelling in Japan? Check out our backpacking Japan travel guide for more insider tips. And make sure you pack right for Japan!

Get lost in the unique and vibrant atmosphere of Osaka, the ‘big apple’ of Japan – a city that never sleeps (because there’s just too much to see)!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Inside Osaka

Your Osaka Travel Guide

Osaka Itineraries

Make the most of your time in Osaka with my carefully planned itineraries for trips from 1 to 5 days. Or use one of my special interest itineraries. And don’t miss my Osaka-Kyoto and Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo combination itineraries.

The Itineraries

Click any itinerary below to read the full itinerary.

Osaka Holiday Essentials

• Where To Stay In Osaka: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Osaka .
• Things To Do In Osaka: Check this overview of Osaka activities with links to all the key information.
• Flights To Osaka: Find the cheapest flights to Osaka and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner .
• Osaka Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Japan .
• Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.

Time-Based Itineraries

• 1-Day Osaka Itinerary Even 1 day is enough to get a good taste of Osaka. I’ve put together the perfect 1-day itinerary to help you get the most out of one full day in Osaka.
• Must See 1-Day Osaka Itinerary If you’re in a hurry and want to see the really important parts of Osaka, our Must-See Osaka 1-Day Itinerary is for you. It’s the most efficient way to see the city fast.
• 2-Day Osaka Itinerary Two days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Osaka. This 2-day itinerary allows you to get the best of the city without tiring yourself out.
• 3-Day Osaka Itinerary If you have three days, you can really explore the different districts of Osaka. Our 3-day Osaka itinerary allows you to see the best sights efficiently and easily.

Special Interest Itineraries

• Osaka 1-Day Cherry Blossom Itinerary Osaka might not be as famous as nearby Kyoto for cherry blossoms, but there are actually plenty of good cherry blossom spots in the city. Here's a 1-day Osaka cherry blossom itinerary, plus a few tips to make the most of your time here without stressing out.
• Osaka Shopping Itinerary Osaka is a shopper’s paradise, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. This 1-day Osaka Shopping Itinerary will help you make the most of your time.
• Osaka 1-Day Itinerary with Children Osaka is a great place to travel with children with some of Japan’s best child-friendly attractions. Here’s the perfect 1-day itinerary for families with children.
• Osaka 2-Day Itinerary with Children Osaka is full of great child-friendly attractions. This itinerary is the best way to sample the best of them during a 2-day visit.

Check Osaka Hotel Availability

Destination, check-in date, check-out date.

Osaka-Kyoto Itineraries

• Osaka-Kyoto 1-Week Itinerary If you’ve got one week in Japan and don’t want to travel much, an Osaka-Kyoto itinerary is a great way to see both modern and traditional Japan. Here’s how to do it.
• Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo 10-Day Itinerary Ten days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Japan. Here’s a great Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka itinerary that will allow you to see the best places efficiently and easily.

Japan Itineraries:

To fully plan your trip to Japan, see my comprehensive Japan itineraries which guide you to the best locations and map out each day for you.

• Japan Itineraries Overview
• 1 Week Japan Itinerary: Tokyo and Kyoto
• 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa
• 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto and Takayama
• 2 Week Japan Itinerary: The Grand Tour
• 7 to 10 Day Japan Itinerary: Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima
• Japan With Children Itinerary

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Osaka Vacation Checklist

• For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
• Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
• Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
• You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka , Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
• You can buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Osaka's Kansai International Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
• Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
• If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
• World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world

Osaka District Map

• Shin-Osaka Area
• Central Osaka Area
• Minami Area
• Tennoji Area
• Osaka Castle Area
• Osaka Bay Area

• Tours & Experiences
• Tailor-made Trips
• Bahasa Indonesia

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• Transportation

World-class Road Trip Between Tokyo & Osaka

After Hokuriku shinkansen, Nagoya or Chubu Centrair International Airport

Add a Japanese road trip to your bucket list: freely explore the real Japan, distance yourself from big cities and find secret treasures along the way! The coastal Hokuriku region (between Tokyo and Osaka) welcome you with hundreds of kilometers of landscapes and unique, exciting destinations.

Fukui Road Trip

The world has eyes on Fukui as a humanistic and scientific prefecture that will keep its place in history. Travel by car and discover the Japanese countryside, the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, Varve Museum, and Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum without bothering with travel from distant stations.

Tsuruga Port helped rescue 763 Polish orphans from a Russian civil war (1920s) and ±6,000 Jews from Nazi/Soviet persecution (World War Two). Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum highlights the role of Chiune Sugihara, a Gifu-born consular agent who issued thousands of "Visas for Life" in Lithuania. Expect to be moved by the displays, audio guides, and videos.

World's longest (45m), the varves of Lake Suigetsu serve as a world reference to date objects from the past 70,000 years. Their miraculous existence owes to the absence of direct water flow, life at the bottom, and filling over millennia. The nearby Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum displays these layers of sediment and others from overseas.

Dinosaur Valley Fukui Katsuyama Geopark is Japan's foremost site for the excavation of dinosaur fossils. Drive to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum to see fossils of regional dinosaurs (e.g. Fukuiraptor, Fukuisaurus, Fukuititan), technicians cleaning fossils, gems, and AR & robot dinosaurs. Reputedly in the world's top 3, this dinosaur museum thrills adults and children alike!

Fukui Prefecture also features the breathtaking Tojinbo Cliffs , Zen temple stays at Eiheiji temple , splendid moss at Hakusan-Heisenji Shrine , and a samurai house in Yokokan Garden .

Ishikawa Road Trip

Ishikawa 's designs are inspiring; its capital Kanazawa may begin/end your itinerary ( Hokuriku Shinkansen from/to Tokyo). Driving reveals the woody coast and gives access to diverse artists/artisans of the prefecture.

The top spot of Kanazawa, Kenroku-en Garden successfully allies opposites: spaciousness & seclusion, artifice & antiquity, water-courses & panoramas. Nearby, Myoryu-ji (the ninja temple) has secret doors, and Nomura-ke Samurai Residence has an unusual tearoom overlooking its garden and an exhibit featuring golden boxes.

Many gold-plating activities are available in Kanazawa; I enjoyed one at Katani. In the Noto Peninsula , you may learn from Japanese masters: wood & lacquer at Wajima Kirimoto (creator for international hotels) and expressive calligraphy at Atelier Tokarin (with natural brushes and German assistants), etc.

The 1,300-year-old Natadera Temple fuses tradition and modernity. An 8m-tall golden statue of 1,000-armed Kannon is surrounded by artistic walls, including Kutani local porcelain, and bathed in ever-changing colors representing beneficence over the whole universe. The buildings, gardens, green tunnel, sounds of water, birdsong, and more may keep you busy for hours. The priests hope all visitors, Buddhists or not, will leave healed.

In Ishikawa Prefecture, you can also drive over 8km on the sands of Chirihama Beach (unique in Japan), photograph Godzilla Rock, and admire Ganmon Sea Cave.

Toyama Road Trip

Be seduced by rare sea-and-mountain sights in Toyama , and experience self-reflection in its secluded communities. Roads are your only way to explore Toyama Bay, Gokayama villages, and Oiwa-san Nisseki-ji.

Toyama Bay is recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. On a clear day, you can walk from the park at Amaharashi Roadside Station, feel the waves on the beach, and look toward the tiny island 50m off the coast. Admire the 3,000-meter-high snowy Tateyama mountain range beyond! Hikers may want to see the opposite view from Mount Tate ( Tateyama ), one of Japan's Three Holy Mountains (with Mounts Fuji & Haku).

Japan may have modernized but the secluded Gokayama region remained traditional. Stretch your legs at Suganuma or Ainokura , hamlets registered as UNESCO World Heritages for their houses with steep roofs designed against heavy snowfalls, some built over 300 years ago.

Oiwa-san Nisseki-ji is a regenerative experience. The sights, sounds, and smells of the forest and falls will welcome you during spiritual activities: draw a Wisdom King while making a wish in the temple, pray to the 88 Buddha & Bodhisattva during a forest walk in pilgrim outfit, and meditate under a waterfall! Savor a plant-based meal and sleep on tatami mats at the nearby inn Dangoya (free parking). Lucky "pilgrims" like me may see a wild antelope!

Toyama Prefecture also features Japan's tallest dam ( Kurobe - 186m high), Uchikawa (old fisherman district), and the "world's most beautiful Starbucks " in Kansui Park .

Gifu Road Trip

The ancient lifestyles and stories still alive in Gifu Prefecture are mind-opening. Driving allows you to help forge a Japanese sword in Seki City and admire Shirakawa-go before the arrival of tourist buses.

Unique in Japan, Hamonoya Sansyu shop lets you hammer metal during an early sword-making stage with 25-26th generation swordsmiths! Fans of samurai/ninja, swords and crafts, will remember this experience all their life and will cherish the certificate received afterward.

Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage for its gassho-zukuri houses like Gokayama, Shirakawa-go is a famous village at the foot of Mount Haku. Drive to arrive after the departure of tourist buses, sleep in a historic house, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere under the stars!

In Takayama, experience Japanese folklore at the Dekonaru-za show based on a regional myth! An English-speaking storyteller explains between fights, shishimai & umbrella dances, drums & flutes performances. If you wish, interact with the performers during the show then get photographed together.

Other notable destinations in Gifu Prefecture include the Tono area for cycling, Gujo city for fake-food making (the first historic town in Japan for this), and Gero Onsen , a hot spring resort with free foot/hand baths and even a public mixed bath.

No worry for drivers

Car rental companies in Hokuriku & Shoryudo are used to foreign travelers. Reserve, bring your international driving license, learn the Japanese traffic rules, and ask the staff to switch your car navigation system to English. You just need to remember to drive on the left!

Here, the roads are safe, well-maintained, and typically without traffic jams. Signs in English are common and there's plenty of free/cheap parking in the countryside.

Drivers wishing to reduce their carbon footprint can rely on chargers for electric cars in Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, and Toyama prefectures. For example, the Noto Peninsula has 33 EV charging spots powered by renewable energy sources thanks to Noto Smart Drive Project .

Great for diverse travelers

Vegans and vegetarians need freedom to fully enjoy Japan. With a car and careful planning, they can savor breakfast buffets at hotels and diverse plant-based dishes at exceptional restaurants. For vegans, I recommend a Japanese lunch at Dangoya Inn (Toyama), French lunch with ingredients of the day at L'Atelier De Noto (Ishikawa), Japanese dinner at Suimeikan Hotel (Gifu), and Japanese dinner at Hyakurakuso Hotel (Ishikawa). Muslims, Jews, and others should detail their requirements before traveling to get exactly what they want; see also the Toyama Muslim-Friendly Restaurants website.

Kids enjoy the dinosaur museum, ninja temple, Dekonaru-za show, and gassho-zukuri villages. Fun activities like calligraphy and gold-plating are easy to reserve but cycling is problematic due to narrow roads.

Groups with low-mobility travelers will appreciate the well-designed facilities of the dinosaur museum, flat paths of Kenroku-en Garden, views from Amaharashi Roadside Station and nearby seaside path, Dekonaru-za show, and Ainokura village (wheelchair available at the entrance).

Travel tips

• Rent a narrow car to better navigate streets.
• Create your itinerary based on Japan's low speed limits.
• Choose the right season. Some destinations are gorgeous with snow (e.g. Yuki-no-otani ) but some roads close. Fukui's crab is best eaten fresh in winter!

Be spontaneous:

• Adapt your plans to weather forecasts.
• Be on the lookout for events, cute castles (e.g. Maruoka Castle )...
• Taste local food.

Make the best of your evenings:

• Relax at hot springs after driving e.g. great open-air bath at Awara Onsen Grandia Housen Resort (Fukui).
• Discover countryside nightlife with locals e.g. Dekonaru Yokocho (Gifu) and Awara Onsen Yataimura Yukemuri Yokocho (Fukui).
• Try unusual lodgings e.g. Oyatsu Old Warehouse (Toyama).
• Admire the sunsets and stars.

Enjoy the adventure, relax and create your unique memories in Hokuriku and Shoryudo. You will have great stories to share with your loved ones back home!

Getting there

International visitors may start their road trip at Nagoya Station (Shinkansen from Osaka or Tokyo ), Kanazawa Station (Shinkansen from Tokyo), Chubu Centrair International Airport , or smaller airports such as Komatsu Airport, Noto Satoyama Airport, and Toyama Kitokito Airport. No need to give the car back where you rented it.

Hokuriku Arch Pass: Official Site https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/hokuriku-arch-pass/

New Golden Route: More Info https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/hokuriku-arch-pass/Explore_Japan/

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Recommended drive information in Osaka

Osaka Itinerary: Best 3 Day Trip Guide You’ll Ever Find

This Osaka itinerary for 3 days will show you a step-by-step plan for visiting the city’s most popular attractions during your trip, so you won’t need to search online again.

Trust me, this travel guide will speed up your trip planning process because I’m going to show you every single step to reach each famous spot in Osaka.

Plus, you’ll know how to keep the travel cost under $370 for this 3-day trip . Let’s check it out now! 😊

Explore the Best of Osaka with My Super Detailed Itinerary Below

Day 1: namba yasaka jinja, osaka aquarium, ferris wheel, osaka castle and harukas 300, day 2: shitennoji temple, shinsekai, kuromon ichiba market, shinsaibashi-suji and dotonbori, day 3: visit universal studios japan, osaka travel expenses for 3 days, money-saving tips for your osaka trip, kansai airport transfers, osaka itinerary 3 days map, internet access, the best places to stay in osaka, related posts.

Osaka Itinerary: Day 1 Schedule and Highlights

• 9:30 AM: Namba Yasaka Jinja
• 10:40 AM: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• 12:40 PM: Tempozan Marketplace (Lunch)
• 1:20 PM: Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho
• 1:50 PM: Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
• 3:00 PM: Osaka Castle Tower
• 4:30 PM: Nishinomaru Garden (Japanese Garden)
• 5:30 PM: Harukas 300 Observatory
• 7:30 PM: Ichiran Abeno (Dinner)

For more insights on visiting Osaka, you can find all my Osaka travel guides here .

1. Namba Yasaka Jinja – 30 minutes (9:30 AM to 10:00 AM)

Start the adventure at Namba Yasaka Jinja , which is a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Osaka .

This shrine is known for its gorgeous architectural beauty and rich history . Explore this religious structure to kick off your day.

See the Impressive Lion Head-shaped Building

When you explore the shrine, make sure to drop by the giant lion head building . This famous photo spot is said to bring good luck and devour evil spirits.

If you want to make a wish, you can write your pleas on a wooden plaque called ema. Purchase them along the west section of the entrance and hang them up at the designated section.

2. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan – 2 hours (10:40 AM to 12:40 PM)

Within your itinerary of Osaka, be sure to include a visit to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan .

It is one of the world’s biggest aquariums with more than 30,000 marine animals from 620 species .

Wander around the huge aquatic world for a couple of hours for an unforgettable journey. Here, you’ll meet some amazing marine animals.

Here’s a pro tip: Buy your aquarium tickets online to avoid the long lines at the ticket counter and enjoy convenient entry with e-tickets!

a) Massive Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, and Schools of Fish

Walk along the Pacific Ocean Tank , which is one of the biggest water tanks in the world .

It contains more than 5,400 tons of water, holding various marine life . See the whale sharks , manta rays , and several schools of fish .

b) California Sea Lions, Largha Seals, King Penguins, and Pacific White-sided Dolphins

The California sea lions and largha seals are other popular creatures in the tank. Wave at these adorable mammals, along with the King penguins and Pacific white-sided dolphins .

c) Clownfish, Blue Tang, Ocean Sunfish, and Japanese Giant Spider Crab

Enjoy this unique experience with different aquatic creatures. Here, you’ll encounter colorful clownfish and blue tang .

The ocean sunfish and the Japanese giant spider crab are also something to look forward to. Be sure to snap some photos to make it more memorable.

3. Tempozan Marketplace (Lunch) – 30 minutes (12:40 PM to 1:20 PM)

After the aquatic experience, head to Tempozan Marketplace for your lunch . This shopping complex offers a diverse range of shopping and dining options .

The food court is located on the second floor , along with other shops. Look into the vast selection of food stalls and eateries that serve Japanese and international cuisines .

Taste Osaka’s Best: Don Don Tei, Menya Kuramasa, KFC, and Subway

If you want some local food, try the deluxe tempura bowl with noodles (1,330 yen) . The ramen noodles (around 1,160 yen) and roast beef bowl (990 yen) are also good options.

There’s also KFC that offers burgers and chicken. Pick from the selection of Chicken Burger (760 yen) , 2 pieces of chicken (580 yen) , or 5 pieces of chicken (1,450 yen) .

You can also go for Subway with food options around 550 yen .

4. Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho – 30 minutes (1:20 PM to 1:50 PM)

Carry on with your food adventure at Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho . This is a well-known dining area also located on the second floor of Tempozan Marketplace .

Dig into the vibrant food alley that displays the impressive street food culture of Osaka and its rich culinary heritage .

Indulge in a Variety of Japanese Street Food Delights

Revel in the assortment of local delights on small plates. There are options for takoyaki (octopus-filled batter balls – 840 yen) and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) .

If you want some pancakes, there are tasty choices too. Order the okonomiyaki (savory pancakes at 1,080 yen) or the ikayaki (Osaka-style squid pancakes at 650 yen) .

5. Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel – 30 minutes (1:50 PM to 2:20 PM)

Following your food trip, it’s time to visit the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel . Brave one of the tallest Ferris wheels in Japan , which offers panoramic city views .

The tower features air-conditioned cabins that are very spacious . Each cabin can accommodate up to 8 people. Have fun with your friends or family and catch some gorgeous sights from above .

Enjoy Spectacular Osaka Views

Hop into the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Osaka Bay, the city skyline, the harbor, and the ocean .

Each ride runs approximately 15 minutes . Make the most out of the given time by enjoying the views and snapping some photos .

6. Osaka Castle Tower – 1.5 hours (3:00 PM to 4:30 PM)

Go on with the afternoon exploration and head to Osaka Castle Tower .

This top-rated attraction in the city is one of the best sites to learn more about the city’s past . Delve into the history of Osaka inside this five-story castle tower .

Explore Osaka Castle Museum and Tower’s Panoramic Views

Step inside the castle to see the museum. Learn about Osaka Castle’s history and old Japan.

The museum displays artifacts, weapons, and historical items, offering insights into the castle’s past.

Then, proceed to the observation deck to catch a glimpse of the cityscape . The tower’s top section is such an amazing spot to capture the beautiful blend of modern infrastructure and lush scenery.

7. Nishinomaru Garden (Japanese Garden) – 30 minutes (4:30 PM to 5:00 PM)

Spend a peaceful afternoon at Nishinomaru Garden . This lovely garden is nestled in the western section of Osaka Castle .

As a traditional Japanese garden, you’ll be amazed by the gorgeous views around . Be dazzled by the large pond that is surrounded by a tea house and vibrant greenery.

If you visit during the cherry blossom season, the garden is even more majestic. Admire the panoramic views of the garden that elevates with the pink floral charm.

8. Harukas 300 Observatory – 2 hours (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM)

Watch the sunset from the ever-popular Harukas 300. As the tallest building in Japan , you can expect a 360-degree panoramic view of Osaka city .

The observatory takes up three areas, specifically the 58th, 59th, and 60th floors.

From above, you will see the breathtaking cityscape, along with some popular landmarks .

Catch a sight of the Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower, and Shitennoji Temple during the day. Stay until dusk to witness the sunset and the glimmering city lights at night .

Don’t forget to buy your Harukas 300 tickets online to enjoy up to 10% discount for each ticket .

Sky Garden 300

Enjoy the city views even more with some tasty food. Go to the 58th floor of Harukas 300 , where you’ll find the Sky Garden 300 restaurant .

Devour your food and drinks while enjoying the stunning sights from the observatory.

Some of the options from the menu are the Hawaiian Hot Dog (1,100 yen) and Fried Chicken & French Fries (850 yen) .

For the drinks and refreshments, they offer Sky Blue Latte (700 yen) , Coffee (500 yen) , and Ice Cream (550 yen) .

9. Ichiran Abeno (Dinner) – 1 hour (7:30 PM to 8:30 PM)

For your dinner, navigate your way to Ichiran Abeno, a restaurant that specializes in tonkotsu ramen.

The famous resto offers a unique dining experience for all diners. Savor the flavorful ramen inside a private booth.

One of their most popular dishes is the Ichiran 3, which costs 1,330 yen.

This ramen is such a delectable treat with rich broth, tender pork slices, and tasty noodles . Take a sip of the comforting bowl of ramen to cap off your day.

Itinerary Breakdown: Discover Osaka’s Charms on Day 2

• 9:30 AM: Shitennoji Temple
• 10:45 AM: Janjan Yokocho Alley
• 11:15 AM: Kushikatsu Daruma
• 11:45 AM: Billiken Shrine
• 11:50 AM: Shinsekai
• 12:20 PM: Kura Sushi Shinsekai (Lunch)
• 1:20 PM: Tsutenkaku Tower
• 2:30 PM: Kuromon Ichiba Market
• 4:15 PM: Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
• 6:45 PM: Tombori River Cruise
• 7:05 PM: Capture the Glico Running Man from Ebisubashi Bridge
• 7:10 PM: Dotonbori Street (Dinner)

1. Shitennoji Temple – 1 hour (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)

Commence your second day with a trip to Shitennoji Temple . This is one of the oldest temples in Japan that attracts visitors from all around the world .

Step into the historical site and admire the exceptional architectural designs of each ancient spot .

Stroll around the expansive temple grounds, including the five-story pagoda . There’s also a beautiful garden to explore and take photographs with.

Explore Shitennoji Temple’s Wonders: Northern and Southern Belfries, Stone Stage, and Shinran-shonin Statue

Go around the Northern Belfry and Southern Belfy , which come with distinct historical charms. Both structures are great for photo-taking opportunities.

The Stone Stage is also a significant part of history and culture. Drop by this ancient spot where most religious ceremonies and cultural performances are held.

Then, admire the Shinran-shonin Statue , who was a well-known Buddhist monk . Meet the towering figure who played a significant role in Japanese Buddhism.

2. Janjan Yokocho Alley – 30 minutes (10:45 AM to 11:15 AM)

Push on with the Osaka escapade as you stroll around Janjan Yokocho Alley .

This renowned destination in Osaka is full of vibrant street life.

Cherish the nostalgic atmosphere that brightens up even more with the array of small restaurants and bars .

There are lots of food spots here that serve traditional Japanese dishes . Feast on tasty local foods like Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu.

You can also go shopping here with all the unique stores. Visit the shops for different Japanese stuff and souvenirs .

3. Kushikatsu Daruma – 30 minutes (11:15 AM to 11:45 AM)

Another must-visit area in Osaka is the Kushikatsu Daruma . This long-running restaurant is known for its kushikatsu, a deep-fried skewer of meat and vegetables .

Check out their wide array of kushikatsu options, from chicken to pork and seafood.

You’ll certainly feel the crispness and flavor with each bite of the skewer. Satisfy your palate with this local dish as you prepare for the next adventure.

Deep-fried Skewered Meat and Seafood

Make the most out of the flavors with the option for 15 skewers. This selection comes with a variety of choices.

These include fried chicken, pork cutlet, sausage, shrimp, octopus, sweet potatoes, and more . You can enjoy all this for only 2,450 yen .

Other options are 12 skewers for 2,000 yen and 9 skewers for 1,600 yen .

4. Billiken Shrine – 5 minutes (11:45 AM to 11:50 AM)

Squeeze in the Billiken Shrine during your exploration of the Shinsekai district of Osaka.

This is an ancient religious site that pays homage to Billiken. The religious figure is widely recognized by locals for good luck and fortune.

Spend a couple of minutes here to say a prayer. There’s an offering box near the statue, where you can toss your coins. Before you leave, snap a photo of the statue.

5. Shinsekai – 30 minutes (11:50 AM to 12:20 PM)

Shinsekai is a must-go place for anyone visiting Osaka. The word Shinsekai translates to “New World”, which perfectly describes this tourist spot.

Be captivated by its ancient charm and vibrant atmosphere as you walk around.

The district comes with a unique architectural style to infuse New York and Paris into the Japanese culture .

Established back in the early 20 th century, the site is a beautiful blend of local and western beauty .

Explore the Vibrant Hub of Shinsekai

Get ready for a fun-filled escapade as you navigate the district. There are lots of restaurants and shops dotted along the streets, enticing every visitor .

You’ll also find plenty of game centers and entertainment venues around.

Don’t miss to capture the Tsutenkaku Tower, which is an iconic landmark of the district.

Of course, this is a great site for some street food adventures . Try the kushikatsu, a deep-fried skewer with a flavorful sauce. Remember to bring your camera for an unforgettable trip.

6. Kura Sushi Shinsekai (Lunch) – 1 hour (12:20 PM to 1:20 PM)

If you are looking for a unique sushi experience in Osaka, Kura Sushi Shinsekai is a must-visit.

Get a taste of some fresh sushi and tasty local dishes from this revolving sushi bar.

This restaurant is renowned for serving sushi with no additives or preservatives. Enjoy a platter of sushi all made from natural and healthy ingredients.

Enjoy a Dynamic Sushi Experience

Take your spot and watch as the sushi plates navigate through the conveyor belt. Simply pick those that catch your eye and start the feast. You may also create a special order using the touchscreen menu.

Some of the popular choices here are the Aburi Shrimp Basil Cheese (125 yen) and Grilled eel (180 yen).

They also offer Cheese Salmon (125 yen) and Tuna (125 yen). Normally, the price ranges between 125 yen to 370 yen .

7. Tsutenkaku Tower – 1 hour (1:20 PM to 2:20 PM)

Tsutenkaku Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Osaka . At 103 meters high, you can easily identify the structure from afar. The distinctive design of the tower also adds to its popularity.

Constructed in 1912, the tower has long been considered a symbol of Osaka . So, insert this place on your trip, then take the elevator to the top and see the cityscape.

a) Golden Observatory (5th Floor)

Head to the 5 th floor of the tower and visit the Golden Observatory.

Here, you’ll get another opportunity to see the beauty of the city from atop . Marvel at the charm of cityscape combined with scenic landscapes.

While on top, take as many pictures as you want or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. There’s another popular icon in the observatory, which is the Billiken statue. Rub the statue’s feet for good luck.

b) Light Observatory (4th Floor)

Take one floor down and see the Light Observatory on the 4th floor . This section comes with mesmerizing lights that level up the overall watching experience.

Immerse yourself in the magical ambiance while watching the stunning views.

c) Tower Slider

Enjoy a flush of excitement with a trip to the Tower Slider. This 60-meter slide takes you on a thrilling ride from 22 meters above ground down to the basement.

The journey only takes 10 seconds so enjoy every second of it. You can find this on the 3rd floor and the cost is 1,000 yen.

8. Kuromon Ichiba Market – 1.5 hours (2:30 PM to 4:00 PM)

Make your way to the Kuromon Ichiba Market and savor the authentic tastes of Osaka .

This covered market, also known as the “Kitchen of Osaka” , is home to over 150 shops where you can find everything from fresh seafood to souvenirs .

For anyone who loves seafood, you can’t miss this place. Feast on some of the finest sushi, sashimi, scallops, oysters, crab, and other seafood delicacies.

A lot of stalls here allow grilling or cooking seafood of your choice for a more satisfying meal. Experience the delightful flavors of Osaka’s cuisines as you roam around the market.

9. Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street – 2.5 hours (4:15 PM to 6:45 PM)

Any Osaka itinerary would be incomplete without going to the lively atmosphere of the Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street . Journey through the 600-meter-long covered arcade with an array of shops.

This place is packed with various stores selling all kinds of items. Check out the wide selection of fashion clothes, electronics, cosmetics, and traditional crafts.

a) H&M Ebisubashi, GAP, GUESS and GU & UNIQLO

When it comes to the latest fashion trends, Shinsaibashi-Suji is the best destination to shop.

Check out some international fashion shops, including H&M, GAP, GUESS and ZARA . You’ll also find famous Japanese clothing brands here, such as Uniqlo and GU .

So, put on your walking shoes and get ready to shop till you drop!

b) Tsuruha Drug, Sun Drug, Skechers and ABC-MART

Stock up your beauty and skincare essentials from this shopping location.

There are plenty of beauty retailers around like Tsuruha Drug and Sun Drug . These famous stores are known for their skincare products, makeup, fragrances, and even souvenirs.

ABC-MART and Sketchers are favorite destinations too. They sell different trendy fashion footwear and walking shoes . Go over the vast selection of shoes for men, women, and children.

c) Cheese Tart Pablo, Rikuro Ojisan no Mise and Candy A Go Go

If you’re a certified sweet tooth, the street is also bursting with dessert shops .

Try the ever-famous Cheese Tart Pablo . You can choose from different flavors, including milk chocolate, strawberry, and matcha. The price ranges from around 260 yen to 350 yen .

Another dessert section is the Rikuro Ojisan no Mise . Take delight in their signature cheesecake (965 yen) , which is filled with heavenly aroma and fresh taste .

Apart from dessert shops, there are plenty of food stalls and restaurants around that offer delicious cuisines .

10. Tombori River Cruise – 20 minutes (6:45 PM to 7:05 PM)

After taking your dinner, embark on a water journey with the Tombori River Cruise . This 20-minute boat ride is a scenic way to see the structures that surround the Dotonbori River .

During the ride, you’ll come across some of Osaka’s most famous landmarks and attractions that are illuminated with the city lights .

Be dazzled by the nighttime beauty that shines from the towering buildings and vibrant billboards.

To enjoy this enchanting ride along the river, buy tickets at the booth onsite. The price for the river cruise is 1,200 yen.

11. Capture the Glico Running Man from Ebisubashi Bridge – 5 minutes (7:05 PM to 7:10 PM)

Sneak a look at the Glico Running Man, a renowned icon in the city.

This landmark features a runner who reaches the finish line, which illustrates the energy and excitement of Osaka. This is the reason why a lot of people flock to the area.

Capture this iconic symbol with your camera to represent your overall adventures during your time in Osaka.

For sure, seeing this memorable shot makes you remember your unforgettable experiences in the city.

12. Dotonbori Street (Dinner) – 2 hours (7:10 PM to 9:10 PM)

Wrap up the night with a food quest to Dotonbori Street , a famous foodie spot .

Take joy in the diverse street food options that highlight the uniqueness of local foods. Indulge in some ramen bowls or try other local delights from okonomiyaki to sushi and Takoyaki and more.

Beyond the mouthwatering food choices, the street is brimming with dazzling colors. Stroll around and experience the lively atmosphere firsthand.

For guidance, I’ve gathered some of the most recommended restaurants for dinner.

a) Wanomiya Kobe Beef, Naruto Taiyaki Hompo, Okonomiyaki Mizuno and Kamukura Sennichimae

• Wanomiya Kobe Beef: This place is known for its Kobe beef, which is a marbled Japanese beef with deep flavor and extra tenderness. Their prices range from 1,800 yen to 4,800 yen.
• Naruto Taiyaki Hompo: If you’re looking for some tasty taiyaki, drop by the area. Their fish-shaped cakes with red bean paste are very popular and only cost 280 yen.
• Okonomiyaki Mizuno: For okonomiyaki lovers, head to this restaurant and order their top-sellers. Most of their savory okonomiyaki are priced between 1,045 yen to 1,730 yen.
• Kamukura Sennichimae: Enjoy a shoyu ramen for a tasty ramen experience. This soy sauce-based ramen offers a rich, flavor broth. The pricing of their ramen settles between 791 yen to 1,073 yen.

b) Kinryu Ramen, Daiki-suisan Kaitenzushi, Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka and Kani Doraku

• Kinryu Ramen: Revel in a bowl of tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen from this restaurant. You can enjoy the rich and creamy broth topped with tender pork slices for only 800 yen to 1,100 yen.
• Daiki-suisan Kaitenzushi: In terms of conveyor belt sushi, this is a crowd favorite. Try a unique sushi experience with an impressive variety of fresh sushi options. The price ranges between 100 yen to 550 yen.
• Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka: If you want takoyaki, choose this place for some delicious ball-shaped snacks. Savor the delectable food that is crispy outside and soft inside. For 8 takoyaki balls, the cost is 600 yen.
• Kani Doraku: Any crab lover should visit this food destination. They offer various crab dishes, from crab sushi platter to whole grilled crabs. Normally, you’ll spend around 2,000 yen to 12,000 yen here.

Spend the third day at Universal Studios Japan , which is a world-class theme park in Osaka .

This tourist destination is very popular with millions of visitors each year. Stroll around the park filled with various attractions for all ages.

Hop aboard the Hollywood Dream roller coaster or experience the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

From thrilling rides to family-themed shows, everyone will surely have fun in this vibrant location.

With the opening of Super Nintendo World, the park becomes more exciting.

Immerse yourself in a realistic encounter with these adorable characters. Without a doubt, this is a fantastic destination that’s sure to provide you with amazing memories.

Feel free to consult my guide on how to get to Universal Studios Japan , where you can find detailed instructions on using train or bus transportation to reach the park.

Important Tip: It’s best to book your Universal Studios Japan tickets online here in advance to skip the very long lines at the ticket booth and maximize your time in the park!

1. Osaka Amazing Pass

a) Why should you buy the Osaka Amazing Pass?

Make sure to purchase the Osaka Amazing Pass when you explore the city, as it can lead to significant savings on transportation and admission fees for Osaka’s popular attractions .

By using this pass, you can enjoy free metro rides in Osaka , which is crucial since most tourist spots in the city are located near metro stations .

Additionally, you gain free access to over 40 famous tourist spots in Osaka .

b) Two Choices of Osaka Amazing Pass

There are two types of Osaka Amazing Pass available: Physical Pass and Mobile Pass . I highly recommend the Physical Pass as it covers more than 20 attractions compared to the Mobile Pass.

c) Osaka Amazing Pass: Not Using vs. Using

For your easy reference, I have provided a table above that compares the benefits of using the Osaka Amazing Pass versus not using it for the first two days trip.

As you can see with the handy pass, you can save about 2,890 yen ($20.60) per person , and even more if traveling with a partner, totaling 5,780 yen ($41.30) !

d) My Recommendation

Choose the 2-Day Physical Pass and make the most of it for the initial two days of your trip . On the third day, use the popular ICOCA card to ride the train to Universal Studios Japan.

• Check out the Osaka Amazing Pass here

2. ICOCA card

a) What is the ICOCA card?

The ICOCA card is a rechargeable contactless smart card that allows you to conveniently ride JR trains, metro trains and buses in Japan.

b) Why do you need the ICOCA card?

Having the card will save you travel time. You simply need to touch the card to the automated ticket gate to board the train. This way, you don’t need to purchase individual train tickets.

Additionally, the smart card can be used for shopping within train stations and various convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and more!

c) Where can you purchase it?

You can purchase an ICOCA card at JR West Station ticket vending machines or at JR West ticket offices.

In short, when getting around in Osaka, it is strongly recommended to have two essential items : the Osaka Amazing Pass and the ICOCA card . This will help you save a lot of money and time on travelling .

1. Target Destination – Namba

If your destination is Namba, you can take the Nankai-Limited Express train from Kansai-Airport Station.

This is a direct train from the airport to Namba Station. Many people prefer to stay in Namba because of its accessibility by train and proximity to tourist spots.

Don’t forget to book your Nankai-Limited Express tickets online here and get big savings. Booking in advance offers you an extra 10% OFF compared to buying your train tickets at the train station.

2. Target Destination – Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka Station

For those going to Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka Station from Kansai-Airport Station, take the JR Haruka Express.

This speedy train will send you directly to these 2 stations. So, you just get off at one of the stations, depending on the location of your accommodation.

Also, it’s highly suggested to buy the train tickets online . It’s because of the additional 34% discount compared to buying them at the ticketing counter.

Other Transportation Choices Apart from Trains

Ideally, private airport transfer is the best option for those who want the utmost convenience. It comes with a professional driver who will send you directly to your hotel .

The added comfort, however, comes with a price. It’s slightly more expensive than taking the train.

Plus, you need to reserve your seats in advance. Simply go to this private airport car transfer website to make the reservation on the date you want.

Read My Airport Transfer Guide

Feel free to visit this page on how to go to Osaka and Namba from Kansai Airport . Here, you’ll discover 5 different ways to reach your desired destination.

The page also comes with full details on pricing and travel duration for reference. Above all, I’ve added my recommendations on the best transportation options for your needs.

To simplify of my 3-day trip in Osaka, I have produced the map above to provide you with an overview.

Having a portable WiFi device is very important while traveling in Osaka. Let me explain why:

• You can use Google Maps to navigate around the city.
• You can find the nearest train station using Google Maps.
• You can check train schedules and receive real-time updates on delays or changes.
• You can enjoy a secure and high-speed internet connection wherever you go.
• The portable WiFi allows you to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously.

Purchasing a portable WiFi device can be very expensive. However, there’s no need to buy one because you can rent it from this Osaka Portable WiFi website and easily pick it up at Kansai Airport.

If you’re wondering where is the best place to stay in Osaka, I’d say it’s Namba. Here are the main reasons why Namba is so popular among travelers:

• Major Transportation Hub: The district comes with an interchange station for multiple train lines, including JR trains, Osaka Metro, and more. This results in easy access to other parts of Osaka, as well as nearby cities like Kyoto and Nara.
• Convenience and Shopping Paradise: Fashion, cosmetic products, or local souvenirs are all found in Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street , which is part of the Namba area.
• Wide Array of Dining Options: You’ll also be amazed by the wide range of cuisines in the area. It’s filled with local street food options to satisfy your cravings. Upscale dining experiences are also available to match your needs.
• Seamless Airport Connectivity: Nankai-Limited Express train offers direct train services between Namba Station and Kansai International Airport . This means additional comfort since you don’t need to transfer stations.
• Well-known Attractions in the Vicinity: The district is surrounded by top tourist attractions. These include Dotonbori , Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, Shinsekai, and Kuromon Ichiba Market.

Recommended Hotels in Namba

• Swissotel Nankai Osaka : If you’re looking for a hotel that is located directly above Namba Station (Nankai Line), this is the best option. The hotel offers direct and swift access to Kansai International Airport via the speedy Nankai-Limited Express. It’s also less than a 10-minute walk to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.
• Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station : This hotel is situated very close to Swissotel. As such, it provides convenient accessibility to Namba Station (Nankai Line). Since the area is also near JR and Metro Namba Stations, it creates easy and hassle-free travel connections.
• Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka : In case the above options are fully booked, you can choose this hotel instead. This is just positioned a few buildings away from the Hiyori Hotel.
• Namba Oriental Hotel : For those who want to save money, this is the best option for budget travelers. The hotel is a 4-minute walk to Dotonbori and just a 2-minute walk from the entrance of Namba Station.

I appreciate your time in going through my complete Osaka vacation itinerary . I hope that this guide will serve as a valuable reference to assist you in crafting an ideal trip to this marvelous city.

15 Best Universal Studios Japan Rides to Win Your Heart

Kansai Airport to Osaka: The Fastest Ways to Get There

Dotonbori Osaka: 17 Best Street Foods You Must Try Out

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The Ultimate Osaka Itinerary: 5 Days

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As one of Japan’s largest and most vibrant cities, trying to design an Osaka itinerary can be a challenge. There is just so much to see and do, you could easily spend weeks in Osaka and not see it all. 

That said, even if you only have one day in Osaka, you can still get a real taste of what makes this Japanese city tick.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make the most of your time in Osaka, whether it’s for just one great day or a fun-filled week.

Osaka is a city that is home to some of the top Japan landmarks and these Osaka itineraries are designed so that the places you shouldn’t miss are on the first and second days, while the days after will give you a more in-depth look at the area and its surrounds. 

So pick and choose the number of days you’ll be in Osaka, from 1 to 5 and add these to your overall Japan itinerary. 

If you’re planning a longer stay in the area, here are some amazing Osaka day trips you will love!

What you need to know about visiting Osaka

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Osaka is located on the coast in southern Japan and is one of the country’s most important port cities.

It’s also close to Kyoto, and there is an Osaka to Kyoto train which makes travelling between the two Japanese cities a cinch. 

The excellent train network in Japan also means it’s definitely do-able to plan an Osaka and Tokyo itinerary back to back, as well, and Japan is such an amazing country. 

The Osaka region is fascinating to visit, thanks to its long and interesting history as well as its modern advancements.

It has much of the appeal of frenetic Tokyo but its size makes it a little more approachable and friendly.

Osaka is a good city to choose if you want to see the best of Japan without being totally overwhelmed.

It also offers great food, exceptional shopping and you’ll never run out of Osaka places to go!

For more about Japan, read:

• 20 Incredible Landmarks in Japan
• 20 Best Beaches In Japan
• 25 Things To Do In Tokyo At Night
• 25 Landmarks In Tokyo
• A Guide To Winter In Japan
• 50 Things To Do In Japan
• Japan Itinerary (10 days)
• Where To Stay In Tokyo
• Osaka Itinerary
• Nagoya Itinerary
• Where To Stay In Nagoya
• 12 Things To Do in Takayama
• How To Use The Toilets In Japan
• 20 Things To Do In Osaka At Night
• Where To Stay In Osaka
• 20 Things To Do In Hiroshima
• Where To Stay In Hiroshima
• 20 Things To Do In Yokohama
• 15 Things Japan Is Famous For
• 20 Things To Do In Kamakura
• 20 Things To Do In Nagano
• 20 Day Trips From Tokyo
• 3 Day Trips From Osaka
• The Most Beautiful Japan Tourist Spots
• Hakuba Hotels
• Hakuba Ski Resort
• Japanese Onsen Tips
• Where To Stay In Kyoto Like A Local
• Arashiyama Monkey Park
• Eating and Drinking Matcha
• Amanemu Review
• 20 Japanese Drinks
• 20 Things To Do In Kyoto At Night
• 20 Japanese Cities
• 20 Things To Do In Fukuoka
• Where To Stay In Fukuoka
• 20 Things To Do In Nara
• 20 Things To Do In Hakone
• 20 Things To Do In Sapporo
• Where To Stay In Sapporo
• 20 Things To Do In Kanazawa
• 20 Things To Do In Okinawa

20 Things To Do In Sendai

20 things to do in saitama.

The region has a moderate climate, which means there is really no bad time to visit Osaka.

In the summer (June/July/August) it can get warm and humid, with average temperatures in the low 30’s℃.

Winter in Japan (December/January/February) can be a touch chilly but not unbearable with average temperatures around 10℃.

Arguably, the best times to visit Osaka is in spring and autumn when the temperatures are comfortably warm.

A good month to go is in May, when the average temperature is 25℃ and the flowers are blooming. 

If your goal is to see cherry blossoms, aim for the last week of March or the first week of April but keep in mind that the season can be unpredictable. 

Like much of Japan, Osaka’s transportation system is excellent, which makes travelling around Osaka a breeze.

Public transport is the easiest way to get around, as it is safe, affordable and very efficient. 

The underground metro line covers most of the city and has nine lines, however, most of the most famous attractions in Osaka are found on two: the Midosuji Line and the Chuo Line.

You can buy tickets at the subway station before you get on the train or buy a pre-paid pass that you load up with money before you go.

The best value is the Icoca card , but you can also use Pasmo or Suica passes. Fares vary depending on your destination and range from ¥180 to ¥370 for a one-way ticket.

For travel from Osaka to Kyoto and other cities, there’s Japan Rail (JR) and other private lines.

Japan Rail passes are exclusively for foreign visitors to Japan on a tourist visa and if you’re planning on doing some intercity travel, it’s best to purchase your Japan Rail pass online before you go. 

Osaka JR trains can be paid for using your pre-paid pass, or with private lines, you can buy a ticket online or at the station.

One of the best ways to save money during your Osaka trip is to make the most of the great passes that are on offer.

These passes offer you discounted public transport and entry to some of the most important places of interest in Osaka.

Here are some of the best value Osaka passes:

• Osaka Amazing Pass : available for either one day (¥2500) or two days (¥3300) gives you free access to public transport as well as about 35 attractions, such as the Osaka Castle (but not the Osaka Aquarium). It also entitles you to discounted prices at a lot of shops and restaurants.
• OSAKA 1 Day Pass & 2 Day Pass : this pass can save you a lot on your Osaka travel. It allows you to use all of the metro line and city buses in Osaka for either one day (¥700) or two non-consecutive days (¥1300). Just be aware that the train to Universal Studios Japan is not included.
• Eco Tower Card : another pass to save money travelling around Osaka. It gives you unlimited travel on the Osaka metro and city bus, as well as discounted entry to about 30 attractions. It is ¥800 for a weekday and ¥600 for weekends and public holidays.
• Osaka Kaiyu Set: this Osaka transport pass includes admission to the Osaka Aquarium, as well as all-you-can-ride on the metro line and city buses (again, not to Universal Studios). You can also get some great discounts to other attractions and restaurants. It is ¥2550 for adults.
• Hankyu Tourist Pass : if you are travelling from Osaka to Kobe and/or Kyoto, this Osaka rail pass presents great value. It gives you free travel on the Hankyu lines between Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, for one (¥700) or two (¥1200) days.
• Kintetsu Railway Pass : if you are staying in Osaka for a longer period and travelling between places including Osaka to Nara, Nagoya and Kyoto. It allows for free travel on the Kintetsu trains for five days. It is ¥3600 if purchased outside Japan, or ¥3800 if you buy it once you arrive. You can also add in free travel on the NARA and ISE bus areas for an extra ¥4800 (outside Japan) or ¥5000 (inside Japan).
• Kansai Through Pass : if you’re planning to travel around the Kansai region, this pass offers unlimited rail and bus rides in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara as well as discounts to attractions.  

Osaka Itinerary – 5 Days

Osaka 1 day itinerary.

If you only have one day in Osaka, then you’ll want to make the most of it and see Osaka’s must-see attractions.

You could also enjoy this itinerary as an Osaka day tour from Kyoto.

If you’re only in Osaka for one day, then it’s a great idea to grab an Osaka 1 day pass , which will give you unlimited rides on the subway.

You’re going to want to cover a lot of ground to make the most of your Osaka one day itinerary!

• Visit Osaka Castle
• Admire the Shitennō-ji Temple
• Marvel at the Osaka Aquarium
• Shopping and dining in Kita

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous buildings in Japan, thanks to its distinctive architecture and its significance in history.

You can’t miss it if you’re looking for what to do in Osaka for a day.

The castle was built in 1583 by the famous warrior and samurai, Toyotomi Hideyoshi who hoped to reunify Japan.

It was reconstructed in 1931 after having been almost destroyed by fire.

Inside, the castle is very modern (it even has an elevator!), however, it has many of its traditional features such as the deep moat and beautiful gardens.

Osaka Castle is undoubtedly one of the most popular stops during an Osaka one-day tour .

Address: 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan | Phone Number: +81-6-6941-3044 | Entry Fee: ¥600 (free for under 15s) free with the Osaka Amazing Pass . 

Osaka Castle might be old, but Shitennō-ji is really old. It’s also one of the most significant Buddhist sites in Osaka, and an easy walk from Osaka Castle.

The foundation of the temple is more than 1400 years old, making it an incredible piece of Osaka’s history and one of the very oldest temples in Japan.

It’s well worth a quick stop on your Osaka itinerary.

Address: 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 543-0051, Japan | Phone Number: +81 6-6771-0066 | Entry Fee: ¥300 or free with the Osaka Amazing Pass . 

Visiting the Osaka Aquarium is a must-do if you are looking for what to do in Osaka.

The aquarium is widely considered to be one of the very best in the world and is one of the few aquariums that have whale sharks.

The sight of these beautiful creatures swimming gracefully is sure to be a highlight of your Osaka one day itinerary!

There are so many other marine animals as well, including stingrays, otters and an amazing variety of tropical fish.

Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0022, Japan | Phone Number: +81-6-6576-5501 | Entry Fee: ¥2300 (adults), ¥1200 (7 – 15), ¥600 (4 – 6), 3 and under free. Book your Osaka Aquarium tickets online to avoid the queues. 

Osaka’s shopping is amazing, so resign yourself to dropping some yen on souvenirs.

There are lots of shopping hotspots and you’ll find plenty of great shops around the hub of Kita (also known as Umeda) selling everything from ultra-chic clothing to souvenirs and electronics.

Tenjimbashi-suji Shopping Street in Kita is the longest shopping arcade in Osaka and close to the Kid’s Plaza Osaka, which is great fun if you’re travelling with little ones.

Address: Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 532-0011, Japan | Entry Fee: free to look!

There is so much amazing food in the city but if you only have time for an Osaka one-day trip, then you’re best off going for the absolute classic: sushi and sashimi.

If you want to treat yourself, book a table at the two Michelin-starred Tenjinbashi Aoki  but make sure you well book ahead as this small restaurant is extremely popular. 

A cheaper option is Harukoma honten (along Tenjinbashi Shopping Street), which is casual and friendly and a lot easier on the wallet!

Osaka 2 Day Itinerary

If you’ve got two days in Osaka, pick up an Osaka two-day pass to save money and see the top sights.

• Watch the sun come up at Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Visit the Central Fish Market
• Go sky-high on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel
• Take in the pop culture of the Minami District

The beautiful Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine is one of the oldest in the country and a great addition to any Osaka, Japan tour.

It was built around 211 and its architectural style is uniquely Japanese, with no outside influence, which is why it’s considered one of the most significant shrines in Japan.

The shrine is beautiful at any time of day but for a magical atmosphere, get there at sunrise (it opens at 6 am) when there are no crowds.

Address: 2 Chome-9-8-9 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 558-0045, Japan | Phone Number: +81 6-6672-0753 | Entry Fee: free

Osaka is a foodie’s paradise by the sea and to see where some of the city’s best produce is traded, head to the Osaka Central Fish Market.

If you don’t mind a very early start, there is an exuberant tuna auction every day at 4.15 am.

It’s amazing to see so many bidders vying for the best tuna which is destined to become the best sashimi in Osaka.

You can go alone but booking a tour is recommended to find out more about the history and significance of the market.

Address: 1 Chome-1-8-6 Noda, Fukushima Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 553-0005, Japan | Phone Number: +81 6-6469-7955 | Entry Fee: free

Right next to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium you’ll find the Tempozan Ferris Wheel standing at more than 110 metres high.

Hop aboard and you’ll be rewarded with amazing views out over Osaka from the Ferris wheel. It’s especially beautiful at night when it is lit up in neon colours!

Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 052-0022, Japan | Phone Number: +81 6-6576-6222 | Entry Fee: ¥800 or free with the Osaka Amazing Pass .

The city’s second busiest area is definitely a place to spend some time if you are looking for what to see in Osaka.

Also known as “South”, Minami is a young and vibrant area that’s filled with quirky shops and places to visit such as Dotonbori for its neon lights and glitzy giant signs. 

Amerikamura is Osaka’s answer to Harajuku and Den-Den town is famous for manga, anime and electronics shops.

It’s definitely worth including Minami on your Osaka itinerary!

Here are some fun and quirky experiences in Osaka:

• Ninja workshop: Dress up as a ninja and learn to fight  
• Samurai Cafe: See a show at the Samurai Cafe
• Maid Cafe: Experience the entertainment and attentive service

Minami has so many fantastic restaurants, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy yet another amazing meal in Osaka.

If you’re looking for another classic Japanese dish, try the shabu shabu (a traditional Japanese hotpot) at Hariju , which has a great menu and traditional decor. 

Fugu (pufferfish) is another specialty to try in Osaka and can only be prepared by chefs who are licenced to serve the dish, such as Zuboraya in Namba . Despite being known for its toxic poison, tetrodotoxin, fugu has been a delicacy in Japan for hundreOkonomiyaki 

Osaka 3 Day Itinerary

An Osaka itinerary for 3 days allows you a bit more time see some of the city’s hidden gems. 

• Visit Munoh Falls
• Explore Expo City
• Take in the view from the sky

With three days in Osaka, it’s time to head out and see some of the sights away from downtown, such as Munoh (or Minoo) Falls.

Although damaged by the typhoon, this beautiful area has been reopened and is a lovely place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Walk through the dense jungle to a gorgeous waterfall, which is especially beautiful in spring and autumn.

Address: 1-18 Minookoen, Minoh, Osaka Prefecture 562-0002, Japan | Phone Number: +81 72-721-3014 | Entry Fee: free to enter

One of the newer additions to ever-growing Osaka, Expo City offers plenty to see, eat, buy and do.

You can easily spend an afternoon checking out all the attractions.

It’s especially beautiful in cherry blossom season (late March/early April), but it’s fun all year round.

It’s also home to a slightly terrifying Ferris wheel, which is Japan’s tallest and the bottom of the gondolas are glass!

It’s on the Osaka Monorail so be sure to check it out.

Address: 565-0826 2-1 Senribampakukoen, Suita-shi, Osaka, Japan | Phone Number: +81 06-6170-5590  | Entry Fee: free to Expo City, ¥1000 for the Ferris wheel, which is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass . 

Once you’ve visited Osaka by day, it’s time to check it out at night!

There are several observation decks in Osaka but the most impressive one is the Abeno Harukas building, which at 300m is the tallest skyscraper in Japan.

The observation deck is on the 58th to 60th floors and, as you can imagine, the views over Osaka are mindblowing. 

Another option is the Kuchu Teien Observatory (170m) in the Umeda Sky Building, which is free for holders of the Osaka Amazing Pass .  

A ddress: 1 Chome-1-4-3 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 545-0052, Japan | Phone Number: +81 6-6621-0300 | Entry Fee: ¥1500 (adults), ¥1200 (12 – 17), ¥700 (6 – 11), ¥500 (4-5). Click here to book your ticket . 

If you visit Minoo Park during autumn, try the region’s specialty: Momiji tempura.

Basically, it’s deep-fried leaf – give it a go and see what you think! Also try Takoyaki, Osaka’s most famous street food.

Another favourite in Osaka is Okonomiyaki, a special type of pancake, easily found in local eateries. 

Osaka 4 Day Itinerary

The most fun way to spend the day in Osaka is a trip to Universal Studios Japan. If you’re travelling with kids, there’s no way you will get away with not going to USJ but it’s worth going even if you’re not on a family trip. 

• Let your inner child loose at Universal Studios!

Universal Studios Japan

With four days in Osaka, you have the chance to let your inner child free at Universal Studios Japan (USJ).

This theme park is all about bringing your favourite movies to life and is full of fun attractions. 

You can get there by catching a JR train in Osaka but note that some passes do not include the ticket to USJ.

Once you arrive, you’ll be ready for a fun-filled day eating in themed cafes, meeting famous characters and being thrilled on all kinds of rides.

At the top of the list, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an amazingly realistic recreation of the set that will enthral fans of the books or movies.

1- Buy a 1-day e-ticket online before you go: This standard ticket allows you entry into the park without having to line up. Click here to buy a 1-day e-ticket . 

2- Grab a VIP Wristband for Harry Potter World: The USJ VIP Wristband offers fast-tracked entry to Harry Potter World, allowing you to be first in line for the rides!  Click here to buy your VIP wristband !

3- Purchase a 7 Ride Express Pass: Skip the lines on 7 popular rides in the park with this express pass. Waiting times for rides can be over an hour so this pass will save you time. Click here to buy your USJ 7 Ride Express Pass . 

Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan | Phone Number: +81 570-200-606 | Entry Fee: ¥7315 (adults), ¥5000 (children under 12)

There are some great themed restaurants within USJ, where you’ll feel like you’re dining in your favourite movie!

Try the butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

BOOK UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Osaka 5 Day Itinerary 

• Spa World hot spring theme park
• Shopping at Kuromon Market

By now you’ve probably done enough walking to through your Fitbit steps off the Richter scale, so, a few hours at Spa World is a relaxing way to rejuvenate those tired muscles. 

Osaka’s Spa World is a spa theme park with two zones (European and Asian) offering 20 themed baths and saunas from around the world. 

Besides three types of Japanese onsen (a Japanese Hinoki Bath and two outdoor baths), there’s a Finnish sauna house, Blue Grotto designed to resemble the island of Capri, an ancient Roman jacuzzi and Greek herbal bath. 

Address: 3-4-24 Ebisu-higashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi

One of the largest and oldest markets in western Japan, Osaka’s Kuromon Market has over 180 stores.

With a history going back 190 years, this market is always packed with locals doing their grocery shopping while many restaurant chefs shop for produce and ingredients here too. 

Wander around, look at the sights and hear the cacophony of sounds at the market or join a guided tour to learn about the history and food culture in Osaka. Click here to book a Kuromon market tour . 

Address:1 Chome-5 Nipponbashi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0073

Given the size of the city, choosing where to stay during your Osaka travel itinerary can be a challenge. You might have even read “where to stay in Osaka” blogs, and found they all have different opinions.

This is because choosing the best place to stay largely comes down to personal preference.

Whether you like to be right in the heart of the action or tucked away in a local’s corner, will make a big difference.

Osaka is a good base from which to travel to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. Plus, it’s a beautiful, vibrant city with so much going on.

Here are some areas to stay in Osaka.

Kita is an extremely convenient and central place to stay in Osaka as you’ll never be far from the main Osaka train lines.

Also close to some of the city’s best shops, food and nightlife, if you want to be right in the heart of the action of Osaka then Kita is a great choice.

Compare prices and read reviews at Tripadvisor and check the latest prices at Bookings.com .  

After Kita, Minami (or “South”) is the next main area in Osaka.

Like Kita, it enjoys excellent public transport, being a hub for the main Osaka railway lines and it’s easy to do all of your Osaka sightseeing from Minami.

Plus, it offers plenty of amazing restaurants, bars and shopping, as well as high-quality hotels. 

Although Shin-Osaka is a little bit further away from the heart of downtown Osaka, its convenience for Osaka trains makes it a great pick.

This area also has plenty of amenities such as restaurants and shops.

If you are planning to do a lot of day tours from Osaka and out beyond the city, then the fact it is so well located for the JR train in Osaka – and private rail lines – is a real benefit of Shin Osaka.

If you’re planning a trip to Osaka on a budget, then the up-and-coming Tennoji area might be the perfect place to stay.

While it’s a little rougher than some of the other options on this list, it is still extremely safe and there are lots of great restaurants, shops and bars.

It’s got a fun, youthful energy that makes it perfect for your Osaka budget trip! 

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Osaka (���, Ōsaka) is Japan's second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo . It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region for many centuries. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period , when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor , Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle , and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and established his government in distant Edo (Tokyo) .

Top attractions in Osaka

Universal Studios ••

Minami (Namba)

Osaka Aquarium •

Tenjin Matsuri •

Osaka Castle •

Sumiyoshi Taisha •

Museum of History •

Shinsekai •

Shitennoji Temple •

Abeno Harukas •

Kita (Umeda)

Osaka Station City •

Bunraku Theater

National Art Museum

Umeda Sky Building

Kuromon Market

Osaka Expo 70 Park

Science Museum

Grand Front Osaka

Asahi Suita Brewery

Kyoto •••

Mount Koya •••

Nara •••

Kinosaki ••

Himeji ••

Kobe •

Osaka by interest.

Getting there and around

Itinerary ideas.

• Nostalgic Shinsekai
• Shopping arcades and food markets
• Bustling Dotonbori

• Outstanding museums
• Osaka Castle and its extensive grounds
• Ancient temples and shrines

• Famous Osaka Castle
• Japan's tallest skyscraper Abeno Harukas
• Namba entertainment district

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Osaka tourist guide, hotels around osaka, osaka hotel guide.

How to choose the best places to stay in Osaka

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16 Best Day Trips from Osaka

Home » Blog » Japan » 16 Best Day Trips from Osaka

With lots of accommodation and transportation options, Osaka makes a perfect home base for exploring this part of Japan. These day trips from Osaka are packed with history, culture, nature, and culinary adventures, all within a couple hours of the city.

As Japan’s third largest city , Osaka earns a top spot on many traveler’s itineraries. And with its vibrant nightlife, abundant street food, and laid-back locals, there are so many exciting things to do in Osaka that you could easily spend your whole trip here.

But if you’re visiting Osaka, we highly recommend taking advantage of Japan’s world-class transportation infrastructure to explore further. Ancient cities, woodland temples, floating castles, and therapeutic hot springs are just a hop, skip, and jump away.

For each of these day trips from Osaka, we’re listing the top sights and activities to base your itinerary on. We’re also giving directions, whether you’re using public transportation or you have your own set of wheels.

Day trips from Osaka Guide

For more tips and advice for traveling around Osaka, jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).

• Top day trips from Osaka
• Getting around Japan by train
• Renting a car in Osaka
• Round up of day trips from Osaka

Top recommended day trips from Osaka

If you’re looking for the absolute best day trips from Osaka, here are our top recommendations: 

• Himeji Castle

Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these destinations and more ideas for fun day trips from Osaka. 

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, we have the ultimate resource for you!

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Before we get to the good stuff, we have a few helpful resources we want to share with you…

Traveling around Japan by train 

Japan’s railway system is known around the world for being clean, fast, and efficient. Between the famous Shinkansen bullet trains, regional rails, and local metros, most of the major tourist destinations in Japan are accessible by train.

The only major downfall about the trains in Japan is that a single ride can be expensive. Depending on where you’re going, it can be very expensive.

But you know us; we love finding sneaky ways to travel (even notoriously expensive countries) on a budget. And we love sharing our secrets with you, so here it is: our VERY detailed guide to train travel in Japan .

Want more tips on traveling Japan on a budget? We have a few practical money-saving tricks up our sleeves that you’ll definitely want to save!

Getting a rental car in Osaka

Having your own vehicle when visiting Japan will give you a lot more freedom to explore the best day trips from Osaka. 

We personally like using Booking.com (formerly RentalCars.com) when we rent vehicles around the world, as they gather options from all sorts of rental companies in one place. It makes it really easy to compare prices and vehicles so you can determine which is the best option for you.

Search & Compare Rental Car Prices

• Discover Cars : We personally use this aggregate site to compare rental car prices from all the big name companies and get the best price possible. 
• Booking.com :  We’ve had good experiences finding rental cars with this site (formerly RentalCars.com) in the past. 

Before you book, be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Japan . It’s packed with things you need to know before you get behind the wheel, as well as insider tips to help you feel confident on the road.

Now let’s get to it, shall we…

1. Minoo Park

• At a glance: Lush park with walking path to a stunning waterfall
• Distance from Osaka: 20.7 km / 12.9 miles
• Time: 45 minute train ride / 27 minutes driving

After a couple days of weaving through crowded city streets in Osaka, we were craving some time in nature. We did a little research and found that just 45 minutes north of the city center sits a nature lover’s oasis.

With a paved walking path that leads through forested mountains to a waterfall, this park is a popular spot for local couples and families to escape city life for part of a day. 

We visited Minoo on a holiday weekend, and while it was busy with locals, it wasn’t too crowded. Plus, we only spotted a handful of other foreigners, so it felt more like a hidden gem and less like a tourist trap.

Good to know: It’s free to enter the park, but the train to get to Minoo Park is not covered in the JRail Pass . A return trip from Osaka Station costs 540 yen per person. You’ll also want to budget a bit of money for lunch or snacks along the way.

Top things to do in Minoh Park

We have a complete Minoo Park day trip guide , but here are  few top highlights:

• Follow the path to Minoo Waterfall. The paved walking path is mostly flat(ish), making it a great option for families with small children and strollers. It takes around 45 minutes to get to the waterfall, which marks the end of the path. You’ll find snack vendors as well as a few restrooms along the way.
• We’d recommend finding a stand where they are making them fresh instead of just buying a bag on display.
• Explore Ryuan-ji Temple , a peaceful Buddhist site known as the birthplace of the lottery in Japan.
• Choose a more challenging hiking trail that takes you off the paved walking path and deeper into the forest.
• Discover the insectarium , a small museum showcasing a diverse collection of both biological specimens and living insects, including a butterfly garden.

How to get there

By train: From the Osaka-Umeda Station (near Osaka Station), take the Hankyu-Takarazuka Line (best if it is the Express Train because it makes fewer stops). Change trains at Ishibashi Handai-mae Station and get on the Hankyu-Mino Line heading to Minoo. The whole trip takes about 45 minutes.

By car: It’s a very straightforward drive from Osaka to Minoh Park via Route 423. Take the left exit at Hakushima 2-chōme intersection and follow signs for Route 43 toward Katsuoji Temple/Mino Park.

• At a glance: Cultural capital of Japan with tons of famous sights
• Distance from Osaka: 55.6 km / 34.5 miles
• Time: 13 minute train ride / 54 minutes driving

Kyoto is one of the most popular cities to visit in Japan, and for good reason. 

With historic districts like Gion and Higashiyama, famously beautiful streets like Pontocho Alley, and iconic landmarks like Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Fushimi Inari gates, a day trip to Kyoto deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Top things to do in Kyoto

We have a whole guide to the best things to do in Kyoto , but here are a few highlights that can easily be done on a day trip:

• See the orange gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine , one of the most iconic sights in Japan. Following the pathway through thousands of orange torii gates as sunlight streams through the spaces between them is a truly magical experience that we can’t quite describe.
• Explore the historic districts of Gion and Higashiyama. Gion is famously known as the “Geisha District” and one of the best places to spot the renowned Japanese performance artists. Higashiyama is perhaps the best preserved part of Kyoto, full of traditional wood shops, cafes, and restaurants.
• Insider Tip: This bamboo grove nearby is smaller but way less crowded, and we actually liked it better!
• Walk the Philosopher’s Path , a trail of stone steps laid by Japan’s famed philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, which connects the temples of Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Eikan-do/Zenrin-ji, and Nanzen-ji.
• Photograph the famous Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) , a dazzling Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf and set in a beautiful lakeside garden.

By train: The quickest way to get from Osaka to Kyoto is on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen–Nozomi 200 Nozomi Tokyo, which departs from Shin-Osaka Station every 9 minutes and takes only 13 minutes to arrive at Kyoto Station. Individual fare is ¥3,280 (~$22 USD), or free with your JR Pass. Alternatively, the regular Tokaido-Sanyo Line takes 42 minutes and costs ¥580 (~$4 USD).

By car: There are a couple of different routes you can take from Osaka to Kyoto and they both take roughly 50-55 minutes.

• Take Route 13 out of Osaka and get on the Dainikeihan Expressway, following signs for Hirakata/Kyoto City.
• Take Route 11 out of Osaka and follow the Meishin Expressway to Kyoto City.

By guided tour: This highly-rated tour is packed with Kyoto’s top highlights, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Enjoy a traditional Kyoto tofu dish for lunch included in your tour.

3. Hiroshima

• At a glance: Vibrant city with tragic historical significance
• Distance from Osaka: 336 km / 209 miles
• Time: 1 hour 25 minute train ride / 4.5 hours driving

The name Hiroshima is known around the globe for one terrible reason: ground zero for the world’s first nuclear attack.

On August 6, 1945, the United States detonated the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima , instantly killing 80,000 people and flattening 90% of the city. Tens of thousands more died of radiation exposure and cancer in the years following the blast.

If you have limited time in Hiroshima, we recommend visiting the Peace Park and touring the Peace Memorial Museum. This can take about half a day and is totally doable on your own since there are lots of English signs.

As you can imagine, this is heavy stuff. But it’s incredibly important for people to see places like this in order to better understand our world history, to pay respects to lives lost, and to move forward without repeating the mistakes of our past.

If you have extra time, we highly recommend exploring more of the city. Hiroshima has a palpable energy and a spirit of resilience that is deeply moving, and there are lots of fun things to do.

Top things to do in Hiroshima

We have a detailed guide for the perfect Hiroshima day trip from Osaka , but here are a few top recommendations:

• Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and learn all about the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. 
• Tour Hiroshima Peace Park. This open-air park is dedicated to all victims of the atomic bomb and contains a number of monuments, art installations, and memorials.
• Pay your respects at the Children’s Peace Monument , filled with paper cranes and dedicated to all the children who lost their lives to the attack.
• See the Atomic Bomb Dome , one of the only structures left standing after the blast.
• Insider Tip: Nagataya makes the best okonomiyaki and is conveniently located just steps away from the Peace Park.
• Explore Hiroshima Castle , a replica of the 1590s original (which was destroyed by the atomic bomb). You can wander the grounds for free, or pay ¥370 (~$2.50 USD) to enter the keep, which contains museum exhibits and an observation deck.
• Take the ferry to Miyajima Island. Known for its picturesque “floating” torii gate, wild deer, and views from Mount Misen, this small island is worth a visit. Bonus: the ferry to Miyajima Island is covered by the JR pass!

By train: The quickest way to get from Osaka to Hiroshima is on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen–Mizuho 601 Mizuho Kagoshimachuo, which takes about 1 hour 25 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station. Individual fare is ¥11,150 (~$74 USD), or free with your JR Pass.

By car: If you have a rental car in Japan, you’ll have a straightforward journey from Osaka to Hiroshima via major highways and expressways. The drive is about 4 hours and 40-45 minutes one-way.

By guided tour: Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima and tour the city by bus on this guided day trip . Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and other important historical sites before enjoying specialty okonomiyaki for lunch. Afterwards, explore the island of Miyajima before returning to Osaka.

• At a glance: Ancient capital famous for its wild deer population
• Distance from Osaka: 32 km / 20 miles
• Time: 50 minute train ride / 31 minutes driving

​​Nara is a region full of cultural treasures. The city was the first capital of Japan from the years 710 to 794 and there are plenty of stunning temples and shrines to explore.

But the main reason tourists flock to Nara is for the adorable, friendly deer that populate the city. Believed to be messengers of the gods in the traditional Shinto religion, the Sika deer are considered sacred and are allowed to roam freely among the city streets, parks, and temples.

All around Nara Park, you’ll see vendors selling crackers for tourists to feed to the deer. This has been going on so long that the deer have actually learned to bow to humans in exchange for food. So if you want to channel your inner Snow White and get friendly with some deer, a day trip to Nara is a must.

Note: On our first trip to Nara, we decided not to feed the deer, but we did buy a few crackers when we returned with our daughter in 2023. As with any animal encounter, we recommend doing a little research and making your own observations before deciding whether or not to partake. Our Nara deer park guide is a great place to start!

Top things to do in Nara

We’ve curated the perfect Nara day trip itinerary , including these highlights:

• Meet the famous “bowing deer” at Nara Park. The 1,000-plus small, spotted Sika deer that live within the Nara city limits are not shy of humans, and you’ll feel like a real-life Disney princess with them following you around.
• Get off the main walking street and explore deeper into Nara’s parks and temples, where you’ll find fewer crowds and deer that aren’t surrounded by selfie sticks.
• Crawl through “Buddha’s Nostril” at Tōdai-ji Temple. The hole carved through the pillar is supposedly the same size as Buddha’s nostrils on the bronze statue for which this temple is famous. Crawling through is said to bring enlightenment in the next life.
• Try freshly-made mochi at the famous Nakatanidou .
• Visit a Japanese garden. We recommend Yoshikien Garden, as it is free for all foreign visitors. It’s located next to the larger and more famous Isuien Garden, which is particularly beautiful in autumn.
• Explore Naramachi , an area in town where streets retain their historic charm.

By train: The most direct route from Osaka to Nara is via the Osaka Loop Line–Yamatoji-Rapid Nara, which departs Osaka Station every 15 minutes. Stay on the same train until you reach Nara Station (about 50 minutes / 12 stops). The fare is ¥820 (~$5 USD).

By car: Osaka to Nara is an easy 30-minute drive via Routes 13 and 163.

By guided tour: This sightseeing tour from Osaka makes stops in both Kyoto and Nara. In Nara Park, you’ll have a chance to meet the famous wild deer and explore Todai-ji Temple. This tour also includes a buffet or beef shabu shabu lunch.

5. Himeji Castle

• At a glance: Hilltop complex widely recognized as Japan’s most spectacular castle
• Distance from Osaka: 94.4 km / 58.7 miles
• Time: 47 minute train ride / 1 hour 18 minutes driving

Known as one of Japan’s 12 original castles as it was never destroyed by earthquake, war, or fire, Himeji Castle is both a National Treasure and World Heritage Site.

It’s nicknamed the “White Heron Castle” due to its elegant white exterior and how it takes on the appearance of a bird taking flight.

The grounds consist of 83 buildings and more than a thousand cherry trees, making it a renowned location for hanami (flower-viewing) in the early spring. 

If you come for the cherry blossoms, be prepared for crowds. If your main goal is to explore the castle, we’d recommend visiting outside of sakura season to avoid wait times.

Good to know: A thorough visit through the castle takes 3-4 hours. Admission is ¥1,000 (~$6.75 USD) for the castle or ¥1,050 for both the castle and Kokoen Garden. 

Top things to do in Himeji Castle

• Explore the castle keep. The 600-year-old seven-story castle offers spectacular views over Himeji from the top floor. Take a tour or make sure you have a map on hand – the labyrinth of passages connecting the castle buildings was specifically designed to confuse enemy intruders.
• Wander through Kokoen Garden. This series of 9 separate, walled gardens display different styles of the Edo period. The reflecting ponds, cascading waterfalls, swaying bamboo, and colorful flowers create a serene atmosphere that beautifully illustrates the changing of Japan’s seasons.
• Glide around the castle’s inner moat in a traditional Japanese boat. Boat tours are seasonal and operate only on weekends.

By train: You can either take the Tokaido-Sanyo Line Special Rapid Himeji or the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station. The regular train costs ¥1,520 (~$10 USD) and takes 1 hour 8 minutes, while the bullet train takes 28 minutes and costs ¥4,130 (~$28 USD).

From Himeji Station to the castle is about a 20 minute walk, or you can take a local bus.

By car: The drive from Osaka to Himeji Castle is about 1 hour and 18 minutes via major highways and expressways.

By guided tour: Entry to Himeji Castle is included in this tour , which combines 3 of the top day trips from Osaka for a jam-packed day of sightseeing.

• At a glance: Cosmopolitan port city home to world-famous beef
• Distance from Osaka: 33.6 km / 21 miles
• Time: 12 minute train ride / 33 minutes driving

Situated between the mountains and the bay, the port city of Kobe is one of the most convenient day trips from Osaka.

Kobe is best known, of course, for its namesake beef, infamous for its high price tag. Strictly regulated by the Japanese government, fewer than 4,000 cattle meet the requirements to earn the name “Kobe beef” each year. A steak at a premium restaurant can cost as much as ¥30,000 – a whopping $200 USD. That’s a lot of moo-la (see what I did there?)!

Though often overshadowed by the bougie beef, Kobe also produces a quarter of the country’s sake. Japan’s famous rice alcohol can be served hot or cold and can cost anywhere from ¥1,500 to ¥10,000 ($10-70 USD).

Top things to do in Kobe

• Insider Tip: Look for restaurants with lunch menus, as they’re often cheaper than dinner.
• Glimpse the iconic Kobe Port Tower. Though currently closed for renovations with plans to reopen in 2025, you can still enjoy the sight of the tower that defines Kobe’s skyline.
• Cruise Kobe Bay. There are several cruise operators around the port that offer boat tours around Kobe Bay.
• Ride the ropeway to Nunobiki Herb Gardens. This hillside oasis has 12 gardens showcasing about 200 varieties of herbs and flowers, totaling more than 75,000 blooms. Enjoy experiences like making your own fragrance or herb sachet, or soaking in a herbal footbath.
• Hike to Nunobiki Falls. About halfway up to the herb gardens, the Nunobiki Ropeway passes over a series of cascading waterfalls. There’s a hiking trail you can take back down past the falls to Shin-Kobe Station (as long as you’re not carrying too many herb souvenirs). The trail is about 1.7 km one-way and takes about 30 minutes.
• Taste sake in Nada-Gogo , one of the best-known sake regions in Japan that has been in the game for almost 7 centuries. Lots of the sake breweries offer tastings and tours, sometimes with English options.
• Wander the historic Kitano district , an area with well-preserved Western-style residences and stylish cafes and restaurants. This area highlights the city’s international influence.
• Score some deals at Sanda Outlets , a collection of factory stores from popular brands and high-end designers.

By train: The quickest way to get from Osaka to Kobe is on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen going toward Mizuho 601 Mizuho Kagoshimachuo. It takes only 12 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station and the fare is ¥3.470 (~$23 USD), or free with your JR Pass. Alternatively, the Tokaido-Sanyo Line–Local Nishi-Akashi train from Osaka Station to Sannomiya Station is 35 minutes for ¥420 (~$3 USD).

By car: Take Route 3 heading north out of Osaka. Stay on Route 3 all the way to Kobe.

By guided tour: Experience the highlights of Kobe on this full-day tour . Wander the seaside promenade at Kobe Port and take in the historical architecture of Kitano Ijinkan Street. This robust tour also includes visits to Arima Onsen and Mount Rokko (#7 and #14 on this list of day trips from Osaka).

7. Koyasan / Kumano Kodo

• At a glance: Sacred mountain and starting point of Japan’s ancient pilgrimage trail
• Distance from Osaka: 89.4 km / 55.6 miles
• Time: 2 hour train ride / 1 hour 33 minutes driving

Koyasan (or Mount Koya) is a secluded temple town nestled in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Dotted with ancient Buddhist relics, vegetarian eateries, and temple stays, a day trip to Koyasan offers a peaceful escape from bustling Osaka.

Koyasan serves as a gateway to the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage trail that brings hikers to small villages, past picturesque farmsteads and historic shrines, and through giant cedar forests. 

The Kumano Kodo is utterly enchanting and one of our absolute favorite things we’ve done in Japan (and we’ve been here 3 times!). You won’t be able to do the whole hike on a day trip, but if you’re intrigued and want to know more, check out our full Kumano Kodo guide .

Top things to do in Koyasan / Kumano Kodo

• Hike Kumano Kodo , an ancient pilgrimage trail that weaves through remote mountains and tiny villages where you can stay at traditional guesthouses. (Again, not day trip material, but soooo worth an extra few days in your itinerary!)
• Extend your visit to include a temple stay. FYI, a “temple stay” doesn’t exactly mean staying with monks; it’s more or less a stay at a ryokan with Buddhist vegetarian meals and a chance to observe monks in their morning ritual. Still a memorable experience!
• Explore Okunoin Cemetery , the largest cemetery in Japan and the holiest site in Koyasan. Hundred year old cyprus trees and more than 200,000 tombstones line the path to where Kobo Daishi (the founder of Shingon Buddhism) rests in eternal meditation.
• Visit Kongobu-ji , the head temple of Shingon Buddhism and location of Banryutei, Japan’s most expansive rock garden.
• Participate in Buddhist ceremonies and practices , such as meditation, forest therapy, flower arrangement, or shakyo (hand-copying scripts called sutras ).
• Savor the unique culinary experience of shojin ryori , the vegetarian cuisine of Buddhist monks.

By train: To get to Koyasan by train from Osaka, you’ll need to take the Nankai-Koya Line Express Gokurakubashi from Shin-Imamiya Station to Gokurakubashi Station. 

From Gokurakubashi Station, take the Nankai Koyasan Cable to Koyasan Station, where you’ll then catch the 21 Koyasannai Line bus Okunoin-mae via Ichinohashi-guchi.

The entire trip from Osaka to Koyasan takes about 2 hours. Note that the Nankai trains are not covered by the JR Pass , but the fares are affordable. The whole journey sums ¥1,790, about $12 USD.

By car: Head east on Route 13 out of Osaka. At the interchange Higashiosaka JCT, follow signs for Kinki Expressway toward Matsubara/Wakayama. After about 34 km, take exit Kishiwada-Izumi IC toward Kishiwada/Izumi, then turn left onto 230. Turn right at the next set of traffic lights.

Drive for 3 km, then turn left onto 170, following signs for Kawachinagano. After 2.1 km, turn right onto 480, following signs for Chichioni. Stay on 480 for 13 km, then turn left onto 125, following signs for Hashimoto/Route 24.

Continue onto National Route 480, making a right at Kasada Higashi intersection to stay on Route 480 (follow signs for Ryujin/Koya/The World Heritage/Niutsuhimejinja Shrine). Turn right again at Yatate intersection, staying on Route 480 with signs for Ryujin/Town Central Koya.

After 7.2 km, make a left on 53 into Koyasan.

By guided tour: This private day trip offers an intimate experience for you and your group. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you on a cable car ride and walking tour of Mt. Koya, sharing stories and history not found in any guidebooks. 

8. Arima Onsen

• At a glance: One of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot spring towns
• Distance from Osaka: 38.7 km / 24 miles
• Time: 58 minute train ride / 34 minutes driving

Nestled in the mountains near Kobe, Arima Onsen is a charming resort town famous for its historic hot springs. Its proximity to Kobe and Osaka make it a popular day trip or weekend getaway for locals and tourists alike.

The therapeutic waters of Arima Onsen can be found in two types of natural hot springs—gold and silver—each boasting unique mineral properties believed to have healing powers. 

Kinsen (“gold water”) is high in iron, giving it its distinct golden-brown color. These springs are supposed to help with skin conditions and sore muscles. Ginsen (“silver water”) is said to treat muscle and joint pain with deposits of radium and carbonate.

The town of Arima Onsen is developed but compact, and most attractions are within walking distance of one another. We recommend seeing any sights you want to see before hitting the hot springs to relax your tired muscles.

That or, you know, just onsen-hopping the whole day…

Top things to do in Arima Onsen

• Soak in a traditional hot spring at one of the public bath houses, or find a ryokan with an onsen that is open to day-trippers.
• Hit the trails and enjoy alpine scenery, mountaintop temples, and observation decks with sweeping views.
• Treat your feet at Taiko no Ashiyu. This foot bath is free to use and is said to help with bruises as well as muscle and joint pain – especially nice after a hike!
• Enjoy the serenity of Atagoyama Park , with plum trees blooming in early spring, magnolias in early April, and a viewpoint overlooking the steamy hot spring town.
• Find the waterfall in Tsuzumigataki Park , named for the sound’s resemblance to the beating of a small drum.
• Stroll along Taiko-dori , the town’s main street lined with cute shops.

By train: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Hikari 591 Hikari Hakata to Shin-Kobe Station. Next, take the Hokushin Line to Tanigami Station. From there, take the Kobe-Dentetsu Arima Line to Arimaonsen Station.

Note: the last leg of this journey from Tanigami to Arimaonsen Station is not covered by the JR pass and costs about ¥410 (~$2.75 USD).

By car: The drive from Osaka to Arima Onsen takes a little over half an hour and is pretty straightforward. Take Route 11 northbound out of Osaka and exit Ikeda toward Chugoku Expressway. Continue onto National Route 176.

At the interchange Nishinomiya-Yamaguchi JCT, follow signs for Hanshin Expressway No.7 Kitakobe Route toward Central Kobe. Continue onto Route 7, then take exit Nishinomiyayamaguchi-Minami toward Arima Onsen. Continue straight on 98 to your destination.

By guided tour: On this full-day tour , a visit to Arima Onsen is bookended with the iconic Himeji Castle and Mount Rokko (#4 and #14 on this list of day trips from Osaka). Note that entry to the hot spring is not included in the booking fee.

9. Takeda Castle ruins

• At a glance: Mountaintop archaeological site that appears to float amongst the clouds
• Distance from Osaka: 126 km / 78.3 miles
• Time: 2 hour 31 minute train ride / 1 hour 46 minutes driving

When the fog rolls in on Takeda Castle on early autumn mornings, the mountaintop ruins appear to float amongst the clouds, giving it the nickname of “Castle in the Sky”.

Also known as “Japan’s Machu Picchu”, Takeda Castle was originally built in 1411 and abandoned in the early 1600s. No buildings are left standing, but the foundations were restored in the 1970s-80s and opened for tourism.

Walking around the stone foundations gives you a good idea of the castle’s layout while treating you to panoramic mountain vistas.

To see the famous illusion of the floating castle, your best bet is a sunrise visit in October or November. The most popular view is from Ritsuunkyo, about a 10-minute drive from Asago town center. From the parking lot, hike 10-40 minutes up the trail to observation decks 1 and 2 for the best views.

Top things to do in Takeda Castle ruins

• View the famous “floating castle in the sky” from the Ritsuunkyo viewpoints on the mountain slopes opposite the ruins. The sea of clouds appears about once every 3 days on early autumn mornings. Visitors are asked to pay a ¥300 environmental fee (~$2 USD).
• Hike the scenic trails from Takeda Station to the mountaintop castle.
• Explore the castle ruins and enjoy majestic mountain views. Note that the ruins are closed to the public in January and February.

By train: Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station, then transfer to Hamakaze 1 Limited Express Tottori to Takeda Station. From there you can take a bus to the castle ruins, but it’s quicker to take a taxi. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike up to the ruins on one of two trails behind Takeda Station.

By car: Take Route 11 northbound out of Osaka and get on the Chugoku Expressway. At the interchange Yokawa JCT, follow signs for Maizuru Wakasa Expressway toward Sanda-Nishi/Maizuru.

Stay on Expressway 27 until Kasuga Interchange, then continue onto Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway. Take exit Wadayama IC for Bantan Road toward Asago/Himeji. Follow signs for Route 312 and continue to your destination.

10. Lake Biwa

• At a glance: Largest lake in Japan with diverse ecosystem and unique lake culture
• Distance from Osaka: 63.8 km / 39.6 miles
• Time: 52 minute train ride / 53 minutes driving

Note: There are multiple towns around Lake Biwa you can visit, and time and distance from Osaka depend on which city you’re visiting. The above info is for Otsu, the closest Lake Biwa town to Osaka.

As Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa has 235 km (146 miles) of coastline with multiple towns and islands to explore.

Trying to narrow down what to do on a day trip can be overwhelming, but if you choose your activities carefully, it’s possible to combine a few in a day trip. It’s also easy to navigate from town to town, with JR rails encircling the entire lake.

Top things to do in Lake Biwa

• Get out on the water in Otsu. At the BSC Watersports Center, you can rent canoes, kayaks, or SUPs, or learn to sail or windsurf. Or, for something more relaxing, try a leisurely lake cruise.
• Have a beach day at Omi-Maiko. This 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) stretch of white sand is a popular spot in the summer for swimming, windsurfing, or lounging in the shade of the whispering pine trees.
• Spot the famous “floating” torii gate at Shirahige Shrine.
• Take a ferry to Chikubu Island. This sacred island with both a Buddhist temple and a Shinto shrine is known as “the Island of the Gods”. Each spiritual site has a different ritual that is said to bring good luck.
• Get your adrenaline pumping at Biwako Valley , a popular ski resort with breathtaking lake views. If you’re visiting in the summer, go for the views and ziplining, or try their “Skywalker” rope course.
• Explore the old town of Omihachiman , a former merchant hub on the ancient Nakasendo road connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. The well-preserved town features a picturesque canal and offers a glimpse into Japan’s feudal history.
• Visit Hikone Castle. The hilltop keep overlooking the lake has survived since 1622 and is one of only 5 castles in Japan listed as National Treasures.
• Wander the Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden. With a name meaning “water forest”, Mizu-no-mori displays aquatic plants in a tranquil setting. The Lotus Pavilion is the star of the show, where you can even try lotus-flavored ice cream or udon.
• Discover the Lake Biwa Museum and learn about the area’s history and wildlife through a series of interactive exhibits. Bilingual tours are available.

For a day trip from Osaka, we recommend focusing on one region of Lake Biwa and choosing 2-3 things to do in that area. So let’s break this down by region.

South Lake Biwa

Otsu, Moriyama

Situated in the southwest corner of Lake Biwa and just a 20-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, Otsu is the capital and largest city of Shiga Prefecture. Otsu is home to Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a famous “floating” hall built over the water. Otsu is also the location of the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival and a hub for water sports and lake cruises.

Moriyama is home to the Lake Biwa Museum and Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden. You can get from Otsu to Moriyama by the Ishiyama Sakamoto Line and the Tokaido-Sanyo Line.

West Lake Biwa

Shirahige Shrine, Omimaiko Beach, Biwako Valley

Some of the top sights on Lake Biwa are found on the west side between Otsu and Takashima. The JR Kosei Line runs right up the western shore from Otsukyo Station, granting easy access to all points of interest.

Get off at Omi-Maiko Station (30 minutes from Otsukyo Station) for the popular Omimaiko Beach or Omi-Takashima Station to get to Shirahige Shrine.

For Biwako Valley, take the Kosei Line to Shiga Station and make your way to the Biwako Valley Ropeway.

North Lake Biwa

Takashima, Nagahama, Chikubu Island

The Kosei Line from Otsu stops in Takashima and continues to Omi-Shiotsu Station, where you can transfer to the Hokuriku Line to Nagahama. Ferries run from Nagahama to Chikubu Island.

Alternatively, you can go the more adventurous route of crossing the lake by cruise from Takashima to Nagahama by way of Chibuku Island.

East Lake Biwa

Hikone, Omihachiman

From Otsu, transfer from the Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to the Tokaido-Sanyo Line, which makes stops in both Omihachiman and Hikone.

By train: Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station. Transfer to the Kosei Line to Otsukyo Station.

By car: Follow the Meishin Expressway to Kyoto-higashi Interchange. At the interchange, you can take Route 161 up the western side of Lake Biwa, where you’ll find Omimaiko Beach and Shirahige Shrine. 

Alternatively, take Route 1 to head toward Otsu. Off Route 1, Route 559 hugs the eastern shore of the lake and Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden, Fujigasakiryu Shrine, and Hikone Harbor.

By guided tour: New to Get Your Guide, this tour offers round-trip transportation from Osaka or Kyoto to the Miho Museum, Kyu-Chikurin-in, and Lake Biwa. Explore the Shirahige Shrine and its iconic torii gate that stands in the lake.

• At a glance: Historic city with green space and quirky attractions off the typical tourist path
• Distance from Osaka: 21.1 km / 13.1 miles
• Time: 29 minute train ride / 22 minutes driving

Often overlooked by visitors to Osaka, Ikeda makes for a fun and easy day trip with less tourist traffic.

A day trip to Ikeda offers cultural experiences with Edo-period entertainment arts, such as rakugo (comedic storytelling) and kabuki. You can see performances at the Rakugo Museum and Gofukuza Theater, respectively (but know that they’ll be performed in Japanese).

One of the coolest things to do in Ikeda is a visit to the Cupnoodles Museum, where you’ll learn all about the history and science of the globally-beloved convenience food. The museum features a tasting room with vending machines selling limited and rare flavors, as well as two “factories” where you can get creative and craft your own personalized cup of instant noodles or chicken ramen.

There are also opportunities for nature escapes in Ikeda, with parks, gardens, and hiking trails. Spring and autumn are especially beautiful times to visit to see cherry blossoms and fall foliage.

Top things to do in Ikeda

• Hours: opens at 9:30 a.m. with last admission at 3:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays and holidays.
• Admission: entrance to the museum is free. To make your own noodles costs ¥500 per cup, while the Chicken Ramen Factory is ¥1,000 per person. Reservations are required only for the Chicken Ramen Factory.
• Stroll Satsukiyama Park. Stretching halfway up Mt. Satsuki, the symbol of Ikeda, this park boasts hiking trails and an observation tower that offers sweeping views of Osaka. The park is also a popular spot for hanami (flower-viewing) with sakura in the spring and azaleas, (the official flower of Ikeda, in May.
• Visit Ikeda Shiroato Park, where you can see the remaining ruins of the original Ikeda Castle, as well as the reconstructed main keep.
• See a traditional Japanese performance of kabuki or rakugo at Gofukuza Theater or the Rakugo Museum.
• Catch a show by the Takarazuka Revue , an all-female theater troupe that performs Broadway-style productions at the Takarazuka Grand Theater, just a 30-minute train ride from downtown Ikeda.

By train: Take the Takarazuka Main Line from Osaka-Umeda to Ikeda Station.

By car: Stay on Route 11 heading north, then take Kawanishi-Obana toward Gofukubashi/National Route 176/Prefectural Route 13 and continue on Route 176 to Ikeda.

• At a glance: Picturesque riverside town known for its green tea
• Distance from Osaka: 45.1 km / 28 miles
• Time: 1 hour train ride / 47 minutes driving

Nestled between the more popular tourist destinations of Kyoto and Nara (#1 and #3 on this list), Uji makes a great choice for a day trip if you want a break from the big city crowds.

Uji is renowned for producing premium green tea of unmatched quality. You can take your pick of restaurants, traditional tea houses, and shops to taste the coveted drink, as well as a variety of matcha-flavored snacks and sweets, such as soba and ice cream. One place to try is Tseun, Japan’s oldest tea shop since 1160, which serves green tea parfaits and rice dumplings.

Aside from tea, Uji is most famous for its iconic Byodoin Temple. Built in 998, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stunning display of Buddhist Pure Land architecture surrounded by serene reflective ponds. The highlight is Phoenix Hall, which you might recognize if you have a ¥10 coin in your pocket.

The tranquil Uji River gently bisects the town. Lined with weeping willows, lush foliage, and cute shops, the riverfront is a lovely place for stroll. Be sure to stop at Uji Bridge, one of Japan’s oldest (though it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times). The bridge is famously connected to one of Japan’s most important literary works, the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji .

Top things to do in Uji

• Join a traditional tea ceremony at Taihoan tea house. The experience only costs ¥1,000 (about $7 USD) and includes a bowl of matcha and a Japanese sweet.
• Grind your own matcha at Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo workshop.
• Tour the famous Phoenix Hall at Byodoin Temple. Having never been destroyed by fire or other disasters, Phoenix Hall is one of few surviving Heian-period wooden structures. You can tour Byodoin Temple for ¥600 (~$4 USD) and Phoenix Hall for an additional ¥300.
• Cruise or stroll the Uji River. 
• Visit Ujigami Shrine , thought to be Japan’s oldest standing shrine.
• Explore Mimurotoji , known as the “flower temple” due to its beautiful gardens.

By train: Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station. Transfer to the Nara Line to Uji Station. 

By car: Follow Route 12 northeast out of Osaka. At Moriguchi JCT, follow signs for Kinki Expressway toward Daini Keihan Road. Stay on Kinki Expressway to Kadoma JCT and follow signs for Dainikeihan Expy/Hirakata/Kyoto City. Continue on Route 1. At Kumiyama JCT, follow signs for Keiji Bypass toward Meishin Expressway/Nagoya/Uji, then take exit Uji-nishi IC. Get on 241 and continue to Uji.

By guided tour: Visit Uji on this World Heritage Sites day tour . After experiencing the highlights of Kyoto (#1 on this list of day trips from Osaka), your guide will take you to Uji to explore the famous Byodoin Temple.

13. Wakayama

• At a glance: Sacred sites, beautiful beaches, and a unique local ramen style
• Distance from Osaka: 78.6 km / 48.8 miles
• Time: 1 hour 16 minute train ride / 1 hour 10 minutes driving

Enveloping the end of the Kii Peninsula, Wakayama Prefecture is known as the “Kingdom of Fruit” for the number of farms and orchards within its borders. With around 600 km (~373 miles) of coastline, the area is also famous for seafood and beaches, while the presence of Koyasan and Kumano-Kodo (#6 on this list) make it an important spiritual destination as well.

The prefecture’s capital is Wakayama City, strategically built on Wakaura Bay to protect western Japan against attacks from the east. A day trip to Wakayama City offers a mix of culture, history, modern attractions, and culinary adventures.

Top things to do in Wakayama

• Visit the iconic Wakayama Castle. Originally built in 1585, this strategic fortress still retains its original moat and stone wall, the rest having been destroyed in WWII and reconstructed. The hilltop tower offers panoramic views over the city, and 600 or so cherry trees display breathtaking blossoms in the spring.
• Wander Momijidani Teien Garden . Next to Wakayama Castle, this Edo-period garden is named for its maple leaves that turn bright red in autumn. There’s also a teahouse within the garden, where visitors can enjoy traditional Kishu tea and sweets.
• Take the ferry to the nearby islands of Tomogashima . The overgrown ruins of an abandoned military fort create a hauntingly beautiful scene, famous for its resemblance to the floating island in Studio Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky .
• See the unique Awashima-jinja Shrine . Dolls dedicated from all over Japan fill the front hall of this colorful seaside shrine where women come to pray in the March 3rd Hina Nagashi ritual.
• Explore Marina City , a man-made resort island in Wakaura Bay featuring a European theme park along with waterfront shopping and dining. Visit Kuroshio Market for just-caught seafood, or Kinokuni Fruit Village for fresh produce from local Wakayama farmers.
• Get a view from Tosho-gu Shrine and Kimii-dera Temple.
• Pick fresh fruit at one of Wakayama’s orchards.
• Have a beach day.
• Bonus: sample soy sauce where it originated. A 40-minute train ride on the Kisei Main Line will bring you to the picturesque town of Yuasa, the birthplace of the beloved salty condiment. Tour a factory and, if you’re feeling adventurous, try the soy sauce ice cream.

By train: From Osaka Station, take the JR Kuroshio line #7 Limited Express Shirahama to Wakayama Station. From there, it’s about a half hour walk to the city center, or you can take a local bus for only ¥230 – less than $2 USD.

By car: Follow Route 16 onto Route 4 heading southwest along Osaka Bay. At Rinko JCT, follow signs for Hanwa Expressway and get on Kansai Airport Expressway. At Izumisano JCT, follow signs for Hanwa Expressway toward Sennan/Wakayama, then take exit Wakayama IC.

• At a glance: Urban center and transportation hub that combines history and industry
• Distance from Osaka: 173 km / 107.5 miles
• Time: 50 minute train ride / 2 hours 15 minutes driving

Located in the heart of Japan, Nagoya is the country’s 4th most populous city, an industrial center, and one of Japan’s most important transportation hubs.

The city developed around Nagoya Castle, originally built in 1610. Sadly, along with most of the city’s historic buildings, the castle was destroyed during the 1945 air raids. A reconstruction now stands in its place.

Nagoya’s culture of industry and manufacturing can be seen at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and the SCMAGLEV & Railway Park, a museum that showcases rail history from steam to levitating maglev trains where you can see retired trains and try your hand at a simulator.

Top things to do in Nagoya

• Important Note: The castle is scheduled to be torn down in 2024 and rebuilt with wood for greater historical accuracy. Visitors cannot currently enter the castle keep because it isn’t up to earthquake safety standards. 
• Try Hitsumabushi , a Nagoya specialty where unagi (freshwater eel) is eaten in a specific four-step process with certain sides and condiments.
• General admission: ¥500 (~$3 USD)
• Space out at the Nagoya City Science Museum , home to one of the world’s largest planetariums.
• Touch the sky at Midland Square , Nagoya’s tallest building. The Sky Promenade on the top three floors is one of the highest open-air rooftop observation facilities in Japan and offers uninterrupted views of the city. The rest of the building houses offices, restaurants, high-end shopping, special events, and a cinema.
• Take the fam to Legoland or Nagashima Resort . The colorful themed attractions at Legoland are perfect for families with young kids, while there’s something for everyone at Nagashima Resort, an amusement park with rides, a water park, onsens, shopping, and a flower park.

By train: Easy-peasy – take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station all the way to Nagoya Station.

By car: Take Route 11 onto Meishin Expressway, following signs for Kyoto. At Kusatsu JCT, continue onto Shin-Meishin Expressway toward Kusatsu-Tanakami IC/Higashi Meihan Expressway/Shigaraki/Kameyama/Ise Expressway. Then at Kameyama-nishi JCT, take the right fork onto Kinki Expressway. At Yokkaichi JCT, follow signs for Higashi-Meihan Expressway toward Nagoya. After about 24 km, this road becomes Route 5 and continues to Nagoya.

15. Mt. Rokko

• At a glance: Accessible mountain peak known for its natural beauty and stunning views
• Distance from Osaka: 34.6 km / 21.5 miles
• Time: 1 hour 20-45 minute train ride / 44 minutes driving

Just north of Kobe, Mt. Rokko is the highest peak in the mountain range of the same name. From 931.3 meters (3,055 feet), the peak offers panoramic vistas over Kobe and Osaka. Seeing Kobe lit up below at night is known as the “$10 million view”.

A day trip to Mt. Rokko provides an escape from the city with opportunities for active, outdoor, and relaxing activities.

The mountain is accessible by ropeway (gondola) or an old-school open-air cable car. Both the ropeway and cable car stations, as well as all major tourist attractions on the mountain, are connected by a bus that runs on a loop.

Top things to do in Mt. Rokko

• Ride the scenic ropeway or cable car up to Mt. Rokko.
• Take in views from the Rokko Garden Terrace or the observation deck next to the cable car platform.
• Wander the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden . The garden is open March – November with cherry blossoms in the spring, summer wildflowers, and colorful fall foliage. Adult admission is ¥900, about $6 USD.
• Play a round at Japan’s first golf course . The Kobe Golf Club was established in 1903 by a British expat and is now a full 18-hole course.
• Discover the Rokko Morione Museum . This quirky museum displays a collection of music boxes and other mechanical instruments and offers unique experiences, such as “concerts without performers”, a “sound walkway” through a tranquil garden, and a make-your-own music box workshop. General admission is ¥1,500 (~$10 USD), some experiences may cost extra.
• General admission: ¥2,500 (~$16 USD)
• Lift pass: ¥1,600 weekday pass (~$11 USD), ¥3,300 weekend day pass (~$22 USD), ¥250 single-lift ticket (~$1.70 USD)
• Rental fees extra

By train: There’s no direct train line from Osaka to Mt. Rokko, but getting there is an experience in itself. Choose one route for the trip there and the other for return to experience both the cable car and ropeway.

• Cable car: Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Line Rapid Himeji from Osaka Station to Rokkomichi Station. Walk 1 minute to the JR Rokkomichi bus station and catch the #16 bus to Rokko Cable Shita. Walk 1 minute to Rokko Cable Shita Station and take the cable car to Rokko Sanjo Station.
• Ropeway: Take the Kobe Line Limited Express Shinkaichi from Osaka-Umeda Station to Shukugawa Station. Walk to the adjacent bus station, Hankyu Shukugawa, and take Arima Route (A23) Narai to Arima Onsen Hot Springs. Walk 20 minutes (or take a taxi) to the Rokkoarima Ropeway station (also called Arima Onsen Station – confusing). A scenic gondola will take you up to Mt. Rokko.

Once you arrive at either the cable car or ropeway station on Mt. Rokko, you can use the local Rokko Sanjo Bus to get to all the major attractions.

By car: Take the Hanshin Expressway toward Kobe. Exit onto Route 43 at the Ashiya toll gate. After about 1.7 km, turn right, then turn left on Route 2. Turn right at Narihira Bashi Hashizume intersection onto 344, following signs for Arima/Royu Rd. Continue onto Royu Driveway. Turn right at Hoden Toll Gate (before the tunnel). Keep left after the toll to head south on 16 and continue to Mt. Rokko.

By guided tour: This full-day sightseeing tour includes stops at Himeji Castle and Arima Onsen (#4 and #7 on this list of day trips from Osaka) before enjoying panoramic views from the enchanting Mount Rokko.

16. Awaji Island

• At a glance: Island escape known for hot springs and gourmet cuisine
• Distance from Osaka: 102 km / 63.4 miles
• Time: 1 hour 52 minute train ride / 1 hour 19 minutes driving

Situated between the islands of Honshu and Shikoku in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, Awaji-shima is a relatively small island with a long, eclectic list of claims to fame. From history to mythology, whirlpools to hot springs, puppets to onions, travelers of all kinds can surely find something to interest them on Awaji Island.

Legend says that Awaji was the first island in Japan to be created by the Shinto gods, and you can see the creation myth reflected around the island. One example is in Awaji’s longstanding history of puppetry, which is said to have begun as entertainment for the gods’ children.

Awaji Island is also known as “the region of food” and has historically produced gourmet foods for the Imperial Court. Fresh seafood and marbled beef are among the island’s proudest delicacies.

Then there are the onions. Awaji’s mineral-rich soil provides the perfect environment for growing some of the sweetest onions on the market. It’s a whole thing; besides tasting the famed bulbs, tourists can snap a photo of a giant onion statue, or snatch up a fresh one in an onion UFO game (the arcade game with the claw, y’know?).

Top things to do in Awaji Island

• Relax in the island’s hot springs . The most famous are the Minamiawaji Hotspring District and Sumoto Hotspring. Check first to make sure your chosen hotspring accommodates day trips, as some are reserved for overnight guests.
• Sample the local cuisine , such as Awaji beef, fresh seafood, or—you guessed it—onions.
• See the famous Naruto Vortex , a huge natural whirlpool between Awaji and Shikoku Island.
• Visit Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park , the epicenter of the 1995 Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. The park features a museum and an earthquake simulator, as well as a preserved section of the fault line that was displaced by the 1995 quake.
• Stop at Izanagi Jingu Shrine , believed to be the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan.
• Enjoy a traditional Ningyo Joruri performance at the historic Awaji Puppet Theater.
• Cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge that connects Awaji and Kobe. From its completion in 1998 until 2022, this feat of engineering held the title of the world’s longest suspension bridge.

By train: Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Line Special Rapid Himeji from Osaka Station to Sannomiya Station. Walk 3 minutes to Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal. Then take the Kobe – Fukuri bus [Minami Awajishi] to Midori PA on Awaji Island.

By car: Take the Hanshin Expressway No. 3 toward Kobe. At Myodani JCT, follow signs for Akashi Brg/Kitasen Rd/Myodani/Tarumi/Myodani IC/Tokushima/Sanyo Expressway.

At Tarumi JCT, follow signs onto Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway toward Tokushima and continue to Awaji Island.

By guided tour: On this new tour from Get Your Guide, you’ll have a chance to explore the natural beauty and landmarks of Awaji Island, as well as the Naruto Whirlpools and the city of Kobe (#5 on this list of day trips from Osaka).

Round up of the best day trips from Osaka

Here’s a recap of all the best day trips from Osaka so you can see everything in one place.

• Koyasan/Kumano Kodo
• Arima Onsen
• Takeda Castle ruins
• Awaji Island

Are you planning a trip to Japan?

We have TONS of resources on travel in Japan and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Ultimate Japan Travel Guide  for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• One Week in Japan: Best Itinerary for your First Visit
• Most Beautiful Places in Japan You Need to See for Yourself
• Cherry Blossoms in Japan: When & Where to See Them
• Autumn in Japan: Where & When to see Fall Foliage

Be sure to download our  complete packing list for Japan !  It’s packed with good suggestions and  insider tips  to help plan your Japan trip. And it’s completely  FREE , so why not!?

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Watch CBS News

Eclipse watchers stuck in heavy traffic driving home: "Worst traffic I've ever seen"

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 2:37 PM EDT / CBS News

Drivers returning home Monday from watching the solar eclipse in cities and towns in the path of totality described traffic jams that were among the worst they'd ever experienced, keeping them on roads all night and into Tuesday morning. 

Indeed, cities and towns in the eclipse's path experienced some of their  largest influxes of tourists in their histories, providing  an economic boom  to states from Texas to Vermont. While eclipse tourists tended to stagger their arrivals during the weekend leading up to the event, many departed roughly at the same time after the eclipse ended on Monday afternoon, clogging highways and local roads.

Traffic on I-89 in Vermont, which links Burlington, a city in the path of the totality, with Boston, and on the state's I-91 was heavy on Monday afternoon, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation. "Worst traffic I've ever seen," wrote Richard Chen of the venture fund 1confirmation on X, formerly known as Twitter, after visiting northern Vermont to view the eclipse. But, he added, "[I]t was totally worth it."

It took us over 6 hours to drive 110 miles in MO. last night after the eclipse. I’ve never been in that long of a traffic jam. The majority of it we were only going 8 miles an hour. I guess that’s the price you pay for center line totality! Cell service was out too!🤯 pic.twitter.com/GGVkXEcLn7 — Anne Jones (@1neatgirl) April 9, 2024

Along I-75 near Dixie Highway around Perrysburg, Ohio, motorists were stuck in miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic, according to a local media report . 

Michigan residents who had driven to Ohio to watch the eclipse described their return trips as taking twice as long as they should have, according to WTOL 11. 

The Maine Department of Transportation said the state had 10 times the volume of normal traffic in its western and southern regions Monday evening, according to Fox23 Maine . Most eclipse watchers departed at around the same time on Monday, even though they had arrived at different points leading up to the eclipse, according to The Maine Turnpike Authority.

The Maine DOT had earlier advised visitors to arrive early and leave late to avoid congestion on the roads. 

On TikTok, user @schoolhousecaulk said he had anticipated bad traffic in Vermont and that it was "worth it," despite driving overnight for 150 miles at a "snails pace."

At 5:30 in the morning, he said he finally reached his home in New York City. It had taken him 13 hours to drive 370 miles, he said. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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The one thing you'll want to do is the only thing not to do while driving during solar eclipse

The 2024 solar eclipse will shroud much of the United States in darkness on Monday, leaving many people to wonder: Is it safe to drive during the celestial event?

We know Americans should wear certified eclipse glasses when looking directly at the eclipse. And millions of Americans are in the eclipse's path of totality , the moment that occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun's light from reaching us. During totality, the eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye.

The eclipse will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT, but the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path. If you plan to drive during this time, you may not only have to contend with traffic , but need to take steps to stay safe.

Here's what to know about driving during the eclipse.

Where to get free solar eclipse glasses: Libraries, Warby Parker and more giving glasses away

Is it safe to drive during an eclipse?

It's safe to drive during an eclipse as long as you don't look up at the sky. AAA is telling drivers to be focused on the road if they are operating a car during the total solar eclipse.

"Anyone operating a vehicle should not be attempting to look up at the sky during the eclipse – their eyes should be on the road," said Aixa Diaz, a spokeswoman from AAA.

The automobile insurance company is advising Americans who want to safely view the total eclipse to "find a safe place to park (not on the side of a road or highway) away from other traffic and then wear your eclipse glasses," Diaz said.

Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving

It should go without saying, but authorities are also reminding people to not drive while wearing eclipse glasses .

The Missouri and Texas departments of transportation are both advising drivers to not wear eclipse glasses during the natural phenomenon and to focus on the road.

"Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving," reads a list of safety tips from the Texas department. Thousands people are expected to drive to towns along the path of totality, including Dallas, ahead of the eclipse.

Several state transportation departments  released similar warnings  ahead of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Wyoming's, for example, warned people traveling to the state about how they wouldn't be able to see the road with solar eclipse glasses on.

"When the glasses are worn, a person shouldn’t be able to see anything except the solar eclipse, which is why it is unsafe for a person to wear them when driving," the warning reads.

"Eclipse glasses are for eclipse viewing, not driving. They shouldn’t be treated like normal sunglasses," Diaz said.

New York pediatrician dies after falling from moving Airstream trailer during family trip

A New York children's physician is dead after falling out of an Airstream trailer on Saturday during a family road trip, officials said.

Dr. Monika Woroniecka, 58, fell out of the moving trailer on State Route 12E in the town of Brownville in upstate New York, state police said in a release.

Witnesses who were driving directly behind the trailer told state troopers they saw the passenger side door of the Airstream blown open by wind, then Woroniecka's arm hanging on the door, the release said.

She was then thrown from the Airstream and hit her head on the side of the road, witnesses told New York State Police. An ambulance transported Woroniecka to Samaritan Medical Center in nearby Watertown, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Other family members were in the trailer with Woroniecka at the time she fell out, although police did not specify which family members. They were traveling from Stony Brook on Long Island.

The trailer was being pulled by a vehicle driven by her husband, Robert P. Woroniecki. The family was on the last 20 minutes of their trip, police said.

Woroniecki was a pediatrician at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, which told NBC News in a statement on Monday it was "deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of one of our esteemed colleagues over the weekend."

"Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues affected by this heartbreaking event," the hospital said.

The Polish-born doctor treated children for a number of conditions, including food and environmental allergies, asthma, hives and eczema, according to her profile with Stony Brook Medicine .

Woroniecka specialized in allergy immunology since the early 2000s, and was known for cultivating long-term relationships with the families under her care.

Noah Osborne is a news associate with NBC News Digital.

San Francisco Giants' Six-Game Florida Road Trip Will Show Team's True Status

After getting a much-needed victory at home before an off day, the San Francisco Giants are starting their road trip that will give an idea about if they can contend or not.

• Author: Brad Wakai

In this story:

The San Francisco Giants had one of the most under-the-radar offseasons after signing some of the biggest names who were available on the market.

Getting Korean phenom Jung Hoo Lee, the reigning NL Cy Young Winner Blake Snell, and one of the best third baseman in the game Matt Chapman, lifted up the profile of their roster to the point where there were expectations for them to compete for a playoff spot.

But things haven't quite gone to plan so far.

They sit with a 5-8 record and needed a strong performance on Wednesday to avoid being swept by the Washington Nationals .

Maybe that's what gets the Giants going after they took a much different approach on the base paths and got another great pitching performance from Jordan Hicks.

But heading into this six-game Florida road trip where they face the Tampa Bay Rays starting Friday and the Miami Marlins after that series is complete, this will truly give an idea about if they can contend or not.

The Rays are always formidable, but they don't quite have that magical aura around them like they've had in years past. They currently sit at 7-6 with offensive numbers around the middle of the league and pitching numbers much worse than their previous iterations.

Tampa Bay is gettable, and if the Giants are going to truly compete in a loaded National League, they need to show that they can win these types of games.

Following those three contests, they'll head south to take on the Marlins who have the worst record in the MLB entering Friday's action.

San Francisco needs to dominate this series, certainly winning it, but with the aim of sweeping.

Good teams beat the bad teams and are also able to compete with other good teams.

That's what the Giants have on this road trip as they get set to face the Rays in a matchup that is winnable before hitting Miami where they should leave victorious.

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Fun games to pass the time on your next roadtrip.

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Road trip games can pass the time on a long trip.

Roadtrips are an enjoyable way to see changing scenery, a chance to stay overnight in retro roadside motels, and an excuse to pull over to see the quirky roadside attractions that you’ll only find in small town America.

But road trips also mean long stretches of flat highway where the oohs and ahhs slow down, the snacks run out, and you need a break from the podcast you’ve been streaming.

Pass the time in the car with a game of 'Would You Rather?'

Enter road trip games. They’ll help you pass the time between stops and hopefully squash any questions like “are we there, yet?”.

From games that can be played among a group of friends or couples to road trip games to entertain kids, these games will help keep you entertained on the road.

Top 7 Road Trip Games to Play

1. table topics.

Table Topics is a deck full of fun conversation starter cards. The game is recommended for ages 12 and up, and the cards can spur conversation between a couple or a group. The deck has 135 cards and questions range from: “Is it more important to be book smart or street smart?” and “If you could have front-row seats to any concert who would you like to see?”

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Apple confirms innovative iphone 16 pro upgrade, nyt ‘strands’ hints, spangram and answers for friday, april 12th, 2. mad libs.

The scribe in charge of the Mad Libs tablet will be prompted to ask participants for verbs, adjectives, nouns, and so on, which will then be put into a short narrative. The catch: No one knows the context that the words they toss out will be put in, so the story ends up being a goofy one. This is a great game for kids in elementary school who are starting to learn the ins and outs of nouns, adjectives and the like.

3. “Would You Rather?”

You could come up with your own scenarios for a game of “Would You Rather” where you pit two outrageous scenarios against one another. But the “Would You Rather” deck of cards is loaded with pre-set predicaments: “Would you rather own a machine that makes any food you want or prints $50 per week?” The family edition has 200 cards that were made with multi-generation road trips in mind.

4. License Plate Game

A road trip classic, and a fun one to play with kids, the license plate game challenges everyone in the car to collectively spot license plates from all 50 states. Pro tip: Print out a map of the United States to keep track of all the states you’ve collected.

When the karaoke is over, play a round of song trivia.

5. License Plate Word Scramble

When you’ve already done your Wordle for the day, you can engage your fellow passengers with a game of word scramble. Just look at a plate in a nearby lane and extract the letter — then challenge everyone to come up with a word with the letters in the plate. For example, if the license plate has the letters NKE in it, the word could be “Banker.”

6. Song Trivia

Every great road trip has a good playlist. But turn your tunes into a game by seeing who can name the singer, song title, and, for a bonus round, the year the song came out. You can set up a playlist in advance for this game or just scroll through the stations.

7. The Geography Game

If you loved social studies as a kid, this game is for you. One person starts the game by throwing out a geographic location (i.e. city, state, mountain region, river, etc.). Let’s say the starting word is California. The next person then comes with a location that starts with the last letter of the previous name, so, in this case, the letter “A,” which could be Alaska, Appalachians, Atlanta, and so on. You could mix up the themes, too, or narrow the categories, too. Other categories could be types of food, animals, countries, or band names.

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Elektrostal to Moscow drive

Elektrostal to moscow road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Elektrostal to Moscow. If you're planning a road trip to Moscow, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

11:00 am  start in Elektrostal drive for about 31 minutes

11:31 am   Balashikha stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:31 pm drive for about 17 minutes

12:47 pm   Vernissage in Izmailovo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:47 pm drive for about 15 minutes

2:02 pm   Krutitskaya naberezhnaya stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:02 pm drive for about 7 minutes

3:08 pm  arrive in Moscow

driving ≈ 1 hour

Where should I stop along the way?

Balashikha Vernissage in Izmailovo Krutitskaya naberezhnaya

Where's the best place to eat in Moscow?

Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food?

Trippy members suggest Pushkin Cafe , which was mentioned 4 times.

Want to research more popular restaurants in Moscow? Click the blue button below.

What are some things to do in Moscow?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Moscow. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Moscow.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Moscow to Elektrostal drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Elektrostal? Try searching for places within 1 hour of Elektrostal .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Elektrostal to Moscow . Or get a full Elektrostal to Moscow flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

And if you know Elektrostal well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Elektrostal!

More info on this route:

road conditions from Elektrostal to Moscow

places to eat

alternate routes

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