3-Day Osaka Itinerary
Osaka is a phenomenal city, full of culture, history, and culinary delights. From some of the countries most popular castles, shrines, and temples, to the mouthwatering street food, Osaka has something for just about everyone.
See some of the top sites with our Osaka Itinerary. This is entirely self-guided, and are our recommendations only – so it’s totally up to you if you only want to do some things below, or if you want to do all of them. But hopefully, you should be able to see what the city has to offer.
Osaka Itinerary
Osaka Castle
Opening Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (Last entry at 4:30pm),
Entry fee: 600JPY
Osaka Castle, also known as Osaka-jo in Japanese, is a historic and iconic landmark located in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is one of Japan’s most famous castles and holds significant historical and cultural importance, and today is a popular tourist destination in Osaka. Read more
Umeda Sky Building
Opening Hours: 9:30am-10:30pm (Last entry at 10:00pm),
Entry fee: 1500JPY
Next, head over to Umeda Sky Building. Located in the heart of Osaka’s central business district, the Umeda Sky Building is one of the tallest structures in the city. It has two towers connected by a floating garden observatory on the 39th floor, offering a panoramic view of Osaka and beyond. Read more
Namba
Opening Hours: Varies by shop
Entry fee: 600JPY
Namba, a bustling district in Osaka, offers a dynamic blend of shopping, entertainment, and culinary delights. Explore Namba Parks, a verdant shopping complex, or dive into Shinsaibashi-suji’s boutiques. Namba is a great place to grab a bite to eat, and take in some shopping.
Dotonbori
Opening Hours: 24/7 (shops close late night)
Entry fee: Free
Dotonbori is a vibrant and popular sightseeing area in Osaka, situated along along the Dotonbori Canal. There’s no shortage of things to do in Dotonbori, from sightseeing cruises in the canal, shopping, to the delicious street food found nearby. The Dotonbori area is popular all day, and can be a really interesting contrast to see it in the day time, and then come back later at night to see everything illuminated. Read more
Dotonbori Ferris Wheel
Opening Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (Last entry at 4:30pm),
Entry fee: 600JPY
The Don Quijote Ferris wheel, also known as the Dotonbori Wheel is an attraction like none other. While most Ferris wheels rotate in a circle, the Don Quijote Ferris goes vertical initially and rounds off slightly at the top, then again, a vertical decent. As you go up the ferris, you are met with nice view of the Osaka Sky line. Read more
Abeno Harukas 300
Opening Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (Last entry at 4:30pm),
Entry fee: 600JPY
End off the day at Abeno Harukas, taking in the nighttime scenery from one of Japan’s tallest buildings. The view from Abeno Harukas 300 is unmatched by anything in Osaka. Read more.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
No trip to Osaka would be complete without seeing Universal Studios Japan, and it’s no surprise why USJ is one of the top things to do in Osaka. This should take all day, but be sure to get there early in the morning as lines can quickly get long. So get ready to kick back, and have some fun on your second day in Osaka! If you want to pre-book your tickets to USJ, feel free to use the below tiles, or follow this link! Klook.comOsaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00am-8:00pm (Last entry at 7:00pm) Weekends 9:30am-8:00pm (Last entry at 7:00pm)
Entry fee: 2700JPY
The Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium is one of the world’s greatest aquariums. This one-of-a-kind aquarium takes visitors on a journey through the depths of the Pacific Ocean, showcasing a diverse array of marine life from all around the world. It is home to some of world’s most wonderous, large, adorable and outright bizarre creatures, such as Whale Sharks, the Japanese Salamander, Jelly fish, seals, snow crabs and so much more. Read more
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
Opening Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
Entry fee: 800JPY
Mere minutes from Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, standing at 112 meters tall, the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel. Upon opening in 1997, it held the world record for largest Ferris Wheel for 2 years, until it was later passed by one built in Tokyo. Read more
Mount Tempo
Attempt to climb the treacherous Mount Tempo, standing at a whole…4.53m (about 15 feet). Mount Tempo (also known as Tempozan) is Japan’s second smallest “mountain”. Tempozan is man made, and held the title for the shortest mountain until the 2014e, where an Mount Hiyori in Miyagi Prefecture took over as the country’s smallest mountain at a whopping 3 meters. And yes, Mount Tempo is actually classed as a mountain, according to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Opening Hours: 6:00am-5:00pm
Entry fee: Free
Sumiyoshi Taisha, an ancient Shinto shrine in Osaka, is celebrated for its distinctive architectural style and historical significance. Its vermilion-lacquered bridges and tranquil setting evoke serenity. The shrine, dedicated to protecting travelers and sailors, is characterized by its bold, curved roofs and lack of straight lines, reflecting early Japanese design. The Sumiyoshi-zukuri style, found uniquely here, predates the influence of Buddhism. The complex features several structures, including Sorihashi Bridge, Taiko-bashi Bridge, and the main Honden Hall. Sumiyoshi Taisha stands as a testament to Japan’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual devotion, drawing visitors seeking a blend of history and tranquility.
Where to stay in Osaka
Want more Hotel options? We have a whole other page for Hotels in Osaka! Check it out now!
English