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Spending 3 days in Osaka is a perfect chance to explore Japan’s third-largest city, where ancient history, neon-lit streets, and delicious food come together. Osaka is well deserving of a visit during your Japan trip. Best of all, it’s a family-friendly destination too!
We loved Osaka. There were so many fun places to visit and some of the best food from our entire Japan trip!
We have put together our 3-day Osaka itinerary to help you plan your own visit, complete with insider tips and suggested activities to make the most of your trip.
Planning a Visit to Osaka
Osaka is a little underrated as a destination in Japan and while it is often on the tourist route for anyone wanting to visit the main tourist cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it tends to get the least hype.
While you will still certainly find huge crowds in central Osaka, just like you do in Tokyo, it still feels a little less hectic. At least, that was the vibe we got.
How To Get To Osaka
The nearest airport to Osaka is Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is well-connected to central Osaka via various transit options:
- Airport Limousine Bus: The Limousine bus is an affordable and convenient choice, with direct routes to Osaka’s main areas, including Universal Studios and central Osaka.
- JR Kansai Airport Express “Haruka” Train: Ideal for JR Pass holders, this express train quickly connects Kansai Airport with Osaka’s major stations, including Shin-Osaka.
If you’re travelling from elsewhere in Japan, Osaka is easily accessible via Shinkansen (bullet train), making it a quick trip from Tokyo, Kyoto, or other major cities.
Best Time to Visit Osaka
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) have the best temperatures for a visit to Japan. With the comfortable weather, you also get seasonal perks of cherry blossoms in March and April and fall foliage.
Cherry blossom season is the most popular time to visit Japan though, so expect huge crowds at all the attractions. You might also like to avoid Golden Week at the end of April to early May for local crowds.
Summer can be hot and humid, but it’s also when the city hosts vibrant festivals.
We visited in September which still had the extreme Summer heat and it was quite unbearable at times. Not ideal for exploring outdoors!
How Long Do You Need in Osaka?
Three days is a good length to explore Osaka’s main sights at a comfortable pace.
However, adding an extra day for a day trip, such as to Kyoto or Nara, is absolutely a good option if you have the time and aren’t already visiting Kyoto during your Japan trip.
How To Get Around Osaka
Google Maps: is very reliable for navigating public transit. Major stations, like Shin-Osaka Station and Namba Station, are key transit hubs that connect the city and the Kansai region.
Osaka’s subway system and Japan Railways (JR) lines make it easy to get around. If you have a JR Pass, you can use this on the JR Line to move between major stations or get an Osaka subway pass for unlimited rides for a day or two.
Insider Tip: Consider purchasing an Osaka Amazing Pass for unlimited travel within certain areas and discounts or included entry for many attractions.
Where To Stay In Osaka
There are a lot of options for accommodation in Osaka. Consider areas that match your travel plans.
Namba and Shinsaibashi are great for those wanting to immerse themselves in Osaka’s lively dining, shopping, and nightlife, with easy access to Dotonbori’s vibrant neon lights and street food.
Umeda (Osaka Station area) is a great choice for visitors looking for convenience, as it’s a major transport hub connecting to Kyoto, Nara, and beyond.
We chose to stay in the Universal Studios area of Osaka Bay, knowing we had plans for a huge full day at USJ during our visit. Plus it was a quick and easy train ride to Dotonbori so it was perfect for us.
We stayed at Hotel Universal Port Vita which was 5 minutes from the Universal Studios entry gate!
Our 3-Day Osaka Itinerary: Family-Friendly
We loved our trip to Osaka. This was the last destination on our 2-week Japan itinerary and we could easily have spent another couple of days in Osaka, as there was a lot we did not fit into our 3-day itinerary.
Part of this was also due to the extreme heat which cut our days shorter than we would have liked. Next time, we look forward to seeing more of historic Osaka, including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city and surrounding areas.
We arrived in Osaka the afternoon before from Kyoto, stopping for a Nara day trip on the way, so this technically could form part of your 3-day Osaka itinerary instead if you wanted to swap out Universal Studios Japan.
We hope our exact itinerary below will help you plan your own visit to Osaka. We have also included some alternative one-day Osaka itinerary ideas below that you can do too, to help you plan your perfect first trip to Osaka!
Day 1: Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi
Morning:
Start your day with a visit to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, a covered arcade with endless shopping options, from international brands to quirky boutiques.
We also made sure to visit the Pokemon Centre (our 3rd for the trip) since the kids wanted to visit as many as they could.
There is a Pokemon cafe here but it books out really quick so if you’re keen to dine here, make sure you do it as soon as reservations open.
If you’re looking for something unique, check out Amerika-mura nearby, Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s Harajuku, known for its youth culture and trendsetting shops.
Lunch:
You are in the best possible place for lunch! Osaka was one of our absolute favourite places during our entire Japan trip for food. And the best way to enjoy it is to sample all the street food on offer around Dotonbori.
Osaka is famous for takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) – must-try dishes for any visitor.
We also loved the ten yen cheese pancake. Sweet yet savoury and SOOOO good!
Plus a few sweet treats as we explored the area, like these yummy strawberry desserts. Candied fruit, matcha-flavoured mochi and ice cream.
Afternoon:
Take a walk along the Dotonbori Canal, known for its vibrant atmosphere and neon billboards. Snap a photo with the iconic Glico running man and explore the nearby alleys brimming with unique shops and street food stalls.
We rode the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel. It’s attached to the side of a mega Don Quijote store and it’s pretty unique. The ride takes around 15 minutes for a full circuit.
The views aren’t amazing but it’s still a cool experience, being that it’s the first in the world to have a 4-seat cabin that rotates horizontally and the first oval ferris wheel. The view might be better by night.
Each gondola fits just 4 people and it’s 600 yen per person, regardless of age. We headed there straight after lunch, as soon as it opened for the day and there was already a big lineup.
It’s quite high and a little creaky which made our littlest person nervous, but it was fine and we had fun.
Insider Tip: Arrive at least 20 minutes before opening to beat the big queue.
Evening:
Wrap up with a river cruise along Dotonbori for a unique view of Osaka’s lights. Try dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub) or venture to a ramen or sushi spot in the area.
Day 2: Universal Studios Japan
Arrive early at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) to make the most of your day, especially if visiting during peak season. The park almost always opens earlier than the scheduled time, so check the website and be there earlier!
A lot of people arrive an hour or more before opening. That’s not really our style but even arriving 30 minutes early, the park was already open so it might have been a good idea, especially if you need to transit from central Osaka!
Read our full Universal Studios Japan guide to help you plan your day because this place gets crazy busy and if you don’t have a plan, you may walk out disappointed at the end of the day.
If it’s in your budget, invest in the Express Pass. We got Express Pass 4 since we weren’t doing the big thrill rides (as the kids aren’t keen) but the Express Pass 7 is most popular and sells out quickly. You need to book your entry passes and Express Pass before you visit!
Attractions like Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and rides such as the Hollywood Dream and The Flying Dinosaur are hugely popular, so the Universal Express Pass allows you to skip the long lines.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during a special time of year, it’s even better. We were there during the Halloween Horror Nights celebration which was a lot of fun!
If you’re staying nearby, the Universal CityWalk is a great spot for dinner or a last-minute souvenir if you are leaving the park before closing. It stays open late with restaurants galore.
Insider Tip: Look for single-rider lines to shorten your wait time on some rides, and make sure to download the Universal Studios Japan app for live wait times, show schedules, and restaurant details.
Day 3: Tempozan Area and Osaka Aquarium
Morning:
Catch the ferry across to Tempozan Harbor Village to explore the attractions. Since we stayed right near Universal Studios Japan, this was an easy day trip for us but even if you are staying elsewhere in Osaka, Tempozan is well worth visiting!
Start at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest aquariums in the world. The aquarium’s unique design allows you to view marine life from multiple perspectives as you spiral around the massive central tank.
This is a place you could spend quite a few hours if you really wanted to but there’s plenty more to see and do here.
Book your aquarium tickets here
Afternoon:
Next, take a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel for sweeping views of Osaka Bay and the city skyline.
Tempozan Marketplace is nearby and features shops, dining, and entertainment, including a Lego Discovery Centre. There are some cute shops here for souvenirs and accessories.
Evening:
Wrap up your day at Naniwa Food Theme Park in Tempozan Marketplace, where you can try Osaka’s classic street foods like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), unless you’re heading to the airport late as we did with our 10 pm flight back to Australia.
Insider Tip: If you are visiting Tempozan Village from the Universal Studios area, there is a free ferry that goes across the water. Its a bit of a walk from the USJ area, but free is awesome considering you will otherwise pay 900 yen or 1700 yen return for the Captain Line Shuttle Ferry. We choose the 15-minute walk over the paid ferry!
Alternative 1-Day Osaka Itinerary Ideas
In case you aren’t so keen on one or more of the days in our Osaka 3 day itinerary above, you can mix it up by switching out a day for one of these 1-day Osaka itineraries instead.
- Classic Osaka: Start with the iconic Osaka Castle, then head to Dotonbori for lunch, shopping, and evening views along the canal.
- Modern Osaka & Umeda Sky Building: Begin at the futuristic Umeda Sky Building for panoramic views, then explore the bustling shops and eateries at Osaka Station City and Grand Front Osaka. End with a walk along Nakazakicho, Osaka’s hip, vintage neighbourhood.
- Osaka for History Lovers: Dive into Osaka’s past by visiting Shitenno-ji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest temples, then head to Namba Yasaka Shrine to see the unique lion-head-shaped building. Finish your day at the Osaka Museum of History for interactive exhibits on the city’s history.
Top Day Trips from Osaka
You can also add one of these Osaka day trips to your itinerary as an alternative option for one or more days of the above suggestions:
- Kyoto: A 30-minute train ride brings you to Japan’s ancient capital, where you can explore temples, gardens, and traditional tea houses.
- Nara: Take a day trip to Nara from Osaka, which is around a 45-minute train ride away and feed the bowing sika deer that roam freely at Nara Deer Park before exploring some of the oldest temples and shrines in the country, like Todai-ji Temple.
- Kobe: Known for its delicious beef, the port city of Kobe offers scenic waterfront views and easy access to Mount Rokko for hiking.
Osaka with Kids
Osaka is a fantastic destination for families. Both Universal Studios Japan and the Osaka Aquarium offer interactive exhibits and family-friendly attractions and our kids loved sampling all the yummy food in Dotonbori.
There is the Pokemon Centre and Pokemon Cafe as well as many other character-themed shopped, gashapon machine stores and claw machine arcades for family fun with the kids!
FAQs About Osaka
What Is the Osaka Amazing Pass?
The Osaka Amazing Pass offers unlimited travel on Osaka’s subway and bus systems and provides free or discounted entry to popular attractions. It’s a money-saver if you plan to visit multiple sites in a short time.
Do I Need the Japan Rail Pass in Osaka?
A Japan Rail Pass is not essential for travelling within Osaka itself, but it’s useful if you plan to explore other cities in the Kansai region, such as Kyoto, Nara, or Kobe. Otherwise, an IC card for local travel may be sufficient.
Must-Try Foods in Osaka:
Known as Japan’s “kitchen,” Osaka has a rich food culture. Sample street foods like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and ramen. For a unique experience, visit Kuromon Ichiba Market for fresh seafood, snacks, and local delicacies.
Is Osaka Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! With its blend of historical sites, vibrant entertainment districts, unique food culture, and friendly locals, Osaka offers a different side of Japan that’s less formal than Tokyo but just as fascinating.
We hope our three-day itinerary for Osaka helps you plan your own perfect trip, with plenty of ideas on how to spend your time in this exciting Japanese city! Make sure you sample as much of the delicious food as you can and check out our full Japan itinerary for more ideas to plan your time.
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