First-Time Travel Guide to Osaka, Japan | Best Seasons

In this article, we’ve created a 3-day, 2-night sightseeing itinerary for Osaka that can be fully enjoyed on foot, even if your transportation options are limited.

This is perfect for those interested in traveling to Osaka or looking for ways to fully enjoy the city. Be sure to check it out!

How do you even get to Japan in the first place?

from USA

to Haneda Airport(HND), Tokyo, Japan

■ San Francisco(SFO), California, USA
– Duration: About 11h30m
– Cost: USD $1,245.30~ / JPY ¥190,611~
– Airlines: ANA, JAL, United Airlines

■ John F. Kennedy(SFO), New York City, USA
– Duration: About 14h35m
– Cost: USD $1,335~ / JPY ¥201,680~
– Airlines: ANA, JAL, American Airlines

to Narita Airport(NRT), Tokyo, Japan

■ Los Angeles(LAX), USA
– Duration: About 11h45m
– Cost: USD $784.89~ / JPY ¥119,070~
– Airlines: ANA, United Airlines

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from UK

to Haneda Airport(HND), Tokyo, Japan

■ Heathrow(LHR), London, UK
– Duration: About 13h50m
– Cost: GBP 1,310£~ / JPY ¥252,016~
– Airlines: ANA, British Airways

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from Canada

to Haneda Airport(HND), Tokyo, Japan

■ Vancouver(YVR), British Columbia, Canada
– Duration: About 10h30m
– Cost: CAD $670.90~ / JPY ¥73,000
– Airlines: ANA

to Narita Airport(NRT), Tokyo, Japan

■ Toronto Pearson(YYZ), Ontario, Canada
– Duration: About 14h05m
– Cost: CAD $1,150.06~ / JPY ¥124,370
– Airlines: ANA, Air Canada

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from Australia

to Haneda Airport(HND), Tokyo, Japan

■ Sydney(SYD), New South Wales, Australia
– Duration: About 9h40m
– Cost: AUD $2,981.25~ / JPY 295,577~
– Airlines: ANA, Qantas

■ Cairns(CNS), Queensland, Australia
– Duration: About 7h50m
– Cost: AUD $1,359.58~ / JPY 134,095~
– Airlines: Virgin Australia

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How to Get to Osaka

Airplane

■Tokyo → Osaka
・Haneda(HND), Tokyo → Itami(ITM), Osaka
・About 1h10m｜JPY ¥14,680〜
・ANA, JAL ,Solaseed air ,SKYMARK

■Narita Airport, Chiba → Kansai Airport, Osaka
・About 1h25m｜JPY ¥6,900〜
・Peach

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Bullet Train(Shinkansen)

■Tokyo → Osaka
・Tokyo Station – Shin-Osaka Station
・About 2h27m｜JPY ¥14,920〜
・JR West

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Overnight Bus

■Tokyo → Osaka
・Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) ~ Osakastation-mae
・About 8h55m｜JPY ¥4,500~

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Low-cost Airline ‘Peach Aviation’

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First-Time Travel Guide to Osaka, Japan | Best Seasons

In this article, we’ve created a 3-day, 2-night sightseeing itinerary for Osaka that can be fully enjoyed on f […]

Specialties and Attractions of Osaka

Osaka is known for its rich food culture, with specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu. Local products such as Senshu Mizunasu (water eggplant) and Osaka pork buns also stand out. The saying “Kyoto for dressing to excess, Osaka for eating to excess” humorously contrasts Kyoto’s fashion focus with Osaka’s love for food.

What kind of place is Osaka?

Osaka, consistently ranked among the top tourist destinations in Japan, is highly regarded by international visitors as well.

One of its many attractions is its abundance of enjoyable spots, including the Tenjin Matsuri, one of Japan’s three major festivals, and Universal Studios Japan.

Tourist attractions

Popular tourist attractions

Tsutenkaku	Tower & Observation Deck
Kaiyukan	Aquarium
Nifrel	Aquarium & Zoo
Tennoji Zoo	Zoo
Universal Studios Japan	Theme Park
Osaka Castle	Castle
Namba Grand Kagetsu	Stage & Theater

Museum

Osaka Museum of History

National Museum of Art, Osaka

Osaka Science Museum

Osaka Museum of Fine Arts

Osaka Museum of Natural History

Osaka Municipal Museum of Oriental Ceramics

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

Viewing Spot

Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

Midosuji Ginkgo Avenue

Sennan Marble Beach

Osaka Castle Park

Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi

Minou Waterfall

Hoshida no Mori Star Bridge

Shrine / Temple

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Namba Yasaka Shrine

Shitennoji Temple

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

Ishikiri Tsurugi Shrine

Toyokuni Shrine

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Festivals & Fireworks Festivals

Festivals

Tenjin Matsuri (Tenjin Festival)	・July 24th–July 25th ・A festival honoring Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning ・Famous for religious rituals and portable shrines on boats traveling down the Okawa River
Sumiyoshi Matsuri (Sumiyoshi Festival)	・July 30th–August 1st ・A festival held at Sumiyoshi Shrine ・Popular among locals, with many food stalls and a lively atmosphere
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Kishiwada Danjiri Festival)	・September 13th–September 15th ・A fall festival in Kishiwada, attracting around 400,000 visitors ・Famous for the powerful and speedy portable shrines running through the streets of Kishiwada

Fireworks Festivals

Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival	・Date: First Saturday in August ・Number of Fireworks: Not disclosed (approximately 10,000-20,000 each year) ・Location: Yodogawa riverbank from the Shin-Midosuji Yodogawa Railway Bridge to National Route 2
Tenjin Matsuri Honoring Fireworks	・Date: July 25th ・Number of Fireworks: Approximately 3,000 ・Location: Along the Okawa River near the Shin-Sakuramiyabashi Bridge
Senshu Yume Fireworks	・Date: August 24th ・Number of Fireworks: Approximately 10,000 ・Location: Along the coastline of Izumisano City

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Souvenirs

Sweets & Confectionery

Takoyaki Senbei (Takoyaki-flavored Rice Crackers)

551 Horai’s Ice Candy

Mixed Juice

Dojima Roll

Rikuro Ojisan’s Store Freshly Baked Cheesecake

Iwa Okoshi (Traditional Rice Puff Snack)

Gourmet

Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake)

Kushikatsu (Deep-fried Skewers)

Bunman (Pork Buns)

Horumon (Grilled Offal)

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Here’s the translation of your text into English:

“In this sightseeing plan, you will visit four areas: Tennoji, Minami, Kita, and the Bay Area.

Since it’s a 2-night, 3-day trip, you can take the opportunity to explore places a little further from the city, so it’s important to plan the schedule well.”

“There are also other areas like the Southern Area (famous for the Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada) and the Northern Area (famous for Minoo Falls and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park).

One of the great features of Osaka is its well-developed public transportation system, making it easy to travel on foot. The schedule is also easy to plan, and by combining different attractions, you can enjoy sightseeing efficiently!”

Osaka 2-Night, 3-Day Sightseeing Model Course

DAY1

locker

■ Store Your Luggage
・Coin Locker Information Around Osaka Station

train

■ Train
・JR | Osaka Station → JR Namba Station (1 transfer)
・About 23 minutes | 210 yen
・Store luggage in a coin locker around Osaka Station

Morning to Noon: Namba Area

shinsaibashi suji shopping street

market

Web Site

namba yasaka shrine

shrine

Web Site

osaka america mura

market

Web Site

osaka dotonbori ebisubashi

scenic spot

Web Site

osaka nakaza kuidaore building

market

Web Site

Photo by mitemil

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food

■ Lunch

Search for a Restaurant

train

■ Train
・JR | JR Namba Station → Osaka Station (1 transfer)
・About 22 minutes | 210 yen

Afternoon: Osaka Station Area

hep five

shopping mall

Web Site

umeda sky building hanging garden observation deck

skyscraper

Web Site

umekita park

park

Web Site

osaka station city square of space time

scenic spot

Web Site

Photo by mitemil

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hotel

■ Hotel Check-in

Search for a hotel

food

■ Dinner

Search for a Restaurant

DAY 2

locker

■ Store Your Luggage
・Coin Locker Information Around Osaka Station

train

■ Train
・Osaka Station → Sumiyoshi Taisha Station (1 transfer)
・About 31 minutes | 430 yen

Morning to Noon: Sumiyoshi Area

sumiyoshi taisha shrine

shrine

Web Site

sumiyoshi park

park

Web Site

Photo by mitemil

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food

■ Lunch

Search for a Restaurant

train

■ Train
・Sumiyoshi Taisha Station → Tennoji Station (1 transfer)
・About 13 minutes | 380 yen

Afternoon: Tennoji Area

spa world

hot spring

Web Site

abeno harukas

skyscraper

Web Site

shitennoji temple

shrine

Web Site

tsutenkaku tower

skyscraper

Web Site

ten shiba

park

Web Site

Photo by mitemil

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hotel

■ Hotel Check-in

Search for a hotel

food

■ Dinner

Search for a Restaurant

DAY 3

locker

■ Store Your Luggage
・Coin Locker Information Around Tennoji Station

train

■ Train
・Tennoji Station → Osaka Port Station (1 transfer)
・About 19 minutes | 410 yen

walk

■ Walking
・Osaka Port Station → Tempozan Area
・About 4 minutes

Morning: Tempozan Area

osaka aquarium kaiyukan

zoo

Web Site

tempozan market place

shopping mall

Web Site

tempozan park osaka

park

Web Site

tempozan ferris wheel

amusement park

Web Site

osaka culturarium at tempozan

exhibition centers

Web Site

Photo by mitemil

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food

■ Lunch

Search for a Restaurant

walk

■ Walking
・Tempozan Area → Tempozan Ferry Terminal (Chikko Side)
・About 9 minutes

ferry

■ Ferry
・Tempozan Ferry Terminal (Chikko Side) → Tempozan Ferry Terminal (Sakurajima Side)
・About 3 minutes
・Official Osaka City Website – Tempozan Schedule

walk

■ Walking
・Tempozan Ferry Terminal (Sakurajima Side) → Sakurajima Station
・About 10 minutes

train

■ Train
・JR | Sakurajima Station → Universal City Station
・About 1 minute | 140 yen

Afternoon: Universal City Area

universal studios japan

theme park

Web Site

universal citywalk osaka

shopping mall

Web Site

Photo by mitemil

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train

■ Train
・Universal City Station → Osaka Station (1 transfer)
・About 13 minutes | 190 yen

goal

■ Disband at Osaka Station, head back home

Estimated Costs for a 2-Night, 3-Day Trip to Osaka

Safe travels to those heading to Osaka! Have a great trip!