3 Days in Osaka Itinerary: What You Can’t Miss!

Planning to spend three days in Osaka? 

This itinerary is based on my recent trip to Japan, where I stayed in Osaka for three nights, including a day trip to Nara.

If you love street food, neon signs, and a mix of modern and historic sites, Osaka is a great stop to add to your Japan itinerary. 

It felt more relaxed than Tokyo, less traditional than Kyoto, and full of personality (and food).

In this post, I’m sharing everything we did in Osaka, including what we ate, how we got around, and where we stayed. 

If you’re heading to Osaka for the first time, this detailed itinerary will help you make the most of your visit.

Quick at a Glance: Where to Stay & What to Do

If you’re short on time, here are my top recommendations on how to spend three days in Osaka as well as highly-reviewed places to stay.

3 Days in Osaka Itinerary

This itinerary is based on our three-night stay in Osaka in early June 2025.

It includes everything we did, what we didn’t have time for (but wish we did), and our favorite meals. 

I’ve created a Google Map with all the places mentioned in this itinerary pinned so you can easily see where everything is located!

Day 1: Local Vibes, Shopping & Dotonbori at Night

Start your first day in Osaka exploring the different neighborhoods and shopping streets.

This day will ease you into the city at a relaxed pace and ends with the excitement and crowds of Dotonbori at night (which is not to be missed!).

Morning: Nakazakicho & Umeda

Nakazakicho

Nakazakicho was one of my favorite neighborhoods in Osaka!

It is quiet and full of charm, perfect for a low-key morning.

We walked down the narrow alleyways and browsed local shops.

There are plenty of cafes around if you’re hungry or wanting some caffeine, including Yatt Nakazakicho.

Umeda Sky Building

Next, head to the Umeda Sky Building for panoramic views of the city.

The Kuchu Teien Observatory offers one of the best skyline views in Osaka and is worth the entrance fee if you’re into photography or just wanting to get the best views of the city.

The entrance fee is 2,000 yen (~$14 USD) per person, and you can book your tickets here through Get Your Guide!

Afternoon: Amerikamura, Shinsaibashi, & Kuromon Market

Amerikamura (Amemura)

Amerikamura is a fun area to explore if you like vintage shopping and street art.

It reminded me of the Harajuku area in Tokyo, a mix of fashion, trendy cafes, and street art.

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street

From Amemura, walk over to Shinsaibashi-suji which is a long covered arcade with everything from clothing to Japanese skincare products.

Even if you’re not a big shopper, it is worth the walk.

Kuromon Market

Not far from Dotonbori, Kuromon Market is a great place to try all the local food!

There are tons of vendors selling sushi, grilled meats, fruit sticks, and more.

It is a fun area to explore and try whatever food catches your eye!

You can definitely explore on your own, but if you want a local guide to show you the best spots and hidden gems, I recommend booking this 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour with Get Your Guide!

Evening: Dotonbori Street Food & Neon Lights

This was my favorite part of Osaka!

The energy at night is so fun with the glowing neon signs and busy food stalls lining the canal.

Things to Do & Eat in Dotonbori:

• Try takoyaki from Takoyaki Wanaka Dotonbori (even though it wasn’t my favorite since octopus is chewy but worth trying once!)
• Stop at Strawberry Mania for their strawberry mochi and strawberry & vanilla swirl ice cream (my favorite dessert!)
• Try Osaka-style okonomiyaki at Creo-Ru or Ajinoya
• Walk along the canal and make sure to take a photo in front of the iconic Glico Running Man sign
• Explore the back alleys for hidden izakayas
• Ride the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel on the Don Quijote building for night views

Day 2: Day Trip to Nara

Nara makes for a great day trip from Osaka, and it’s super easy to get to!

It’s known for ancient temples, a massive Buddha statue, and of course, deer.

Getting to Nara from Osaka

You can take the Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka-Namba Station.

The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 570 yen ($4 USD) one way.

I recommend using Google Maps (not Apple Maps) for public transit directions while in Japan.

Things to Do in Nara

• Kofuku-ji Temple: Just a short walk from the station with a five-story pagoda
• Isuien Garden: A quiet, traditional Japanese garden with a tea house.
• Todai-ji Temple: Home to one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world.
• Nara Deer Park: You can buy crackers for 200 yen to feed the deer, but they can get a little aggressive. I skipped feeding them because I was a little scared LOL. So, I watched others from a distance. 😂
• Kasuga-Taisha Shrine: A beautiful forested shrine with hundreds of lanterns lining the paths.
• Mochi Pounding at Nakatanidou: You might catch a live demo of the workers pounding the mochi while you are near the shop! It looked like it occurs every hour. The fresh mochi is also worth a try as well. It was slightly sweet and a unique taste.
• Higashimuki Shopping Street: Great for grabbing souvenirs and snacks.

We spent about five hours total in Nara, which gave us plenty of time to relax back in Osaka in the evening and continue to explore.

Day 3: Historical & Retro Osaka

Spend your last day in Osaka exploring the more historic side and iconic landmarks.

Morning: Osaka Castle & Museum

Start your day at Osaka Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city.

The castle is surrounded by a huge park with moats and is a great area to walk around.

Here is the walking route you can walk around Osaka Castle for the best views.

I have heard from others that the entrance fee to go inside is not worth it as it is more of a museum but that is something you can determine for yourself.

If you want a good view of the castle from above, head to the top floor of Miraiza Osaka-Jo building nearby.

If you’re interested in learning more about Osaka’s history, check out the Osaka Museum of History which is only a short walk away.

Afternoon: Shinsekai & Optional Spa World

Shinsekai District

This retro neighborhood dates back to the early 1900s and feels like stepping back in time!

There are retro arcades, old time restaurants, and bright signage everywhere.

Things to Do in Shinsekai:

• Walk by the Tsutenkaku Tower (you can go up for a fee, but it also can just be enjoyed from below)
• Play some games at a vintage arcade
• Try kushikatsu at Kushikatsu Daruma (fried skewers)
• Join this Shinsekai Food Tour to hit up the best spots to eat! (You can book here or below!)

Optional: Spa World

If you’re in the mood to relax before leaving Osaka, Spa World is a massive onsen complex with themed baths from around the world.

Do be aware that tattoos are not allowed.

Evening Options

• Head to Abeno Harukas (Japan’s tallest skyscraper) for one last view of Osaka (You can book tickets here!)
• Return to Dotonbori for a final meal and to soak in the nightlife vibes
• For a sit-down dinner, I recommend Gyukatsu Tomita (cook your own beef cutlet)  or Wagyu Idaten (arrive early!)
• Join a guided walking tour to see the best sights in Osaka during the day or at night (You can book tickets here!)

Where to Stay in Osaka

We stayed at Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, and I highly recommend it!

It is a modern and relatively new hotel just a short walk from Dotonbori, with clean rooms, good amenities, and an on-site cafe/restaurant.

It had a casual and relaxed vibe to it which I loved.

Here are a few other hotels in Osaka to check out depending on your budget:

• (Budget) The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi – Hostel with private and dorm rooms
• (Budget) Nine Hours Capsule Hotel (Namba Station) – Capsule hotel
• (Mid-Range) Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka – Great location with city views
• (Mid-Range) Hotel Nikko Osaka – Right above a subway station for convenience
• (Luxury) Swissotel Nankai Osaka – High-end stay right on top of Namba Station
• (Luxury) Conrad Osaka – Expensive but incredible skyline views

Check out this interactive map below for more options on places to stay in Osaka!

Best Places to Eat in Osaka

Osaka is known as Japan’s kitchen for a reason!

Here is a recap of the spots we loved and ones I would recommend checking out:

• Takoyaki Wanaka Dotonbori – Best-known takoyaki stall
• Creo-Ru Dotonbori – Takoyaki and okonomiyaki in one place
• Ajinoya – Classic Osaka-style okonomiyaki
• Hozenji Yokocho Alley – A narrow alley with tiny, hidden restaurants
• Kushikatsu Daruma – Classic fried meat skewers
• Trattoria Pizzeria Allegro Namba – Very good Italian food! We came here twice. I recommend the Margherita Pizza and Fettuccine alla Boscaiola (tuna, mushroom, and tomato sauce).
• Craft Burger Co – Worth a visit if you’re craving a solid cheeseburger!
• Gyukatsu Tomita – Cook your own beef cutlet at your table. Very popular!
• Wagyu Idaten – High quality wagyu beef for a reasonable price. My favorite place we ate in Osaka! I recommend the garlic beef option – so good!
• Tsurutontan Soemoncho – Upscale udon with giant bowls
• Ar. Candy Apples –  Candy apples with different flavors
• A Happy Pancake Shinsaibashi – Thick, fluffy pancakes!
• Udon Kyutaro – Small standing-only udon shop
• Kokuryu Osaka – Ramen spot that stays open late

Coffee Shops in Osaka Worth Visiting

Osaka’s café scene is super great as well!

Here are some coffee shops in Osaka we tried or that were on my list that we didn’t get to:

• Bear Paw Café – Cool concept for a great mission
• Sakimoto Coffee & Bakery – Specializes in “shokupan” (fluffy Japanese milk bread) and delicious drinks (largest latte size I got while in Japan!)
• Lebresso Honten – Good coffee and thick toast options
• The Rita Coffee – We stopped here for mango juice and an iced vanilla latte!
• Yatt Nakazakicho – Low-key café in a quieter part of the city.
• Picco Latte – Known for its latte art
• Cafe Tales – Great coffee and light food options

How to Get to Osaka

Getting to Osaka From Tokyo

The easiest and fastest way to get to Osaka from Tokyo is by Shinkansen bullet train. 

The ride takes around 2.5 hours, and we paid about $100 USD per person for a reserved seat in the regular car.

You can catch the Shinkansen from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. 

We chose to depart from Shinagawa Station because it’s smaller and a bit easier to navigate and not as overwhelming compared to Tokyo Station.

We always bought our tickets at the station just before departure and had no trouble getting on the next train. 

Unless you’re traveling during a busy holiday period, like Golden Week, there’s usually no need to book tickets in advance. 

Trains run very frequently (every 10 to 15 minutes), so you won’t be waiting long.

Getting to Osaka From Kyoto

Getting to Osaka from Kyoto is super simple.

Just hop on a local train, and you’ll be in Osaka in about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on which station you’re coming from and going to. 

Public transportation is reliable and easy to navigate, especially if you’re using Google Maps which is what I recommend. It is more accurate than Apple Maps.

When to Visit Osaka

Osaka is a great destination to visit year-round, but here’s a quick overview of what to expect by season:

• Spring (March–May): Cherry blossoms bloom around late March to early April. Weather is mild, but it can get very crowded during this time of year for the cherry blossoms and Golden Week.
• Summer (June–August): Hot and humid, especially in July and August. Expect temperatures in the 80s–90s°F (27–35°C). We visited in late May and early June and just beat the hot and humid temperatures.
• Fall (September–November): Comfortable temperatures and beautiful fall foliage. Late October through November is ideal for the best weather.
• Winter (December–February): Cold but rarely very snowy. Fewer crowds.

We visited in early June, and it was already warm and pretty humid but not too bad, so I would recommend lightweight clothing and sunscreen if you’re going around then.

My personal recommendations would be late May to early June to avoid the spring crowds and intense summer heat, and October through February for milder weather and less crowds.

Final Thoughts on 3 Days in Osaka Itinerary

Three days in Osaka was the perfect amount of time to explore the city without feeling rushed.

I loved the contrast between the quiet neighborhoods and lively street scene of Dotonbori, and of course, Osaka’s food lived up to the hype!

If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, I definitely recommend adding Osaka to your itinerary.

I hope this guide helps you plan your own visit to Osaka!

Check out my other Japan blog posts to help you plan your Japan itinerary!

• Best Things to Do on Miyajima Island – Day Trip from Hiroshima
• Koyasan Temple Stay: My Experience at Ekoin (Is It Worth It?)
• Two Days in Hiroshima Itinerary for First-Time Visitors