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Osaka, Japan • Asia

Osaka

Japan's kitchen and most fun-loving city - neon-lit canals, street food heaven, a mighty castle and a warm, down-to-earth spirit.

#Street Food#Nightlife#Castle#Theme Parks#CultureCouplesFamilyFriendsFoodieCulture
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

Late March to April for cherry blossom and late October to November for autumn colour bring the most beautiful, comfortable weather (and the biggest crowds). May and early June are pleasant. Summer (July to August) is hot and very humid, and June is the rainy season. Winter is cool, bright and quiet, with the lowest prices.

Daily budget
$160
Time zone
GMT+9 (JST)
Language
Japanese (some English at major sites)
Currency
JPY (Japanese Yen (JPY))
Emergency
110 / 119
Power
Type A & B · 100V

About Osaka

Osaka is Japan at its most outgoing and delicious. Where Kyoto is refined and Tokyo relentless, Japan's third-largest city is loud, funny and food-obsessed, a place whose unofficial motto is kuidaore - eat until you drop. Nowhere is that clearer than in Dotonbori, the dazzling neon canyon of canals, giant signs and street-food stalls where the smell of takoyaki and okonomiyaki fills the air and the famous Glico running man glows overhead. Beyond the food, Osaka has real substance. The reconstructed Osaka Castle stands proud in its moats and park, the markets of Kuromon and Shinsekai keep an older Japan alive, and the Universal Studios Japan theme park draws families from across Asia. The city is also the ideal base for the Kansai region, with the temples of Kyoto, the deer and great Buddha of Nara, and the beef of Kobe all under an hour away by train. Spring (cherry blossom) and autumn bring the most pleasant weather, summer is hot and humid, and winter is cool and bright. Tap an IC card, follow your nose through Dotonbori, and let Osaka's friendly, food-loving energy sweep you up.

Photo Gallery

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Things to Do in Osaka

7
DotonboriEntertainment

Dotonbori

Osaka's dazzling neon entertainment district along a canal, packed with giant signs, street-food stalls and the iconic Glico running man - the heart of the city's nightlife.

2-3 hours Free4.7(220,000)
Osaka CastleHistorical

Osaka Castle

A magnificent reconstructed castle in a vast moated park, a symbol of the city with a museum inside and an observation deck, beautiful under cherry blossom.

1.5-2 hours Park free, keep from JPY 6004.6(200,000)
Universal Studios JapanEntertainment

Universal Studios Japan

A blockbuster theme park with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and thrilling rides - a full, fun day out for families and fans.

Full day From JPY 86004.6(180,000)
Kuromon Ichiba MarketFood

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Osaka's kitchen, a 600-metre covered market packed with stalls selling fresh seafood, wagyu, fruit and street snacks you can eat on the spot.

1-2 hours Free entry4.5(90,000)
Umeda Sky BuildingEntertainment

Umeda Sky Building

A futuristic twin-tower skyscraper joined by a Floating Garden Observatory, offering one of the best 360-degree sunset views over the city.

1 hour From JPY 15004.5(80,000)
Shinsekai & TsutenkakuCulture

Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku

A nostalgic, retro entertainment district built a century ago, crowned by the Tsutenkaku tower and famous for its deep-fried kushikatsu skewers.

1-2 hours Tower from JPY 10004.4(70,000)
Sumiyoshi TaishaReligious

Sumiyoshi Taisha

One of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines, with a distinctive arched bridge and an architectural style predating Chinese influence.

1 hour Free4.5(40,000)

Where to Eat in Osaka

5
Mizuno

Mizuno

Japanese / Okonomiyaki $$4.6(20,000)

A Michelin Bib Gourmand okonomiyaki institution in Dotonbori, griddling Osaka's famous savoury pancakes since 1945. Expect a queue.

Harukoma Sushi

Harukoma Sushi

Japanese / Sushi $$4.6(12,000)

A beloved, great-value sushi spot on a long shopping street, famous for generous, fresh cuts at honest prices. Worth the wait.

Kukuru

Kukuru

Japanese / Takoyaki $4.5(18,000)

A famous takoyaki stall serving Osaka's signature octopus balls hot, crisp and gooey - the quintessential Dotonbori street snack.

Daruma

Daruma

Japanese / Kushikatsu $$4.4(15,000)

The original Shinsekai kushikatsu house, serving crisp deep-fried skewers with the strict rule: no double-dipping in the communal sauce.

Kani Doraku

Kani Doraku

Japanese / Crab $$$4.3(10,000)

The Dotonbori restaurant under the giant moving crab sign, a long-running specialist serving crab in every form, from sashimi to hotpot.

Where to Stay in Osaka

5
Conrad Osaka

Conrad Osaka

Luxury $$$$4.8(3,000)

A sky-high luxury hotel occupying the top floors of a Nakanoshima tower, with spectacular city views, a spa, pool and superb dining.

The St Regis Osaka

The St Regis Osaka

Luxury $$$$4.7(2,000)

An elegant luxury hotel on the fashionable Midosuji boulevard, with butler service, refined rooms and a central, upscale location.

Hotel Zentis Osaka

Hotel Zentis Osaka

Boutique $$$4.6(2,500)

A sleek, contemporary design hotel near Umeda with stylish rooms, a riverside setting and a buzzy lobby bar and restaurant.

Cross Hotel Osaka

Cross Hotel Osaka

Mid-Range $$4.5(5,000)

A smart, well-located hotel right between Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, perfect for diving into the food and shopping action.

Hostel 64 Osaka

Hostel 64 Osaka

Hostel $4.4(3,000)

A stylish, design-led hostel in a renovated 1964 building, with private and dorm rooms, a cafe-bar and a calm, central base.

Osaka Itineraries

1
3-day trip

Classic 3 Days in Osaka

easy USD 350 - 600

A food-and-fun loop through Osaka Castle and neon Dotonbori, a day at Universal Studios or Nara, and the markets, towers and street food of the city.

View day-by-day plan

Osaka Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$700 - $1,500$700 - $1,500$700 - $1,500
Accommodation$30/night$110/night$400/night
Food$20/day$45/day-
Activities$30/day$30/day$30/day
Local Transport$8/day$8/day$8/day
Daily Average$70$160$420

Local currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)

Osaka Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

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