Osaka for First-Timers: Best Things to Do & Travel Guide 2025

Nestled in Japan’s Kansai region, Osaka has a rich 1,400-year history and is home to about 2.7 million people.

As the heart of Kansai’s business scene, Osakans are known for their straightforward, rebellious, and easygoing vibe.

Less polished than Tokyo or Kyoto, Osaka shines with its down-to-earth charm, vibrant energy, and unbeatable food scene!

photo by Han Min T | Chapman Chow | Roméo A.

How to Get to Osaka from Kansai Airport (KIX)

KIX is about 50km from downtown Osaka. Here are your best options:

To Osaka Station: Take the Haruka Limited Express for the fastest, comfiest ride (¥1,800, about 45 minutes) or the budget-friendly Kansai Airport Rapid train (¥1,210, about 70 minutes).

To Namba Station: Hop on the Nankai Electric Railway (¥970, about 46 minutes). Check our guide for more transit options: Best Ways to Travel from Kansai Airport to Osaka

Where to Stay in Osaka

Osaka Station and Namba Station serve as the transportation hubs of Osaka and are the preferred accommodation choices for most travelers.

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Located a 5-minute walk from JR Osaka Station
★★★★ Location 9.4 | Facilities 8.8 | Value for money 8.4

ibis Osaka Umeda
Located a 10-minute walk from JR Osaka Station
★★★ Location 8.7 | Facilities 8.2 | Value for money 8.3

Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station
Located a 3-minute walk from Nankai-Namba Station
★★★★ Location 9.3 | Facilities 9.1 | Value for money 8.8

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Namba
Located a 5-minute walk from Nankai-Namba Station
★★★ Location 9.0 | Facilities 8.6 | Value for money 8.6

Osaka Itinerary

Getting Around Osaka Osaka’s easy-to-use transit includes the JR Loop Line and subway, perfect for zipping around the city. Subway fares depend on distance, ranging from ¥190–¥390 for adults—use Suica or ICOCA cards for convenience. A one-day subway pass costs ¥820 on weekdays or ¥620 on weekends, ideal for busy sightseeing days. Grab one at ticket machines: Check details here.

Easy 5-Day Plan

Day 1: Universal Studios Japan (from ¥8,900) Getting There: From Namba Station, take the subway (30 minutes, ¥400, one transfer). From Osaka Station, hop on a direct JR train (10 minutes, ¥200).

Day 2: Osaka Highlights Morning: Osaka Castle (¥1,200) Getting There: From Namba Station, take the subway (13 minutes, ¥240, one transfer). From Osaka Station, hop on a direct JR train (11 minutes, ¥180) or subway (20 minutes, ¥240, one transfer).

Noon: Kuromon Market (lunch) Getting There: From Osaka Castle, take the subway (10 minutes, ¥240, one transfer).

Afternoon: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (¥2,700) Getting There: From Kuromon Market, take the subway (20 minutes, ¥290, one transfer).

Evening: Abeno Harukas 300 for sunset (¥2,000) Getting There: From the aquarium, take the subway (24 minutes, ¥290, one transfer).

Night: Shinsaibashi & Dotonbori Getting There: From Abeno Harukas, take the subway (18 minutes, ¥290, one transfer).

Day 3: Himeji & Kobe Day Trip (or split into two days for a relaxed pace).

Day 4: Hiroshima Day Trip (optional) Day 5: Nara Day Trip & Kyoto Meet Nara’s friendly deer on a day trip, then head to Kyoto to continue your adventure.

Top Attractions in Osaka

Universal Studios Japan

Osaka’s top attraction, home to the awesome Super Nintendo World, plus thrilling areas like Harry Potter and Jurassic Park!

Open: 9:00 AM to 7:00–9:00 PM (check dates for exact times)
Cost: Adults: from ¥8,900, Kids (4–11): from ¥5,700. Grab tickets on Klook to skip lines or snag deals!
Time: 1 day
Tips: Grab the official USJ app to score free timed-entry tickets for Super Nintendo World, check live ride wait times, and plan your day. You’ll need a Timed Entry Ticket for Super Nintendo World—check the app or official site for details.
Getting There: Hop on the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station, just a quick 5-minute walk from the park.
Website: usj.co.jp
Watch: Universal Studios Japan RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

Park Map: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/service-guide/parkmap

Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s top three historic castles, alongside Nagoya and Kumamoto. Its sprawling 106-hectare park is free to roam—perfect for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. You’ll need a ticket to enter the iconic main tower at the center, a must-see landmark!

Open: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed late December/early January)
Cost: Adults: ¥1,200, Kids 15 and under: Free. Grab tickets on-site or via Klook to skip lines!
Time: Plan for 1–2 hours to explore the tower and soak in the park’s beauty.
How to Enjoy:
Zip up to 8 floors by stairs or elevator:

• 1st Floor: Browse the gift shop and watch five short films about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the castle (with Chinese subtitles).
• 2nd Floor: Check out castle history exhibits and try on samurai helmets or haori for ¥500 (selfies welcome!).
• 3rd–4th Floors: No photos, but you’ll see historical artifacts, a gold tea room replica, and Hideyoshi-related items.
• 5th Floor: Don’t miss the diorama and film about the Summer Siege of Osaka.
• 7th Floor: Explore interactive displays about Hideyoshi’s life.
• 8th Floor (Observation Deck): Enjoy 50-meter-high city views—best at sunset!

Website: osakacastle.net
Note:
The original castle burned down in 1665, and today’s structure is a 1931 concrete replica, with an elevator added in the 1960s and a spruced-up exterior in the 1990s. If you’re craving a fully preserved feudal-era castle, check out Himeji Castle, but Osaka Castle’s history and park are still a must-see!

Getting There:
Hop on the Tanimachi Line (Purple Line) or Chuo Line (Green Line) to Tanimachi Yonchome, Morinomiya, or Temmabashi stations, or take the JR Loop Line to Osaka Castle Park (Osakajokoen) or Morinomiya stations. Each station is a short 10–15-minute walk to the park.

photo by Nicholas Doherty

Watch: Osaka Castle | Drone Footage

Watch: Is Osaka Castle Worth It?

Kuromon Ichiba (Black Gate Market)

Nicknamed Osaka’s Kitchen, Kuromon Ichiba is a bustling market where most stalls dish up fresh seafood, plus meat, produce, and more. Locals often skip it due to pricier goods, but it’s like a lively food market packed with tourists, perfect for sampling Osaka’s famous sashimi and grilled scallops. Its central location makes it a must for first-time visitors!

History: Started in 1902 as Enmyōji Market, named after a nearby temple with a Kicked off in 1902 as Enmyōji Market, named after the nearby Enmyōji Temple and its iconic black gate (kuromon in Japanese)—hence the market’s nickname! Even after the temple burned down, Kuromon bounced back after World War II to become a foodie favorite.

Open: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (hours vary by vendor)
Time: 30 minutes
Website: kuromon.com
Getting There: Hop on the Sennichimae Line (Pink Line) or Sakaisuji Line (Brown Line) to Nippombashi Station, then take Exit 10.

photo by Roméo A.

Watch: OSAKA Kuromon Market Guide: Better than Nishiki Market??

Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is home to 620 species and 30,000 creatures, from fish to amphibians, reptiles, and more. It boasts over 15 huge tanks inspired by Pacific Ocean habitats, including the massive “Pacific Ocean” tank—9 meters deep, 34 meters long, and holding 5,400 tons of water, big enough for whale sharks! It’s a bit smaller than Okinawa or Nagoya’s aquariums but shines with its focus on natural marine life, no flashy dolphin shows needed.

Open: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM (hours vary; some closures in Jan/Feb)
Feeding Times: Check here for schedules
Cost: Adults: ¥2,700, Kids (6–14): ¥1,400. Grab tickets on Klook to skip the queues!
Time: Plan for about 2 hours to explore all the tanks at a relaxed pace.
How to Enjoy:

• Start on the 8th floor via elevator, then spiral down to the 4th floor, exploring tanks that take you from the ocean surface to the deep sea.
• Visit late in the day for fewer crowds and more space to enjoy the tanks—don’t miss the whale sharks!
• Use lockers at the entrance to travel light.

Note: The touch pool is currently closed (post-pandemic).
Getting There: Hop on the Chuo Line (Green Line) to Osakako Station, then take Exit 1 for an easy 10-minute walk.
Website: kaiyukan.com
Watch: Full Tour of OSAKA AQUARIUM Kaiyukan

Abeno Harukas 300

Soaring 300 meters with 60 floors, Abeno Harukas is Japan’s tallest building and the perfect spot to catch Osaka’s stunning sunset. Compared to Umeda Sky Building, its sleeker, higher observation deck offers jaw-dropping 360-degree city views.

Open: 9:00 AM–10:00 PM
Cost: Adults: ¥2,000, Teens (12–17): ¥1,200, Kids (6–11): ¥700, Kids (4+): ¥500. Grab tickets on Klook to skip the lines!
Time: 30 minutes is plenty for a quick visit, but stay longer to soak in the sunset!
How to Enjoy:
Head to the 16th floor entrance, then zip up to the 58th–60th floors for the observation deck. Catch the sunset for the best views—check local times for perfect timing! The night views are absolutely stunning. On the 58th floor, grab tasty, budget-friendly snacks to fuel your visit.

Getting There: Hop on the JR or Midosuji Line to Tennoji Station, then follow signs to the elevator on the 16th floor.
Website: abenoharukas-300.jp
Watch: Harukas 300 an Immersive Sky Garden

Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori

Shinsaibashi is a bustling covered shopping arcade stretching north to south. Dotonbori’s a lively canal-side street packed with restaurants and neon lights. They meet at Ebisu Bridge, so you can easily explore both in one go!

Getting There: Hop on the Midosuji Line (Red Line) to Shinsaibashi Station and head out through South Exit 10. Stroll south to Ebisu Bridge, then dive into Dotonbori. For navigation, pop “Ebisu Bridge” into Google Maps.

Ebisu Bridge：
Stand on the bridge for epic views of the iconic Glico sign and the sparkling Dotonbori canal.
Fun fact: Glico, the folks behind Pocky chocolate sticks, put up this sign in 1935, now a nostalgic landmark. It’s a picture-perfect spot that pops up in tons of dramas and anime, so don’t forget to snap a photo!

photo by cegoh |Richard Tao

Shinsaibashi
This 600m-long arcade is packed with over 180 shops, from trendy boutiques to familiar chains. It can get super busy, but the lively vibe makes it a fun spot to shop and people-watch!
Watch: Walk Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

Dotonbori
This lively street is packed with restaurants serving classic Osaka street food like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu. At night, the dazzling neon lights create a vibe you won’t want to miss!
Watch: Osaka’s best entertainment districts whose super flashy streetscape attracts tourists

If you’re into photography and love Dotonbori’s psychedelic vibe, hop on the Sakaisuji Line to Ebisucho Station to check out Shinsekai’s retro shopping street near Tsutenkaku Tower—it’s a snap-worthy spot, especially for photographers! photo by Nomadic Julien

Day Trips from Osaka

Nara

Nara’s got 1,300 years of history as Japan’s first capital, packed with cool temples. But let’s be real—most people come for the cute deer!

Getting There: ~43 km from Kyoto Station, about 46 minutes by train.
Time: Full day.
Plan: Check our Nara Day Trip Guide.
Tip: Heading from Kyoto to Osaka? Stop in Nara and use a luggage delivery service to roam free!
photo by Hanna May | Agathe | Alex Kolpikov

Kobe

Kobe’s not packed with the “must-see” temples or shrines like Osaka or Kyoto, but it’s got its own charm! You can:

• Meet cute animals at Kobe Animal Kingdom
• Wander through lovely gardens at Nunobiki Herb Garden
• Relax in the hot springs of Arima Onsen

With its chill harbor vibes and fun activities for all ages, Kobe’s perfect for a stress-free, kid-friendly day trip!

Getting There: ~36 km from Osaka, about 21 minutes by train.
Time: Half or full day.
Plan: Check our Kobe Day Trip Guide.
photo by Zion C

Himeji

Himeji’s claim to fame is Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s best-preserved and most beautiful castles. Nearby, you can stroll through the serene Kōko-en garden or visit the peaceful Enkyō-ji Temple on Mount Shosha—both are definitely worth checking out!

Getting There: ~95 km from Osaka, about 30 minutes by Shinkansen.
Time: Half or full day.
Plan: Check our Himeji Day Trip Guide.
photo by Vladimir Haltakov | Parya Tavakoli Tehrani | Josh C

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is known for its history as the first city struck by an atomic bomb, with the iconic A-bomb Dome as a powerful reminder. You can also visit Miyajima’s stunning floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine and meet friendly wild deer roaming the island.

It’s a bit of a stretch to call it a day trip from Osaka, but the highlights are compact and easy to explore. Hop on the Shinkansen, leave at 9 AM, and be back by 6 PM—totally doable!

Getting There: ~330 km from Osaka, about 1 hour 21 minutes by train.
Time: Half or full day.
Plan: Check our Hiroshima Day Trip Guide. photo by Vicky Ng | Hien Nguyen | Alex Kolpikov

  Hope you enjoy your Osaka adventure!
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