How to Spend THREE DAYS in Osaka: 3-Day Itinerary
Ready to dive into the excitement of Osaka? Welcome to our ultimate 3-day Osaka itinerary!
Osaka is a city bursting with energy, from its neon-lit streets and buzzing food scene to its deep historical roots. But with so much to see and do, we know just how overwhelming it can feel to try and fit everything into just a few days.
But don’t worry because we’ve got you covered! After exploring Osaka inside and out, we’ve put together the perfect itinerary to help you experience the best of the city. From iconic landmarks to local foodie hotspots, this guide ensures you’ll experience the best that Osaka has to offer. Let’s go!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE experience in Osaka was this award-winning food tour! With 13 mouthwatering dishes served at five tucked-away local spots—each bursting with bold flavors and regional specialties—we ate like royalty all evening. From sizzling street snacks to comforting bowls of noodles, every bite told a story.
Day 1
Breakfast – Maze Cafe Namba
Start your day with a light breakfast at Maze Cafe Namba, a cute little spot that’s a stone’s throw from the meeting point for your morning city tour. Breakfast isn’t really a huge deal in Japan, but this spot offers great coffee and pancakes or French toast to start your day with!
Morning – Osaka city tour
Doing this sightseeing tour on our first day in the city really made us fall in love with Osaka’s fun and quirky feel, and we’re sure it will do the same for you! There are different durations available, from 3–7 hours, but for this itinerary, we suggest going for the 3-hour option. This will ensure that you have time to fit everything in. Book it for 10 am!
The meeting point is just a 10-minute walk from Maze Cafe Namba, at the Namba subway station. From there, your guide will show you around some of Osaka’s most beloved areas. These include Hozenji Yokocho, an old-school paved alley filled with traditional shops, and Dotonbori, the famous entertainment district where neon-lit streets line the canal. It’s like Osaka’s Times Square, only ten times better!
One area we particularly loved visiting when we did this tour was Amerika-Mura, which is Osaka’s take on an American shopping village. We had so much fun people-watching here and admiring shoppers’ unusual outfits.
Osaka can be overwhelming at first, but this tour made it feel so much more manageable! No wonder it has over 600 5-star reviews.
Check prices and book this sightseeing tour here!
Lunch – Kuromon Ichiba Market
Kuromon Ichiba Market is nicknamed “Osaka’s Kitchen,” and trust me, once you visit, you’ll see why! It’s a foodie paradise filled with local street food such as fresh seafood, grilled skewers, sushi, and my favorite, takoyaki! This morning’s tour might actually stop here for lunch, depending on the timings but if it doesn’t, you can head here by yourself. It’s just a 10-minute walk from Namba Subway Station, where the tour starts and ends.
Afternoon – Explore Namba and Shinsaibashi
Namba Yasaka Jinja Shinto Shrine is a 15-minute walk from the Kuromon Ichiba Market, and it’s definitely worth visiting this unique shrine! It’s famous for its massive lion’s head structure, which is said to swallow evil spirits to make way for good fortune.
From there, it’s about a 20-minute walk to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street. Honestly, I could spend hours exploring this 600-meter (1,969-ft) long arcade, and it’s covered, so it’s suitable for shopping in all weathers. Here, you’ll find everything from high-end luxury boutiques to cheap and cheerful stores, kimono tailors, and fast food restaurants.
Mid-afternoon – Cruise around the city in a go-kart
I think we’ve all fantasized about a real-life version of Mario Kart at some point in time. But did you know that it actually exists in Osaka?
Yep, with this go-kart tour, you’ll get to dress up as cartoon characters and zoom around the streets like you’re in a video game. This experience is insane, and an awesome way to sightsee, I might add!
It lasts just over an hour, so it slots easily into today’s itinerary. Choose the 4:30 pm option so you have plenty of time to enjoy the market after your city tour and don’t have to rush! It’s about a 25-minute walk here, or it takes 5–10 minutes in a cab.
Trust me, whizzing through Osaka’s coolest areas is such a rush! On this tour, we drove through the buzzing shopping area of Shinsaibashi and quirky America Mura. But my favorite had to be zipping through the exciting, neon-lit streets of Dotonbori and Namba!
Our guide, Albert, made us feel super safe and helped us navigate Osaka’s streets with confidence. Go-karting around the city streets is the kind of quirky experience that you can only get in Japan, so I say take full advantage while you’re here.
Most people will need to show an international driving permit in order to be allowed to participate in this experience. You can check the rules and read recent reviews here!
The last thing to note is that go-karting is a very popular thing to do in Osaka, and this top-rated tour is highly sought after. I would advise you to book this tour at least a week or more in advance.
Grab your spot on this epic go-kart tour here, before it sells out!
Dinner/evening – Dotonbori
Dotonbori is one of Osaka’s most exciting nightlife districts. We love coming here after dark to enjoy the buzzing atmosphere and neon lights, so where better to grab dinner after your first day of exploring Osaka? There are tons of excellent local restaurants here, so you can go anywhere that tickles your fancy. We stopped at Ichiran Ramen Dotonburi and fell in love with their rich and hearty ramen.
Day 2
Breakfast – Grab on the go!
We’re heading out to Nara today, which should take around 50 minutes, so this morning I suggest finding something close to your hotel to fuel up before you leave. Convenience stores like FamilyMart and 7-Eleven usually have lots of great snacks and breakfast options.
Morning – Day trip to Nara Park
Once you’ve had breakfast, it’s time to catch the train to Nara Park to visit the iconic bowing deer! From Osaka Station, you can take the Osaka Loop Line to Tsuruhashi Station and then change to take the Kintetsu-Nara Line Rapid-Express to Kintetsu-Nara, which is right next to the park. The journey should cost somewhere between 800–1,000 JPY ($5.50-$7 USD) in total.
When you arrive in Nara Park, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful sika deer, which roam freely here. There are vendors around where you’ll be able to buy some crackers for around 200 JPY ($1.30 USD). This is to encourage the deer to bow to you!
When we visited, the deer were eyeing us as we approached them with crackers, but once we held them up, they bowed to us in exchange for the food. It’s very wholesome!
You only need about half a day here, but while you’re in Nara Park do make sure to visit Todai-ji Temple. It was one of the Seven Great Temples and houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world, so we definitely think it’s worth a visit!
Lunch – Kasu Udon / Donburi Restaurant
Kasu udon is a regional specialty and we had an amazing, flavorsome bowl at this local spot! This type of udon is made with a rich, umami-packed broth and topped with kasu, which is crispy yet juicy fried beef offal. If you’ve never tried offal before, don’t let that put you off because the kasu really does add an incredible depth of flavor.
Still, if you’d rather not go down that road, then they also serve yummy donburi here. This is a traditional Japanese rice bowl dish with simmered meat, fish, and vegetables.
After we had eaten, we also stopped by Yamato Craft Beer Table down the road, and it was fantastic! They serve about a dozen local craft beers as well as bar snacks and pizza, and the owner literally could not have been nicer to us.
Afternoon – Explore the Shinsekai area
After lunch (and a beer or two), head to Nara Station and hop on the Yamatoji Line to Shin-Imamiya Station, which should take 45–50 minutes. From there, it’s just another 5-minute walk to Shinsekai, Osaka’s famous retro-style district.
Ironically, Shinsekai’s name means “the New World” as it was developed in the early 1900s to resemble Coney Island in the southern portion and Paris in the northern half. However, it was neglected after World War II and so now it’s frozen in time!
We love exploring the nostalgic streets of this quirky part of Osaka. It’s worth taking a look at Tsutenkaku Tower, and you can even head up to the 88th floor to enjoy panoramic city views if you like! There are lots of tempting street treats, including kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) on offer, but try to save yourself for tonight’s food tour.
Dinner/evening – Enjoy Osaka’s famous culinary scene on a food tour
Did you know that Osaka is known as the nation’s kitchen? Yup, it’s past as a major trade hub has made it into a foodie’s paradise that’s packed with incredible street eats. And Shinsekai in particular is famous for its specialty food stalls and stores. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that doing this top-rated food tour is an absolute must-do while you’re here!
You can book this tour for either 5:30 pm or 6 pm. It typically lasts for around 3 hours, and we visited five different local eateries in that time!
The Shinsekai area is incredibly cool but it can be a bit of a sensory overload at first, so we were really grateful for our guide, Natalie! She showed us around and took us to authentic local hotspots that we definitely would not have found and helped us order, because nowhere we visited had English menus.
If you want to avoid the tourist traps, I’m certain that you’ll love this tour. Over the course of the evening, we got to try lots of quintessential Osaka foods, such as kitsune udon and takoyaki. In fact, we tried 13 different dishes over the course of the evening, plus two unique local drinks. It’s safe to say that we were stuffed by the end!
We had a fantastic time and would 100% do this tour again. In fact, the tour has over 1,000 5-star reviews you can read here, so we’re clearly not the only ones who loved it. But because of its stellar ratings, it means it often sells out, so book as soon as you can!
Grab your spot on this Shinsekai food tour here before it sells out!
Day 3
Breakfast – 9 Borden Coffee
Fuel up for your final day of adventure in Osaka with a solid cup of coffee at 9 Borden Coffee. It’s a sleek spot with a cozy feel, and they offer Bali-style smoothie bowls as well as yummy breakfast burritos. Plus, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Osaka Aquarium, which is our next stop!
Morning – Osaka Aquarium
Not only is the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan widely regarded as one of the best aquariums in Japan, but it’s also one of the largest in the world! So I think it’s safe to say that it’s a must-visit while you’re here, don’t you? Entry starts at 2,700 JPY ($18.50 USD) per adult, and we suggest spending 2–3 hours here, because there’s just so much to see.
When we visited, we were truly in awe of the massive tanks filled with whale sharks, manta rays, sea lions, dolphins, jellyfish, and more! There are exhibits that mimic marine environments from all over the world, from the Antarctic to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. We promise, this place will leave you in awe!
Lunch – Tempozan Marketplace
Right next to the aquarium is Tempozan Marketplace. It’s got everything from shops and restaurants to a Legoland Discovery Center–yes, really!
In terms of food, there is pretty much everything you can imagine here, from fast food to western cuisine and authentic Japanese street food. Personally, we like the Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho area of the market because this is where you’ll find lots of Osaka’s regional specialties, such as okonomiyaki and kushikatsu.
If you want to spend some extra time here, the Legoland park is well worth checking out. There are rides for kids, playrooms for building Lego, and a miniature display of Osaka! It’s made up of over 1.5 million bricks – how crazy is that?
There’s also a giant Ferris wheel here where you can take in views of the city. Rides last about 15 minutes and cost 900 JPY ($6 USD) per person.
Afternoon – Osaka Castle and Nishinomaru Garden
After lunch, catch a cab over to Osaka Castle. It’s only a 15-minute drive, but it takes 3 times that long on the train! It had a key role in Japan’s unification, so it’s a must for history buffs, but honestly, you don’t have to know a lot about history to appreciate the beauty of this ornate green-and-gold building and its beautiful gardens.
You can enjoy the exterior and stroll around the castle grounds for free. It costs 600 JPY ($4 USD) to go inside, which is worth it if you’re a history buff, but I wouldn’t say going inside is a must. The edifice and the gardens are the real attraction here!
Be sure to head over to Nishinomaru Garden, which is adjacent to Osaka Castle and its grounds. This garden offers excellent vantage points for snapping photos of the castle, and it’s a favorite spot among photographers. I promise, once you visit, you’ll totally see why! There are also around 600 sakura trees, so it’s even more breathtaking during cherry blossom season.
Dinner/evening – Osaka nightlife tour
Your last night in Osaka calls for celebration, so go out with a bang by booking this exciting nightlife tour! It begins at 6 pm and starts in the Namba District, about a 10-minute cab ride from Osaka Castle. Alternatively, you could always grab a Docomo Bike Share near the castle and use that to pedal over to Namba in about 15 minutes instead.
Either way, you’re definitely in for a treat with this nightlife tour. When we first came to Osaka, one of the biggest challenges we found was finding genuine local hotspots to party the night away. Taking this tour made things so much easier for us!
On this tour, you’ll explore the maze of backstreets in the buzzing Namba and Shinsaibashi districts, both of which are known for their thriving nightlife. When we did this tour, we visited four different izakayas, and I’m not kidding you when I say that we wouldn’t have managed to find a single one of these on our own! It’s no wonder this tour has 800+ raving reviews!
We got a typical izakaya dinner, which basically consists of lots of smaller dishes, like yakitori and takoyaki, so we were super happy with that. Our guide, Kevin, also had us trying lots of different drinks that we wouldn’t have known to order, like whisky cocktails, and we got to drink sake out of a traditional tin. It really did affect the flavor!
This tour is an absolute blast and it’s the perfect way to end your Osaka trip with a bang! Plus, for the price, it’s amazing value for money, too. We would have easily spent more than the price of the tour had we ended up at the overpriced, touristy spots!
Book this top-rated Osaka nightlife tour here and enjoy FREE cancellation!
Where to Stay in Osaka
Osaka is a sprawling city with plenty of accommodation options, but for the sake of this 3-day itinerary we recommend staying fairly centrally. Being within easy reach of all of the city’s best tours and attractions will make your trip so much smoother and more enjoyable. To make planning easier for you, here are three great hotel options to match different budgets so that you can find the perfect base for your three-day adventure.
Luxury – $$$
The Westin Osaka is a fantastic option for luxury travelers, with large, modern rooms that offer amazing city views. There is even an indoor pool, four restaurants, and an acupuncture salon onsite – what more could you want? The hotel is located near the Umeda Sky Building, so it’s in a great location! Dotonbori and Osaka Station are both within easy reach of this luxurious hotel, too.
Prices for the Westin Osaka start around $280 USD per night and can be booked in advance online.
Mid-range – $$
Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka is located in the heart of Osaka, within walking distance to the most popular shrines, restaurants, and things to do. The decor is cozy and comfortable, but still upscale and quite a lavish stay at a moderate price point! They offer twin, double, or queen rooms and the staff is friendly and attentive.
Rooms range from about $130 to $250 USD depending on the time of year and room. Check availability and book this stay here.
Budget – $
MinpakuFujiNamba is a budget-friendly hostel in the heart of Osaka, just a 5-minute walk from Namba Station and top attractions like the Glico Man Sign. It doesn’t get much more central than this! It’s clean and comfortable, with free WiFi, a communal kitchen, and an on-site laundry service.
In short, it has everything you need and with rooms starting at just $80 USD per night, we think it’s a bit of a steal! Check prices and availability for this hotel on Booking.com!
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Osaka here!
Thanks for reading!
Three days in Osaka flew by in a whirlwind of street food, quirky neighborhoods, and neon-lit adventures—and honestly, we wouldn’t change a thing. From feeding deer in Nara to go-karting through Dotonbori and diving deep into Japan’s food culture, this itinerary gave us the perfect taste of the city’s playful, flavorful charm.
Before you head off, don’t forget to check out our other Osaka blogs! We’ve also rounded up even more tours, foodie finds, and day trips below to help you plan your next stops around Japan. Happy exploring!
10 Best Things to do in Osaka, Japan
