Osaka Travel Guide: 4 Days in Osaka, Japan

lost in japan: Osaka

SEPTEMBER 2019 | 4 Days IN OSAKA, JAPAN

こんにちは Konnichiwa (hello) and welcome to my Osaka, Japan travel blog post!

Ever since I was a kid, Japan had always been one of the countries at the top of my bucket list. I’ll admit that I still have my elementary school poster board project on traditional Japanese cuisine. Therefore, it was only a matter of time until I would travel here and experience the food from the country it originated from! It was exhilarating getting to immerse myself in all aspects of Japan’s beauty, culture, and liveliness.

Osaka was the first of the three main cities that I travelled to during my two weeks in Japan, with the others being Kyoto and Tokyo. Be sure to also check out my blog posts on a Day Trip to Nara, How to Spend 1 Day in Kyoto and my 1 Week Itinerary for Tokyo!

4 DAYS IN OSAKA

Osaka is one of Japan’s most thriving and energetic metropolitan destinations. Known as the “nation’s kitchen”, this lively city is the perfect place to indulge in a variety of delicious cuisines, explore historical landmarks, and experience some absolutely gorgeous city skylines. Osaka is both ultra-modern and traditionally rooted, resulting in a city that takes the best of both worlds! There is so much to explore in terms of shopping, dining, and entertainment that you’ll be left wanting to see and do more.

OSAKA TRAVEL ITINERARY: 4 DAYS IN OSAKA, JAPAN

ARRIVAL

• DOTONBORI

DAY 1:

• Kuromon Ichiba Food Market

• Osaka Aquarium

• Shinsaibashi

DAY 2:

• Osaka Castle

• Osaka Suijyo Bus Aqua-Liner

• Osaka Museum of Housing & Living

• Umeda Sky Building

• Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise

DAY 3:

• America Mura

• CUPNOODLES MUSEUM

• kobe night trip

DAY 4:

• nara day trip

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ARRIVAL | DOTONBORI

My family and I stayed at Welina Hotel Premier Shinsaibashi in Dotonbori neighbourhood, the downtown area of Osaka. For first-time travelers visiting Osaka, I’d highly recommend staying in Dotonbori. This vibrant area is a hotspot for tourists since it is central to the city and can be described as “Osaka’s Times Square”. The area has a history that dates back for over 400 years and has since served as the most popular entertainment district of the city. With an abundance of clubs, bars, restaurants, and shops, Dotonbori is the place to immerse yourself in a bustling, high-energy, retro-futuristic atmosphere! The notable things that you’ll want to see and experience here are the Glico Running Man, a Tonbori River Cruise, and food stalls offering all the takoyaki (grilled/fried octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) that your heart could ever desire.

DAY 1 | Kuromon Ichiba Food Market, Osaka Aquarium, and Shinsaibashi

KUROMON ICHIBA FOOD MARKET

Kuromon Ichiba Food Market in Osaka, Japan.

If you’re like me and are constantly thinking about food 24/7, what better way to start your day off than roaming around one of the largest public food markets in Osaka! Kuromon Ichiba Food Market includes over 150 different stalls selling fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables, as well as souvenirs. Operating for over 170 years, the market is mainly home to local family-run businesses although there are a few larger commercial convenience stores here too. This is a great starting point to discover some iconic Japanese dishes. As a hard-core salmon nigiri/sashimi lover myself, of course, I had to try some fresh sushi here, and oh man, was it delicious! I also really enjoyed eating fresh takoyaki 🐙 (grilled/fried octopus balls) from the stall called Takoyaki Wanaka. This is one of the most prominently known takoyaki places in Osaka. With several branches across the city, it is widely popular with tourists and locals looking for the perfect mix of hot, sweet, gooey, deliciousness! 😋 Other unique foods to try at the market are grilled scallops, fresh oysters, spotted prawns, uni (sea urchin), and much more! Again, you really can’t go hungry stepping into a food market so diverse as this one.

OSAKA AQUARIUM KAIYUKAN

Next up on our itinerary is the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan! Located in the Tempozan Harbor Village of Osaka's bay area, it is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world. The Osaka Aquarium is about 30 minutes by metro away from Dotonbori. You can expect to spend about 2.5 - 3 hours here appreciating over 30,000 aquatic sea creatures representing 620 different species from all across the Pacific Rim. The aquarium is segmented into 15 distinct zones that showcase different regions of the Pacific Rim. My favourite exhibit was the jellyfish - it was like stepping into a galaxy filled with thousands of translucent moving stars appearing above and all around!

SHINSAIBASHI

Head back to Shinsaibashi to enjoy some dinner, shop in Osaka’s most lively district, and walk around the iconic Dotonbori area. We stopped by Ramen Zundouya for their hearty pork broth, perfect bite-to-chew ramen noodles, and flavourful chashu. Yum! My mouth is still watering looking back at this picture 🤤.

Ramen from Zundouya in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan.

DAY 2 | Osaka Castle, Osaka Suijyo Bus Aqua-Liner, Osaka Museum of Housing & Living, Umeda Sky Tower, AND Tombori River Cruise

With the Osaka Amazing Pass, you can purchase either a 1-day or 2-day pass and access over 40 different sightseeing attractions and unlimited bus and subway usage across the city. This is a great way for first-time travelers to save money and experience the best of Osaka. Day 2 of this itinerary includes some of the top locations to visit so you can fully take advantage of the Osaka Amazing Pass! Click here for a complete list of all the facilities included in the Osaka Amazing Pass.

OSAKA CASTLE

Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan.

The first destination of the day was Osaka Castle. Known as one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, Osaka Castle has a history dating back to 1583. Since its original construction, the castle was burnt and destroyed several times due to civil wars, WWII, as well as a fire caused by lightning. After being rebuilt and reconstructed each time, it now stands as a true testament to traditional Japanese design and architecture. This five-story castle contains hundreds of different artifacts, each representing a significant part of Osaka’s fascinating history. The top level also provides access to a beautiful 360 degrees view of the surrounding parks, castle grounds, and cityscape for all visitors to enjoy. Admission is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass, otherwise, general admission is ¥600 JPY ($7 CAD).

OSAKA SUIJYO BUS AQUA-LINER

View on the Osaka Sujiyo Bus Aqua-liner.

Another attraction available in the Osaka Amazing Pass is the Suijyo Bus Aqua-Liner. The first port is just a 15-minute walk from Osaka Castle. This is the perfect way to travel to your next destination while also getting to take in the elegant city skylines. There are a total of 4 stops on the Aqualiner sightseeing course, which takes 55 minutes round trip. We decided to disembark at the fourth port, OAP Pier, so that we could continue to our next destination.

Address for Osakajo Pier port:
Aqualiner, 2 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan

More information on the Aqualiner course map can be found here.

OSAKA MUSEUM OF HOUSING & LIVING

Next up is the Osaka Museum of Housing & Living. This small yet charming museum allows you to immerse yourself and walk directly into the mid-19th century streets of a traditional Japanese village. The attraction is included as part of the Osaka Amazing Pass. Otherwise admission costs ¥400 JPY ($4.35 CAD) for adults, ¥300 ($3.25 CAD) for high school or university students, and free for junior high school students and younger. Which I personally think is a steal! Before entering the museum, visitors have the option to rent a Kimono, a traditional Japanese robe gorgeously designed with various patterns and vibrant colours. The ninth floor of the exhibition is filled with numerous types of housing, shops, and stalls. The atmosphere itself is accompanied by the sounds of birds chirping and the drumming of rain, colurful lanterns lining the village streets, and even dimming lights are used to emulate the transition from day to night. As you wind your way down the nine floors of the museum, you’ll see detailed models of Osaka that showcase the city through pivotal periods of its history. Overall, this is a great place to stop at during your stay in Osaka - and a perfect way to make use of a rainy day in the city!

UMEDA SKY BUILDING

Top of the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka, Japan.

Next up is the Umeda Sky Building, located in Shin Umeda City and part of the Kita district of Osaka. It is comprised of two 40-story towers that connect in the center by a bridge at the very top. On a clear day or night (even better if you catch the sunset), you’ll be treated to some spectacular views of Osaka’s cityscape! Note that this attraction is part of the Osaka Amazing Pass. Otherwise, admission is ¥1,500 JPY ($15 CAD). The building’s main attraction is the observatory deck where visitors get to experience a breathtakingly beautiful, unobstructed 360-degree view. But before that, the journey up to the 40th floor is already a unique experience in itself. First, you’ll take an elevator ride all the way up from the 3rd to the 35th floor. After, you’ll embark on a 45-meter-long escalator ride that will have you feeling like you’re suspended in mid-air since you’ll cross through the hollow center between the two towers! The architecture of the Umeda Sky Building is absolutely one to admire for its striking presence of glass, steel, and a doughnut center. Interestingly, it’s been described as the ‘modern, space-like version’ of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe.

OSAKA DOTONBORI RIVER CRUISE

Views from the Tombori River Cruise along the Dotombori River.

A trip to Osaka wouldn’t be complete without a night cruise along the Dotonbori River! This is a great way to see the Dotonbori neighborhood from a different perspective. Let the wind blow through your hair, the scents from the street market stalls fill your nose with delight, and take in the breathtakingly beautiful sites of the bustling city. You’ll be taken through the canals on this 20-minute ride, passing many major sites including the world-famous, Glico Running Man. The Tombori River Cruise attraction is available through the Osaka Amazing Pass. Otherwise, general admission is ¥1,200 JPY ($11 CAD).

DAY 3 | America Mura, CUPNOODLES MUSEUM, and kobe night trip

AMERICA MURA

Start your day off at America Mura (also spelled ‘Amerikamura’ or ‘Amemura’ to the locals) which translates directly to ‘America Village’. It is located 10 minutes away by foot from Dotonbori, just north of the canal. Since the 1970s, this unique district of Osaka has been known for its youthful culture and fashion-forward apparel featuring vintage, urban, and hip-hop clothing. Take a stroll around to discover plenty of retail shops, cafes, and restaurants. As the name suggests, this area is heavily influenced by North American and International cultures. If you’re craving something other than Japanese cuisine, it’s here that you’ll find commonly known Western food such as burgers, pizza, and pancakes. We had a fun time checking out the Herschel Supply Company store and seeing all the Hello Kitty backpacks! As a Vancouverite, I definitely had to check out the Vancouver-founded store and see how it differed from home. Another notable discovery in this area was the mouth-wateringly good egg tarts from Cheese Tart Pablo Shinsaibashi. Definitely try both the egg tarts and cheesecake here - you can’t go wrong!

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM

Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka Ikeda.

One of the must-see sites that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list is the CupNoodles Museum, or in other words, the “birthplace of instant noodles”. I am a big fan of instant noodles so when I heard there was a museum in Osaka dedicated to one of my favourite foods, I knew I had to go! Traveling to the CupNoodles Museum makes for a great day trip out of the main hustle and bustle of the city. It takes about 50 mins by metro from Dotonbori in Osaka to Ikeda, the town where the CupNoodles Museum is located. And the best part? Entry into the museum is absolutely free! However, I do recommend everyone to make their own personalized cup noodles which costs ¥400 JPY ($4 CAD). This was the highlight of the museum! I loved being able to decorate a cup, fill it with noodles, and select all my favourite toppings including corn, imitation crab, dehydrated meats, and tempura flakes. There are so many options to choose from. Once you’re satisfied with your personalized instant noodle creation, the cup will go through a machine that places a suctioned lid to seal it up so you can take your cup noodle souvenir home!

There are a lot of different exhibits to see throughout the museum including a human-sized Cup Noodles - now if only it was actually real! The museum also does an amazing job of taking you through the history of how the Cup Noodles brand was first invented by the great Father of Instant Ramen himself, Momofuku Ando. You’ll be taken on a historical journey beginning in 1958 to present on how instant noodles took the world by storm and became globally recognized and widely loved by all different cultures. There are a lot of great IG photo opportunities including a picture next to the cup noodle wall!

Note that the museum is open daily between 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (The last admission is at 3:30 pm) so plan accordingly and ensure you allocate at least 2 hours for enough time to explore everything at the CupNoodles Museum.

KOBE NIGHT TRIP

Kobe Harborland night view in Kobe, Japan.

If you’ve got time to spare and want to embark even further, I highly recommend heading to Kobe for a little late afternoon or night trip. From the CupNoodles Museum, Kobe Station is about a 1 hr metro ride. Best known for its signature marbled beef, Kobe is located on the Northshore of Osaka Bay and is Japan’s 7th largest city. I ventured to Kobe Station, near Kobe Harborland, a popular shopping district filled with fashion brand stores, supermarkets, and many food options! Highly recommend stopping by the harborfront area to take in the breathtaking city skyline views, and indulge in some delicious Kobe beef!

DAY 4 | NARA DAY TRIP

Your stay in Osaka doesn’t stop here! An often popular day trip from Osaka is a quick train ride to the beautiful city of Nara. What did we do you might ask? See the bowing, Japanese deer, of course!

Posing with a deer in Nara Park, a public park located in Nara, Japan.

Read more on what to do, see, and eat in my Day Trip to Nara blog post!

NEXT UP 🚅 ➡ Nara, JAPAN 🇯🇵 (COMING SOON)