Japan’s kitchen and its most fun-loving city, Osaka pairs castles and temples with neon nightlife and the country’s best street food. Here are the best things to do.
The 8 best things to do in Osaka
The neon canal strip — Glico running man, street food and pure Osaka energy after dark.
The landmark castle in a moat-ringed park, with a museum and skyline views from the top.
“Osaka’s kitchen” — fresh seafood, wagyu skewers and tasting your way down the arcade.
Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World draw theme-park fans for a full day.
Retro old-Osaka district for kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and a kitschy tower.
The floating-garden observatory for one of Japan’s great city panoramas.
45 minutes away — bowing deer, Todai-ji’s giant Buddha and ancient temples.
One of Japan’s oldest, most distinctive shrines, with its iconic arched bridge.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, then Dotonbori and Shinsekai by night. Day 2: Nara day trip, or Universal Studios.
Tips for visiting Osaka
- Get an ICOCA card and consider the Osaka Amazing Pass for free entry + transport
- Dotonbori is the must — go hungry and graze takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu
- Osaka is the ideal base for Kyoto and Nara day trips (both under an hour)
Osaka FAQ
How many days do you need in Osaka?
Two to three — one for the city, plus Nara and/or Universal Studios.
Is Osaka worth visiting over Kyoto?
Do both — Osaka for food and energy, Kyoto for temples; they are 30 minutes apart.
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John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.