How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Osaka Itinerary

Last Updated on 19th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Bustling and bright, Osaka is on the top of many traveller’s bucket lists thanks to its iconic neon signs and sheer modernity. In stark contrast to historic Kyoto, it’s a glimpse of modern Japan at its very finest. Here’s the perfect one day in Osaka itinerary to give you a crash course in what this multicultural and important financial centre is all about.

While not as big as the capital of Japan, Tokyo, Osaka is still a huge city, with more than 19 million residents, making it more populated than London and even New York. Indeed, it’s the 10th most populated city in the world!

Unfortunately, this also means that you’ll only be able to get a glimpse of what Osaka is all about if you only have 24 hours in the city.

Luckily, many of the city’s main attractions are fairly centrally located and so this itinerary is designed to cover the highlights of this foodie city.

Getting around Osaka

Since most of the places listed within this itinerary are pretty spread out (as in several kilometres away from one another), you’ll want to hop on and off public transportation so as to not waste valuable exploration time simply walking between destinations.

The underground is fast and efficient and there are also buses. I would recommend taking an unlocked phone with you and using Google maps to get around by purchasing an Airalo esim (just check that your phone can support e-sims).

Whatever way you get around, be sure to have plenty of cash on you at all times. Despite its modernity, Japan is a very cash-based society and there are many establishments (as well as public transportation routes) where you can only pay in cash.

Is one day enough time in Osaka?

As I mentioned, due to its sheer size and number of attractions (as well as nearby day trip opportunities), one day isn’t really enough time in Osaka. The ideal amount of time to stay would be at least 3 days (2 nights).

We personally stayed in the city for 4 days (3 nights). However, if one day is all you have, then it’s a sufficient time frame to get to see the true highlights and sample some local cuisine. If it’s your first time in Japan, then be sure to check out our best Japan travel tips.

One day in Osaka itinerary

Osaka Castle

Start your day by heading to the most historic (and undoubtedly most popular) attraction that Osaka has to offer. You’ll want to begin your day here around 9 AM as it can get really crowded and, if you choose to enter the castle, you don’t want to spend half of your day in Osaka queuing for entrance!

Osaka Castle played an important role in the unification of Japan during the 16th-century and its surrounding parkland, Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometres and was open to the public in 1931.

Free to visit (though you have to pay to go into the castle itself), the castle grounds are well known for cherry blossom season (sakura) and for the fall leaves of autumn (koyo).

These are undoubtedly the two most popular times of the year to visit and so you should plan to arrive as early as possible if visiting during these times.

Shitennoji 

The Buddhist temple of Shitennoji is one of the oldest temples in Japan and is also the first temple to have been built by the State. Dating all the way back to the late 6th-century, the temple is characterised by its central five-storied Pagoda, which looms high above the surrounding landscape.

The temple costs 300 yen to visit and includes the chance to see the interior of the pagoda. Close by, the Gokuraku-jodo Garden is a traditional Japanese garden which is free to visit and boasts its own blossoming sakura trees in the spring.

Tsutenkanu 

After visiting Shitennoji, it’s time to make your way to Tsutenkaku, an iconic tower that has become a symbol of the city since its construction in the early 20th-century. The original tower was built in 1912 and was modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

When it was first built, it stood at a heigh of 64 metres, making it the second highest structure in Asia. The tower was unfortunately damaged by a fire in 1943, and the decision was taken to rebuild it following WWII.

The new tower on site stands at 103 metres and, for a fee, you can pay to access the observation deck, which offers a 360 degree view of the city. We personally opted to walk between Shitennoji and Tsutenkanu, though you can also take public transportation.

You can also grab lunch in the area surrounding Tsutenkanu, which is known as Shinsekai. The many restaurants surrounding the tower offer up traditional Kansai classics, including takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and kushi-katsu (deep-fried skewers).

Namba Yasaka Jinja

Finish your daytime activities in Osaka by heading to Namba Yasaka shrine. This Shinto shrine is particularly unique in that it is home to a lion head-shaped building that stands at 12 metres in height. The shrine is free to visit, but can get very busy due to the fact that it’s so unique!

Tombori

After enjoying a day of sightseeing, head to Tombori, a river which runs through the heart of Osaka’s most lively district, Dotonbori. Dotonbori is bright, colourful, and filled with neon coloured signs, as well as unique signs in the shapes of creatures.

There are a few ways to experience the river, though the most popular is to take a river cruise which will give you a perspective from the area via the water, as well as a guided tour as to the history of the area and some other interesting information.

Dotonbori and Minami 

After your river cruise, head into the streets of Dotonbori and Minami to experience the jam-packed district for yourself. Loud, colourful, and ever-busy, this is one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited and walking through the brightly lit streets is an experience I’ll remember for years to come.

There are a few attractions in particular that you won’t want to miss in Dotonbori:

Crab: Located on the Kani Doraku Dotombori Main Branch storefront, there’s a huge mechanical crab which dances across the building and is so popular that it has since become something of a symbol of the Dotonbori district.

Hozenji Yokocho: This quiet and secluded street boasts a wide array of traditional foodie restaurants on a narrow alleyway. The street is best visited at night when it is illuminated with lanterns.

Okonomiyaki

After a busy day of exploring, head to a hole in the wall restaurant to try a local speciality: Okonomiyaki. This savoury pancake dish is a Japanese Teppanyaki and consists of wheat flour batter with other added ingredients cooked on a teppan.

My personal favourite restaurant for this local dish was Okonomiyaki Sakaba, located in the Dotonbori area, as they had a wide array of vegan and vegetarian options (something that is not always readily apparent in Japanese restaurants).

Just be warned that the place is really popular and so it’s best to head there around 7 PM to get a numbered ticket, head out for a drink in the local area, and come back to enjoy your dinner!

We returned to the restaurant around 9 PM and were seated and served almost immediately upon returning at this later time.

If you want to explore Osaka (the Namba district, to be precise) together with a local guide, then consider this Bar Hopping night tour. An alternative dinner option would be to book a food tour in Shinsekai like this one.

Where to stay in Osaka

Osaka makes for a great base from which to explore the surrounding region, and we personally took day trips to places like Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Nara, and Kurashiki Bikan from the city.

The best area to stay in is the Kita ward, which is close to Osaka train station (which in turn provides great transport links to Shin-Osaka, the Shinkansen- bullet train- train station of the city) and has plenty of cool shopping and foodie options close by.

Bon Condominium Osaka: We personally stayed in this appartment hotel for several nights and particularly enjoyed that it was just a short walk to reach Osaka station.

There were several convenience stores close by and it was nice to have a small balcony, as well as a kitchen where we could prepare light meals. Check prices and availability here.

Getting to Osaka

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