3 Day Guide to Osaka
Approximate reading time: 15 minutes or less
Osaka Castle in Japan
Table of contents
Introduction
Disclaimers
3 Day Guide to Osaka
Day 0
Transportation Passes
Dinner
Day 1
Breakfast
Universal Studios Osaka
Dinner at Universal Walk
Day 2
Tsutenkaku
Lunch at Dohtonbori
Sunset at Osaka Castle
Night Skyline and Dinner at Umeda Sky
Day 3
Shopping
Drugstores / Pharmacies
Don Quijote
Book-Off
Head to the Airport or Bullet Train
Quick Tips
Ending notes
Introduction
Osaka, Japan
As Japan’s 2nd top destination, Osaka is filled with lots of exciting places, views and activities to experience whether you’re a first timer or seasoned traveler. For some of you, this might just be a layover or short trip before going somewhere else. And since you’re already in the area, why not make the most of it in such a vibrant city?
This 3-day guide was made for travelers on a time constraint, because we’ve all been there before. Trust us!
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Disclaimers
Osaka was the first city we visited in Japan as a couple, and hopefully we can bring our daughter Tokyo with us the next time around! There’s just a warmth to it that is so special
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3 Day Guide to Osaka
Day 0
This ‘day 0’ is more for travelers arriving much later in the afternoon, so feel free to adjust the itinerary as you like if you’re in the area earlier!
Transportation Passes
Nankai express
Before anything, transportation passes are important! The Nankai express takes you straight from the airport to Osaka or Nanba in only a few minutes. You can also take the Haruka express on the JR line to get to Osaka or Nanba, and you might even be lucky enough to catch the Hello Kitty themed train! The Haruka express is included in some JR passes, so be sure to check that out if you’ve availed one of these passes.
We buy our tickets in advance at Klook (affiliate) so that we only have to show the voucher or QR code to claim our passes, then we’re good to go. Very easy!
Dinner
Local restaurant in Japan
After checking in and dropping off your luggage at the hotel, have your first dinner of your trip somewhere nearby. It could be a local restaurant, a fast food chain like Matsuya, Yoshinoya or Sukiya, or even something as easy as a 7-Eleven sandwich or Lawson bento.
Then, rest a lot - your step goal is about to peak these next few days!
Day 1
Breakfast
One of our go-to places for breakfast is Komeda’s coffee, since they serve bread, jam and spread with morning coffee until 11am. It’s a pretty good deal to kickstart your day.
Universal Studios Osaka
Home to some of the most iconic characters of all time, Universal Studios Osaka is a highly visited attraction in Japan. With well over 5 areas full of thrilling and lax rides, you can definitely spend a whole day here and still want more.
Ave’s personal favorites are the Harry Potter World and Despicable Me areas, because she loves the minions! We hope to come here together with our daughter, Tokyo one day, too. Recently, they’ve had Snoopy and Nintendo World rides so we want to check that out for sure!
You can easily book tickets for yourself or your family online through Klook rather than line up at the location.
Dinner at Universal Walk
Even before entering Universal Studios, you’re already greeted with a colorful street of shops and restaurants known as the Universal Walk.
At night, there’s even more life to this place as it’s lit up with neon lights, giving it that vibrant, 90s vibe we all love!
You can have your dinner here so that you can go straight home to your accommodation without having to worry about which restaurants are still open. Alternatively, you can always make a quick stop at the convenience store downstairs… it always makes for the perfect downtime activity when in Japan.
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Day 2
Tsutenkaku
Tsutenkaku tower
Starting off day 2 activities with the famous Tsutenkaku tower, the surrounding area also actually branches out to many shopping streets that you can browse through. The tower itself is exciting enough, however, so don’t miss out on the activities you can do inside!
On the lower floors, you can find various shops with authentic, Japanese offerings, but when you go further up, the fourth floor gives you one of the best views of the Osaka skyline - all for free!
The fifth floor, on the other hand, houses the golden statue of Biliken-san, the deity of good fortune. Joined by seven other deities of good fortune, it is said that offering your wish to Biliken-san will make your wishes come true, no matter what it may be! Hey, if it’s free, it’s worth a shot.
Lunch at Dohtonbori
Dohtonbori street in Japan
Taking the Osaka Metro from Ebisucho station to Nippombashi station, you’ll find yourself a short walk away from Dohtonbori, famous for the river slicing through the middle of its busy landscape, as well as the Glico man sign.
Many restaurants overlook this view of the river, but you can also eat takoyaki by the riverside if the weather permits.
If you’re feeling up for it, you can brave the long line at Ichiran to get a taste of the world famous ramen. Another less crowded option is Ramen Hanamaruken, still within the Dohtonbori area. Ave tried this a few years back and found it just as appetizing, so it might be worth a try! The best part: they’re open 24/7!
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Sunset at Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle
After a fulfilling meal and a bit of a stroll down Dohtonbori, taking a taxi is the simplest route to go to Osaka Castle to catch the sunset view. This is especially stunning in the spring, when the pink cherry blossoms perfectly sway in the sunset.
While you’re in the area, discover the grounds of the Osaka Castle and learn more about its rich history dating back centuries. It’s been remodeled many times, but the architecture has remained impressive throughout the years!
Night Skyline and Dinner at Umeda Sky
Image courtesy of “ https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4002.html " All rights reserved to the original owners
Capping off the night with another skyline view, Umeda Sky is one of the top attractions in Osaka since its highest floor offers a grand, serene panorama of the busy city.
Unlike Tsutenkaku, there is a fee of Y500 to enter, but you can justify it with the great care with which the Umeda Sky was made.
Afterwards, you can have a lovely dinner at one of the restaurants on the restaurant floor of Umeda Sky Building and browse through the selection of stores if you still have the energy. Within one of the buildings is also a huge bookstore called Tsutaya Books, and it offers a variety of books, some of which are exclusively sold in Japan.
Day 3
Shopping
Of course, it’s not a complete Japan trip without a bit of shopping to fill your suitcase – in our case, suitcases – to the brim. We’ve dedicated the last day to some last minute shopping, so that you don’t hurt your pockets too much!
Drugstores / Pharmacies
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You always hear Don Quijote as the go-to place for pasalubong, and it’s true – but if you’re pressed for time or get easily overwhelmed by crowds, a nearby drugstore or pharmacy is still a pretty solid choice!
Drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Tsuruha are some of the most frequently encountered ones in Osaka. These places are still tax-free, so you can shop without worry! Do note that the selection is mostly limited to food, beauty products and medicine, so you might not find it all here.
Don Quijote
Image courtesy of “ https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/don-quijote-japan-variety-store/21596 " All rights reserved to the original owners
Here, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for! With an overly catchy tune, Don Quijote is a tax-free store found all over the country. There’s an especially large one in Osaka near Dohtonbori, so if you have the time of day, you should check that out and feast your eyes on every single floor.
From Japanese innovations like pain relief patches for the feet (you need this after exceeding your step goal every day), skincare products and Japan-exclusive KitKat, to even suitcases and apparel, you’re not leaving the store empty-handed for sure!
Book-Off
As serial thrifters, Book-Off is one of our favorite stores in Japan! It has many locations all over the country, so it’s easy to find in Osaka.
Book-Off sells pre-loved items from books to video games and even collectible items like figurines and merchandise. At the larger stores, they often sell secondhand clothes and handbags that are branded and still in great condition! So, you can tell why we love the place so much.
This place is perfect for thrifters like us, and of course, for bookworms and gamers who wouldn’t mind secondhand books and games for a discount.
Head to the Airport or Bullet Train
Bullet train
And just like that, our trip has ended. Even though you want to stay for another day or two, remember your next trip! Be sure to book a return train ticket in advance for going to the airport, or to make a reservation online for the bullet train to your next destination, to save you the hassle.
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Quick Tips
Money
While cashless options are available in most stores in Japan, always have cash on hand since some stores (especially locally run, small businesses) do not accept card payments. We’ve found that convenience store ATMs are the next best thing for withdrawing cash if there’s no money exchange nearby.
There’s also good news for all Filipinos using GCash! You can use the app abroad to pay in Japan at a good conversion rate. Just have them scan the QR code generated using AliPay+. If you use WePay or ApplePay, you can also look for the sign first before you ask.
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Transportation cards
If you haven’t gotten yourself an ICOCA, Suica, or PasMo yet, it might be the best time to get one (affiliate). Makes traveling that much easier!
Special tickets
Got the JR Pass? Make sure to keep it with you ALWAYS since it’s nonrefundable! If you want to know more about the Japan Rail Pass and its different alternatives, check out our article here (link to transpo article)!
Etiquette / Cultural customs
Remember to be respectful and mindful of Japanese culture while visiting, especially at shrines and temples.
For our complete guide on proper etiquette when in Japan, read our article here!
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Ending notes
Ave in Osaka, Japan
We’ve squeezed in all the must-sees of Osaka in 3 days, but we know it leaves more to be desired! If you’re staying longer than 3 days, you’ll want to stay tuned for our itineraries for Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto in the near future.
In the meantime, if you’re planning to stick to local travels for now, we’ve also got just the thing for you – let Dream Tours Philippines handle the planning so you can enjoy El Nido, Siargao and Boracay without the stress!
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