Osaka is Japan’s vibrant, food-loving city known for its neon-lit streets, bustling entertainment districts, and friendly atmosphere. Osaka turned out to be one of our favorite cities in Japan. It was bustling, but small enough that we could easily hit the hot spots in 3 days. And of course, it has Universal Studios Japan. Whether you’re exploring its historical landmarks, indulging in street food, or visiting world-class theme parks, Osaka has something for everyone. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Japan’s third-largest city.
Day 1: Exploring Osaka’s History & Street Life
Your first day in Osaka is all about soaking in the city’s history and lively shopping districts.
Train to Osaka
Like most travelers, we arrived via the Shinkansen (bullet train). If you’re using a JR Pass, the Shinkansen from Kyoto takes just 15 minutes, while the journey from Tokyo takes about 2.5 hours. The train is an experience in itself—efficient, smooth, and a glimpse into Japan’s cutting-edge transportation system.
📍 Arriving at Shin-Osaka Station
- Tip: If you want to start with an energy boost, grab a coffee and a snack at a café inside the station before heading out.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, with a history dating back to the late 16th century. Built by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it played a crucial role in Japan’s unification. The current structure is a reconstruction from 1931, but it remains an iconic site in Japanese history. The expansive park surrounding the castle is perfect for a morning stroll, offering scenic views and cherry blossoms in spring. While the interior is a museum, many visitors prefer admiring the structure from outside, as we did.
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (grounds open 24/7)
- Cost: Free to explore the outside, ¥600 for inside entry
Osaka Museum of History
If you have time, consider a stop at the Osaka Museum of History, which is located nearby. This museum gives a detailed overview of Osaka’s past, from ancient times to the modern era, with fantastic panoramic views of Osaka Castle from its upper floors.
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Cost: ¥600
Dotonbori – Osaka’s Street Food Paradise
Dotonbori is Osaka’s beating heart, famous for its massive neon billboards, energetic nightlife, and legendary street food. The Glico Running Man sign is a must-see for photos, but the real highlight here is the food! Osaka is known as “Japan’s Kitchen,” and Dotonbori is the best place to sample its specialties. Be sure to try to the Takoyaki! We really enjoyed standing in the street watching them being prepared.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon & evening
🌟 Must-Try Foods in Dotonbori:
- Takoyaki (octopus balls) from Kukuru or Acchichi Honpo – Watching these being made on sizzling griddles is part of the experience!
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) at Mizuno – Osaka-style okonomiyaki is a must-try.
- Melonpan ice cream from a street vendor – A sweet and crispy treat.
➡ Bonus Stop: Hozenji Yokocho – A hidden alleyway with a moss-covered shrine and traditional izakayas. The narrow stone-paved streets feel like stepping back in time.
Shinsaibashi Shopping Street
Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s premier shopping street, stretching over 600 meters. It offers everything from luxury brands to quirky Japanese fashion stores and cosmetics. This is the best place to pick up souvenirs, trendy clothing, and unique finds.
- Hours: Shops generally open 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Osaka River Cruise
End your day with an Osaka River Cruise for a nighttime view of Dotonbori’s glowing neon lights. Boats depart every 30 minutes from the Don Quijote store along the river.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (departs every hour at 00 and 30)
- Cost: ¥2000 adults | ¥1000 students | ¥500 children
Day 2: Thrills at Universal Studios Japan
When we told the boys we were going to Japan, the first thing they asked was if we could go to Universal Studios Japan (USJ). Visiting a theme park in another country has always been really fun for us because there is an equal mix of things we know and things that are new and USJ was no exception.
If you are traveling as a family – or even just if you are fans of Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park, USJ should be on your itinerary. This theme park offers cutting-edge rides, immersive themed areas, and delicious food!
We opted to purchase Express Passes when we purchased our tickets, which gave us guaranteed entry or timed entry to 4 the rides we selected. This allowed us to maximize our day and hit all the hot spots, but there was no question, Super Nintendo World was our absolute favorite part! It was literally like stepping in to a video game.
- Hours: Vary by day (usually 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
- Cost: ¥8,600 – ¥9,800 for an adult one-day pass
🌟 Must-Do Attractions:
- Super Nintendo World – Ride Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge. This area feels like stepping inside a video game!
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Walk through Hogwarts and try butterbeer
- Hollywood Dream: The Ride – A thrilling roller coaster with music
Pro Tip: If USJ is on your list, plan ahead. Tickets can be purchased 3 months ahead of time and often sell out in a single day! If you’re interested in an Express Pass, you need to buy it at the same time as your ticket to ensure it’s available. I recommend “test purchasing” for a few days ahead of the date you need to purchase to be sure you understand the ticketing system – this is where you add things to your cart for a day ahead of when you’ll be there so you understand all of the steps and questions they’ll ask before you check out.
Day 3: Pop Culture & Electronics Haven
Today is all about geek culture, gaming, and anime shopping. Whether you are traveling with teenagers, as we were, or just interested in Japanese gaming and anime – today is your day!
Osaka Pokémon Center
This is a dream for Pokémon fans, offering exclusive merchandise, plushies, trading cards, and limited-edition items. If you’re lucky, you might find in-store events or rare Pokémon cards. The boys loved seeing all of the Pokémon displays.
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Osaka Nintendo Store
Just a few steps away is the Osaka Nintendo Store, offering exclusive merchandise, plushies, collectibles and every single Nintendo video game you can think of. After a day at USJ, you would think we were Nintendo’d out, but the boys had fun searching for all their favorite characters and even picked out a few new games as souveniers.
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Den Den Town – Osaka’s Akihabara
Den Den Town is heaven for anime, manga, and retro gaming fans. It’s lined with electronics shops, collectible stores, and themed cafés. The boys had a blast walking through all of the stores. This neighborhood is a miniature version Akihabara, the area we visited in Tokyo. Because it is more condensed, it was easier for us to meander through. Our favorite thing was trying all of the different vending machines!
🌟 Top Spots in Den Den Town:
- Super Potato – Retro gaming store with nostalgic classics
- Mandarake – Rare manga & anime collectibles
Daruma or Dontonbori
Wrap up your trip with a Kushikatsu Dinner at Daruma in Shinsekai. Kushikatsu is a must-try Osaka specialty, that consists of deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood and vegetabls. Or return to Dontonbori for more street food.
Osaka is a city that blends historical charm with modern energy, incredible food, and top-tier entertainment. Whether you’re indulging in street food, shopping, or visiting theme parks, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories.
Would you add any other must-visit spots to a 3-day Osaka itinerary?
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