Osaka is Japan’s third biggest city (by population) so of course there are plenty of things to see and do in Osaka. But if you’re just visiting on a day trip from Kyoto or Nara, here are the best things to squeeze into one day in Osaka.
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Visit Osaka Castle
Start your day with a visit to Osaka Castle. Skip the queues by buying your ticket online! The castle is surrounded by a moat and gardens filled with blossom trees so if you’re visiting in spring you’ll find spectacular views all around the castle grounds. The original building was constructed in the 1500s by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a samurai and feudal lord. The castle you’ll find in Osaka nowadays is a 1930s reconstruction housing a fascinating history museum. The museum tells the story of the clans and shogunates that fought over the castle for years. It gets very busy inside but it’s worth taking your time and following the exhibit if you’re interested in the history. There is also a viewing platform on the top floor.
To get to Osaka Castle from Osaka’s Umeda train station, take the Osaka Loop Line (O-line) to Osakajojoen Station. If you’re travelling from Shin-Osaka Station, you will need to take the Midosuji (M-line) to Hommachi Station then change to the Chuo line (C-line) to reach Tanimachi 4-chome Station .
Go Shopping in America-mura
Ameriara-Mura is an area in Osaka with lots of American style shops and vintage shops. The clothes are fairly expensive because they’re all imported and didn’t seem that vintage – mostly 90s from what I found. So you might not buy much but it’s still a fun area to wander around and browse.
To reach America-mura from Osaka Castle, take the N-line from Morinomiya Station to Shinsaibashi Station.
Discover Dotonburi
The Dotonburi area is a must for first-timers visiting Osaka. The area stretches around the canal with streets packed with restaurants and shops. Most of the eateries have huge models outside displaying what type of food they serve. You’ll see huge plates of gyoza, massive octopus and giant crabs with animatronic legs! The area is also famous for huge billboard screens, particularly the Glico Man.
Dotonbori is a short 8-10 minute walk south from America-mura.
Explore Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market is a huge covered market with over 100 shops. It is predominantly a fish market but does have stores selling other things. It has a mixture of fishmongers selling fresh wholesale products and street food vendors so you can try some of the delicacies on the spot.
Kuromon Market is south east of Dotonburi, just a 10-15 minute walk.
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Visit Namba Yasaka Jinja
The Namba Yasaka Jinja shrine is famous for its building shaped like a huge lion’s head. The open mouth of the lion is said to swallow any evil spirits that might be following you, so worth a visit if you’re in need of some luck!
Namba Yasaka Jinja is a 15-20 minute walk from Kuromon market, and a similar distance from Dotonbori.
Wander around Shinsekai Market and Tsutenkaku Tower
Sinsekai is a vibrant area of Osaka filled with illuminated stores, restaurants and street food markets. You can also visit the Tsutenkaku tower here which has an observation deck with views over the city.
To reach Shinsekai from Namba Yasaka, it is a 20-25 minute walk.
If you’re heading there directly from Dotonburi, you can either walk 30 minutes or take the M-line from Namba Station to Dobutsuen-Mae Station.
Discover Teamlab Botanical Gardens
Once it gets dark, visit TeamLab at the Botanical Gardens. This is an entirely outdoor light display so wrap up warm if you’re not visiting in summer. Around the gardens there are light shows, projections and interactive glowing orbs. If you have visited TeamLab in Tokyo, this is a slightly different experience, it’s not as immersive or vast but still worth visiting if you have a spare evening in Osaka!
The Botanical Gardens are a little out of the way. To get there from Shinsekai, take the M-line from Dobutsuen-Mae to Nagai Station.
To get back to Osaka-Umeda station from the gardens, you can take the same line (Midosuji/M-line) from Nagai station to Umeda Station. Stay on the train longer to reach Shin-Osaka Station.
How to get to Osaka
How to get to Osaka From Kyoto
You can easily reach Osaka from Kyoto via train. There are a few trains of varying price and duration that you can get. Here is a brief overview but be sure to double check the times and prices for the date you are travelling
| From | To | Duration | Ticket Price | Train |
| Kyoto Station | Shin-Osaka Station | 15 minutes | 3080 Yen | Tokaido Shinkansen |
| Kyoto Station | Shin-Osaka Station | 30 minutes | 1870 Yen | Haruka A – Tokaido-Sanyo Line |
| Kyoto Station | Shin-Osaka Station | 25 minutes | 580 Yen | Thunderbird A – Tokaido-Sanyo Linne |
| Kyoto Station | Osaka-Umeda Station (a more central station than Shin-Osaka) | 45 minutes | 410 Yen | Hankyu-Kyoto Line |
How to get to Osaka from Nara
From Nara’s Kintetsu-Nara Station, ride the Kintetsu-Limited Express (1300 Yen) or the Kintetsu-Nara Line (680 Yen) 40 minutes to Osaka-Namba Station.
How to get to Osaka from Tokyo
To reach Osaka from Tokyo, you can catch the bullet train (Shinkannsen) from Shingawa Station to Shin-Osaka. This takes around 2.5 hours so a little trickier to do in a day trip but still super quick for the distance you’re travelling. Be sure to book the bullet trains at least a few days in advance, I recommend booking on Klook.
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