72 HOURS IN OSAKA
Your ultimate guide to 3 days in the East Asia cultural treasure
Words and Photos by Andy Armstrong
June 2024
You’re traveling Japan and only have 3 days to work with in Osaka.
No problem- plenty of time to tap into the energy of one of the world’s greatest cities.
And lucky for you, I designed the perfect 72-hour itinerary.
What this guide isn’t:
-A list of famous ramen shops and tourist attractions.
I like a big bowl of noodles and popular landmarks as much as the next person, but those spots can be easily found with some quick research.
What this guide is:
-A carefully crafted blueprint of an authentic Osaka experience.
From scenic riversides to underground worlds to mystical shrines, you’ll feel the spirit of the city through a spectrum of environments.
So here it is, your ultimate guide to spending 72 hours in the East Asia treasure.
DAY 1
AFTERNOON
You made it. Feet on Osaka ground.
Before diving into the magic of the city, reboot with a shower, some body movement, and a quick rest.
Crucial to any successful travel experience, you’ll notice that recovery will be a common theme in this guide.
Without intentionally getting these moments to restore your energy, you can easily slip into a spiral of excess and poor decisions.
Conversely, beginning your trip with some balance and sound judgment will begin a snowball in the right direction.
With the travel haze shaken off, embark on a little late-afternoon/early-evening adventure down to Osakako, the city’s laid-back port neighborhood.
Water is a primary element of Osaka’s DNA, so begin your journey seaside.
Utilize the city’s metro system by hopping the Chuo Line down to Osakako Station, and take advantage of the great waterside trails and parks, beautiful views, and towering ferris wheel.
EVENING
Now that you’ve had a post-travel reset and gotten acquainted with the city, it’s time to visit the local sento and invigorate your spirit.
Central, local feeling, and traveler-friendly, Tateba is a great public bath and sauna option. If you want something a little more upscale and extensive, check out Solaniwa Onsen right next to Bentencho Station.
Not only will this hour at the sento change the direction of your trip, but you’ll also experience an incredible cultural ritual.
End the evening off with a magical nighttime visit to a symbol of the city, Osaka Castle.
This popular attraction gets overwhelmingly packed during the day, but at night, you’ll skillfully miss the crazy crowds and get treated to stunning cityscape views in peace.
What a great first chunk of time in Osaka. You got some rest and fitness in. Then killed 2 birds with 1 stone at the sento by experiencing a cultural institution and reviving your body and mind. Topped off with skyline views under the night sky.
Head home for a good sleep.
Oyasumi (good night).
MORNING
Get out the door at a good time, and experience the city when everything is still quiet.
Up and into the world, just you, and that fresh morning light and air.
A big win to start the day.
For the first morning’s excursion, head down to Sumiyoshi, a classic part of the city featuring a beautiful park, magnificent shrine, and classic shotengai (outdoor/covered shopping strip).
This area is a little bit of a jaunt from the center of town, but easily accessible by train. Although Osaka is a massive sprawling metropolis, you’ll find it’s extremely well-connected and easy to get around by train, bike, and on foot.
After meandering through the park and exploring the shrine, grab a coffee or bite to eat in the shotengai. Enter the shopping street here and head north til something catches your attention.
DAY 2
AFTERNOON
After a full morning, head back to your place to recharge for the next leg of the day.
I like to use these pockets to rest, shower, and eat, as well as catch up on messages, and do any research / planning for the day.
This in-between time is crucial. Without it, burnout is inevitable.
Next, make your way to the iconic Semba Center Building for an afternoon adventure in its underground maze.
This submerged realm is a labyrinth of seemingly endless hallways packed full of cafes, bars, restaurants, and an array of specialty shops.
The building stretches over a handful of blocks, with each block starting a new numbered section. A good option is to enter at section 6 and head down to B2 (two levels below ground).
These underground worlds can be confusing, but it’s well worth the effort.
EVENING
With an eventful evening ahead, this is a good spot to get a little sleep in, or at least some time for your body and mind to recover and process.
Rest time is over.
You’re hittin the town.
Venture east to Tsuruhashi for a taste of nightlife in Osaka’s Korea Town, a true gem of the city.
The area can be accessed quite easily by bike or train, though I suggest hopping on the JR Loop Line. This is one of the main elevated lines in the city, so you’ll be treated to stunning cityscape views out the train window on your way.
Immediately after exiting Tsuruhashi Station, spend some time wandering through the surrounding maze of stalls, shops, restaurants, and bars nestled under the train tracks.
Then, meander down Hondori Shotengai towards the area's main strip, Miyuki-dori. Use Miyukimori Shrine as your north star, as it sits right at the start of this main avenue of K-Pop-centric cafes, shops, and food stalls.
After exploring a bit, grab a bite to eat at one of the countless Korean BBQ or fried chicken spots. But don’t overdo it. The night’s still young and you don’t wanna be too weighed down.
Head to the Daikokucho neighborhood for some late-evening music at Edenico, one of Osaka’s alternative music hubs.
The all-in-one cafe, bar, and music space stands out as one of the city’s most special spots. The cozy, dimly-lit lounge is a portal into a mythical experience fueled by a killer sound system, hand-roasted coffee, and the city’s best DJ’s.
The shop is generally open Tuesday-Saturday from 6 PM to late. If there’s a Sunday event, they close on Monday and Tuesday, and open back up on Wednesday.
Their Instagram is a good place to get info on everything they have going on.
Here are a few other great options for a late-evening coffee experience:
1. Teranoma: a well-curated electronic music bar in the iconic Misono building.
2. Exodus: a hippie-spirited, music-centric Thai restaurant/bar/cafe sitting right on the edge of Amemura. Always have a good playlist going.
3. Jantzen: a classy, retro coffee and tea lounge with a wonderful atmosphere
If you’re looking to continue into the late night hours (10 PM to sunrise), there are plenty of excellent electronic music space options. These include: Muffin, Daphnia, Cauliflower, Noon, Area, Upside Down, and Rake Raka. This is by no means an exhaustive list, just good places to start.
For more band-centric shows, hit the underground mecca, Namba Bears. Or check out indie sanctuary Socore Factory for events across a whole spectrum of genres.
To grab some fliers promoting the city’s latest events, stop into renowned record shops Newtone and Rootdown.
MORNING
After letting your hair down a little the night before, get your blood moving the next day with a scenic stroll (or bike ride) along the Tosahori / Okawa River.
Starting around Higobashi Station, make your way along the river through Nakanoshima, Kitahama, Temmabashi, and eventually Sakuranomiya.
This quintessential riverside park and trail system boasts stunning views, great architecture, and unique dining options.
For a quick coffee and snack break, pop into Nakaoka, a timeless retro cafe with good coffee and classic Japanese cafe food.
Then, continue up the river to Temmabashi, where you can conclude your venture or, depending on your energy levels, keep curling along until you hit Sakuranomiya.
Either way, a superb morning adventure.
Afterwards, go back to the accommodation for a refresh.
DAY 3
AFTERNOON
After a morning on the move, hit the Juso riverside for a more relaxed afternoon at Yodogawa Riverside Park.
Featuring vast, sweeping views of the city-splicing river and downtown city skyline, this classic riverside park is not to be missed.
You’ll quickly see why it’s a trademark of Osaka’s creative world- often appearing in films, music videos, and fashion photography.
Once you wrap up your afternoon on the riverside, get in another visit to the sento if there’s time.
Things are gonna pick up later with a pretty extensive urban hike, so make sure to get some rest.
EVENING
Then, kick off the evening at the Dotonbori River, a staple of the city. After snapping some photos, make your way through the Aiaihashisuji Shotengai (straight down from this bridge).
And at the end of the shotengai, cross straight over the main street.
You’ve just entered Nipponbashi, one of the city’s many great slices.
Cut through the electric neighborhood, following your instincts in and out of alleys and side streets, but ultimately heading south.
3 recommendations in the area:
A. Togetsuya- a great vintage ephemera shop packed full of magazines, books, maps, manuals, and all sorts of retro relics. A great spot for unique and meaningful gifts.
B. Merry Nice- a killer J-Pop-centric music and accessories shop. Another good place to grab a gift or personal keepsake.
C. Pollux Theatre- a music venue hosting exclusively kawaii-anime-pop acts. If you’re lucky enough to catch the hub of the underground idol world on a night with a performance, it’s worth paying the door charge, even for just 30-45 minutes.
After tackling Nipponbashi, continue south to the Shinsekai neighborhood, which hosts the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower, a structure built in the 1950’s symbolizing the city’s period of rebirth.
Circle the area, dive down its alleys, and pass through its shotengais. Then, head south once more for the final leg of the evening.
Crossing over the main road at the bottom edge of Shinsekai, you’ll enter into the Taishi area of the Nishinari district.
As you move through the strip of boisterous karaoke bars and cheap food stalls, you’ll feel an exciting shift in energy.
From the Dotonbori River down through Nipponbashi, into Shinsekai, and deeper into Nishinari.
Electric and neon.
What a night.
MORNING
Ohayo gozaimas (good morning).
Your time in Osaka is coming to a close, so let’s keep this last bit low-key.
Take a leisurely stroll through Karahori Shotengai in the Tanimachi 6 neighborhood.
This vintage and thriving outdoor shopping strip hosts a plethora of high-quality shops where you can get:
-a nice plate of curry
-handmade cup of coffee
-traditional, delicious sweets
-a great bowl of noodles
And just like that, your 72 hours in Osaka is over.
Time to pack up and get moving to the airport or train station.
But no need to fret, because you just had a killer 3 days in one of the best cities in the world.
Do you live in Osaka and have someone visiting?
Or keep getting requests for recommendations in the city?
Use this itinerary and be a hero.
Thanks for reading,
-Andy
P.S. Here’s a bonus recommendation for a great day trip out of the city:
A true treasure of the region.
A vast, magical body of water, offering stunning views, diverse beaches, parks, shrines, and a plethora of excursion options, from ferry rides to cable cars to hikes.
Plus it’s easy to get to- just an hour and 15 minutes from Osaka’s hub stations in Umeda or Kyobashi.
Suggestions:
-Make your way to Cable Sakamoto Station and ride the Hiezan-Sakamoto Cable Car up to Cable Enryakuji Station for a beautiful view. Continue with some hiking, or head back down to the lakeside.
-Move further up the lake on the elevated train line to Makino Station. Rent a bike or walk out to the Kaizu Osaki lookout point at the tip of the peninsula.
Lake Biwa won’t disappoint.