Osaka may be smaller than Tokyo, but it certainly packs a punch with its vibrant energy! From indulging in the renowned food scene around Namba to the thrill of Universal Studios, there’s no shortage of exciting experiences. We spent a total of 4 full days in Osaka (6 days if you include travel days) and a total of 31 days in Japan! Without a doubt, it was one of the best months of our lives. Even after spending a whole month exploring Japan, we still feel like we didn’t get our fill of the country, and we’ll absolutely be back.
TLDR 🫣
Osaka: While Osaka might be smaller than Tokyo, it boasts a lively atmosphere filled with an amazing culinary scene and exciting attractions, making it an essential stop for newcomers!
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Osaka Castle Area and Osaka Bay/Universal Studios.
- Day 2: Universal Studios.
- Day 3: Namba Area & Downtown – Explore Shinsekai and Dotonbori.
- Day 4: Namba Area & Downtown – Shopping in Shinsaibashi (we link the cheapest Daikoku store in Osaka at the end of the blog - better prices than Don Quijote!)
Pro Tips:
- Book hotels early; CHECKinn Osaka Shinimamiya & Smile Hotel Osaka Yotsubashi are budget-friendly options at $60-65 CAD per night.
- A lot of small izakayas and market shops that sell food will only accept cash — be sure to have some handy.
- Universal Studios Japan officially opens at 9:00 AM, but the best unkept secret is that rope drop is actually around 8:00 AM. Also, school field trips often happen on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if you can plan your visit for other weekdays, you might enjoy smaller crowds!
Top Awards:
- Best experiences included devouring street food at Kuromon Market and unleashing our inner kids at Nintendo World in Universal Studios.
- Best food was from Onigiri Gorichan. Ready to tackle the biggest onigiri of your life?
If you’re planning a long trip to Japan, we’ve outlined our full 31-day itinerary in another blog post: How to Spend 1 Month in Japan. That blog will give you a high-level overview of how we traveled, what we did, where we stayed, and how much we spent overall. In this post, we’ll zoom in on our recommendations for how first-time visitors can spend 4 full days in Osaka, along with some tips to customize your itinerary.
Just a heads up: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.
AWARDS
Best Experiences: exploring Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, trying street food at Kuromon Market, and wandering the lively Namba District, home of the Glico Running Man Sign
Best Eats: For a bite to eat, we couldn’t get enough of Onigiri Gorichan (Google Maps) —our favourite restaurant!
Best “Bang for your Buck” Hotels: CHECKinn Osaka Shinimamiya & Smile Hotel Osaka Yotsubashi. We personally stayed at both these hotels (not sponsored) and loved it. While small (as are most hotels in Japan), they had their own private bathroom, amenities, and were the most affordable costing $60-65 CAD per night (we stayed on weekdays).
Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase)
ITINERARY
Let’s break down How to Spend 4 full days in Osaka, Japan as First-Timers:
Day 1: Osaka Castle Area and Osaka Bay/Universal Studios
Day 2: Osaka Bay/Universal Studios
Day 3: Namba Area & Downtown – Specifically Shinsekai & Dotonbori Areas (eating!)
Day 4: Namba Area & Downtown- Specifically Shinsaibashi Area (shopping!)
Since we flew in and out of Osaka, we had a few half days that were dedicated to just travel. So while we recommend the above 4-day itinerary (which is very do-able), we actually spent a total of 6 days because it included travel days. Below is our actual itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and Universal Studios Japan (half-day)
Check-in at hotel/Drop off Luggage
We dropped off our luggage and headed straight to Universal Studios Japan. To read about How to Spend 1.5 Days at Universal Studios Japan with time stamps, check out this detailed blog: How to Spend 1.5 Days at Universal Studios Japan! We had pre-booked the Universal Studios 1.5-day pass (~$222 CAD for two adults) through Klook a few days before. USJ’s official site wouldn’t accept our foreign credit cards, but Klook was reliable and even offered a discount!
Universal Studios Japan
By early afternoon, we were at USJ, our 7-Eleven onigiris ($3 CAD) and Gong Cha bubble teas ($12 CAD) in hand, which we grabbed from stores right outside the entrance gate. It was my first time having onigiris in Japan and they were amazing. That first bite of the perfectly seasoned rice, crisp seaweed, and flavorful filling sparked a bit of an obsession. Ryan and I decided then and there to embark on a 31-day onigiri challenge, trying new flavors from every convenience store we could find throughout our month-long trip. From savory chicken teriyaki to spicy mentaiko, onigiris became our go-to snack, and we never looked back!
The USJ 1.5-day pass allows you to start at 3:00 PM on the first day. They are very strict about the entry time; we attempted to scan our tickets at 2:55 PM and were denied entry.
Once we entered the park, our first priority was securing a spot at Nintendo World. Entry to this section needs to be reserved through the USJ app once your ticket has been scanned and you’ve passed the park gates. In other words, just buying a USJ ticket does not guarantee you entry in Nintendo World which is inside USJ. Luckily, we snagged an evening slot for 7:00 PM.
While waiting for our time slot, we explored Harry Potter World, which was absolutely magical. We went on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – a mysterious ride with a 60 minute wait time (in reality, it was only 25 minutes). Then we headed for the Flight of the Hippogriff – a 90 minute wait time (which was true). We were enchanted by the kids casting spells with their interactive wands (see photo below). Come on, Hufflepuffs!
By 7:00 PM, we were ready for Nintendo World—hands down the highlight of our day! They scanned our reservation (QR code) on our USJ app and we were let in right away. It was overstimulating and beautiful. Everything we imagined it to be and more. The architecture was phenomenal. The music was iconic. The atmosphere was nostalgic. But we only had time for just one ride – the Yoshi ride (1 hour wait time), which took us around the park so we could see Nintendo World from above while sitting on Yoshi. We didn’t want to leave. In fact, we stayed well past the closing time, just to soak in the beautiful bright lights of Nintendo World against the dark black backdrop that was the sky.
Afterward, we grabbed a late dinner at an izakaya, Fukumasa (Google Maps), close to our hotel. The menu was all hand-written in Japanese, so our Google Translate/Lens wasn’t working. We resorted to the classic “point at pictures” ordering method and practiced our basic Japanese with one another while we waited for the food to come out. We ended up with a solid tonkatsu, a side salad, and a mystery dish that was both delicious and heart-attack material. Soba noodles smothered in boiled bacon, layered with Japanese mayo, an omelette, green onions, and bonito flakes—dunked in okonomiyaki sauce. At the end of dinner, Ryan put his Japanese lessons to the test, asking the bartender “okaikei onegaishimasu”. She nodded and grabbed us the bill. I was thoroughly impressed by Ryan.
Pro Tip: A lot of small izakayas and market shops that sell food will only accept cash — be sure to have some handy.
Day 2: Full Day at Universal Studios Japan
Time for a full day at USJ. We woke up around 5:45 AM (yes, I know…) and arrived early, around 7:00 AM. Why? Keep on reading. Familiar with the grounds now from our “practice run” yesterday, we knew what to do. First, we grabbed breakfast and snacks from Lawson’s just outside the park ($16 CAD – including onigiris again). Then, we waited with the giant crowd…. on a Thursday. On this day, we were let in at 7:55 AM. Pro Tip: The park officially opens at 9:00 AM, but the best unkept secret is that rope drop is actually around 8:00 AM. Bonus Pro Tip: In Japan, school field trips often happen on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if you can plan your visit for other days, you might enjoy smaller crowds!
As soon as the park opened (rope drop), we went straight to Nintendo World. You see, you don’t need a reservation for Nintendo World if you’re at USJ when the park opens! That’s why people start lining up at 6:00 AM– to ensure they get into Nintendo World without having to reserve on the app. This allows them to enjoy the area with shorter lines and spend as much time as they want, especially in the early hours when it’s less crowded. If you arrive too late (ie, after the park opens at 9:00 AM), you might only be able to reserve a crummy time (like 7:00 PM, 2 hours before the park closes). Many people literally run from the gates to Nintendo World. This happens so often, they now have employees posted along the route with signs that say “Please Walk.”
We kicked off our time in Nintendo World by speed-walking straight to Bowser’s Challenge, where the wait was only 15 minutes since it was so early. Equipped with our Toad Power-Up Bands, which we’d purchased the day before, we were ready for the full experience. You’ll definitely want one of these bands to make the most of your visit, as some games (and even ride features) inside Nintendo World are only accessible with a Power-Up Band. Just be prepared to spend around $40 CAD each for them.
After finishing all the rides in Nintendo World (including another round on Yoshi’s ride), we were ready for lunch. We ate at Koppio’s Cafe, but be aware you need a reservation to get in. They display a special QR code in front of the cafe that you have to scan to make a reservation. We spotted someone holding the massive QR code sign around 9:15 AM while waiting in line for another ride and were able to secure a 12:15 PM reservation at Koppio (Toad’s) Cafe. Everything on the menu had a Toad or mushroom theme, which Ryan loved. While we were eating, we also managed to snag another entry into Nintendo World for 7:00 PM that evening, just like the day before.
After seeing Nintendo and Harry Potter World, we explored the rest of USJ, planning to return to Nintendo World with our 7:00 PM entry reservation. So, we visited the following areas:
– Hollywood: Full of movie-themed rides.
– New York: Iconic city vibes with themed attractions.
– Minion Park: Super fun, especially for kids.
– Jurassic Park: Thrilling rides and dinosaur encounters.
– Amity Village: Jaws fans, this one’s for you.
– Universal Wonderland: A whimsical area perfect for younger visitors.
I’m not going to lie – I was not the happiest person that day. Ryan was in heaven, but I was cranky from being jet lagged. Then, I saw a huge lawn in the Hollywood section. Yes, a lawn. There were Dads and a few couples lying down, catching some sunshine or some shut eye, and taking a break from all the rides. It was calling me. A public lawn. Now, I wasn’t expecting to take a nap, but I told Ryan to enjoy a ride without me because I was desperate to just close my eyes. After about one hour, I woke up from the best lawn nap ever and was fully charged for the rest of the day.
By the time we left USJ, it was quite late, and the only place open was an onigiri shop by our hotel. We snagged some discounted onigiris ($5 CAD for two) and called it a night. While I had a power nap earlier that day at USJ, I was barely conscious at this point and knocked out before even checking the time.
Day 3: Exploring Osaka (Namba Area & Downtown Osaka)
After a day and a half at USJ, we were ready to dive into Osaka itself. We started our day around 10:00 AM and with our staple onigiris from Lawson’s. Here’s what we recommend doing in Namba:
– Shinsekai Market: We arrived early, so many stalls weren’t open yet, but we could imagine the atmosphere being quite lively in the afternoon or evening. Consider visiting later in the day when there are more people!
– Tsutenkaku Tower: We did not actually go inside the tower – it’s better to see it from the outside. But, we did try our first takoyaki in Japan for right outside the tower for $4 CAD. While it was a self-proclaimed “Best takoyaki in Osaka” shop, we gave it a 2/5.
– Shitenno-ji Temple: A peaceful temple that happened to host a market the day we visited (markets are on the 21st and 22nd every month). We tried our first okonomiyaki for $3 CAD here – cash only! Did you know Osaka is famous for takoyaki and okonomiyaki? The temple with the surrounding trees and lakes were absolutely stunning. While I don’t filter any of my photos, there will never be a need for filters here at Shitenno-ji temple. A definite must visit spot in Osaka!
– Kuromon Market: A bustling food market where Ryan sampled puffer fish ($9 CAD), and we grabbed some more onigiris from 7-Eleven. Did you know pufferfish can be poisonous? Ryan decided to mention this only after the meal was finished.
– Namba District: Famous for its shopping and street food. We tried another round of takoyaki here ($5 CAD), and it was even better than the one by Tsutenkaku Tower. Our rating: 5/5! You order via vending machine – cash only! It was 4:00 or 5:00 PM by this time, so the line up for these six pieces of takoyaki took about 20 minutes. You can’t miss this place. It’s right in the heart of Namba and has a GIANT takoyaki at the front.
– Hozen-ji Temple: A small, serene temple in the heart of Osaka. Entry is free.
– Dotonbori District: A lively area with the iconic Glico Sign. Pro tip: Arrive here before 8:00 PM. There is a special spot (see photo below) that is actually owned by a small pharmacy shop. That shop closes at 8:00 or 9:00 PM, and they block off the area so you won’t be able to get a photo that lines up right with the running man.
– Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street: Perfect for window shopping; we saved our real shopping for later in the trip. We jotted down prices and locations, knowing we’d be back in Osaka at the end of our trip (31 days in Japan) and would buy it then. Check out the section below for the cheapest spot we discovered in all of Osaka to buy souvenirs and gifts!
– Dinner at OKO-Fun Okonomiyaki Bar (Google Maps): A cozy spot run by one powerhouse of a woman. We had a giant okonomiyaki that was larger than my face and beer for $16 CAD. Be prepared – it took about 30-45 minutes to order and it’s cash only!
Day 4: Osaka Castle and Final Explorations (Half Day)
On our last day, we checked out of our hotel but left our luggage at the front desk so we could explore before heading to Kyoto.
– Osaka Castle: We spent a couple of hours wandering the beautiful grounds. Entry is 600 yen per person, which is about $6 CAD. You can pay with credit card – even AMEX.
– Toyo Izakaya: Featured on Netflix, this spot is famous for its blowtorched tuna cheek and sashimi. We arrived around noon on a Saturday and waited about 30 minutes to get a table that we shared with two other travelers (standing room only). While Ryan waited in line, I slipped out to grab us some onigiris from Family Mart.
What really stood out about Toyo, even with all his fame, was his humility. You know how some people lose that when they become famous overnight? Not Toyo! He was still right there, slicing tuna, washing dishes, and making sure every single customer was looked after. The moment he saw we were ready to order, he had his staff jump right in to take care of us. I really hope he keeps getting the success he deserves because he’s earned it. Our meal cost $33 CAD—cash only!
After lunch, we headed to Kyoto. To see how we spent our time there, check out our blog post: How to Spend 4 Full Days in Kyoto, Japan
Day 30: Shopping in Osaka (Half Day)
Fast forward to Day 30 of our Japan trip—we returned to Osaka to shop before flying home.
We arrived in the late afternoon, with a game plan to get the best deals. Most people rave about Don Quijote, but we found that Daikoku (the orange store) offered better prices on cosmetics, souvenirs, and snacks. Each Daikoku location has slightly different prices, but this particular Daikoku located here had the best deals we found in all of Osaka. Daikoku for the win!
We spent over $100 CAD tax-free by showing our passports. While you can now get most of these items by ordering them from your computer back home in Canada, or heading to an Asian market in Scarborough, the prices for these Japanese products are 2-3x cheaper in Japan!
For dinner, we found an okonomiyaki spot—Okonomiyaki Yukari Sennichimae—and enjoyed a giant, final okonomiyaki, gyozas, and beer for $22 CAD. Osaka is so beautiful at night! We were sad to go, but needed to get back to the hotel to pack up.
Day 31: Final Day in Osaka (Half Day)
Our last day in Osaka was actually our last day in all of Japan, and was bittersweet. We spent the morning at Daiso, their 100 Yen store (similar to a Dollar Store). We stocked up on last-minute souvenirs, home goods, and candies, spending ~$75 CAD including taxes as there are no tax-free discounts for tourists at Daiso. Still, prices are about 2-3x cheaper here than if you were to buy them back home in Canada.
Before heading to the airport, we had our final meal at Onigiri Gorichan (Google Maps), where we had the biggest onigiris of our entire trip. Cash only! It’s a small place, and we waited about 30 minutes, but it was worth it! We spent ~$18 CAD on four massive onigiris. I was satisfied having accomplished my one-a-day onigiri challenge.
TOTAL COST for 4 Full Days in Osaka (Approximate, CAD for 2 people):
Accommodations for 4 nights: $232
Activities: $275
Food: $213
TOTAL: $720 (Roughly $90 per person, per day)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Osaka was an absolute blast, and we can’t wait to return! If you’re planning a trip, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in this lively city. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments! And if you’re curious about how we spent 31 days all over Japan, check out our ultimate guide, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan!
Discover more from Where's Ryan and Celina?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.