How Many Days Should You Spend in Osaka? 2, 4, or 7 Days?

Osaka is a vibrant food paradise filled with modernity. This city offers something for everyone. So, how many days would be ideal for exploring this city?

Most travelers usually spend 2-7 days in Osaka. It all depends on how much you want to see.

A minimum of 2 days is enough to see Osaka's must-see highlights. Spending 4-7 days allows you to gain a more in-depth experience without rushing, and you can even explore nearby cities like Kyoto.

In this article, we'll help you decide how long to stay in Osaka. You'll find itineraries and tips based on our firsthand experiences.

How Many Days to Spend in Osaka?

The recommended duration to spend in Osaka is 2-7 days.

Spending at least 2 days in Osaka gives you a quick overview of the city. While it may seem short, it's enough to cover the main attractions. For example, you could visit Osaka Castle, join a food tour, and explore Universal Studios Japan.

With 3-4 days in Osaka, you can delve deeper into the city without rushing. You can also take day trips to nearby cities like Hiroshima or Kobe.

If you spend 5-7 days in Osaka, expect a comprehensive journey. You can explore the city's attractions in detail, take day trips, and even visit nearby Kyoto or go hiking on the Kumano Kodo.

If you're planning to stay in Osaka for more than a week, you can thoroughly explore the region. But for a richer travel experience, consider extending your trip to include Kyoto and Tokyo.

How to Spend 2 Days in Osaka?

Even though two days in Osaka might feel a bit tight, it's still enough time to explore the must-see highlights. This is because Osaka doesn't offer as many attractions as Tokyo and Kyoto.

It's smart to focus on 1-2 nearby areas per day. Osaka has many districts, each with its own top attractions. Planning your visits by location helps you maximize exploration time and reduce time spent on the road.

I recommend visiting 3-4 highlights in one day. By doing so, your exploration will be more carefully instead of rushing through your itinerary.

Here's a handpicked 2-day Osaka itinerary to inspire you. These top highlights represent Osaka's unique character, and each attraction is within a 20-minute drive from the other.

Day 1: Mix of history and modernity

• Osaka Castle - foodie tour at Dotonbori - Umeda Sky Building

Start your day at Osaka Castle. By arriving early, you can explore without the crowds.

Then, we'll arrange a foodie tour in Dotonbori. Here, you can try street food like Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki to experience Osaka's food culture.

End your day at Umeda Sky Building to see the city's modern side. Head to the observation deck for a 360-degree panoramic view of Osaka. Arriving before sunset lets you enjoy both day and night scenes.

Day 2: Enjoy the local vibe and culture

• Kuromon Market - Shinsekai - Osaka Ukiyoe Museum

Begin your adventure at Kuromon Market. It's a traditional market offering seafood and a variety of other shops. Visiting in the morning allows you to experience Osaka's daily life with fewer travelers.

Afterward, head to Shinsekai to enjoy your lunch. It's the locally-loved food district where you'll find retro and exaggerated restaurant signs, a unique sight you won't see elsewhere.

Finally, explore the Ukiyo-e Museum to delve deeper into Japanese culture. You'll discover traditional Japanese paintings, and we can even organize a special ukiyo-e printmaking experience for you.

If you're into theme parks, consider spending a day at Universal Studios Japan as an alternative.

How to Spend 3-4 Days in Osaka?

Spending 3-4 days in Osaka allows you to explore the city more deeply. You will also have the chance for day trips to nearby cities, enriching your travel experience.

A suggested 4-day Osaka itinerary for your inspiration:

• Day 1: Historic Osaka (Osaka Castle, food tour at Dotonbori, Osaka Ukiyoe Museum)
• Day 2: Modern and local Osaka (Umeda Sky Building, Shinsekai, ninja experience)
• Day 3: Universal Studios Japan
• Day 4: Take a day trip to Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park)

For the first two days, you'll explore the major city highlights in Osaka, a similar route to the 2-day itinerary. On the third and fourth days, you can take day trips to neighboring cities like Hiroshima or Kobe.

Hiroshima and Kobe are the most popular day-trip destinations from Osaka. Just under 1.5 hours away by Shinkansen, both cities offer unique scenery and experiences.

• Hiroshima: Known for its atomic bomb sites and Miyajima. Here, you can visit the Peace Memorial Park to appreciate postwar peace and see the "floating torii gate" at Miyajima.
• Kobe: A laid-back port city famous for its high-end Wagyu beef. You can also relax at Arima Onsen, one of Japan's three most historic hot spring town.

How to Spend 7 Days in Osaka?

Looking to fully explore Osaka? A 7-day stay is perfect. You can explore the city at your own pace, go on day trips, have a free day, and even dedicate 2-3 days to exploring neighbouring Kyoto.

Here is a sample itinerary for your inspiration:

• Day 1: Historic Osaka (Osaka Castle, food tour at Dotonbori, Osaka Ukiyoe Museum)
• Day 2: Modern Osaka (Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Shinsekai, Umeda Sky Building)
• Day 3: Universal Studios Japan
• Day 4: Day trip to Hiroshima
• Day 5: Kyoto (Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, Fushimi Inari Shrine)
• Day 6: Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, tea ceremony)
• Day 7: Free day

Spending a week in Osaka and Kyoto is a highly recommended choice. You'll get a diverse experience of Japan in a short time. It's easy to reach traditional Kyoto, just 15 minutes away from Osaka by Shinkansen.

If you prefer nature adventures, consider exchanging Kyoto for a 3–4 day hike on the Kumano Kodo and Mount Koya. Walking through ancient forests and staying in temple lodgings will give you a special experience.

If You Have More Than a Week

If you're spending over a week in Japan for the first time, consider extending your trip to include Kyoto and Tokyo. This way, you'll get to explore more cities and experience the best of Japan.

Here is a well-selected itinerary for your inspiration:

• Day 1-3: Osaka (Osaka Castle, Ukiyoe Museum, foodie tour, ninja experience)
• Day 4: Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park)
• Day 5:7 Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, matcha-making)
• Day 8-10: Tokyo (Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, sumo experience)
• Day 11: Departure

In Kyoto, you can immerse yourself in the culturally rich ancient capital and enjoy more authentic experiences. In Tokyo, you'll find a perfect blend of modernity and tradition.

Start Tailoring Your Osaka Trip Now!

Tell us what you want to experience in Osaka, and we'll craft a personalized itinerary just for you. Contact us, and let's plan your dream trip together!

Here are our handpicked Japan tours that include Osaka to inspire you.

• 7-Day Osaka and Kyoto Family Tour
• 13-Day Japan Family Vacation with Theme Parks