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Osaka in 1 day
Osaka has a special place in our hearts. And if you are planning to coming for a visit, here’s our quick list of places to visit in one day.
To the outside visitor, our city may often come secondary to Tokyo or Kyoto, but for an Osaka company like ZenPlus, the friendly people and the great food make it our favorite place to be in Japan.
Most people visiting Osaka only stay for a few days and here we have put together our own list of the places we think are worth spending one of those days to visit.
Universal Studios Japan - or USJ as we locals call it - would of course normally be on our list, but since it requires a whole day at least, we will come back to it in another blog in the future!
Now, here’s our top 7 places to visit in a day in Osaka!
1. Osaka Castle
There is a reason why Osaka Castle is on all the lists of top places to check out in the city. History buff or not, Osaka Castle is a must-visit. Just walking around the castle grounds with its massive stone walls is an impressive sight not to be missed.
This majestic castle was first built around 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a renowned warlord of the time, and though it never became a major base for the rulers of the country, it holds a pivotal place in Japanese history
Having been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, the current building is a reconstruction that was finished in 1931 and renovated in 1997.
Today, the castle has been turned into a museum, with exhibits showcasing the history of the castle and the surrounding area.
Tip! Though it is definitely worth going into the actual castle and see the exhibitions and the view from the top, if you don't have time and still would like to know more about the castle, there is a small exhibition area on the first floor in the big red brick building next to the castle.
If you make a quick visit and would like to find the best photo spot, find the small pond. On a good day you’ll see the reflection of the castle in the water for the perfect picture.
And there are usually almost no people by the pond! Like a secret photo spot!
Link: Osaka Castle on Google Maps
2. Osaka Aquarium - Kaiyukan
The Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world.
The aquarium has a wide range of marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays, and penguins.
One of the highlights of the aquarium is the central tank, which is home to a wide variety of sea creatures.
All tanks combined, Osaka Aquarium holds 11 million liters, or 2.9 million US gallons, of water. That’s the same amount as 44 million cups of coffee.
Link: Osaka Aquarium English website
Link: Osaka Aquarium on Google Maps
3. Dotonbori
If you are a foodie, Dotonbori is the place to be. Lots of different foods in a small area!
This bustling street is packed with restaurants, street vendors, and food stalls, all offering a wide range of delicious Japanese cuisine.
You can try everything from takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (a savory pancake with various toppings) to ramen and sweets.
The neon signs and giant billboards make this street a visual feast as well.
Tip! Dotonbori street is usally very crowded. But once you get your food, you can always head for the riverside where there's often space to relax and take a break.
Did you know that Dotonbori used to be the theater district in Osaka? The actors would arrive by boat on Dotonbori canal and enter the theaters from the riverside while customers entered from the streetside.
The "bori" part of Dotonbori comes from "hori" meaning moat or canal. Doton was the man who initiated the digging of the canal in the early 1600s, so they named it Dotonbori.
Link: Dotonbori on Google maps
Want to make your own streetfood? Need a takoyaki iron? Check out takoyaki on ZenPlus
4. Hozenji Yokocho
Hozenji Yokocho is a narrow alleyway lined with traditional restaurants and shops.
This charming district is a great place to explore and get a taste of traditional Japanese culture.
One of the highlights of the district is the Fudomyoo Temple, which is located at the end of the alleyway.
This temple is known for its moss-covered statue of Fudo-Myo, a deity in Japanese Buddhism.
It is said that a woman went to the temple and threw water on the statue to make her prayer come true.
What is amazing is that her prayers actually did come true, and other people started doing the same thing and the statue became covered in moss over the years.
Anyone is welcome to do it, so why not try.
Link: Hozenji Temple on Google Maps
5. Doguyasuji
This shopping street in Osaka's Namba district specializes in kitchenware and restaurant supplies. Doguyasuji translates to “tool shop avenue” in English, but the main items here are definitely for the kitchen.
Here you can find everything from traditional Japanese knives to plastic food models - yes, those fake food models you see in the windows of restaurants in Japan.
Even if you're not in the market for kitchen supplies, the street is a fascinating glimpse into Osaka's culinary culture.
Link: Doguyasuji on Google Maps.
Check out Japanese kitchenware on ZenPlus.
6. Shinsekai
If you're looking for a taste of old Osaka, then Shinsekai is the perfect place to visit.
This district was built in the early 1900s it is said the area's north half was modeled after Paris and the south half is inspired by Coney Island in New York.
Today, you can stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways, admiring the traditional buildings and enjoying the local street food.
Shinsekai is home to Tsutenkaku, Osaka’s beloved tower.
It was first built over a hundred years ago and even though it was much smaller then, about 64m (210 ft), it was the tallest manmade structure in Asia.
A little known anecdote is that one of the people working on the electricals of the original tower later went on to start his own company. Now that company is known as Panasonic.
Today, Tsutenkaku Tower measures 103 meters and they have recently installed a slide you can ride down.
Link: Tsutenkaku Tower on Google Maps
7. Abeno Harukas
At 300 meters tall, Abeno Harukas was the tallest building in Japan until it recently was eclipsed by a building in Tokyo. The picture above was taken in Keitakuen Garden, a beautiful location just behind Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts.
The building offers breathtaking views of Osaka and the surrounding area. It also houses a department store, a hotel, an art museum, and an observation deck where you can sit down, relax and take in the amazing cityscape.
Visit in the evening on a clear day and see the stunning city lights or catch the sunset!
Link: Abeno Harukas English website
Link: Abeno Harukas on Google Maps
Itinerary for one day in Osaka
OK, that sums up some of the places we would visit if we only had one day in Osaka. There are many, many other places to go of course. But this list of seven places could easily be done in a single day. You would have to get started around 8:00 am, and it would be a long day, but defintely possible.
How you ask? Here's how we would do it:
8:00 AM
Arrive at Osaka Castle grounds. Take in the views. Maybe bring a coffee and a sandwich and have a light breakfast in a truly stunning place.
9:00 AM
Osaka Castle museum opens, check out the views from the top floor.
10:15 AM
Grab a snack somewhere around the castle and take the subway from Tanimachi 4-chome station directly to Osaka-ko station where we walk 5 minutes to Osaka Aquarium.
11:00 AM
Osaka Aquarium. Aquatic life, and lots of it. Prepare to be amazed.
2.00 PM
After maybe getting a light lunch (or saving yourself for the streetfood), head to Dotonbori by getting the subway from Osaka-ko station to Honmachi-station where we change to the red Midosuji-line. One stop and we are at Shinsaibashi. Walk south and we will end up at Dotonbori and the Glico running man sign. The Hozenji temple is nearby and there is street food stalls everywhere. Doguyasuji is 5 minutes from Dotonbori and it is on the way towards Shinsekai.
4.00 PM
Walking to Shinsekai from the Dotonbori and Doguyasuji area takes about 20 minutes but there's always things to look at of course.
5.00 PM
Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku.
Strolling through Shinsekai and past Tsutenkaku will take us towards Tennoji station where Abeno Harukas is located.
6.30 PM
Abeno Harukas. We're just in time for the night view and sunset. If it's during winter you would want to be at least an hour and a half earlier though.
8.00 PM
Head out into the Osaka evening for a culinary experience out of this world. After a full day of taking in Osaka, you will deserve it!
See you in Osaka!
