Osaka is absolutely worth visiting for two days, especially at the start of a Japan trip. It gives you that first real Japan feeling straight away, with neon streets, food markets, temples, parks, and a lot of energy right after a long flight. For me, starting in Osaka instead of Tokyo turned out to be such a good decision. After two days here, I was completely in the mood for more Japan!!!
Why I started my Japan trip in Osaka
A lot of travelers start in Tokyo and end in Osaka, but my ticket was cheaper the other way around. That worked out really well for me. Osaka felt like a lively first stop, and I liked starting here before taking the train on to Kyoto.
Check what suits your trip best, because starting in Osaka can work just as well as ending here.
Osaka felt like a good city to start in. It is not as big as Tokyo, but it still gives a good idea of how lively Japan can feel. It was lively and busy, but there were also quieter places nearby. That worked really well for the start of my two weeks in Japan.
Getting from Kansai Airport to Osaka city
Getting from Kansai Airport into the city was easier than I expected. I downloaded an ICOCA card on my phone and added enough credit, so I did not have to think about transport right away. You can also buy a physical IC card at the airport or station, but having it on my phone felt very easy. For a regular train into Osaka, expect to pay roughly $8 to $15, depending on your route and final station. Faster airport trains or reserved seats can cost more. I took the train toward the city and was at my hotel area in about an hour including the full arrival routine. The hotel itself is right by Shin-Imamiya Station, and that is one of the reasons it works so well for a short Osaka stay.
Google Maps works incredibly well in Japan and even shows which side of the station to enter and exit.
Where to Eat and Stay in Osaka
Where I stayed in Osaka
I stayed two nights at OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts, and that was such a good choice. The hotel is large and comfortable, but it still has a nice vibe. I loved the big garden, and the rooms felt calm and practical after a long flight. OMO7 Osaka is not a budget hotel, but more of a comfortable mid-range stay. Prices change a lot by season, but I would see it as a good value option if you want an easy and soft landing after a long flight.
I also liked that you could choose your own hotel kimono. It was fun seeing other guests walking around in theirs as well. The location also worked very well for my short stay, because I was right by Shinsekai and close to the station. I would stay here again for a short Osaka stop, especially after a long flight. You can check the current rates on Booking here.
If you arrive before check in, the luggage lockers here are very useful and save your first day.
Where I ate in Osaka
Osaka is a great food city, and in two days I already had a few good stops. I did not plan every meal, which worked well here. Sometimes it is enough to walk around, get hungry, and see what looks good.
My first simple stop was Chao Chao Gyoza in Shinsekai. After a long flight, it was exactly what I needed: something warm, easy and quick.
I also liked R Baker near Osaka Castle Park for coffee and pastries, and Kuromon Ichiba Market for a casual lunch. I had okonomiyaki there, which is one of those Osaka dishes you should try at least once.
In the evening, Dotonbori is the obvious place for street food and people watching. I tried takoyaki here. A little chewy, very Osaka, and fun to try.
On my last morning, I had coffee and an acai bowl at Brooklyn Roasting Company in Namba before taking the train to Kyoto.
Save a few food spots, but do not over-plan every meal in Osaka. This is a good city to follow your mood, there is good food and so many markets everywhere!!
Day 1 in Osaka: Shinsekai, Tennoji Park, and my first real Japan feeling
My first hours in Shinsekai
Because my flight landed in the morning and check in was only later in the afternoon, I dropped my luggage and went straight out into the city. My first stop was Shinsekai, and it was a lot straight away. There were signs everywhere, so many little restaurants, so many lights, so many people, and above it all Tsutenkaku Tower.
Something else I noticed in Shinsekai were the golden figures everywhere. At first I thought they were Buddhas, but they are actually Billiken statues, a local good luck symbol in this part of Osaka. I liked that detail. It made the neighborhood feel even more local. Do you spot the Billiken in the photo?
The Tsutenkaku Tower is one of Osaka’s most recognizable landmarks, but it does not feel shiny or modern. It fits Shinsekai perfectly, with that retro Osaka feeling between all the colorful signs, restaurants, and busy little streets. I did not go up the tower, but I loved seeing it from the streets below. It made Shinsekai feel a little theatrical, like an older and louder version of Osaka.
It was exciting, but also a lot for the first few hours after landing. I went looking for my first matcha and ended up at Chao Chao Gyoza. It felt good to sit down, order something warm, and just watch. My first impression of Japan was that people were kind, a little shy, and gentle in the way they spoke.
A quieter side of Osaka
After all that, I was ready for some peace and quiet, so I walked toward Keitakuen Garden and Tennoji Park. That contrast is what I remember most from my first day in Osaka. One moment everything felt loud and bright, and the next I was walking in the sun near water and greenery with a red bridge that felt very Japan to me.
A temple stop that made it feel real
I had no strict plan, and I often like that most when I travel. Just by walking and turning corners, I ended up at Isshin-ji Temple. It was a Sunday, and it was busy with people coming to remember loved ones and pay their respects. Watching the rituals, the washing of hands, the incense, the coins, and the quiet focus of everyone there was special. It was one of those moments where you suddenly think, yes, I am really here. Isshin-ji Temple is free to visit, but of course it is an active temple, so I kept it quiet and respectful.
By the time I reached Tenshiba Park and saw people playing sports and enjoying their Sunday, I was starting to feel the jet lag. I also stopped for a photo at the Osaka sign. So going back to the hotel for a shower and a small power nap sounded like a perfect plan.
My first evening in Osaka
That evening I went back out for something small to eat. I was not even very hungry, just curious. Ordered a few pieces of sushi and then made the mistake of going into Mega Don Quijote in Shinsekai on my very first day.
I know many people love it, but honestly it was too much for me that first evening. After a flight, a new country, and a full day of impressions, the noise, colors, products, heat, and chaos were just too much. I did buy a few trending Japanese face masks and a bag of matcha KitKats, which I ate all at once that same evening.
Day 2 in Osaka: Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori
A slow start at Osaka Castle Park
The next morning I took the Osaka Loop Line toward Osaka Castle Park and had breakfast at R Baker Osaka-jo. Good coffee and too many tempting pastries always make me happy, and sitting on the terrace was a very good start to the day.
The walk through Osaka Castle Park was beautiful. Blue sky, warm weather, shady paths, water, thick walls, old gates, and then more and more people as I got closer to the castle. Osaka Castle was first built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the current main tower was rebuilt in 1931, so even if what you see today is not the original structure, it still feels like an important part of the city’s history.
There was quite a line to go inside, and that was not for me. I was happier just walking around the grounds, taking photos, and enjoying the views. Walking around Osaka Castle Park is free. You only need a ticket if you want to go inside the castle museum, which is usually a low-cost visit. My favorite spot was actually behind the Japanese garden, where the castle looked almost green against the trees.
Lunch at Kuromon Market
From there I walked on to the Osaka Museum of History area and eventually to Kuromon Ichiba Market. You really do walk a lot in Osaka, and I started to notice that by day two. At Kuromon I had local okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake made with batter, cabbage, and toppings, in the food court. Food prices at Kuromon Market vary, but for a simple lunch or snack, I would roughly expect to spend around $8 to $20. It depends on whether you go for something simple or more expensive seafood. I sat with other people at a shared table. As a solo traveler, I loved that. I could even speak Dutch with some fellow Dutch travelers.
Ending the Day in Dotonbori
After a little rest at the hotel, I went back out again toward the neighborhood of Shinsaibashi and then on to Dotonbori. I walked through the shopping streets, made my first real purchase in Japan at Asics, and then continued into the madness of Dotonbori. This is the Osaka many people imagine before they come. Giant signs, bright colors, boats on the canal, the ferris wheel by the river, endless crowds, and food everywhere. Behind it are more busy streets full of lights, shops, and pure craziness. This is also where you see the famous Glico Running Man sign, one of Osaka’s most photographed spots.
Visit Dotonbori at night for the real deal, during the day it is much quieter and less interesting without the neon lights.
Of course I had to try takoyaki here. These warm dough balls with octopus inside are very Osaka, and yes, they are a little chewy, but I liked them. Takoyaki is an easy and affordable street food snack, often around a few dollars for a portion. By the end of the evening I had walked close to 25,000 steps and slept extremely well.
Is Osaka worth visiting and how many days do you need?
For me, Osaka is definitely worth visiting. It may not have the calm beauty people often connect to Kyoto, but that is also why it works so well. Osaka feels lively, colorful, and very real. It gives you food, movement, and a strong first taste of city life in Japan.
Two days was all I had, and that still gave me a very good introduction to Osaka if you focus on a few neighborhoods and do not try to see everything. I liked having one day for Shinsekai, Tennoji, and that first arrival feeling, and one full day for Osaka Castle, Kuromon, Shinsaibashi, and Dotonbori. If you have more time, I would definitely stay one day longer.
Frequent Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough in Osaka?
Yes, two days is enough for a very good first impression. You can see a few different sides of the city without rushing too much.
What to do in Osaka for first time visitors?
I would combine Shinsekai, Tennoji Park, Osaka Castle Park, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori. That gives you a good mix of food, green space, and city life.
Is Osaka worth visiting for a first Japan trip?
Yes, especially if you want an easy and lively first stop. For me, it was a very good way to arrive in Japan.
Let Me Inspire You Takeaways
Osaka surprised me. I expected it to be fun and busy, but I did not expect to like the contrast with the quieter moments so much. That is what stayed with me most. A first matcha in Shinsekai, a calm walk in Tennoji Park, the Sunday atmosphere at the temple, and the lights of Dotonbori later that night.
If you are wondering what to do in Osaka in two days, this city does not need a perfect checklist. It works best when you leave a little room to wander. That is how I found some of my favorite moments in Osaka!
Continue to Kyoto
On my last morning in Osaka I had breakfast at Brooklyn Roasting Company in the Namba area. I always enjoy finding nice coffee spots, and this time I even ordered an acai bowl. Then I went back to the hotel, checked out, and headed on to Kyoto. Osaka had given me the energy and first rhythm of Japan, and I was looking forward to Kyoto.
Are you joining me to Kyoto?
