Is there anything fun left in Osaka after cherry blossom season? There is a lot! Osaka is always an ideal destination for Japanese people to have fun on any occasion, especially in the summer. So what is so attractive about Osaka?
Besides delicious food, Osaka has no shortage of beautiful sights that attract tourists. So if you intend to visit Osaka in the near future, the 3-day, 2-night itinerary below will not disappoint you.
Day 1: Explore Osaka’s downtown spots and enjoy the fireworks
Osaka Castle
Photo: Osaka Castle seen from afar
Osaka Castle is one of the most popular destinations in the city. Most tourists who come to Osaka will stop by here, so you should come here early in the morning to leisurely visit and learn more about the history of Osaka Castle.
When you get tired, you can explore Osaka Castle by taking the elevator straight to the top floor and then walking down from the top. The top floor of the castle has been converted into an observation deck, which you can take advantage of to get a panoramic view of the city.
When you go down to the 2nd floor, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a short film introducing the history of Osaka Castle. The film is only about 3 minutes long, so it won’t affect your schedule much. The Nishinomaru Garden surrounding the castle is also worth seeing.
Umeda Area
Just 15 minutes by train from Osaka, the Umeda area is filled with restaurants and shopping. With an area second only to Shinjuku, Umeda is enough for you to explore all day. What’s special is that there is a comprehensive shopping street located underground, so visitors won’t feel tired when walking around. However, due to the intricate arrangement system, be careful not to get lost in this “maze”!
From Umeda Station or Osaka Station, this Umeda Sky Construction skyscraper is also only about 10 minutes walk back. Including two 40-story towers, this is known as the tower with the highest escalator in the world. These transparent escalators will take you to the observation deck on the top floor. Here, in addition to the panoramic view of Osaka city, on a clear day you can also see Awaji Island, Mount Rokko, or the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in the distance. This is considered one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset in Japan.
The appeal of the Umeda Sky Construction Building is not just its height. Head down to the basement and enjoy the Showa-style Takimi Koji food street.
Yodogawa River Bank
Photo: Fireworks on the banks of the Yodogawa River light up the night sky.
As the sky darkens, quickly catch a train to the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival near the Yodogawa River. This is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Japan, with a history of over 30 years, and will be held this year on August 5, 2023. Every year, thousands of people flock here to admire the magnificent scene created by countless fireworks in the sky. The soundtrack for the show is also extremely wonderful, with a variety of genres from pop to classical.
You should arrive from 6pm to get a good seat. From 2022, the top seats will be ticketed, so you should book in advance.
If your schedule is not suitable to attend the Yodogawa fireworks festival, you can refer to some other summer festivals in Osaka such as: Hoshiai Tanabata festival (July 7) or Tenjin-matsuri festival (July 24-25) at Osaka Tenmangu shrine…
Day 2: Enjoy a bustling yet ancient Osaka
Number
In Namba alone, you can enjoy many famous places in Osaka. Among them, the most prominent is Dotonbori.
Photo: You cannot miss Namba area and Dotonbori bridge when visiting Osaka.
Dotonbori
A popular spot for tourists and locals alike in Osaka, Dotonbori is home to the iconic Glico-man. Just a photo check-in here and your friends will know where you are!
You can enjoy the Dotonbori River with a 20-minute cruise. The tour guide will introduce you to some interesting destinations along the river or interesting stories about Osaka.
Of course, Dotonbori is not short of delicious restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Many famous restaurants here have installed giant models right on their doors. For example, Kani Douraku restaurant has a giant crab or Kinryu ramen shop has a whole blue dragon. Dotonbori is ready to please you with all kinds of street food: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, …
If you are also a shopaholic, you can visit Namba Parks shopping mall. You can freely choose your favorite items in a space filled with the natural green of trees and wild flowers planted in the outdoor campus.
Also, don’t forget to visit Namba Yasaka Shrine (just a 5-minute walk from Namba Parks) to see the 11-meter wide and 12-meter tall lion head statue. Locals believe that this statue can ward off bad luck and bring good luck in studies and business.
Photo: Photo from the gate of Namba Yasaka Shrine and the characteristic lion statue here
(Photo source: ©Instagram account @ree.s.mdragon)
Khu Shinsekai
Photo: Shinsekai attracts tourists with its classic atmosphere.
Just a 15-minute train ride away is another Osaka icon: Shinsekai. Many visitors come here to enjoy the unique old-fashioned atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else.
And the highlight here is definitely the Tsutenkaku Tower. Buy a ticket to the top of the tower (5th floor) to experience the city from a different perspective. Also on this floor is the statue of the god Billiken. Legend has it that if you rub the soles of his feet, you will be blessed with good luck.
The bravest can try going out to the top of the roof called “Tembo Paradise” to feel the fresh air. The fastest way to move around Tsutenkaku Tower is definitely the TOWER SLIDER, a short slide that takes you from the third floor straight to the basement in 10 seconds.
Besides the space, Shinsekai is also famous for its famous Kushikatsu (fried skewers). And like Dotonbori, there are many interesting food shops here such as Doteyaki (beef stew with miso), fugu, Sushi, etc.
In addition to the familiar tourist attractions, Osaka city is also a place where major world-scale events often take place. The international exhibition program called OSAKA EXPO 2025 will be held in Osaka in 2025. If you visit Osaka at this time, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the event and admire the world’s leading innovations here.
Day 3: Leaving Osaka, finding the ancient capital of Nara
From Osaka Station, you can take the Nishikujo Osaka Loop Line to Nara Station, which takes about 50 minutes, to admire a peaceful space, completely different from the ancient architecture.
Todaiji Temple
Photo: Come to Todaiji Temple to immerse yourself in the natural scenery here.
When coming to Nara, you cannot miss Todaiji Temple, a famous temple in Nara, with the world’s largest gilded black bronze Daibutsu (Great Buddha) statue (weighing 500 tons).
In addition to the main hall, Todaiji Temple also includes two seven-story pagodas and a monastery for members of the temple’s Buddhist association and foreign visitors. You can also take a walk through the Kasugayama primeval forest to experience the beauty of unspoiled nature.
Not to mention, you can also take this opportunity to play with the deer roaming around the grounds of Nara Park nearby. Remember to buy some shika senbei (deer crackers) to feed the deer.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Photo: Kasuga Shrine promises to bring the most beautiful souvenir photos
Leave Todaiji Temple and walk for about 6 minutes to reach Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Here, you will learn about Shinto, the main religion of the Japanese people. Unlike other shrines, Kasuga worships four gods: Takemikazuchi no Mikoto (god of thunder and sword) from Ibaraki Prefecture, Futsunushi no Mikoto (god of warriors) from Chiba Prefecture, Ame no Koyane no Mikoto, and Himegami from Osaka Prefecture.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine also attracts photographers with its bright red paint contrasting with the white walls and cypress roof. More than 1,000 lanterns hang from the building and about 2,000 stone lanterns line the entrance to the shrine grounds.
In addition, from late April to May is the best time to admire the wisteria flowers that fill the Manyo Botanical Garden in the temple grounds. This garden is known as the oldest botanical garden in Japan, with about 300 species of plants.
Naramachi Old Town
Naramachi is also not too far from Kasuga Shrine, just a 7-minute walk. This street used to be the residence of many Edo period merchants. Now, these houses are used as museums, cafes, sweet shops, and more. Some of the warehouses inside these residences are also open to visitors. So if you want to explore more about Japanese history and culture, visit this street!
Enjoy Local Specialties
Nara has no shortage of unique local foods.
Kakinoha-zushi (Sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves)
If you are used to the familiar sushi dishes, kakinoha-zushi will be a new experience. Still vinegared rice and salted fish on top of the sushi will be rolled in a layer of persimmon leaves to increase the flavor.
Mochi (sticky rice cake)
Mochi is available everywhere, but mochi in Nara is very different. Some specialties you should try or buy as gifts are Kuzumochi (tapioca mochi) and Oshiro no Kuchimochi, a mochi named after the shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
A specialty produced only in the Miwa area of Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, this somen noodle is famous for its unusually thin and firm texture. There’s nothing better than a bowl of cold Miwa somen in the summer!
You see, Osaka with lots of exciting and vibrant entertainment spots, in contrast to Nara with its peaceful and ancient natural scenery, is the attraction of this journey that makes your summer experience even more unforgettable.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s pack your bags!