With the 2025 Expo on the horizon, Osaka, Japan, is a tourist destination that’s more attractive than ever. If you’re traveling to Osaka for the first time and trying to maximize the value for your time there, check out this 2-day itinerary for the best sights and local eats for first-timers!
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
A First-Timer’s 2-Day Itinerary in Osaka: Famous Foods and Must-See Sights
The largest city in Japan, after Tokyo, Osaka is known for its lively locals, decadent street food, and mix of history and neon lights. As one of Japan’s most dynamic cities, there’s something for everyone– whether you’re a history buff, culture enthusiast, gourmand, or just a regular old tourist looking for general recommendations.
Though we won’t go into extremely niche recommendations, this 2-day itinerary covers the best local eats and major sightseeing spots—perfect for first-time travelers who want to experience the true flavor of the city with efficiency.
If you’d rather go with a local guided tour, check out this customizable tour that hits almost everything on this list!
Bring your appetite, a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and let’s dive in.
Day 1: Classic Osaka – Culture, Street Food, and Night Views
Morning: Osaka Castle & Park
Guided Tour: Explore the Symbol of Osaka: Osaka Castle
Start your trip with a blast to the past at Osaka Castle (Osaka-jō), one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. The castle itself is a modern reconstruction of the original, but it houses a museum inside with displays on samurai history and the unification of Japan under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
Admission Fee: ¥600 for the museum
If you’re not interested in architecture or history, you could just take a stroll through the surrounding Osaka Castle Park and get pictures from the outside.
The park is free to enter and is a great place for photos, especially during cherry blossom season, when the fields are blanketed with pink blooms. Nearby food stalls sometimes offer matcha ice cream and dango for a light snack.
Lunch: Kuromon Ichiba Market
Head to Kuromon Ichiba in the Namba area. This lively market is a haven for food lovers. Here, you can sample some of Osaka’s most famous street foods:
- Takoyaki: the quintessential Osaka food, according to locals and other Japanese tourists. Takoyaki, or deep-fried octopus balls, is chopped octopus wrapped in fluffy golden dough balls, with a sweet and savory sauce, green onions, and a dash of seaweed on top. The insides are steaming hot, fresh off the grill, so be careful with that first bite. You haven’t truly been to Osaka if you haven’t tried Takoyaki!
- Wagyu beef skewers: Osaka’s street food culture is big on skewers; you can often find high-quality marbled Wagyu beef skewers grilled to order right in front of your eyes for a very affordable price (under $10).
- Fresh uni (sea urchin): raw sea urchin is considered a delicacy in all of Japan, but finding it fresh is a different beast! Since it loses its freshness very quickly, many parts of Japan will marinate the sea urchin in a herb blend that gives off a faint, almost medicinal taste. Fresh uni, on the other hand, is creamy, rich, and sweet– make sure you try it at least once!
Most vendors only take cash, so come prepared. Try hopping from stall to stall and share bites if you’re traveling in a group.
Afternoon: Shinsaibashi & Hozenji Yokocho
After lunch, walk over to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, which is a covered arcade lined with fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, and snack vendors. This is a great place to find pop culture goods, Japan-exclusive sneakers, and street fashion clothing as well!
If you have the time for a more in-depth experience, try this sushi-making class!
A few minutes away is Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow, lantern-lit alleyway that feels like stepping back in time. I find this place especially magical in the evenings, when the lanterns are lit up!
For the culture lover, try visiting Hozenji Temple, a small but charming Buddhist temple where locals pour water over the moss-covered statue of Fudo Myo-o for luck.
Evening: Dotonbori District
Wrap up your day in Osaka’s most famous district: Dotonbori. With its neon signs, including the famous Glico Running Man, canal views, and street energy, this is the place to be after sunset. You’ll see many Japanese tourists copying the Glico Running Man pose for a photo on the bridge here as well!
The crowd here tends to be younger after dark, since the nightlife in this district is also popping. You’ll find many a bar, club, or izakaya (Japanese-style bar and eatery) in Shinsaibashi if you want to party like a local. Osaka locals are known to be (generally) more egregious and outspoken than the rest of Japan; if you want to make older friends, try a street stall or an izakaya!
Grab dinner from a local favorite: Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki: okonomiyaki is a savory pancake with a mix of pork, cabbage, and yakisoba noodles mixed in batter and grilled on a teppan in front of you. It’s a famous local cuisine and a fun and interactive dinner! Try making a reservation at Chibo or Mizuno.
Optional: Take a short boat ride on the Dotonbori Canal for a different perspective of the district.
Day 2: Retro Osaka and Hidden Gems
Morning: Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku Tower
Start your second day in Shinsekai, a retro neighborhood with a distinctly Showa-era feel. Grab a brunch of kushikatsu (fried skewers) at the original Kushikatsu Daruma. This casual eatery has been around since 1929 and is a must-try.
Kushikatsu is also part of Osaka’s street food culture, combining their love of deep-fried food and skewers– these skewers are usually thinly sliced pork folded over, dipped in batter, and deep-fried, to be had with a sweet and savory dipping sauce.
Pro tip: Don’t double-dip your skewer into the communal sauce bowl.
Explore the quirky shops and then head up Tsutenkaku Tower, which offers nostalgic charm and a good expansive view of Osaka city. You can also take the Tower Slider, a slide from the top of the tower down for 1000 Japanese yen. The observatory deck is open until 7:30 PM and costs 1200 yen for adults.
Midday: Tennoji Park & Abeno Harukas
Just a short walk away is Tennoji Park. It has a relaxing vibe and is home to both a zoo and the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. If museums or zoos aren’t your thing, head straight to Abeno Harukas.
The Abeno Harukas is Japan’s tallest skyscraper; you can go to the Harukas 300 Observatory for gorgeous sweeping views of the city. This is also a great option for the evening, as you can get a romantic panoramic view of the city’s twinkling nightscape after dark.
Grab lunch at one of the restaurants inside the Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Department Store, which offers a wide variety of Japanese and Western options.
Afternoon: Umeda District & Sky Building
Next, hop on a train to Umeda, Osaka’s modern business and entertainment hub. If you want to do some shopping, consider visiting LUCUA or Hankyu Department Store. Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, their basement food halls are a treat in and of themselves, with great options for sweets, souvenirs to take home, and light snacks.
Afterwards, you can make your way to the Umeda Sky Building. The Floating Garden Observatory connects two towers, offering one of the best panoramic views in the city. Admission is 2000 yen for adults, and the venue opens until 10:30 PM. It’s especially beautiful at night!
Dinner: Yakiniku or Izakaya Experience
End your Osaka experience with a proper sit-down dinner. Even without spending extravagantly, you could find some quality eats; a budget of $50 USD per person is more than enough for a great experience.
Here are two solid choices:
- Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ): Try Matsuzushi or a branch of Jojoen for high-quality meats you grill yourself.
- Local Izakaya: Head to a traditional pub for a variety of small plates, sake, and beer. Look for ones that are popular with locals rather than tourists for the best experience.
If you still have the energy after walking around all day, explore Umeda’s underground maze of bars and dessert cafes. It’s a world of its own.
Bonus Local Treats to Try Throughout Your Trip:
As you can probably tell, Osaka is very big on its food culture – great news if you’re a foodie! Here are some on-the-go snacks you can grab if you don’t like the options above, or if you’re just looking to replenish your energy after all the walking!
- 551 Horai: Steamed pork buns is a local favorite snack often sold at major train stations such as Osaka station.
- Kinryu Ramen: Open 24/7 and easy to find by the golden dragon sign
- Pablo Cheesecake: Famous for half-baked cheesecakes that are lighter than you classic New York cheesecake but just as decadent. Though you can now find this chain all over Japan, the Osaka store is the original.
- Rikuro Ojisan: Jiggly, fluffy cheesecakes that come out fresh from the oven. The cheese flavor isn’t as strong as Pablo; think of it as more of a fluffy pancake.
Check out this page if you want an in-depth guided tour with a local.
Bonus Tips:
- If you’re planning on staying more than 2 days, save yourself the hassle of buying train tickets every time you board by getting an ICOCA card for train, bus, and subway travel. This saves time as it calculates the fare automatically after you charge to a certain amount.
- Most food stalls and smaller shops prefer cash, so consider withdrawing it at a convenience store ATM. 7-Eleven is a good option for international withdrawals. Recently, electric money (such as Apple Pay or PayPay, a local app) has been on the rise, but it’s best to carry some cash with you at all times while you’re in Japan.
- Osaka locals are known for being friendly and chatty—don’t be afraid to ask for help or recommendations if you’re lost or confused! Many touristy places will have a good amount of English speakers.
Conclusion
Although two days in Osaka might not be enough to see and eat everything there is, it’s just the right amount of time to fall in love with this lively and flavorful city.
If you’re spending longer, definitely check out Universal Studios Japan, the Kaiyukan Aquarium, or Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine for some impeccable Osaka vibes. There’s no limit of things to do in this city– and everything is one Google search away!
With rich culture, colorful street fashion, great shopping, and even better food, this city is a must-see on your Japan itinerary. It’s also just 1 hour away from Kyoto, one of the most traditional and beautiful cities in Japan, and a short hop away from Nara as well. Why not drop in?
Whether you’re slurping ramen solo or laughing with locals over takoyaki, the memories you make in Osaka, Japan are sure to stick!
Leave a Reply