Make the most of your trip to Osaka with our comprehensive Osaka itineraries, our recommendations of the best places to eat in Osaka and rundowns of essential attractions in each of Osaka's fascinating districts
Osaka Itineraries
Make the most of your time in Osaka with my carefully planned itineraries for trips from 1 to 5 days. Read More
Osaka Restaurants
Here is our list of the best restaurants in Osaka, divided by type of cuisine, with location and price range too. Read More
Osaka Hotels
Osaka has great hotels in all budget classes. Here are the best Osaka hotels in each budget class, all personally inspected. Read More
Osaka Ryokan
Osaka has few true ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), so here are our Kyoto and Nara picks. Read More
First Time In Osaka
Planning a trip to Osaka? This is the place to start. I’ll take you through all the big questions: When, where, why and how. And, of course, how much. Read More
Osaka Districts
Discover the best of Osaka's different areas to decide where you want to explore. Here's my guide to Osaka's 10 major districts. Read More
Things To Do In Osaka
Our comprehensive list of the best things to do in Osaka will help you make the most of your time in the city. Read More
Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo Itineraries
Here’s a comprehensive Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo itinerary that will allow you to see the best places efficiently and easily. Read More
Best Time To Go To Osaka
Discover the best time of year to visit Osaka, get a sense of Osaka weather month by month, and the dates of Osaka's best festivals. Read More
SIM Cards in Osaka
Yes, you can buy a prepaid data-only SIM cards in Japan. Here are the best deals, based on actual experiences. Read More
How To Get To Osaka
Osaka is served by two airports - Kansai for international flights and Itami for domestic. Here are all the details. Read More
Getting Around Osaka
Osaka covers a huge area, but it’s all connected by a superb public transport system. Here's how to get around the city easily. Read More
Eat Like A Local In Osaka
Want to eat where Osaka locals actually eat? Then check out our guide to some of Osaka's best local restaurants. Read More
Where To Stay In Osaka
Our guide on where to stay in Osaka to maximise your time. Read More
Japan Travel Guides
There are several must-see destinations in Japan within easy reach of Osaka. They all make great additions to any Osaka itinerary. These concise guides provide details about what to see and do.
Kyoto Travel Guide
image © Jeffrey Friedl
Find Kyoto's best attractions on my companion website InsideKyoto.com Read More
Tokyo Travel Guide
image © Truly Tokyo
Find Tokyo's best attractions on my companion website TrulyTokyo.com Read More
Nara Travel Guide
image © Damien Douxchamps
Nara is a spectacular contrast to Kyoto – and only half an hour away by express train Read More
Kanazawa Travel Guide
image © _yuki_k_
Sometimes called “Little Kyoto,” Kanazawa is a superb destination in its own right. Read More
Hiroshima And Miyajima
images © globalismpictures and xiquinho
Hiroshima and the nearby island of Miyajima provide some of Japan's most memorable sights
Read More
Takayama Travel Guide
image © eugen_o
Takayama is a great stopover between Tokyo and Kyoto with its own distinct cultural heritage
Read More
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help