Osaka | Japan Travel Guide

Nothing comes close to the word INTENSE when describing Osaka. Its progressive cityscape is bludgeon by blinding neon lights. People, cars, trains & planes scuttle in an unimaginable frenzy. This is where the endless clanking of ramen bowls & sake cups compete with laughters & beltings from a karaoke.

Osaka epitomizes the playful urban Japan.

But Osaka is not all about the manic urban lifestyle. It is also about hidden gardens & quiet temples, underworld spectacles & ancient theaters. Osaka is Japan’s gateway paradox—to its imperial antiquities in Kyoto & its harbors to the rest of the world.

With so many things that Osaka offers, I compiled a comprehensive budget travel guide to make your stay here worth your time & yen!

How to Take the Public Transport?

Photo credits: www.101metromap.com

Osaka has a dense network of mass transport system like subways & buses. It connects all the sights within the city. It also links to major destinations across Japan. Know your routes because getting lost here can be very costly.

For first-timers in Osaka, it is best to take the city trains. Don’t worry because all train stations are labeled in English. Also, announcements like transfer lines, next station & which door side will open also come in English.

The busiest line is Midosuji (Line 1/M/Red). It runs along major stations like Namba, Shinsaibashi, Yodobashi & Umeda. Most stations along Midosuji are also primary transfer lines to other stations.

Click here for a complete guide on Osaka Metro.

Where to Ask for Help?

Photo credits: www.space-tokyo.co.jp

Before you start any exploration, visit the Tourist Information Center. Here you can consult your itinerary or confirm a location. This is a free service where you can ask anything about Osaka.

Subway stations in Namba, Umeda & Shinsaibashi have Tourist Information Centers. At Kansai Airport, it is located on the ground floor in the arrival area.

For complete list of Osaka Tourist Information Center, click here.

How to Save on Train Fares?

Photo credits: www.osaka-info.jp

Single-journey train fares in Osaka begin at 180 Yen (P70). It could rake up to 370 Yen (P144) depending on your route. To save on cost, buy discount vouchers if you will be riding the train at least 3 times or more in a day.

There are many discount passes for tourists in Osaka. It comes in 1-day or 2-day passes, or even longer. Make sure you check the restrictions before making any purchase.

Check out here for great discounts on getting around Osaka.

What are the Must-See Attractions?

With so many places to visit in Osaka, it’s quite a challenge to complete them in a short time. Just choose the attractions that are legendary & those that really tickle your personal fancies.

Popular Convergence Areas

• Dotonbori (food, shopping, entertainment)
• Namba & Shinsaibashi Districts (food, shopping, entertainment)
• Shinsekai (food, shopping)
• Den Den Town (electronics, gaming, anime)
• Doyama & Tobita (entertainment, LGBT hotspot)
• Umeda Sky Building (roofdeck bar, view tower)

Amusement Parks

Photo credits: www.osaka-info.jp

• Universal Studios
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Japanese Gardens & Parks

Photo credits: www.osaka-info.jp

• Nakanoshima Park
• Tennoji Park

Castles & Temples

• Osaka Castle
• Shitenno-ji Temple
• Sumiyoshi Taisha Temple

Museums & Theaters

Photo credits: www.skyscrapercity.com

• National Museum of Art
• Osaka Municipal Museum of Art
• Osaka Shochiku-za

Where to Eat?

Osaka is touted as Japan’s Kitchen. For fanatics of Japanese cuisine, Osaka feeds great! There’s no shortage of options here. Given your limited vacation time, don’t look for the best restaurant anymore. Just head straight to popular dining strips & you’ll surely have a great chow time.

The most popular dining zones are in Dotonbori & around Namba Station. If you love kushikatsu, Shinsekai area is the place to go. Worth exploring too is Kitashinchi, south of Osaka Station.

The key to finding your kitsune udon, teppanyaki, okonomiyaki & takoyaki is to explore the small alleys. Just have the patience to walk around the maze of kitchens & you’ll surely be rewarded with delectable treats.

Where is the Best Place to Shop?

Shopaholics Unite! This is your shining moment because Osaka is a shopping paradise. There are only 2 main areas to remember—Umeda in the north & Namba in the south. In between these 2 districts is Shinsaibashi Suji, a 600-meter shopping arcade, the longest retail therapy center in Osaka.

If you like cheap but trendy fashion, rush to Amerikamura. But if you’re like the sophisticated madam, look nowhere but Takashimaya. For electronics & gaming weirdos, Den Den Town is there to fill your digital fancies. Doguya Suji is any masterchef’s haven because of their array of kitchen magic. Looking for souvenirs that are easy on the wallet? There’s only one place to go—Don Quijote. It houses all the Japanese stuff you can possibly think of—from food to kinky paraphernalia.

Where is the Cheap Place to Stay?

Namba, Osaka & Shin-Osaka Stations are the most popular places to find accommodations. Except for Shin-Osaka that is perfect for those transiting to Kyoto, staying close to downtown metros are more suitable.

While Japanese hostels are notorious for being expensive, there are also surprising cheap finds within the radius of happening streets. Consider those that are in secondary & tertiary roads for real budget deals.

Check out Hotel Kikuei along Nipponbashi here.

There is always something for everyone in Osaka. It’s more relaxed than Tokyo but never lacking the holiday spectacles you wish to experience in Japan. As a culturally diverse city, it’s easy to find friends & feel at ease. With all its attractions & conveniences, no wonder why Osaka is a premier Asian vacation destination.

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Check out more hotel deals in Osaka here.

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