3 Days Guide to Osaka

Heading towards Osaka, but only have 3 days to explore this city?  Here’s the quick guide to cover both Osaka and Nara in 3 days!

Being located in the Kansai region, Osaka is often the gateway to this part of Japan and is only a ride away to Kobe, Kyoto & Nara the few common tourist attractions.

I would recommend using the IC Card which can be easily purchased at Kansai International Airport upon arriving.

This card allows one to easily use the card both on public buses and trains to common tourist attractions. Here is a summary of some the must visit places in Osaka. As Nara is conventiently located nearby to Osaka, it is often a day trip from central Osaka and leave you enough time to fully cover the amazing town.

Top Attractions to Visit in Osaka

#1: Universal Studio Osaka

Without doubt, one of the must visit attraction if you are a thrill seeking adventurer.  Universal Studio Osaka can be easily reached by train along the Yumesaki Line (Universal-City Station). Popular rides include Jurassic Park and Harry Potter. Tickets can be purchased on that day itself at the counters which begins to sell them one hour before the park opens for business.

However, looking at the long queue expected almost each day, I would recommend the smarter option of puchasing via mobile phone travel applications such as Klook.  In addition of skipping the queue, one can get slightly cheaper rate at SGD$97 (Usual Price: SGD$98) and should there be a discount code in force at certain time, one can even save more! Simply purchase on mobile, scan the QR code at the entrance gate and off you enter to the wonder land!

#2: Namba Yasaka Shrine

Opening hours: 6am- 5pm    ADDRESS :   2-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City

How to get there: 5 minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Municiple Subway Midosuji Line OR 6 minutes walk from Nankai Namba Station on Yotsubashi Line.

The enormous lion head-shaped Ema-Den, measuring 12 m high, 11 m wide and 10 m deep, is particularly eye-catching.

#3: Shinsekai Market & Tsutenkaku Tower

How to get there:  Shinsekai is a short walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Loop Line.

Alternatively, locate Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Midosuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines.

Cheap eating places throng around 130 m-tall Tsutenkaku Tower, a symbol of Osaka built to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris which was constructed in 1912. Being one of Osaka’s best known specialties; Kushikatsu, is a Japanese dish of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. Shinsekai’s kushikatsu restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night.

#4: Shinsaibashi

Nearest Station: Namba or Shinsaibashi (opposite ends of the shopping district)
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm

Shop to your hearts content! This is a 600m long shopping arcade and one will be spoilt for choices. Local boutiques, luxury brands and the occasional dessert store where you can get your baked cheese tarts and matcha delights.

#5: Dotonburi

Address: 1 Chome Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0071, Japan
Nearest Station: Namba or Nippombashi

Not far from Shinsaibashi, lies the ultimate gastronomic’s heaven: Dotonbur. Being a food street, make sure you come here with an empty stomach! Come in the day and night time to witiness the difference!

Hozenji Yokocho Alley, 2-minute walk southward from Dotonbori / Osaka Namba station.

At night: Lined with colourful neon signs and delectable scents fighting for your attention, it’s the place to be for amazing and affordable street food. As night time falls, many restaurants open for business. The street has been filled with nightlife.

#6: Momofuku Instant Ramen Museum

Make your own cup noodles

Cost: ¥‎300
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 4:00pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Address: 8-25 Masumicho, Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture 563-0041, Japan
〒563-0041 大阪府池田市満寿美町8-25
Nearest Station: Ikeda (Hankyu Takarazuka Line)

For ¥‎300, you get to design the cup of your own instant noodles, pick the soup base, ingredients, and watch it go through a vacuum seal and out the other end like a cup noodle from the convenience store.

Travel tip : As it is slightly further out from Osaka central, check out some of the attractions near Ikeda town before heading back to the busy Osaka city area!

#7: Nara Town

• Nara Deer Park: Nearest station Kintetsu-Nara. Experience the beauty of Japanese nature. Known for besides temples and shrines is its wildlife. There are deer lounging around all over the park. Some will come close to see, if you are carrying any “shika senbei” – deer crackers – which can be purchased from vendors in the park for 150 Yen.

• Todaiji Temple

Walk 1.4km from Nara Station to Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple was constructed in the year 752, and ranked among the most famous and historical temple in Japan. UNESCO World Heritage Site, which houses the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) with the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. It is approximately 15 meters high and weighs 500 tonnes.

:

• Kofukuji Temple: Formerly the family temple of the powerful Fujiwara clan in ancient Nara. Today this 5 storey pagoda still stand tall at 50m and is the 2nd tallest in Japan.

If you are looking at the full itinerary of what I had covered within 10 Days exploring the town of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, the link can be found here.

Categories: Asia Region