1 Day in Osaka Itinerary: How I Spent Amazing 24 Hours in Osaka Japan 2025

Osaka is one of the most popular cities to visit in Japan, and for good reason. Along with Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s one of those places that I genuinely think belongs on every Japan itinerary.

In this guide, I want to focus specifically on Osaka and show you how to make the most of your time if you only have one day. Whether you’re visiting as a day trip from Kyoto or just squeezing Osaka into a tight schedule, you can still see and experience a lot in 24 hours.

I spent more than one day in Osaka myself, which helped me figure out what’s actually worth your time and what you can realistically skip. From iconic spots like Osaka Castle to lively areas like Dotonbori, there’s a lot to choose from. So instead of trying to do everything, I put together a one-day Osaka itinerary based on my own experience, focusing only on the highlights that truly make sense if you’re short on time.

1 Day in Osaka Itinerary – My Experience

I personally had a bit more time in Osaka and spent three full days there, which felt perfect for me. One full day went to Universal Studios Japan, which I loved, another day was a small day trip to Minoh Park and Minoh Falls, and the rest of the time I spent exploring the city itself.

If you only have one full day in Osaka, though, I’d focus on the city rather than Universal Studios. If you’re really into theme parks, spending the whole day there totally makes sense, but for me, exploring Osaka’s neighborhoods was far more exciting.

Some of my favorite things I did in Osaka were wandering around areas like Dotonbori and Shinsekai, and of course spending time at Osaka Castle. I actually went inside and climbed all the way to the top, and the views over the city were well worth it.

Another highlight for me was Namba Yasaka Shrine. It’s a small shrine, but the massive lion head (that almost looks like a demon face) is pretty wild and unlike anything else I saw in Japan.

I’ll be honest with you guys, all in all, one day in Osaka isn’t enough to see everything, but it’s definitely enough to have a great time. This one-day itinerary that I put together focuses on the highlights that make the most sense if you’re short on time.

A Quick Osaka Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know

• Stay central (you’ll thank yourself later): Osaka isn’t nearly as overwhelming as Tokyo, but I still made a point of staying somewhere central. It made exploring different neighborhoods incredibly easy, whether by public transport or on foot. And walking is always my favorite way to get a feel for a city when it’s doable.
  
• Public transport just works: If there’s one thing Japan does exceptionally well, it’s public transport, and Osaka is no exception. Trains and subways are fast, reliable, and easy to use. Walking long distances usually isn’t realistic, and taxis can get expensive and frustrating, especially during rush hour. Stick to public transport and you’ll be absolutely fine.
  
• An eSIM is non-negotiable: I honestly don’t know how I would’ve managed Japan without an eSIM. I used it constantly for finding food spots, navigating with Google Maps, and figuring out public transport connections. I use Sim Local and they’ve been fantastic throughout my trip. (You can sign up here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA.)
  
• You might not even need an IC card in Osaka: In Tokyo, an IC card felt essential. In Osaka though, I was surprised how often I could simply tap my credit card instead. For most places I went, that worked perfectly, which made getting around even easier.
  
• Skip viral food spots (seriously): One of the biggest lessons from my month in Japan, and this applies to Osaka just as much, is don’t waste your time queuing for viral Instagram food. It’s almost never worth it. Some of the best sushi and ramen I had were in tiny, slightly hidden places down side streets. If it looks a bit random and not made for social media, you’re probably in the right spot.
  
• Tabelog vs Google Maps: A lot of people swear by Tabelog and say that’s where you’ll find the “real” good food. After a month in Japan, I don’t fully agree. Both work well, but many of my favorite restaurants in Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto came straight from Google Maps. If I had to choose one tool, Google Maps won every time for me.
  
• Say yes, even if it feels uncomfortable at first: My very first food experience in Japan was at a tiny local izakaya. Nothing was in English, barely anyone spoke English, and I didn’t even know what an izakaya was (it’s basically a small bar serving things like charcoal-grilled meat skewers). I almost walked out because I was so overwhelmed, but I didn’t. The food ended up being incredible. Grab your translation app, point at the menu, and just go with it. Those slightly uncomfortable moments often turn into the best memories, especially in Japan.

My 1 Day Osaka Itinerary

Just as a quick heads-up, this is my personal take on how I’d spend one full day in Osaka, and what I think makes the most sense if you’re short on time. There are loads of great day trips you can do from Osaka, like Nara or Minoh Falls, and of course you could easily spend an entire day at Universal Studios Japan. But since we’re working with just one day here, I’ve left those out.

That said, I absolutely loved my day at Universal Studios, so if that’s how you want to spend your time in Osaka, I wouldn’t blame you at all. At the end of the day, you should do what excites you most, not what you feel like you should be doing.

Still, since I’m a travel blogger and not just here to say “go to a theme park and call it a day,” I put together this one-day Osaka itinerary that focuses on the city itself and the areas I personally enjoyed the most.

Morning

When I visited Osaka, I stayed in Namba, which is a super central area and a great base for exploring. There aren’t many big “sights” right there, but I loved the vibe. Neon signs, small temples, endless food options, and just a lot going on everywhere. I’d definitely recommend staying here and doing what I did: start the day by simply walking around and taking it all in.

I began my morning at one of my favorite coffee spots in Osaka, Brooklyn Roasting Company. Osaka has some great cafés, but a lot of them only serve coffee and no breakfast. Since my hotel didn’t include breakfast, I wanted a place where I could get both. The coffee here was excellent, and I had a really good sandwich as well.

If you’re looking for a cheaper and quicker option, you honestly can’t go wrong with an egg sandwich and coffee from 7-Eleven. I had those countless times throughout Japan and loved them every single time.

After breakfast, I walked over to Namba Yasaka Shrine. I visited a lot of shrines across Japan, and this one is easily one of the most unique-looking ones. There isn’t much to explore, so it’s more of a quick stop and photo opportunity before hopping on the subway for the first big sightseeing stop of the day.

Midday

After a fairly slow morning, I hopped on the metro and headed to Osaka Castle, which is super easy to reach. While I was in Osaka (and Japan in general), I used an eSIM the whole time, so navigating with Google Maps was effortless. It always showed the fastest and most accurate public transport routes, which made getting around Osaka really straightforward.

After getting off at the station, I had about a 20-minute walk through Osaka Castle Park before reaching the castle itself. There is a small shuttle that runs up to the castle, but I personally preferred walking. The park is beautiful, and it felt like a nice break from the busy city.

Once I arrived, I did what everyone does and took way too many photos out front. I also decided to go inside the castle, because just taking a photo and leaving felt wrong to me. I bought my ticket on the spot, it was around $6, and it was absolutely worth it, even just for the views from the top.

I ended up spending quite a bit of time here between the walk, photos, and exploring the inside of the castle. You could rush it if you’re short on time, but if you have the chance, I really recommend going inside and taking it slow.

Afternoon

After a late lunch, I headed over to one of my favorite neighborhoods in Osaka: Shinsekai. It’s also one of the city’s most popular areas, and it feels very old-school Japanese, not traditional in a shrines & temple way, but more like a vintage entertainment district. Loads of restaurants, shops, and old-school neon signs everywhere, just with a slightly worn, retro look that made it really fun for me to wander around.

I spent some time here just walking up and down the main streets, grabbing a bit of street food and a beer along the way. This is exactly my kind of place, no real plan, just walking, eating, stopping whenever something looks good. With Tsutenkaku Tower in the background and all the neon signs around, this area felt very Osaka to me and was definitely one of the highlights of the day.

Evening

In the evening, I made my way to Dotonbori, which you’ve almost definitely seen before. Walking down the main street for the first time, I remember thinking, yeah, this is exactly what I pictured Japan to look like. Huge buildings, neon signs everywhere, crowds of people, restaurants on every corner, it’s loud, busy, and honestly just a lot of fun.

I explored properly here, not just the main strip but also the smaller side streets and the walkway along the river. Of course, I took the classic photo of the Glico running man too, it had to be done.

For dinner, I went to Ichiran. Yes, it’s a chain. Yes, it’s touristy. And yes, I waited in line. But this was actually my very first proper ramen in Japan, and it completely lived up to the hype. The broth was incredible, and sitting in those little individual booths just added to the experience. No regrets at all, I’d 100% do it again.

Where to Stay in Osaka Japan (My Favorite Areas & Hotels in Osaka)

One thing I really liked about Osaka is that it doesn’t feel quite as overwhelming as Tokyo. It’s still a big city, of course, and I wouldn’t call it walkable by any means, but as long as you stay somewhere fairly central, getting around is easy. Public transport is straightforward, reliable, and connects all the main areas without any stress.

I stayed in Namba, which I thought was a great base. It’s a fun, lively area right between Dotonbori and Shinsekai, and that made exploring super easy. I actually walked a lot while I was there, even if that sometimes meant a 30–40 minute walk to the next spot. I know I could’ve just jumped on the metro, but I always feel like I miss out on seeing the city when I’m underground the whole time.

From Namba, it was easy to walk around locally and just as easy to hop on public transport to places like Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Shinsekai, and even Universal Studios Japan.

Here are a few hotels in Osaka I’d recommend, including the one I personally stayed at:

Book Here: Hotel The Leben Osaka

Book Here: Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka

Book Here: Cinqs Hotel Osaka

FAQs About My 1 Day Osaka Itinerary

Is Osaka worth visiting?

Absolutely. I personally really liked Osaka. Yes, it was my first stop in Japan, so at the time everything felt exciting and new, but even looking back now, I still loved it. The food alone is a reason to visit, but on top of that you’ve got fun neighborhoods, Osaka Castle, and Universal Studios. For me, it’s 100% worth visiting.

What should I do in Osaka for one day?

If you only have one day, I’d focus on Osaka Castle and Dotonbori. With just those two stops, you’ll already have seen some of the most iconic and memorable parts of the city, and you’ll get a really good feel for what Osaka is all about.

Is Universal Studios Osaka worth it?

I’m not a huge theme park person, but I spent a full day at Universal Studios Japan and honestly thought it was amazing. The roller coasters are a bit more on the mellow side, but Nintendo World and the Harry Potter area were so much fun to explore. Especially if you’re traveling with kids, this is an absolute winner.

Can I do a day trip to Osaka?

Yes, definitely. If you’re short on time, I’d actually recommend doing a day trip to Osaka from Kyoto rather than skipping it completely. The train ride only takes about 30 minutes, which makes a day trip very doable and totally worth it.

Final Thoughts on a Day Trip to Osaka

All in all, I really enjoyed Osaka. If you ask me, I’ll always tell you that three days is the sweet spot, but I also know that not everyone has that kind of time. If you only have one day, you might as well make the most of it.

I think this itinerary works really well because it’s not overly packed. It’s more about exploring the city at a relaxed pace instead of ticking off as many sights as possible in 24 hours, which I personally enjoy a lot more.

I hope this little guide gave you a clear idea of what’s worth seeing and doing in Osaka if you only have one day. Happy travels!

Check Out My Other Osaka Guides

The Best Time to Visit Osaka Japan: My Osaka Season Guide

Is Osaka Worth Visiting: My Honest Review

1 Day in Osaka Itinerary: How I Spent 24 Hours in Osaka

Best Cafes in Osaka: My Favorite Cafes & Coffee Shops

4 Day Osaka Itinerary: How I Spent 96 Hours in Osaka

The Best Food in Osaka: My Top Osaka Restaurants

How Many Days in Osaka: My Day by Day Guide

2 Days in Osaka Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Osaka

Is Universal Studios Japan Worth it? My Honest Review

My Top Universal Studios Japan Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Is Universal Studio Japan Express Pass Worth it? My Honest Review

Check Out My Other Japan Travel Guides

Japan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

Best eSIM for Japan: My Honest Comparison

Is Japan Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Is Japan Expensive to Visit? Japan Budget Guide

7 Days in Japan Itinerary: How I Spent 1 Week in Japan