2 Days in Osaka Itinerary: My Perfect 48 Hours in Osaka 2026

Osaka was one of those cities I liked almost immediately, and I still think it’s a little underrated. It’s lively without being exhausting, chaotic in a way that’s actually fun, and much easier to navigate than I expected on my first trip to Japan (honestly, way easier than Tokyo).

You’ve got neighborhoods like Dotonbori, Namba, and Shinsekai that all feel completely different, Osaka Castle which is genuinely one of my favorites in Japan, and of course Universal Studios Japan, which I had a great time at and would absolutely recommend if you can make it work.

I spent a decent amount of time in Osaka overall, exploring the city, eating far too much, and trying to fit in as many must-sees as made sense. So if you’re short on time and only have two days, this is the 2 Days in Osaka Itinerary I’d personally stick to.

2 Days in Osaka Itinerary – My Experience

I spent a total of three days in Osaka, and for me that was the sweet spot. Two full days exploring the city, plus one full day at Universal Studios Japan, which I’m very glad I didn’t try to squeeze into anything else.

While I was there, I obviously visited Osaka Castle, which was a real highlight and still one of the most impressive castles I’ve seen in Japan. But a lot of my time was also spent doing what Osaka is very good for: wandering. I explored neighborhoods like Dotonbori and Shinsekai properly, without rushing, and since Osaka was my first stop in Japan, everything felt so so exciting. The noise, the food, the neon, the crowds, it was a lot, but I could’ve kept exploring for days and days.

I also had enough time to do a small day trip from Osaka, including a visit to Minoo Falls, which was especially beautiful during fall foliage and well worth the short trip if you’re visiting around that time.

For this two-day Osaka itinerary, I’m focusing purely on the city itself and leaving Universal Studios out. If USJ is non-negotiable for you (which I completely get, I had a great time), I’d recommend following day one of this itinerary and then dedicating your second day entirely to Universal Studios Japan.

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Osaka

Pick the right time to visit Osaka: I visited Osaka in early November and honestly couldn’t have timed it better. The temperatures were mild enough that I could walk around all day without melting, and it was still warm enough for T-shirts most days. It was especially ideal for long days outside and for Universal Studios Japan, plus I caught the start of fall foliage without dealing with peak crowds.

Get an eSIM: I needed mobile data all the time in Osaka, for navigation, train routes, Google Maps, and finding food when hunger suddenly strikes. I used Sim Local and had zero issues anywhere in the city. It made getting around stress-free, especially on my first Japan trip. If you’re using them too, you can sign up and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA.

Get an IC card: If you’re using public transport more than once (you will), get an IC card like Suica or Pasmo. I used mine constantly and didn’t have to think about tickets at all, which made hopping on and off trains way easier.

Carry cash: Japan is still very much a cash-first country, especially for smaller restaurants and street food. I always had cash on me and ended up buying a coin purse because the coins add up fast. It sounds minor, but it makes life a lot easier.

Try as much food as possible: Osaka really earns its reputation when it comes to food. Street food, ramen restaurants, wagyu, Kobe beef, you name it. I had some of the best food in japan here in Osaka, especially the wagyu beef was amazing.

Day 1: Osaka Castle, Shinsekai & Dotonbori

On my first day in Osaka, I like to front-load the things I care about most. Not in a frantic way, but more as a safety net in case the weather turns or energy drops later on. If I’m going to run out of time somewhere, it won’t be on the highlights.

I started the day at Osaka Castle, which is still one of my favorite castles in Japan. I spent a good amount of time walking through the castle park first, which I’ve been told is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season. I also went inside and climbed all the way to the top, partly for the views and partly because I wanted to actually understand what I was looking at instead of just taking a photo and moving on.

After that, I kept the rest of the day fairly loose and focused on neighborhoods. Shinsekai was first, which feels a bit frozen in time in a good way. Retro, slightly rough around the edges, and very different from the rest of the city. From there, I made my way to Dotonbori, where things get louder, brighter, and busier very quickly.

This is also where I had my first Ichiran ramen in Japan. Yes, it’s touristy, and yes, everyone talks about it, but it was my first ramen in the country and it absolutely changed my life. I finished the night walking along the river, took the obligatory photo of the Glico Man, and called it a very solid first day in Osaka.

Day 2: Osaka Minoo Park, Katsuoji Temple, Namba Yasaka Shrine & Food Tour

My second day in Osaka started early because I wanted to get out of the city for a bit. I took a small day trip north to Minoo Park, Minoo Falls, and Katsuo-ji Temple, all in the same area and roughly an hour from central Osaka.

It was a really nice contrast to the city. Minoo Park felt calm and green, and with fall foliage in full swing, the walk to the waterfall was genuinely beautiful without feeling like a huge effort. I spent most of the morning wandering around here, taking my time, before heading over to Katsuo-ji Temple.

Katsuo-ji was one of the highlights of the day. The temple is famous for its thousands of Daruma dolls, those little red figures you see everywhere in photos. Seeing them scattered all over the grounds was way cooler actually than I expected and made the whole visit feel very different from other temples I’d seen so far.

After lunch, I headed back into Osaka and made a quick stop at Namba Yasaka Shrine. It’s the one with the giant lion head, very recognizable and needles to say I took loads of pictures here. If you’re staying in Namba, this is an easy stop you can squeeze in without much planning.

I finished the day with a food tour in Osaka, which was a great way to end it. Lots of small bites, plenty of walking, and a solid mix of things I probably wouldn’t have ordered on my own, from fish and tempura to wagyu and dumplings. I went back to my hotel very full and very happy with that decision.

Book Here: Osaka Food Tour

2 Days in Osaka with Universal Studios

If Universal Studios Japan is on your list, then yes, it deserves a full day. I spent an entire day there and honestly wouldn’t do it any other way. We arrived around 7:30 am and were inside the park by 8:00 am, even though the official opening time said 9:00 am, they often let people in earlier.

The park was busy. Like, really busy. Some of the longest queues I’ve seen anywhere, and that’s with a Fast Pass. Between Harry Potter World, Jurassic Park, Nintendo World, rides, wandering, and grabbing food, the whole day was gone before I even realized it. Trying to squeeze USJ into half a day would be a mistake. Trust me on this one.

So if Universal Studios is non-negotiable for you (which I fully support, I had a great time), I’d recommend keeping things simple. Follow Day 1 of this itinerary, Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori, then dedicate Day 2 entirely to Universal Studios Japan. That’s a very solid two days in Osaka, and I’d be more than happy with that plan.

And just to say it out loud: you don’t have to do every cultural thing in a city to have a “proper” trip. If you’re excited about Universal Studios, just go. That’s reason enough.

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Tickets

Book Here: Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

FAQs About Osaka Itinerary 2 Days

How many days do I need in Osaka?

I personally spent three full days in Osaka and thought that was the ideal amount of time. That said, even with just one or two days, you can still see a lot and have a really good experience. Osaka is compact, easy to get around, and very forgiving if you’re short on time.

Is two days in Osaka enough?

Yes, two days works well. One of my days was entirely dedicated to Universal Studios Japan (which I loved), and the other was spent exploring Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori. If that had been my entire Osaka trip, I still would’ve been very happy with it.

Is Osaka worth visiting?

Absolutely. Universal Studios Japan is fun, but Osaka is much more than that. The food scene alone is reason enough to come, and Osaka Castle is genuinely impressive. It has a different energy from Tokyo and Kyoto, and that contrast is part of what makes it so enjoyable.

What should I do in Osaka for two days?

Some of my personal highlights were wandering around Dotonbori and Shinsekai, visiting Osaka Castle, escaping the city for a bit at Minoo Park and Katsuo-ji Temple, and spending a full day at Universal Studios Japan. You can mix and match depending on what you’re most interested in.

Final Thoughts on My 2 Days in Osaka

All in all, I actually think two days in Osaka is a solid amount of time. I spent a month in Japan, so of course I’ll always say more time is better, but that’s not how most trips work. With two days, you can still get a real feel for the city.

If I only had two days, I’d personally do one full day exploring Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori, and then spend the second day at Universal Studios Japan. If theme parks aren’t your thing, the alternative second-day itinerary above works just as well.

Hopefully, this gives you a realistic idea of what you can do with 48 hours in Osaka and helps you plan something that actually fits your travel style.

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