Osaka is full of fun spots, from gourmet food to entertainment. If it's your first time visiting, you might be wondering where to go. So, we'll introduce you to a recommended itinerary for a two-day, one-night trip to Osaka.
On the first day, we will introduce a course using the Osaka e-pass, which allows free admission to over 25 spots, including the Floating Garden Observatory at Umeda Sky Building and the Tower Slider at Tsutenkaku Tower. On the second day, we will introduce ways to fully enjoy Universal Studios Japan (USJ).
On the first day, enjoy Osaka's famous spots at a great price with the Osaka e-pass!
On the first day, we will use the great value "Osaka e-pass" to visit Osaka's famous spots!!
The Osaka e-pass is a great value sightseeing pass that allows you to enter over 25 famous Osaka spots, such as Tsutenkaku Tower and Umeda Sky Building, for free once just by holding up a QR code. You can choose to purchase a one-day pass (2,400 yen) or a two-day pass (3,000 yen) from the official website.
This time, we will introduce a model itinerary that uses a 2,400 yen one-day pass, which will make the admission and experience fees, which normally cost 7,700 yen, free (a saving of 5,200 yen!).
Click here for a list of facilities that can be used with Osaka e-pass
"Discover Osaka" is an app that will help you fully enjoy sightseeing in Osaka, including the "Osaka e-pass." The app's popular XR function, which allows you to take photos with Hello Kitty, also offers special perks exclusive to purchasers of the "Osaka e-pass," such as additional photo spots and the ability to take photos with Hello Kitty in special costumes, so be sure to download it and enjoy it.
Experience XR in the streets of Osaka! Take a photo with Hello Kitty
9:30 AM: Take a morning stroll through the sky at Umeda Sky Building
The first place we visited was Umeda Sky Building, which has been selected as one of the "Top 20 Buildings in the World." The observation deck and sky garden, consisting of three floors on the 39th, 40th, and rooftop, is one of the highest in Osaka, offering a panoramic view of the cityscape of Osaka from 173 meters above ground.
If you use the Osaka e-pass, the regular admission fee of 2,000 yen is free until 3:00 PM. We recommend visiting right after the park opens at 9:30 AM, when the air is clear and you can see far into the distance.
Additionally, on the 27th floor of Tower West, there is an art museum dedicated to one of Japan's leading Western-style painters, Koji Kinutani. The usual admission fee of 1,300 yen is free if you use the Osaka e-pass. Experience the richly colored paintings and impressive 3D images.
Umeda Sky Building KUCHU-TEIEN OBSERVATORY
Address: Umeda Sky Building, 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku,Osaka
Phone number: 06-6440-3855
Spot details: https://osaka-info.jp/spot/umeda-sky-building/
Umeda Sky Building Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
Address: 27th floor, Tower West, 1-1-30 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku,Osaka
Phone number: 06-6440-3760
Spot details:https://osaka-info.jp/spot/koji-kinutani-tenku-art-museum/
After enjoying Umeda Sky Building, the couple headed to their next destination, the Osaka Museum of Living. While you can get there by JR or subway, it's quite a distance from Sky Building to Umeda Station, so we recommend taking a taxi.
10:30 Travel back in time to Edo-period Osaka at the Osaka Museum of Living
After a 10-minute taxi ride, we arrived at the Osaka Museum of Living and Past Life, located at the northernmost end (Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome) of Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, a shopping street said to be the longest in Japan at 2.6 km in length. The usual admission fee of 600 yen is free with the Osaka e-pass.
The 9th floor is a popular exhibition room where a life-size reproduction of the streets of Osaka during the Edo period is displayed. Depending on the time of day, you can enjoy the changing of the day, such as dusk and night, and you will forget that you are inside a building, and feel as if you have traveled back in time.
It's so charming that you'll almost forget you're in the Reiwa era!
Osaka Museum of Living (Housing Museum)
Address: 8F Housing Information Center Building, 6-4-20 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Phone number: 06-6242-1170
Spot details:https://osaka-info.jp/spot/osaka-museum-housing-living/
After enjoying the Osaka Living Museum, stroll through the shopping district. With a history dating back to the early Meiji period, the area is packed with around 600 stores, including delicatessens, cutlery shops, and popular restaurants. There's also a wide selection of takeout food, such as takoyaki and croquettes, perfect for when you're feeling a bit hungry. Bustling with people, you can get a feel for Osaka, known as a merchant town and food capital.
12:00 Stroll along Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, the longest shopping street in Japan
As they walked down the long shopping street, it was already lunchtime before they knew it. Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is home to a variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese restaurants, and they all look so delicious it's hard to decide where to go. Today, the two of them seemed to have their sights set on flour-based dishes, a staple of Osaka cuisine.
Chigusa, the most popular okonomiyaki restaurant in Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, has been in business for over 70 years. Its specialty, Chigusayaki, is made by sandwiching premium pork loin between soft, fluffy batter and steaming it until it is cooked.
Okonomiyaki Chigusa
Address: 4-11-18 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Phone number: 06-6351-4072
With their stomachs filled, the two resumed their stroll through the shopping district. They entered the alleys that branched out from the arcade and enjoyed the scenery of the backstreets. Looking at the townscape that still retains the atmosphere of the Showa era, they felt a sense of nostalgia.
Having been walking for a while, the two of them were in a mood for a break when they came across a storefront that also had a Showa-era vibe.
Nishinaka Coffee Printemps, located close to JR Tenma Station, is a coffee shop that opened in 1971. Their signature coffee is made by roasting green beans and letting them rest for a while, resulting in a deep flavor. When you enter the shop, you'll be greeted by a chic European-style interior, and just sitting down will make you feel immersed in elegance.
Tenma Printemps
Address: 4-4-1 Kita-ku, Osaka
Phone number: 06-6358-3106
I was very satisfied with both the flour-based dishes and the coffee shops. There were also many interesting shops in the backstreets, so I'll look forward to checking them out next time I come!
After exploring the shopping district and fully experiencing the bustle of Osaka, the two boarded the loop line from JR Tenma Station and headed to their next destination.
15:00 Enjoy the views of Osaka Castle and Nakanoshima on a water bus cruise
After getting off at JR Osakajo Koen Station, the two head to the Osaka Water Bus Aqualiner stop inside Osaka Castle Park. They set off on a cruise along the Okawa River, which flows through the center of Osaka, around Nakanoshima. Passing under famous bridges such as Tenmabashi and Nambabashi, and looking up at the Osaka City Central Public Hall and the buildings around Yodoyabashi from the river, they are able to experience a different side of Osaka's charm. The usual fare is 2,000 yen, but with the Osaka e-pass they can ride for free.
It was fun to be able to see Osaka Castle and Osaka City Central Public Hall from the river!!
Osaka Water Bus Aqualiner
Address: Osaka Castle 2, Chuo-ku, Osaka (Water bus stop Osaka Castle Port)
Phone number: 06-6942-5511
Spot details:https://osaka-info.jp/spot/suijo-bus-aqua-liner2022/
By the time they finished their water cruise, it was already evening. The two of them were heading for their final spot of the day, so they boarded the loop line again, heading for JR Shin-Imamiya Station.
17:00 Enjoy Tsutenkaku Tower from top to bottom in Shinsekai at night!
Our destination is Shinsekai, one of Osaka's most famous downtown areas. It is extremely popular with both domestic and international tourists as it exudes the down-to-earth Osaka vibe everywhere. Recently, stylish cafes and Hotels have been opening one after another, making it an area that is sure to grab your attention.
Tsutenkaku Tower is an immensely well-known landmark of the city. At night, the entire tower is lit up, emitting a strikingly bright light amidst the bustling cityscape.
The observation deck is home to Billiken, the god of happiness. It is said that stroking the soles of his feet will bring you happiness. At night, the observation deck on the fourth floor is lit up with glittering lights like a disco or club, which is a fun sight to see.
At the middle observation deck, the "TOWER SLIDER" that slides down to the basement is very popular. The Tower Slider fee, which normally costs 1,000 yen, is free on weekdays with the "Osaka e-pass"!
Of course, admission to Tsutenkaku Tower 's observation deck is free with the All-Day Osaka e-pass.
The scenery is so Osaka-esque, and just walking around is exciting. I was a little scared of the tower slide at first, but it was so refreshing!
Tsutenkaku Tower
Address: 1-18-6 Ebisu Higashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City
Phone number: 06-6641-9555
Spot details:https://osaka-info.jp/spot/tsutenkaku/
After enjoying the famous spots in Osaka city, the two boarded the loop line again, heading for their lodging for the night in preparation for their plans for the next day.
On the second day, we'll have fun at Universal Studios Japan (USJ)!
After visiting many famous tourist spots on the first day, the pair stayed at the official Universal Studios Japan (USJ) hotel, the Oriental Hotel Universal City. Both JR Universal City Station and USJ are just a one-minute walk away, and guests can purchase studio passes that don't need to be exchanged at the park ticket booth, making this the perfect hotel for those who want to make the most of their time at USJ.
7:00 A nutritious breakfast buffet at the official hotel
The breakfast venue is "GREEN WALL DINING." With a wide range of menu items, including 100% beef hamburgers cooked right in front of you by a chef, egg-topped rice made with nutritious Kinji red eggs, and Osaka specialty kushikatsu, you'll be sure to recharge your energy before having fun at the park.
There are so many items on the menu that it's hard to decide what to eat.
Oriental Hotel Universal City
Address: 6-2-78 Shimaya, Konohana Ward, Osaka City
Phone number: 06-6460-0811
Spot details:https://universalcity.oriental-hotels.com/
After a hearty breakfast, head to Universal Studios Japan. It's conveniently located just one minute from the entrance.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is extremely popular not only among Japanese people but also among foreign tourists.
The park is packed with so many attractions that it takes more than a day to see them all. It's a good idea to research in advance how to enjoy the park efficiently, such as using Universal Express Pass, which allows you to line up in designated lanes with shorter wait times, or the official smartphone app, and lining up at popular attractions as soon as they open.
While you'll want to experience all 10 areas, we'll introduce two particularly popular areas.
A series of moving and super exciting moments!
Experience the world of the game
"SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™"
Once you enter the park, head to the hugely popular SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™!
Power-Up Band works in conjunction with the smartphone app, and by hitting ? Block you can collect coins... This spectacular themed area uses cutting-edge technology to realistically recreate the world of Nintendo games. It has received the THEA Award, the highest honor in the global themed entertainment industry, and is attracting attention from around the world.
Popular attractions include "Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge™" where you can experience the fast-paced world of Mario Kart, and "Yoshi's Adventure™," where you ride Yoshi's back and search for three eggs. In the second half of 2024, "Donkey Kong Country" will be added to the area, making it even more powerful!
*To enter SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, you will need an Area Admission Guaranteed Ticket and an an Area Timed Entry Ticket/Standby Entry Ticket (please note that distribution of Area Admission Numbered Tickets may end early depending on the situation on the day. You may also be able to enter without an Area Admission Guaranteed Ticket or an Area Timed Entry Ticket/Standby Entry Ticket).
Don't miss "1UP Factory™," where you can buy Mario merchandise exclusive to the park! Get your hands on some Mario merchandise and have fun!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ celebrates its 10th anniversary with a slew of events
The The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ will celebrate its 10th anniversary in July 2024, with a slew of commemorative events planned. Hogwarts Castle, which has been faithfully recreated down to the smallest detail, will offer the ride-type attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, as well as Hogwarts™ Castle Walk Walk, where you can explore the castle on foot (until December 31, 2024).
This year's Harry Potter area is a must-visit! We also recommend Butterbeer™ served in a 10th anniversary mug and the limited edition churritos!
Furthermore, the annual "HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS" will begin on September 6th. You can spend a night of fear and excitement with events and attractions such as "STREET ZOMBIES," where you will take on vicious zombies alongside security forces, and "ZOMBIE de DANCE," a collaboration with the hugely popular singer Ado.
There are also new additions to the food menu. Lost World Restaurant, which reopened in July, has begun offering plant-based menus that do not use animal ingredients, and offers a wide range of dishes from American to ethnic cuisine.
- ▼Videos in other languages are available here
Universal Studios Japan
Address: 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka City
Phone number: 0570-200-606
We hope that this trip, where we got to experience Osaka to the fullest, conveyed the charm of the city to its fullest. We hope that you too will enjoy Osaka by researching the spots and convenient services that interest you.
Image courtesy of Universal Studios Japan
HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JK Rowling.
© Nintendo TM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
Models: Yuito Ishikawa (MUinc.) / Yumi Fukuda (MUinc.)
Photography: Kimura Hanako
edit: Human Editorial Department
It feels great to be able to see the whole view of Osaka! I took a commemorative photo with Hello Kitty during the XR experience.