Eating Okonomiyaki in Japan: 1 Day in Osaka Itinerary
LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 13, 2025 | TRAVEL DATE: JUNE 2024 | EST. READING TIME: 12 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
Heading to “Japan’s kitchen” to try the best of the country’s cuisine?
Enter a city of flashing lights and sizzling street food that encompasses Japan’s foodie paradise Osaka!
Towering Osaka Castle embodies the era of the shogun, while the life-sized animatronics beckoning you into Dotonbori restaurants are straight from the future. Bow to the sacred Nara deer or treat yourself to local octopus specialties sold at Kuromon Market. End your evening by running up to the Glico man looming over the canal, or witness all these attractions from above in the ovular Don Quijote ferris wheel.
No matter how you spend your time, a 1 day in Osaka itinerary is sure to delight your taste buds and excite your senses with a lively, vibrant atmosphere that makes this entire city twinkle!
1 Day in Osaka Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped itinerary detailing what to do in Osaka for a day to maximize your time in the city:
8:00 - 9:10 AM: 🚉 Take the train from Osaka out to Nara (1 hr 10 min)
9:10 - 10:10 AM: 🦌 Feed and bow to the sacred sika deer in the Nara Deer Park (1 hr)
10:10 - 10:40 AM: ☕ Enjoy a frappuccino and lemon loaf for brunch at Cafe Conce (30 min)
10:40 AM - 12:10 PM: 🛤️ Commute back into the city to head to the next attraction of the day (1 hr 30 min)
12:10 - 2:00 PM: 🏯 Watch the golden boats glide in the moat around Osaka Castle (1 hr 50 min)
2:15 - 3:45 PM: 🛍️ Window shop the luxury storefronts of covered walkway, Shinsaibashi-suji (1 hr 30 min)
4:00 - 5:30 PM: 🐙 Sample local specialities like okonomiyaki and takoyaki at Kuromon Market (1 hr 30 min)
5:40 - 8:00 PM: 🚤 Finish your foodie journey and stop for a proper dinner on Dotonbori (2 hr 20 min)
In actuality, I accomplished the following itinerary over two relaxed days in Osaka—visiting during the end of an action-packed Japan trip. That said, you could fit everything into an Osaka 1 day itinerary, or take it easy if you have time to spread this travel guide describing what to see, do, and eat in Osaka over two days.
How to Get From Tokyo or Kyoto to Osaka?
When coming from Tokyo, travel via the Shinkansen bullet train. These high-speed railways are known for their comfort and speed, using magnetic levitation to float above the tracks. Reaching top speeds of 200 mph while maintaining a remarkable safety record, there have been no recorded fatalities since operations began over 50 years ago.
The Nozomi is the fastest train to reach Osaka, only stopping at major stations with multiple departures per hour in both directions.
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Pre-book a reservation online or purchase tickets at the Tokyo Station kiosks. When traveling to Kyoto on the 6:00 AM train, even the non-reserved seat cars seemed quite full, so I’d recommend locking down your preferred train in advance.
When making a purchase online, choose between non-reserved and reserved seats in ordinary cars, or reserved seats in first class cars which increase in price according to their class. Only book your tickets with Klook; RailNinja charges an additional $50 in ridiculous and unnecessary service fees.
After booking your ride online, pick up two physical tickets from the Shinkansen kiosks on your departure day. This is a quick process with in-depth instructions and photo guidance provided by Klook, so no need to arrive exceedingly early to get this done!
You do need to hold onto both tickets, however, as you must to insert these at your destination to exit the ticketed area. If you lose these tickets, save a copy of your digital confirmation as a proof of purchase to show the train station personnel who can help you exit the station.
The train has similar fixings to an airplane, including free Wi-Fi, charging outlets, and reclining chairs with tray tables. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as you cruise over to Osaka Japan!
Pro Tip:
On the ride from Tokyo, sit on the right side for a potential view of Mt. Fuji. Reverse this for the way back; sit on the left side to catch a glimpse of this notoriously elusive peak.
If you’re coming from Kyoto, hop aboard the Special Rapid Himeji via Maibara Tokaido-Sanyo Line at Kyoto Station. This costs ¥580 and takes 23 minutes to progress through 2 stops before arriving at Shin-Osaka Station. Running every 15 minutes, traveling between these two major cities has never been more convenient!
How to Get Around Osaka?
WALK: Walking is the best way to go if the journey takes between 20 to 30 minutes. There aren’t many super scenic walking routes, but you’ll naturally stroll through Shinsaibashi-suji, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori since cars aren’t allowed there anyways!
TAXI: Request a cab in your hotel lobby or call one on Uber to see the estimated wait time and duration up front. I strictly used Uber for my transportation needs during this Osaka one day trip, and it never failed me!
The taxi base fare is ¥680, with an additional ¥400 per kilometer during the day. This is more expensive than Kyoto. The vast majority of taxis accept credit cards—which is always guaranteed if you order ahead on Uber.
TRAIN: Osaka public transit is the most efficient, affordable way to get from here to there—whether you’re taking advantage of above ground railways or subway lines.
Add the Suica card to your digital wallet. This card can be scanned via your phone to pass through station gates—it’s as simple as that! Begin by uploading at least ¥1,000 during the initial set-up. Afterwards, you can add specific amounts. On your last ride, check your route fare in advance and only add the remaining cash needed to reach that exact amount—otherwise you’ll leave a bit of change on the card when you depart Japan.
I was in awe at how comprehensible the public transit signage is, as I’ve consistently gotten on the wrong train in New York City, yet didn’t make a single mistake in Japan! Each stop is numbered and colored with distinct line names, plus the stations contain diagrams visualizing which stops the route hits along the way—plus all announcements are repeated in English.
To practice basic train etiquette, sit quietly and keep to yourself, avoid eating and drinking, and only listen to headphones at a volume that won’t leak noise out.
Where to Stay in Osaka?
CANAL STAY: Imperial Hotel Osaka ($511.02 for two nights, split among two people)
Beware—both an Imperial Hotel Osaka and Osaka Imperial Hotel exist. This review details the former. If you book a room there, be sure to direct taxis to the correct location!
That caveat aside, this five-star hotel is catered to business personnel with conference rooms on the premises—but you can enjoy the elevated luxury as a simple tourist too!
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I stayed in a standard room. This type pans the regular 7th to 18th floors. The furnishings are muted, but the overall quality of the furniture and fixings is sophisticated—including the marble bathroom which had a shower with the best water pressure I’ve ever encountered! The spacious 323 ft² room is comfortable with free Wi-Fi, a satellite TV, refrigerator, tea kettle, scale, and minibar with additional goodies inside.
Like the other Japanese establishments I stayed at, the Imperial Hotel Osaka provides special touches which allow you to relax and unwind, including daily water bottles, tea sets, a capsule coffee maker, a yukata robe and slipper combo, and—much to my nostalgic delight—a physical copy of the morning paper.
Bars and restaurants on the premises include French, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, plus teppanyaki! Treats can be acquired from the hotel shop on the first basement floor, which sells sweets, bread, and interestingly “Doorman Snoopy” merchandise.
What to Do in Osaka?
Nara Deer Park
FROM: Imperial Hotel Osaka (1 Chome-8-50 Tenmabashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0042, Japan)
TO: Nara Deer Park (Nara, Japan)
TRANSPORTATION: Sakuranomiya Station → Tsuruhashi Station via Local Clockwise Osaka Loop Line then → Kintetsu-Nara Station via Express Kintetsu-Nara Line (45 min, 5 stops then 7 stops, ¥760)
Begin your 1 day in Osaka itinerary bright and early by heading outside the city to Nara. This famous public park at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa is filled with sacred bowing deer.
You read that right, the park is home to national treasures protected for centuries—over 1,200 wild sika deer. According to legend, these are sacred messengers of the Shinto god of thunder, swordsmanship, and martial arts—Takemikazuchi—who arrived on a white deer to guard the new capital.
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Bundles of special crackers tailored to their dietary needs called "shika senbei" are sold for ¥200 within the park. Be warned, the deer are well aware of this and know how to make you drop the treats!
I saw many tourists get ambushed by a flock of otherwise gentle creatures all pining for crackers, and children were particularly susceptible to these sneak attacks. Best case scenario, bow to the deer and it will bow back (seriously, this is how they’ve learned to ask for crackers over time!), then it will gently eat the cracker.
I decided to avoid becoming a target altogether by not purchasing any treats—which is an essential travel tip for Nara—much to the dismay of the deer I interacted with.
Be prepared for these animals to approach your pockets and bags as they sniff out whether you’re hiding surprises. The initial deer encountered outside the train station are naturally the most forward, but deeper in the park find more docile creatures who aren’t as concerned about haggling for a snack.
Discover other important historical and cultural sites in one of the oldest parks in Japan, including Todai-ji Temple—housing the Great Buddha—and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. This excursion out of Osaka ended up being my favorite thing I did in the city, as it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience to interact with wild animals in this way.
I felt like Snow White communicating with these creatures in an unspoken language, and I doubt I’ll feel this connected to a herd of deer again. If you do nothing else in this itinerary, be sure to embark on the #1 day trip from Osaka: Nara!
Pro Tip:
A park home to over 1,000 deer means you’re going to encounter, and step in, lots and lots of poop. Knowing this ahead of time, avoid wearing your new sneakers straight out of the box like I did—instead opt for an old pair you don’t mind dirtying.
Brunch - Cafe Conce
Once you’ve had enough deer time, head to Cafe Conce for a delicious Western breakfast—which may be the only one you have in Japan! One of my last days in the country, I was deeply craving bread and identified this cozy mountain-style café as a place to watch the deer from while enjoying tastes of home. Lounge in comfy couch-like chairs while listening to top pop hits play over the speakers.
I ordered a salmon lox sandwich, iced caramel latte, and weekend citron cake. This makes me sound incredibly basic—but after consistently eating fish for breakfast I needed a break! If you’re in the same boat, this is the perfect spot for you.
This establishment is next to Ogai’s Gate in a commercial plaza. If arriving from the station, head down Omiya-dori towards the park, then turn left after passing the Nara National Museum.
Osaka Castle
FROM: Nara Deer Park (Nara, Japan)
TO: Osaka Castle (1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan)
TRANSPORTATION: Kintetsu-Nara Station → Ikoma Station via Rapid-Express Osaka-Namba Kintetsu-Nara Line then Morinomiya Station via Local Cosma Square Kintetsu-Keihanna Line (26 min, 4 stops then 4 stops, ¥860)
Head into the city for another cultural experience, this time centered on Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s unifier of Japan: Osaka Castle! Walk through the large park surrounding the castle to see gardens, moats, and several historic structures.
For only ¥600, enter the main tower and bear witness to exhibits detailing the history of the castle, Hideyoshi, and the unification of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Expect to find samurai armor, artifacts, and dioramas displayed, while the observation deck is the best place to see panoramic views over Osaka!
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Built in 1583, the castle became a symbol of Hideyoshi's power and was a focal point during the Siege of Osaka, which marked the end of the Toyotomi lineage and the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Despite being destroyed and rebuilt several times due to wars and natural disasters, modern renovations have preserved the castle’s historical integrity while incorporating museum facilities.
Observe a five-story main tower adorned with golden decorations and intricate carvings—which actually has 8 stories on the inside—built atop a tall stone foundation to protect against attacks.
I didn’t enter the castle, instead finding amusement from the flipping, sword-throwing street performers out front!
Even without this daring entertainment at your disposal, walk through the 600 cherry trees of Nishinomaru Garden for ¥200, ride golden shimmering boats around the moat for ¥1,500, or stroll around the expansive park for free to find scenic landscaping like the plum grove which blooms in February and March.
However you spend the time, this is the most iconic landmark in the city—akin to the Eiffel Tower in Paris—so you definitely incorporate this must-see monument into your Osaka for first-time sightseeing agenda!
Shinsaibashi-suji
FROM: Osaka Castle (1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan)
TO: Shinsaibashi-suji (Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0085, Japan)
TRANSPORTATION: Morinomiya Station → Shinsaibashi Station via Local Taisho Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line (9 min, 5 stops, ¥240)
Indulge some shopping after a cultural morning and head to Shinsaibashi-suji, 2,000 feet of high-end boutiques, department stores, independent shops, and international brands. This retail paradise offers everything from luxury goods to Japanese souvenirs within the shotengai — a commercial market street that’s covered overhead and closed to cars.
With traditional Edo architecture, enter a window into the past which blends with modern storefronts like Orange Boutique. A curation of new to vintage Hermes masterpieces, find Kellys and Birkins galore—which are stunning to see even if you can’t afford them!
For more high-end window shopping, pop into Daimaru, a towering 12-floor department store filled with luxury Japanese beauty products! Shiseido is the name of the game, so if you’re hoping to bring home high-quality cosmetics, visit the first floor of this glamorous mall.
Kuromon Market
FROM: Shinsaibashi-suji (Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0085, Japan)
TO: Kuromon Market (2 Chome Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan)
TRANSPORTATION: Shinsaibashi Station → Namba Station via Local Nakamozu Midosuji Line (2 min, direct, ¥190)
In another covered market, instead of designer digs find street food and local Osaka specialities! Also dating back to the Edo period, bustling Kuromon Market is renowned for high-quality fresh food sold in 150 shops offering everything from fresh seafood, meat, and produce to prepared foods like sushi, tempura, and takoyaki.
Speaking of takoyaki, you need to sample these ball-shaped fritters—if you prefer a savory pancake, then opt for okonomiyaki! Either way, these dishes are filled with octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion while the batter is infused with dashi, a combination of dried kelp and bonito flakes. These delicacies are local to Osaka, so if you’re daring enough give them a try!
If fresh seafood sounds more appetizing, enjoy oysters, sea urchin, scallops and more prepared on the spot— these are the same high-quality ingredients supplying local restaurants.
Don’t eat a full meal yet; you’ll be heading to the heart of the city’s vibrant food scene afterwards. Even so, a ¥1000 wagyu and crab leg combo can’t hurt—so try some street food from this lively market!
Dinner - Dotonbori
Turn right out of Kuromon Market and walk for 10 minutes until you see a canal. You will have arrived at colorful Dotonbori, known for its animated nightlife, lively food scene, and the famous Glico Running Man sign.
This street comes alive at night when the neon lights shine brightly over cruising boats. Head here once the sun begins to set!
At once you’ll be thrust into a visually stimulating environment with flashing billboards and animatronic signs moving mechanically over restaurant entrances. The Kani Doraku crab sign is one such attraction, which makes it easy to identify the speciality served inside—whether you’re craving sushi, wagyu, tempura, or gyoza, just look for the storefront with a life-size version affixed to the façade!
The energetic spirit of Osaka is undeniable here. After dinner, keep the party going at the various amusement arcades and entertainment venues dotting this street.
Pulsing with life, this area has historically been an entertainment center with origins as a theater district. Many of these same theaters were replaced by dining options from casual stalls to high-end restaurants as Dotonbori transformed into a foodie paradise.
If you sampled too much street food in Kuromon Market, enjoy the buzzing atmosphere by strolling down this street before treating yourself to a cruise to witness these sights from the canal! Keep an eye out for the ovular ferris wheel—the only operational one in the world—emerging from a Don Quijote store situated amongst other top tourist spots and hidden gems in Osaka!
How Much Does One Day in Osaka Cost?
Following the above itinerary led the cost of a one day, two night trip to be $388.07 as a recent grad following budget-friendly travel tips for Osaka visitors:
Lodging
$255.51 - two nights in Imperial Hotel Osaka, split amongst two people
Transportation
$28.89 - taxi ride to Shin-Osaka station when departing
$16.48 - taxi ride to Kuromon Market from the Imperial Hotel Osaka
$9.61 - round trip metro and train rides to Nara Deer Park
$9.58 - taxi ride back to Imperial Hotel Osaka after wandering the city
Food
$16.61 - coffee, salmon sandwich, and lemon loaf from Cafe Conche
¥1000 - wagyu and crab leg from Kuromon Market
$3.83 - takoyaki from Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka in Kuromon Market
$2.96 - miscellaneous coffee and Coca-Cola for fuel
$2.37 - dark chocolate and ginger cookie from Ben’s Cookies in Shinsaibashi-suji
$2.04 - small scoop from Baskin Robbins
Souvenirs
$33.93 - anime shirt and socks gift from Japan Culture & Character Shop
The largest expense I encountered was two nights at the hotel, which isn’t reflective of a one day trip in most cases. I hardly spent anything during my 1 day in Osaka since the majority of tourist activities are free or extremely low cost. Visiting Nara requires a few hundred yen for transportation, walking around the Osaka Castle park is free, and the street food is extremely cheap yet made us so full that we skipped dinner altogether!
Osaka was the last city in my Japan itinerary, so I arrived worse for wear having already spent and eaten tons in Tokyo and Kyoto. That being said, a typical Osaka experience would likely incur more food expenses—although the street food remains reasonably priced if you’re on a tighter budget. If you only visit this city or arrive earlier in your Japan trip, I’d expect to do much more damage on Shinsaibashi-suji!
What to Wear in Osaka?
Fashion in Osaka retains the street style Tokyo is famous for with a local twist. Rather than edgy and outlandish, Osaka is sporty with zany characters gracing every storefront—which gives you license to have this much fun with your own outfits!
As with the fashion in other Japanese cities, neutral colors dominate—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add some visual interest with a pop of color, especially in vibrant Osaka! Sneakers will be your go-to shoe. If you really want to blend in, consider layer pieces you never would at home—like a long flowing dress over straight leg jeans.
The general principles of your Tokyo outfits will still apply, so reflect on what you’re packing for the nation’s capital and pull in some of the extra pieces described below to prepare for dressing in Osaka:
Graphic Tees
like the exaggerated characters gracing the restaurant Dotonbori façades, rep silly images on a fun graphic tee
Sporty Symbols
get geared up to run as fast as the Glico man with sporty symbols that incorporate a bit of street style
Layered Looks
don’t ask questions, just trust me when I say you’ll look like a Japanese fashion girly layering dresses over jeans
Maxi Skirts
no matter the color, texture, or fabric a long skirt can do you no wrong during hot, long days walking around Osaka
Statement Satchel
make your look pop with a colorful bag or pay homage to your favorite Japanese character
Striped Sneakers
bring the sporty spice all the way down to your footwear with striped sneakers reminiscent of OG Onitsuka Tigers
Is Osaka Worth the Hype?
Umm…unfortunately I’m here to say not really? Before Japan stans come for me, I absolutely ADORED our three days in Tokyo and three days in Kyoto and consider Japan my second favorite country ever visited. However, those experiences were so out of this world Osaka felt like a let down.
Anticipating the best food of our trip to be found in “Japan’s kitchen,” the local octopus specialities were just okay and the street food wasn’t superior to what I had tried in the previous cities. That said, the pure state of sheer tiredness descending upon me played a major factor in how I perceived Osaka. Since I had eaten so much seafood up to this point—fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—it no longer sounded appetizing, even as a diehard sushi fan.
Even without these confounding variables, nothing in Osaka stood out to me. It felt like a smaller, less cool version of Tokyo, and the prominent Dotonbori canal area was lackluster. Exuding the same flashy commercial extravagance as hotspots like Times Square, this in turn often results in lower quality food and service than you’d hope for.
My advice to anyone strapped for time visiting Japan for the first time would be to spend more time in Tokyo and skip Osaka altogether. The notable exception here is Nara, which was a magical experience that made me feel like Snow White communicating with wild animals. You could also stay in Kyoto and take a half-day trip to the deer park from there!
I don’t write this review to sound ungrateful or slander Osaka, but I’ve seen so many first-timers do the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka circuit and after partaking in it myself, I think you’re better off spending more time in the first two cities—at least for your first go around! The best time to travel to Osaka, in my opinion, would be on a subsequent trip to Japan.
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