JJapan Trips

Please help me out with the itinerary for the Osaka leg of my dream Japan trip

  • November 20, 2025

This will be coming off the back of seven days in Tokyo, I've had plenty of suggestions for the Tokyo side (most of which being that I've overbooked myself, which will likely be the case here too!), but not as many for the Osaka bit, so I'm hoping for some help over what to keep, what to take out, and any bits that could be moved around

The tips I've had so far (which I've yet to action), is that I should move Amerika-mura to earlier in the week and keep the Friday (my last day in Japan) as free as possible, and that it might not be necessary to have quite as many shopping locations

I can see the itinerary is too busy, but I'm really struggling over what to consider dropping

Monday:

  • Get shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka and reach next hotel (Namba)
  • Osaka Castle (from the outside)
  • Osaka Castle Park
  • Tenjinbashi-suji
  • Hep Five

 

Tuesday:

  • Kyoto day trip

 

Wednesday:

  • Namba Yasaka Shrine
  • Kuromon Market
  • Den-Den Town
  • Dotonbori

 

Thursday:

  • Nara day trip
  • Then Tsuruhashi for Korean food

 

Friday:

  • Osaka aquarium
  • Amerika-mura
  • Shitennoji
  • Shinsekai in the evening

 

Saturday:

  • Breakfast near the hotel
  • Fly from Osaka to Manchester (via Beijing) at around 2pm

by Zach-dalt

6 comments

  1. I guess you’re not interested in Universal Studios Japan? I get that theme parks aren’t for everyone, but I really had a blast here. Not sure if or where you’d want to fit that on your itinerary if you do.

    But regarding Wednesday, I suggest fitting a visit to Shinshaibashi Parco as part of your time in Dotonbori. This is a mall within walking distance of Dotonbori and has amazing character levels and pop culture stores (since you’re into Den Den Town).

    It also has a Pokemon and Kirby Cafe to pickup some unique kitchen items (or get a meal if you’re lucky enough to get a reservation).

  2. Will you be happy with one day in Kyoto?

    You should check out Nakazaki on the day you do Tenjibashi as it’s close by. Lots of cool cafes and vintage. Also recommend the museum of housing and living in that area. It’s only ¥600 and it’s quick, I spent about an hour there and thought it was well worth it.

  3. Hi!

    I’ll be honest, your itinerary doesn’t feel too busy to me at all. I think you’re be surprised how quickly you go to these locations, do a bit of shopping, and get the urge to move on.

    I don’t think you’re going to be spending hours at these locations, and all of them are reasonably easy to get to and not a great distance apart.

    You should also figure out what you’re doing in Kyoto, because a lot of sites become incredibly full by later morning. Having a detailed itinerary for that will make your life much easier.

    My only recommendation is to skip Nara unless you REALLY want to see the temple and the deer. If you’re just going to say you went, skip it, and spend an additional day in Kyoto, or Uji. I highly recommend going to Uji…actually.

    Visit some onsen, too.

    Either way, if you’re rising early in the morning and plan to be out late into the evening, what you have here is perfectly doable, imo.

    Just be open to your schedule changing.

  4. If you have some time, check out Abeno Harukas which has an observatory and is a short train stop from Shinsekai.

    It cost some yen but you can see the entire city from there. There’s also floors of restaurants and shopping below.

    Just a short walk south of Shinsekai, there’s a few bars and small eateries.

  5. If your trip is any time before April 2026. Just a heads up hep 5 ferris wheel is closed until then.

  6. If you’re into history, I’d really recommend a half day trip to Himeji. (35 mins on Shinkansen or 1 hour local). The castle is spectacular, especially if you go during spring or autumn for the sakura/leaves. There are also some beautiful shrines near-by that do goshuin (if that’s your kinda thing), that were completely empty when I went.

    It also wasn’t that busy, relatively. Most of the tourists were Japanese when I went.

    Edit: I also disagree with other comments that you don’t have enough planned. Walking around all day every day is exhausting and if you allow for spontaneity, rather than ticking off a checklist of sights, you will have a much more enjoyable time. So I think your plan is quite solid at the moment.

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