Catherine - Savvy Family TravelIf you’re planning 2 days in Osaka, get ready for a city that feels completely different from Tokyo and Kyoto. Osaka is louder, brighter, and more playful.
Here’s how to spend 2 days in Osaka, with top attractions, food stops, and kid-approved moments woven in.
Day 1: The Castle, Shopping, and Street Food
Osaka Castle
Start your first day at Osaka Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks in Japan. The opportunity to get up close to this castle was one of the main draws to Osaka for us. We couldn’t fit Himeji into our most recent itinerary so this was a wonderful alternative.
The castle grounds and gardens are stunning and worth an hour or two of exploring especially if you’re visiting in the spring for Cherry Blossoms or during Autumn for the vibrant foliage.
You should know that the interior tour doesn’t take you through preserved Edo period castle quarters though. Instead, you’ll explore a very modern museum filled with exhibits and a great Osaka viewpoint from the top. It’s helpful to go in with that expectation.
If you want a Edo period interior tour, head to Nijo castle or Himeji.
Outside the interior castle wall, many food vendors were setup and even a craft tent. My boys worked on a découpage activity where they made a beautiful cherry blossom branch with Osaka Castle in the background. It was a complete surprise to find something like this, it was free, and became a great keepsake.
Move over State Fairs, Japan has the be all, end all food on a stick! We found the s’mores ice cream pictured below at Osaka Castle and it was a favorite treat of all our time in Japan.
Here are two options for Day 1 midday activities after Osaka Castle:
- If you want a modern shopping mall with brand name stores and popular character shops, head to Daimaru Shinsaibashi and explore its many levels. (Jimmy Choo, Lego Store, Pokemon Store, Pokemon Cafe, Nintendo Store, and everything in between.)
- For retro vibes, shop in Den Den Town then take in the atmosphere at Shinsekai (a mini version of Dotonbori that I actually enjoyed more with the tower view in the background.)
Shopping in Osaka – Daimaru Shinsaibashi
We were wowed by the variety of brand name stores and niche shops inside this mega mall. What put it on our radar was the Pokemon Store and Cafe but we ended up spending 3 hours shopping here.
One incredible store here is called Nihonbashi Nishikawa where you can schedule a personal consultation and fitting for a custom pillow which is ready to pick-up with a few hours! It is unlikely you can walk up same day for a fitting so be sure to plan ahead.
Den Den Town
Head over to Den Den Town, Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s Akihabara, but more laid back.
This is where you’ll find retro game stores, trading cards, anime shops, and endless claw machine and game arcades during your 2 days in Osaka.
Shinsekai (Mini Dotonbori)
Check out Shinsekai, which has a more old-school, slightly gritty feel, than Dotonbori.
This is one of the best places to try kushiage, the deep-fried skewers that Osaka is known for. If you have the kids, check out Kura conveyor belt sushi. They gamify it with the chance to win prizes every three plates.
Kuromon Market
An alternate option for dinner is to graze your way through Kuromon Market.
Kuromon, nicknamed “Osaka’s Kitchen,” is packed with options: skewers, seafood, wagyu, fruit cups, desserts, plus loads of souvenir options.
After dinner, head to Dotonbori to experience it at night.
Dotonbori
As the sun goes down, make your way to Dotonbori. This is the Osaka you’ve seen in photos; neon lights, giant, three dimensional moving signs, the famous Glico running man, and the smell of street food everywhere.
Try takoyaki, even if it’s just for the experience. This area is loud, crowded, and a little overwhelming, but it feels exciting rather than stressful.
Day 2: We Have Options
Options 1 & 2
Option 1: Universal Studios Japan
If you’ve never experienced Harry Potter or Super Nintendo Worlds at a Universal Theme Park, you might leap at the opportunity to commit one of your 2 days in Osaka to soak in the incredible theming.
It deserves an entire day though, so be prepared to skip some of the other attractions on this guide if Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is high on your list!
Option 2: Shrines, Views, and one of the world’s largest aquariums
If you do not want to commit an entire day to the theme park, consider instead the below shrines, viewpoint, and a few hours at Osaka’s incredible aquarium.
Option 1: Universal Studios Japan
If your kids are theme park fans, Universal Studios Japan is an obvious highlight.
Between Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you could easily spend a full day here. If you’re short on time, prioritize your must-do areas ahead of time because it gets busy fast.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world and they’re most famous for the whale sharks in their Oceanarium.
They have a great flow throughout the aquarium as well; you follow a spiraling path downward around a massive central tank that recreates the Pacific Ocean, where a whale shark glides past with a hypnotizing effect.
Along the way, you move through ecosystems that mimic the Ring of Fire: from icy Antarctic waters to tropical reefs. Kids will love spotting penguins, sea otters, and jellyfish in quick succession.
This is always a stellar attraction for 2 days in Osaka, but especially if poor weather interrupts your vacation.
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Namba Yasaka Shrine this is one of the most unique shrines you’ll see in Japan, thanks to its massive lion head deity that acts as its guardian.
It’s quick to visit but memorable and usually much less crowded because it a bit removed from the other main sites on this 2 days in Osaka list.
Sumiyoshi Taisha
If you want something more traditional and peaceful, make time for Sumiyoshi Taisha.
The arched bridge alone is worth the visit, and the entire area feels calm compared to central Osaka. It’s a nice reset in the middle of a busy itinerary.
Umeda Sky Building
At sunset, head to the Umeda Sky Building. The escalator ride alone feels futuristic, and the views from the top are worth it. It’s a nice contrast to the street-level chaos of Osaka.
Hozenji Yokocho and Osaka’s hidden alleyways
End your 2 days in Osaka wandering through Hozenji Yokocho and nearby narrow streets.
This was one of my favorite nighttime experiences in Osaka.
What to Eat
Pokémon Café
The Pokémon Cafe Osaka sits right next to the Pokémon Center, and getting a reservation is intense.
We tried for three days straight, waking up at 3am U.S. time when reservations opened (6pm Japan time), with six devices running on different VPNs. We got through exactly once, and by the time we hit checkout, it was sold out.
A better gamble, it seems, is to hit their standby line. You could luck out with a wait time under 30 minutes. (It was only 15 when we were there around 11am.)
If you do go, go for the experience, not because you expect mind-blowing food. It’s all about the novelty.
Omurice at Ikura
One of my favorite meals in Osaka was at Omurice Ikura.
We had ordered Omburger and added black curry. It was out of this world. We were also wowed by the cornpotage, a creamy corn soup.
Other must-try foods
Two other must-tries during your 2 days in Osaka are okonomiyaki, the savory pancakes loaded with toppings, and kushiage, deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood, and vegetables.
If you’re in the Shinsaibashi neighborhood, we recommend trying Omusubi Yokocho if you don’t hit Omurice Ikura.
Kid Favorites
If you’re traveling as a family, these will be the standout hits.
- Claw machine arcades, especially in Den Den Town (Round 1, GiGo, and Taito Station were arcade chains we found all over Japan)
- Universal Studios Japan
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- Pokemon Store and Cafe
- Kura Conveyor Belt Sushi
- Playville (a park not far from Osaka Castle)
- Harry Potatoes (“Finally some French Fries in Japan!”)
Save 2 Days in Osaka for Future Trip Planning
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Catherine – Savvy Family Travel
My favorite pastime is finding fun, interesting experiences to share with family and friends.
I’m a mom of two energetic and curious boys. My tireless husband provides comic relief, is our favorite photographer, and an expert navigator.
I’m a firm believer that travel with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can be affordable, epic, and, dare I say, even relaxing!
Are you a travel loving parent too? I’d love to meet you, please reach out via Messenger and say “hi!”
Based in: Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA