February 25, 2019: Last updated. right here is our latest, most comprehensive OSAKA travel guide blog with sample Osaka itinerary for 4-5 days, listing of things to do, hotel recommendations, listing of expenses, as well as other useful travel tips!
We were about to approach the platform when we noticed a lady running after us. At first, we didn’t believe it was us she was chasing, however she stopped as well as talked to us. She couldn’t speak English, however we acknowledged just one word, ticket. Apparently, we left our tickets by the entrance. We thanked the lady profusely, who responded with, “It’s okay.” Her smile never faded.
We were at Kansai flight terminal Train Station, as well as it was our very first time in Japan. barely an hour in Japan as well as we already witnessed firsthand the hospitality as well as helpfulness of the people of Kansai. It wasn’t the last time. In the seven times we have visited the city over the past few years, we have satisfied locals who would go out of their method to help: a shopkeeper who left her store to go along with us to the begin of a walking trail, a food vendor who brought us to the bus stop, a passerby who assisted when he saw I couldn’t comprehend the writings on a vendo.
Osaka doesn’t have the breathtaking landscapes as well as spectacular sights that other destinations in Japan are understood for, however it has the warmth as well as generosity of its people. as well as that’s always something to return to. That as well as the food. Oh yes, the food.
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UNDERSTANDING OSAKA
BEST TIME TO go to OSAKA
HOW TO get A JAPAN VISA
HOW TO get TO OSAKASearch for inexpensive flights here
WHERE TO stay IN OSAKATop capsule Hotels
Top hotels as well as Apartments Under $85
HOW TO get FROM KANSAI flight terminal TO OSAKA CITY CENTERKansai flight terminal to Namba by Train
Kansai flight terminal to Namba by Bus
Kansai flight terminal to Umeda (Osaka Station) by Train
Kansai flight terminal to Umeda (Osaka Station) by Bus
POCKET WIFI & regional SIM IN OSAKAPocket Wifi Rental
Local SIM
HOW TO get around OSAKAOsaka incredible Pass
JR West Kansai Rail Pass
Kansai Thru Pass
ICOCA Card
JR Pass (Nationwide)
THINGS TO perform in OSAKAUniversal Studios Japan
Osaka Castle Park
Dotonbori
HEP five Ferris Wheel
Abeno Harukas (Harukas 300)
Kuromon Ichiba Market
Shitenno-ji Temple
Umeda sky Building
DIY tours outside OSAKA
ORGANIZED DAY tours FROM OSAKAKyoto Day tour from Osaka
Nara afternoon tour from Osaka
WHERE TO eat IN OSAKA
SAMPLE OSAKA ITINERARY
MORE tips FOR THE bad TRAVELER
OUR OSAKA slam BOOK
FREQUENTLY ASKED concerns about OSAKAIs Osaka safe?
What is the tipping policy in Osaka?
Is Osaka a much better base for travelers than Kyoto?
How long to stay in Osaka?
What is the power socket utilized in Osaka?
What is the very best pass when touring Osaka as well as Kansai Region?
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UNDERSTANDING OSAKA
Osaka is the third largest city in Japan in terms of population, next only to Tokyo as well as Yokohama. however since Yokohama is part of the higher Tokyo metropolitan area, Osaka is commonly regarded as Japan’s “second city.” It is the funding of Osaka Prefecture which — together with Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo (Kobe) as well as a few others — is part of Kansai Region.
Osaka has something to offer to almost any type of type of traveler. For tourists seeking family-friendly fun, one of the most prominent attractions is universal Studios Japan, which is one of the most visited style parks in the world. historic as well as cultural landmarks likewise dot its tourism map, including the enormous Osaka Castle as well as Shitennoji. For the shopaholic, there’s always the Dotonbori-Shinsaibashi area.
Osaka is likewise a fantastic base if you want to check out other parts of Kansai Region. From here, you can quickly travel to other cities within the region including Kyoto, Kobe, as well as Nara. If you want to go farther, you’ll discover lots of transportation choices that can take you to Himeji, Hiroshima, as well as Tottori. There are likewise buses that can link you directly to Tokyo.
Other information you requirement to know:
Language: Japanese (Nihongo). The majority of the locals rarely speak English, however most of the indications as well as other tourist marketing materials have English translations.
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). JPY 1000 is around PHP 470, SGD 12.21, USD 9, EUR 8 (as of February 2019).
Rahanvaihto. There are a great deal of money changers throughout Osaka as well as Kyoto, however save yourself the difficulty as well as just exchange currencies before your trip. SANRY’S has great rates. You can likewise withdraw from ATMs when you’re there, however they’re quite difficult to find. most of the ATMs we saw didn’t accept worldwide cards.
Modes of payment: most establishments prefer money payment, however many of them likewise accept credit history card transactions.
Electricity Info: 100V. type A sockets. Plugs have two flat pins. type B is sometimes utilized however not that common.
BEST TIME TO go to OSAKA
When is the very best time to go to Osaka? early April for the cherry blossoms as well as mid to late November for the autumn foliage.
Kansai enjoys a temperate climate with strong seasonal variations. spring as well as autumn are perfect if you’re after great views. during spring (specifically last week of March to very first week of April), cherry blossoms decorate the otherwise ordinary eco-friendly canopies.
Autumn (specifically mid- to late November) is perfect since the crowd begins to thin as well as the costs drop. It’s likewise fascinating as the foliage turns fiery orange as well as red. temperature is likewise pleasant as well as comfortable for sightseeing.
If budget plan is a concern, look away from peak season: late March to August, particularly the complying with dates:
Golden Week (April 29 – may 5)
Obon celebration (August 13–15)
Cherry blossoms season (Late March-Early April)
These dates bring the biggest crowds as well as steepest prices.
HOW TO get A JAPAN VISA
If you’re from the Philippines, we produced three devoted posts for the visa application process.
How to apply for tourist Japan Visa
How to apply for a Visa for visiting buddies or RELATIVES
How to apply for a several entry Japan Visa
Japan Visa often Asked Questions
HOW TO get TO OSAKA
Kansai worldwide flight terminal (KIX) is the main gateway to Osaka as well as the rest of Kansai Region. A great deal of airlines fly from Manila to Kansai Airport. If you book method in advance, you’ll get the very best offers from Cebu Pacific Air. CEB flies to Osaka five times a week. Their lowest year-round fare is at P6399, which is a fantastic offer already.
You can likewise wait on a SEAT SALE! For one of our trips, I was able to score a roundtrip Cebu Pacific ticket from their P20 SALE. The base fare per leg was only P20, however including all the taxes, I only paid PHP 5984 for the roundtrip ticket (PHP 2992 per way). That includes a prepaid baggage allowance of 20 Kg. Ei paha. Not poor at all.
Search for inexpensive flights here
WHERE TO stay IN OSAKA
I extremely suggest staying in Namba district or Umeda district since they are in central, most practical as well as most accessible locations.
Namba. staying in Namba means Dotonbori as well as Shinsaibashi are within walking distance. There are likewise direct trains from the flight terminal to Namba Station, which means you won’t be transferring several times with heavy luggage in tow. The area is likewise bursting with restaurants, food stalls, markets, shops, as well as convenience stores. When you stay in Namba, you’re at the extremely center of all the action.
Umeda. likewise centrally located. Both Osaka station as well as Umeda Station, two of the biggest as well as most linked stations in Kansai, are found in Umeda district. These stations are usually the starting points of trains going to other cities including Kyoto as well as Kobe. If your itinerary includes destinations outside Osaka, Umeda is a great base.
Top capsule Hotels
First Cabin Midousuji-Namba. inspect rates & Availability.
Y’s Cabin Osaka Namba. inspect rates & Availability.
Capsule hotel ASTIL Dotonbori. inspect rates & Availability.
Top hotels as well as Apartments Under $85
HOTEL ASIATO. inspect rates & Availability.
Hotel Kelly. inspect rates & Availability.
Nissin Namba Inn. inspect rates & Availability.
HOW TO get FROM KANSAI flight terminal TO OSAKA CITY CENTER
Kansai flight terminal is almost an hour from downtown Osaka, so make sure you take that into consideration when building your Osaka itinerary. Fortunately, there are lots of transportation choices that you can take to reach the city center.
There are two railway operators ferrying passengers from the flight terminal to Osaka city center: JR as well as Nankai. If your hotel is in Namba, take Nankai, which has a direct line to it. If your hotel is in Umeda area (near Osaka station or Umeda Station), take JR instead.
There are likewise flight terminal buses that can take you directly to these two districts! See the details below.
Kansai flight terminal to Namba by Train
Kansai flight terminal is directly linked to Namba by Nankai trains. The train terminals are on the second floor of the building next to the Arrival Hall. just take the escalator as well as utilize the bridge to get to the other side.
There are two primary kinds of Nankai trains running from the airport:
NANKAI flight terminal EXPRESS
This is the routine train. It appears like your routine train train. It is cheaper however slower. You can’t reserve seats on this train. just hop in as well as discover a spot.
Travel time: 45 minutes
Fare: ¥920
NANKAI restricted reveal RAPI:T (Rapit)
This is the premier train. It’s the deep blue train that appearslike it came from the future. LOL. It’s a bit bit quicker than the flight terminal Express, however much more comfortable. If you want to make sure you’re seated comfortably throughout the journey, book this train.
Travel time: 38 minutes
Fare: ¥920 + ¥510 seat fee
If you choose to go with the restricted reveal Rapi:t, you can reserve a seat via Klook. Here’s exactly how to utilize it:
Book a ticket with Klook. Reserve a ticket here
When the deal is complete, you will be emailed a mobile voucher. You can print it out or save it on your phone.
On the day of your trip, upon arrival at Kansai Airport, discover the HIS Counter at the Arrival Hall. There is usually a little KLOOK logo displayed in front of the counter. show your mobile voucher to the staff. You will be provided a physical voucher.
Proceed to the Train station (in the other building), discover the Nankai Ticketing Counter, as well as exchange your voucher with the actual train ticket. Do it at least 30 minutes before your schedule.
Enter the Nankai train station utilizing the ticket.
✅ RESERVE A TICKET HERE
Kansai flight terminal to Namba by Bus
You can take the bus to Osaka City Air terminal (OCAT), which is found in the Namba area. note that the very first bus leaves terminal 1 at 6:10am, last train at 10:40pm.
Travel time is about 1 hour, however varies depending upon the web traffic conditions.
At the Arrival Hall, approach the counter for flight terminal BUS to OCAT.
Purchase a ticket to OCAT. Fare: ¥1050. They will requirement your passport so make sure you have it ready. You will be provided both the ticket (white) as well as a receipt (green).
Proceed to departure platform 11 (or whatever platform number you’re told).
Wait for the bus at the platform. If you have huge bags, the personnel will take them as well as tag them. You will be provided a slip that you’ll requirement to insurance claim your bags upon arrival at OCAT so don’t lose them.
Board the bus when it arrives. The driver will inspect your ticket. discover your seat number as well as get comfy. The travel time is around 1 hour, depending upon traffic.
Alight at OCAT.
Se siitä! You’re at OCAT. From right here you can walk to your hotel.
If your departure time is beyond 10:40pm, you can take the Nankai midnight bus which is arranged to leave terminal 1 at 2:54am, 3:54am, as well as 4:54am.
Kansai flight terminal to Umeda (Osaka Station) by Train
If your hotel is in the Umeda district, you can take the JR Kansai flight terminal Express, which will take you directly to Osaka station (which is found in Umeda).
From the airport’s Arrival Hall, travel on foot to the train terminals on the second floor of the adjacent building. just take the escalator as well as utilize the bridge to get to the other side. The JR station is just next to the Nankai Station. Make sure you go into the right gate.
JR KANSAI flight terminal EXPRESS
This is a routine train. No requirement to reserve a seat. just board the train as well as look for an empty seat.
Travel time: 62-65 minutes
Fare: ¥1190
If your hotel is close to Osaka Station, you can just walk. If your hotel is along a train line, you can walk to Umeda train station as well as take the train to the closest train station to your hotel.
Kansai flight terminal to Umeda (Osaka Station) by Bus
If your hotel is found near Osaka Station, you can take the flight terminal Limousine Bus, which will have three stops around Osaka Station. two of these stops are hotels, however you don’t requirement to be staying in these hotels to take the bus. You just requirement to figure out which of these is the closest to your hotel. right here are the stops:
Hotel new Hankyu Osaka
Herbis Osaka
Hilton Osaka (only 4 trips per day)
All buses will stop at hotel new Hankyu Osaka as well as Herbis Osaka, however only a few will stop at Hilton Osaka.
Travel time is about 1 hour as well as 15 minutes, which can vary depending upon traffic.
At the Arrival Hall, approach the counter for flight terminal BUS to OSAKA station or UMEDA.
Purchase a ticket. Fare: ¥1550. They will requirement your passport so make sure you have it ready.
Proceed to departure platform 5 (or whatever platform number you’re told).
Wait for the bus at the platform. If you have huge bags, the personnel will take them as well as tag them as well as store them in the luggage compartment below. You will be provided a slip that you’ll requirement to insurance claim your bags after disembarking so don’t lose them.
Board the bus when it arrives. The driver will inspect your ticket. discover your seat number. The travel time is around 85 minutes.
Alight at hotel new Hankyu or Herbis Osaka.
From right here you can walk to your hotel.
POCKET WIFI & regional SIM IN OSAKA
Pocket Wifi Rental
You will discover wi-fi rental booths at the Arrival area of Kansai Airport. rates are usually between JPY 800-900 per da