Osaka holidays

Five-storeys above ground and trimmed with gold, ornate Osaka Castle is the historic symbol of this dynamic, modern city. At night, the animatronic signs in Dotonbori attract crowds to bars and restaurants along the famous canal. But you’ll also discover peaceful gardens and world-class museums on your holiday to Osaka.

Osaka holiday highlights

Thomas Bekker

World-famous shopping

People from around the world holiday in Osaka just for the retail therapy. Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street has been a commercial thoroughfare for almost 400 years. The covered arcade is filled with jewellers, kimono tailors and big-name retailers. Set aside plenty of time to visit Hankyu Umeda Main Store — with 15 floors, it’s one of Japan’s largest retail stores.

Castles and cherry blossoms

Time your holiday to Osaka for ‘sakura’ (cherry blossom) season in late March and early April, when cherry blossoms burst into bloom across the city. With thousands of cherry trees, Osaka Castle is a photographer’s dream. Pack a picnic for ‘hanami’ (flower viewing) in Nishinomaru Garden. Then explore the castle museum and see panoramic city views from the observation deck.

Street food surprises

Osaka is a city obsessed with food, where ‘kuidaore’ means eating until you drop. If you’re saving for a cheap holiday to Osaka, you won’t miss out with budget-friendly street snacks. Bite into ‘takoyaki’, battered balls filled with grilled octopus and pickled ginger. Or grab ‘mitarashi dango’ (soy-glazed dumpling skewers) while you’re sightseeing.

Osaka: Know before you go

Language

Japanese

Currency

Japanese yen (¥)

Time zone

UTC+9 (JST)

High season

April – May, August and October

Low season

January – February, and June

Find the best time to go to Osaka

Weather in Osaka

March – May: By late March, the warm weather is here to stay. Cherry blossoms usually peak in early April, and so do the crowds. Book accommodation well in advance.

June – August: Summer is ‘tsuyu’ (rainy season) in Osaka, with the heaviest rains coming in June and July. August is drier and sunnier but still humid, with highs of 33°C.

September – November: September is part of typhoon season, so be prepared for heavy rains. By October, the humidity has passed, leaving behind warm days and cool, pleasant nights.

December – February: Winters in Osaka are chilly and dry. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even at night. Layers come in handy.

Events in Osaka

Grand Sumo Tournament (March): Feel the excitement as the top sumo wrestlers compete for glory at the sport’s ‘honbasho’ (grand tournaments).

Tenjin Matsuri (July): Barges decorated with floats sail the Yodo River at one of Japan’s three major festivals. The spectacle is capped off with a stunning fireworks display.

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (September): Local teams race wooden floats at breakneck speeds through narrow streets at this popular event. Cheer as dancers and musicians guide their teams through ‘yarimawashi’ (tight corner turns).

Ramen Expo (November to December): Foodies won’t want to miss the opportunity to sample the best ramen from across Japan. Each weekend brings different vendors toBanpaku Kinenkōen(Expo ’70 Commemorative Park).

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The best neighbourhoods in Osaka

Kita (Umeda)

The gleaming Umeda Sky Building dominates this energetic hub. You can reach it easily from Osaka Station City through an underground passage. There are plenty of stores and restaurants within easy walking distance of the station. This is the best neighbourhood to stay in Osaka for the HEP Five entertainment district, where you’ll find shopping, a giant Ferris wheel and amusement arcades.

Good for: Department stores, dining, landmarks

Minami (Namba)

Wondering where to stay in Osaka for the best nightlife? Minami is home to the Dotonbori nightlife district. This area is also where you’ll find Amerikamura, which is similar to Tokyo’s Harajuku district. Here, you’ll see club kids and fashionistas parading the latest trends at nightclubs that host live music.

Good for: Nightlife, fashion, theatre

Tennoji

Tennoji is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Osaka with the kids. The whole family will enjoy a day at Tennoji Park, where you’ll find a zoo and the Keitakuen Garden. Book a hotel within walking distance of the Shinsekai area to be near restaurants and shopping. While you’re here, try ‘kushikatsu’, a street food of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables.

Good for: Restaurants, parks, museums

Things to do in Osaka

Thomas Bekker

Family friendly things to do

Love theme parks? Visiting Universal Studios Japan is one of the most exciting things to do with family in Osaka. The main two attractions are the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™. For a more local (and cheaper) experience, Hirakata Park delivers traditional amusement park rides. Or take the kids to see marine creatures at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

Shopping

Wear your comfortable shoes to trek down Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. Japan’s longest covered arcade features over 800 stores and plenty of places to eat when you’ve worn out your wallet. If you’re on the lookout for anime souvenirs, you’ll find many to choose from in Den-Den Town.

Take in the culture

A trip to Osaka wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Shitennoji Temple. Founded in AD 593, it’s one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples. Experience the Japanese custom of using natural hot springs called ‘onsen’ to restore health. Solaniwa Onsen is the city’s largest spring, with numerous options for tranquil bathing in public or private.

Nightlife

Dotonbori is the flamboyant hub of nightlife in Osaka, where restaurants and bars draw you in with giant pufferfish, clown and octopus sculptures. For a more traditional evening, take a short stroll to the stone-paved alley of Hozenji Yokocho where you’ll find ‘izakaya’ (drinking restaurants) lit with Japanese lanterns and serving sake.

Places to eat

No matter where you look, you’ll be tempted by great food in Osaka. For upscale places, head to the neon-lit Kitashinchi nightlife area. It’s just a quick walk from Osaka Station City. Cheaper street food can be found in the Shinsekai area and Dotonbori district near Namba Station. Try the ‘takoyaki’ (grilled octopus) and ‘okonomiyaki’ (fried seafood pancake).

Free things to do

Walking around the city and simply soaking up the sights is the best free thing to do in Osaka. And you’ll run into plenty of free attractions, such as Nakanoshima Park’s thousands of roses. Or discover history displays at the Osaka City Central Public Hall. Entrance is free.

Plan your holiday to Osaka

Budget

Osaka’s Dotonbori district is a street food heaven. You can find a delicious meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around 1,000 Japanese yen (¥) and wash it down with a beer or cappuccino for around ¥500. Expect to pay around ¥2,500 for a short taxi ride. But for a cheap trip to Osaka, public transport is best.

Day trips from Osaka

The ancient capital of Nara is packed with history and worthy of a day trip. See one of the largest bronze Buddhas in Japan at Tōdaiji Temple. Friendly sika deer roam free throughout Nara Park –– feed them a cracker, and they’ll bow in return! Explore Japan’s most well-preserved feudal castle in Himeji, less than an hour west of Osaka on the Shinkansen bullet train.

Getting around Osaka

Keep your transport options simple in Osaka. On the metro, the JR Osaka Loop Line takes you to the tourist attractions between Umeda and Minami. IC cards are available online and at stations for the Osaka Metro and Osaka City Bus. You can cycle around the mostly flat neighbourhoods with HUBchari share bikes. Taxis are the most expensive option, but they’re everywhere.

FAQs about Osaka holidays

For cherry blossoms and near-perfect weather, plan your holiday to Osaka in March, April or May. The humid rainy season starts in June, then autumn delivers spectacular red and gold foliage. Winter high temperatures are around 10°C, and you’ll enjoy festive light shows with budget-friendly hotel prices.
January brings the coolest conditions for an Osaka holiday. You can expect lows of 0ºC (32ºF).
It’s possible to see the main attractions on a three- to five-day holiday in Osaka. Stay longer and get a Japan Rail Pass for easy day trips to Kyoto, Naoshima and Nara.
Like most other cities in Japan, Osaka is renowned for being a safe city to travel to, with very low crime rates. You’ll find that most of the locals are friendly and helpful. Exercise normal cautions in large crowds.
August is the warmest month in Osaka, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 34ºC (93ºF).
With around 24 cm of rainfall, July is the rainiest month. If you're going on your Osaka holiday then, you'll want to plan a few indoor activities. Dine at one of the best spots in town, chill at a cosy cafe, or treat yourself to some retail therapy.
Japanese is the language you'll come across most during your city break in Osaka.
The Japanese yen (JPY) is the official currency. From shopping at local markets to tipping, having some cash readily available during your trip to Osaka is wise.
Whether it's your first visit or you've been here before, this city never fails to leave an impression. If exploring top sights is on your list of things to do in Osaka, don't forget to include Osaka Castle and Dotonbori.
Whether you want to go all out or keep it simple, your preferred travel style will partly determine the cost. When budgeting for your Osaka flights and hotels, consider the options, from flying economy or business class to booking cheap or luxury stays. The time of year also matters, with some seasons bringing better value for a city break in Osaka.

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