Plan the Ultimate Osaka Itinerary: Top Tours and Activities
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  • Writer's pictureJacqlyne
    • Mar 11
    • 9 min read

Plan the Ultimate Osaka Itinerary: Top Tours and Activities

Updated: Mar 17

Buckle up for a adventure in on Japan's coolest city Osaka! Here, it's all about neon lights, mouthwatering street food, and a contagious energy that will keep you buzzing. From indulging in takoyaki (octopus balls) on every corner to exploring historic castles and quirky museums, Osaka offers a dazzling mix of the modern and the traditional. Foodies, history buffs, and nightlife enthusiasts – this vibrant metropolis has something for everyone. So get ready to discover the must-do tours and activities and make the most of your trip to Osaka!


If multiple attractions catch your eye, you may want to get the Osaka Amazing Pass or e-Pass for unlimited trips on public transportation and access to dozens of attractions. If you'll be traveling across Japan for an extended period, the Japan Rail Pass is something to consider.


Disclaimer

Part of the job of a travel agent is to save clients time and money. I looked through hundreds of tours and picked out the best tours to book in various categories that are both the best in quality and price.


Prices listed below are subject to change. Rates are typically discounted for larger groups and children, so use the links provided to see the exact cost for your specific scenario and book what is of interest to you.

Hotspots and Hidden Gems

Discover the many sides of Osaka on this guided walking tour. Explore cobblestoned alleys, pass a Yakuza clubhouse, see wacky neon billboards, visit seafood markets, wander through a charming retro zone, and more.


Duration

3 - 4 hours

Availability

Everyday at 10 am

Price

$44 per person

Alternative


Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour

See Osaka through the eyes of a local at its most famous marketplace. Snack on delicious Japanese bites. Pick up countless insights into the city from your local guide.


Duration

2 hours

Availability

Everyday at 11 am

Price

$28 per person

Alternative


Guided Pub Crawl

Join the fun on Osaka's largest and longest running nightlife tour. Visit at least 3 bars and clubs and get discounts on drinks all night. Enjoy free shots at each bar in the company of a dynamic crowd of awesome, like-minded people.


Duration

5 hours

Availability

Friday & Saturday at 7 pm

Price

$22 per person

Alternative

Universal Studios Japan

With this studio pass, enjoy direct entry to Universal Studios Japan’s 60+ attractions! Immerse yourself with thrills the whole family can enjoy at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™. The world's first interactive Mario Kart theme park ride will leave you with a rush of adrenaline!


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Everyday from 8 am - 10 pm

Price

Starting from $38 per person

Alternative


Street Kart Experience

Explore the sights of Osaka on go-kart, driving on public roads dressed as your favorite character.


Duration

1 hour

Availability

Everyday at 4 pm and 5 pm

Price

$95 per person


Osaka Tsutenkaku Tower

Osaka Tsutenkaku Tower is the most iconic spot in Osaka. The flashy commercial town around it, Shinsekai, is just as famous a tourist spot as the tower itself. When night falls and the tower and shops light up, it looks even more glamorous!


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Everyday from 10 am - 8 pm

Price

$6 per person

Alternative

Osaka Museum of History

Experience the history of the city at the Osaka Museum of History. Located in near Osaka Castle, the museum is easily accessible! Enjoy the history of Osaka from ancient ruins to the streets of the early Showa period.


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Everyday from 9:30 am - 5 pm

Price

$4 per person

Alternative

Osaka Castle

Visit the most important historical heritage built in ancient Japan: the Osaka Castle. Explore the castle with over 100 years of history and countless precious relics. Enjoy access to the castle’s 8 floors and see panoramic views of Osaka City from the top.


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Everyday from 9 am - 5 pm

Price

$4 per person

Alternative


Mt. Rokko Night View, Kitano Ijinkan & Arima Onsen Tour

Visit Japan's Kobe on a guided tour from Osaka. Discover the iconic Kobe Harbor, enchanting Mosaic Ferris Wheel, rejuvenating Arima Onsen, breathtaking night vistas from Mount Rokko, and more.


Duration

10 hours

Availability

Everyday at 10:30 am

Price

$60 per person

Alternative

Kinkakuji & Kiyomizu Temple & Fushimi Inari Shrine

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Kyoto on a day trip from Osaka. Visit three of Kyoto's most famous landmarks: the glistening Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple with its iconic veranda, and the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famed for its endless red torii gates.


Duration

11 hours

Availability

Everyday at 8:30 am

Price

$42 per person

Alternative

Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya

Experience Japan's natural beauty and unique culture on this day trip from Osaka to Amanohashidate and Ine Funaya in Kyoto. This day trip will bring you rich natural scenery and unique cultural experiences. You'll enjoy stunning views of Amanohashidate and experience the secrets of Kyoto at Ine Funaya. You will bring back many wonderful memories and unique experiences during this short trip


Duration

9 hours

Availability

Everyday at 8:30 am

Price

$47 per person

Alternative


Osaka Bay Cruise

Arriving and departing from the Tempozan Harbor Village and Kaiyukan West Warf, the Santa Maria harbor sightseeing cruise ship sails around the most famous spots in the Osaka bay area. A 2x scale recreation of the flagship on which Columbus reached the American continent, this spacious boat hosts 45-minute-long daily cruises once an hour.


Duration

45 mins

Availability

Everyday, every hour from 11 am - 5 pm

Price

$10 per person

Alternative

Osaka Wonder Cruise - $8 per person

teamLab Botanical Garden

teamLab Botanical Garden is a botanical garden by day, and an art space by night. The space transforms interactively, influenced by wind and rain, as well as by the behavior of the people and birds, making them an essential part of the works.


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Everyday from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Price

$12 per person

Alternative

Nature Walk at Minoo Park - $97 per person


Solaniwa Onsen

In an expansive Japanese garden of more than 3,000 square meters, enjoy several bath types including outdoor baths, comprising pure hot spring water brought up from 1,000 meters below the earth’s surface. There are 10 fully-private, spring-water outdoor baths for families, with their own mini-gardens. This is one of the largest relaxation spaces in Kansai providing close to 30 services from traditional Japanese body care to modern beauty treatments.


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Everyday from 11 am - 11 pm

Price

$16 per person

Alternative


Micro Pig Cafe Experience

Meet adorable micro pigs at the popular Mipig Cafe for a unique experience. Enjoy a drink and special, mipig-designed donut while you play with a handful of the cute little creatures. Grab the opportunity to hold them and take memorable photos to share on your Instagram feed. Enjoy a laid-back experience amidst the busyness of Osaka.


Duration

1 hour

Availability

Everyday at 10 am

Price

$34 per person

Ninja Experience Cafe

Put on your Ninja costume and become a Ninja! Have fun learning few tricks and unique moves such as the shuriken and blowgun during your ninja training Taste special ninja food in Ninja Cafe & Bar. This experience is indoors, so it can be enjoyed comfortably even on rainy days!


Duration

2 hours

Availability

Everyday, every hour from 10 am - 7 pm

Price

$39 per person

Alternative

Sumo Tournament

Experience the intensity of sumo wrestling and the high energy of the audience at a sumo tournament in Osaka. Gain a deeper understanding of the sport and its traditions with the help of a guide.


Duration

3.5 hours

Availability

Varies. View details page for availability.

Price

$119 per person

Alternative


Calligraphy Workshop

Writing Japanese using a brush and ink will be an unforgettable experience. In this workshop, you will learn all about Japanese calligraphy. At the end of the workshop, you will create a one-of-a-kind handwritten souvenir by writing your name on colored paper or on a name tag in kanji or katakana. Dotonbori, Nihonbashi, and Kuromon Market are close by, so you can go to those areas before or after the workshop, so you can make the most of your day!


Duration

2 hours

Availability

Sunday - Friday at 1 pm

Price

$42 per person

Alternative

Tea Ceremony Experience

Experience a traditional tea ceremony at in Dotonbori, Osaka. Listen to a tea master as they explain the history of tea and show you how to make it in the Otemae way.


Duration

45 mins

Availability

Everyday, every hour from 10 am - 5 pm

Price

$26 per person

Alternative


Private Photoshoot in Osaka

This photography program guides visitors to some of Japan's most popular and special Osaka destinations. The program is staffed by highly qualified photographers who can work with your travel schedule to capture natural compositions and identify photo spots. Photography can be taken anywhere in Osaka.


Duration

1 hour

Availability

Everyday from 8 am - 8 pm

Price

$90 per person


Aquarium Kaiyukan

Visit Osaka Aquarium, one of the world's largest aquariums, with over 600 species of animals. Witness aquatic animals of the Pacific Rim in the recreation of their habitats. Take a virtual tour of the Pacific Ocean as you explore the aquarium's 15+ large tanks. Visit the seals at the world's largest dome-shaped ceiling tank in the Arctic zone.


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Monday - Friday from 3 pm - 8 pm

Price

$19 per person

Alternative

Interactive Aquazoo - $15 per person


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Hi there! I'm Jacqlyne. Welcome to my Blog!

 

I'm a Certified Travel Agent, who can save you all the time and stress of planning travel on your own. I can also save you hundreds to thousands of dollars on a trip! I have planned everything from solo, birthday, bachelor, bachelorette, honeymoon and destination wedding trips. I have helped clients with family trips to Disney, cruises, month long trips across Europe and much more. I have a perfect 5 star rating from past clients. I would love to help you see the world, so reach out to me for your next trip to learn how I could assist you. You'll never go back to planning travel how you use to again!

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