WHAT TO DO IN OSAKA IN 72 HOURS

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Most people compare Osaka to Tokyo for its hustle, bustle, and skyscrapers. While Osaka's cultural blend might not shine like Kyoto, Japan's second-largest city still captivates in its own way. Whether it's vibrant history or rich culinary culture, Osaka is waiting for you to explore! Moreover, the autumn season is approaching in Osaka, and this is how Osaka makes you cherish it in just 72 hours.

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Start your day early with a delightful breakfast at 'La Terrasse Cafe et dessert.' This modest cafe is conveniently located just outside Umeda Station, serving a diverse breakfast menu from 10 AM. Enjoy an eye-catching breakfast set with dishes like Eggs Benedict, waffles, and soft sandwiches, ensuring you're fueled up for a day full of activities (or at least until lunchtime)!

Address: Umekita Hiroba B1, 4-1, Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 530-0011

Nearest train station: Umeda Station

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Phone: +81-6-6485-7788

Source: japan-guide.com

After satisfying your stomach with breakfast, head to the Umeda Sky Building, a must-visit attraction in Osaka. Standing at 173 meters, this building is just a short walk from the cafe and features an Observation Garden on the 39th floor. Enjoy panoramic views of the entire city from the outdoor observation area, where the walls are entirely made of glass. Definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Address: 1-1-88 Ooyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Nearest train station: JR Osaka Station

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Phone: +81-6-6440-3855

After marveling at the breathtaking cityscape, head back to the hotel for the Nara Afternoon Tour! Once picked up, you'll be taken to the famous Nara Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Prepare to be amazed, as some religious monuments here date back to the 8th century! In Nara Park, take a leisurely stroll among hundreds of freely roaming deer, so don't be shy and say hello to them!

Did you know that Todai-ji Temple is considered one of the largest wooden structures in the world? Learn more about this iconic site's significant role in the Nara period and its main tourist attraction, the 15-meter-tall Bronze Buddha Statue.

At Nara Nagomikan, the largest souvenir shop in Nara, you can shop for cute souvenirs for your loved ones back home!

As the tour concludes at Osaka Namba Station, your stomach signals that dinner is approaching. And since you're in Japan, you can't miss out on okonomiyaki, right?

A short stroll from the station to Ajinoya Okonomiyaki, the highly recommended okonomiyaki restaurant in Namba, mainly for its presentation, exquisite flavors, and unique menu choices. Good news for you, the restaurant also has an English menu, making it a fantastic okonomiyaki feast to end your first day in Osaka!

Address: 1-7-16, Nanba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 542-0076

Nearest train station: Osaka Namba Station

Opening Hours: Monday: 6:00 PM – 10:45 PM / Tuesday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:45 PM / Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 11:30 AM – 10:45 PM

Phone: +81-6-6211-0713

Now, welcome to day two in Osaka with a bang as you spend the entire day at Universal Studios Japan! No doubt, USJ is always the biggest attraction in Osaka, featuring numerous theme parks and rides catering to thrill-seekers and even those with a slightly faint heart.

Experience countless screams and enthusiastic waving arms in the air as you embark on thrilling rides like Spiderman’s 4K3D and The Flying Dinosaur.

Source: allabout-japan.com

Did you know the most crowded area of the park is none other than 'The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter'? Absolutely! No need to wait endlessly at home for a Hogwarts acceptance letter because here, you can witness magic happening and even purchase your very own magic wand!

Pro tip: USJ strategically manages entrance to 'The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter' during peak times, so getting a VIP wristband at USJ is a fantastic way to bypass the long queues and enjoy this theme park without worrying about fatigue.

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And surely, no one wants to play or scream in the 'Expecto Patronum' ride with a grumbling stomach, right? At USJ, you have plenty of food options, and most are not only delicious but also incredibly cute, like Spiderman Instant Noodles and Minion Pork Sandwiches with Mochi.

Source: pohtecktoes.com

Source: pohtecktoes.com

Good news for you, most hotels offer shuttle services to USJ! However, if your hotel doesn't provide this service, take a train and get off at Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line.

Pro tip: The ticket inspectors at the entrance are REALLY strict about the validity of tickets, so Klook advises you to purchase them through official partners. Navigating the official USJ website can be challenging as the primary language on the interface is Japanese, so finding a trustworthy and reliable site is crucial!

Click here to easily purchase tickets!

Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 554-0031, Japan

Nearest Train Station: Universal City Station

Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Phone: +81 570-200-606

And when the sun sets, get ready to embrace Osaka's nightlife in the liveliest area of Dotonbori. Just a 10-minute walk from the shopping street, this vibrant part of Osaka is full of large neon lights and LED displays, as well as bars and restaurants to let you experience Japanese nightlife.

For dinner, indulge in Osaka's most popular dish, takoyaki (think vibrant colors and a smooth texture) at Takoyaki Kukuru.

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After a day filled with screams, magic, and fast-food feasts whizzing by, your body starts to absorb fatigue and craves relaxation. And since you're in lovely Japan, what could be better than ending a day at an onsen?

Immerse your tired feet in the large silver and gold hot springs at Arima Onsen Taikounoyu Spa, open until 11 PM, perfect for concluding a day, right? The silver hot spring, also known as ginsen, features silky, cloudy water that accelerates metabolism and stimulates your appetite.

On the other hand, the golden hot spring, or kinsen, contains deep red water and is believed to be rich in iron, providing benefits like thermotherapy and moisturizing effects.

Arima Onsen Taikounoyu Spa, located in Japan's oldest onsen town, where emperors, nobles, and even samurais retreated, proudly boasts a history of over 1400 years! Additionally, there are other amenities for travelers to enjoy, such as fish spas and steam baths.

Getting here is incredibly easy; it's just a 60-minute bus ride from Osaka. Don't worry about bus fare—just grab a Kansai Thru Pass and enjoy unlimited bus, train, and subway rides!

Address: Arima-onsen, Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan

Nearest Train Station: Arimaonsen Station

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Phone: +81 78 904 0708

Source: theculturetrip.com

What better way to start the final day in Osaka than with a traditional Japanese breakfast? Known as one of the go-to breakfast spots in Osaka, Nadaman serves a table full of dishes in a traditional tatami-mat room. The restaurant takes pride in its food presentation skills, so make sure to have your camera ready before you indulge in the first meal of the day!

Address: 5-3-68 Nakanoshima Kita-Ku | Rihga Royal Hotel B1, Osaka 530-0005, Osaka Prefecture

Nearest Train Station: Nakanoshima Station

Opening Hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Phone: +81 6-6443-7101

Source: youinjapan.net

After finishing your breakfast, take a 20-minute train ride from Nakanoshima Station to Tennoji Station, and you'll arrive at Tennoji Park, Osaka's unique park with a zoo and an art museum combined. You'll be greeted by various (and almost quirky) animal structures scattered throughout the park, leading you to the nearby Tennoji Zoo.

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This park also features an art museum, a pond, and a traditional garden that cherry blossom enthusiasts flock to during the blooming season. But don't worry, the park is equally stunning in autumn with wide expanses of golden foliage. Don't forget to capture many beautiful photos!

Address: 1_108 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0063, Osaka Prefecture

Nearest Train Station: Tennoji Station

Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Phone: +81 6-6771-8401

Source: japanphototrip.com

From Tennoji Park, take a short stroll down to Tennoji Zoo and say hello to lions, elephants, red pandas, koalas, and many other animals! Opened in 1915 and known as the second-largest zoo in Japan, Tennoji Zoo is home to over 300 species, including the unique Kiwi bird in Japan.

Source: osaka-map.com

The best part? You can even feed the animals here! Simply purchase a pack of feed from the stalls, and you're ready to treat them. The animals here are quite friendly, so don't worry; they won't attack you!

Address: 1-108 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 543-0063, Japan

Nearest Train Station: Tennoji Station

Opening Hours: Daily, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone: +81 6-6771-8401

Source: Flickr

Source: Flickr

Before saying goodbye to Osaka, spend a few final hours in this fantastic city by revisiting Dontonbori! This will be your last chance to check off any remaining items on your list. Moreover, visit this place earlier than yesterday, so most, if not all, shops should be open!

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Don't forget to treat yourself to a famous Pablo Cheese Tart! The Pablo store in Dotonbori offers a dining area, unlike in Himeji, so you can comfortably sit in the cozy atmosphere of the cafe while indulging in the delicious cheese tart. Additionally, there's a take-away option for those at home to enjoy this treat!

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And if you're still worried about not having enough time and going through various stores takes too much time, then here's a detailed map to help you find places to eat, shop, and even sing (ahem, there's always time for karaoke, right!).

Source: dotonbori.or.jp

Address: 2-3-15 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085, Osaka Prefecture

Nearest Station: Nankai Namba Station

Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Phone: +81 662110826

Source: tabelog.com

As the slow evening approaches, take a short stroll to the omurice restaurant (rice covered with omelette, filled with various meats such as chicken, pork, beef, and more) established since 1922! Considered one of the pioneers of the famous omurice, this restaurant serves many exquisite dishes, providing you with a perfect culinary experience to conclude your last day in Osaka.

Address: 2-7-27 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0086, Osaka Prefecture

Nearest Station: Nankai Namba Station

Opening Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Phone: +81 6-6211-7829

Certainly, Osaka is not 'like Tokyo,' and you will undoubtedly fall in love with the autumn beauty of this city! Join the adventure of exploring Osaka in 3 days starting right now!