If you walk around Osaka on Google Maps, it's hard to call it an attractive city. Much of the city is a perfect illustration of the phrase "endless concrete jungle" — overcrowded narrow streets, high-rise and utilitarian construction, railway lines, and industrial zones. Almost all of Osaka's historic buildings were destroyed during the bombings of World War II, and the overwhelming majority of the city was rebuilt from scratch. As a result, there aren't that many sights here in the conventional sense of the word.
Among Osaka's main tourist attractions are a castle, an ultra-modern aquarium featuring a whale shark, and the first Universal Studios to open outside the United States. Travel guides have little good to say about Osaka. One of them notes that the city owes its greatest fame to the yakuza and the arcade game pachinko. Another called Osaka the ugliest city in Japan, but one that "desperately wants to be loved."
The main reason to visit Osaka is to witness authentic Japanese urban life: office buildings tucked beneath 12-lane highways, multi-story buildings with amusement parks on their rooftops, underground shopping centers so vast that you sometimes have to surface above ground just to get your bearings. Osaka is also considered the birthplace of the traditional puppet theater bunraku and the Kamigata style of kabuki.
On top of that, the people of Osaka stand apart from other Japanese — and that, too, makes for an interesting comparison. Here, people more often jaywalk, gamble, show their emotions openly, can be blunt, smoke in places where it's prohibited, and display a casual disregard for bureaucracy and rules. Locals fiercely preserve their dialect, which could be described as the Japanese equivalent of Cockney English. It is full of colorful expressions, and the media frequently poke fun at it.
What to see
If you plan to visit museums and attractions actively, the Osaka Amazing Pass will come in handy. With it you can visit more than 40 attractions for free (the castle, the Ferris wheel, observation decks on towers) and use public transportation. Some venues and shops also offer discounts with the pass. A one-day pass costs 3,500 yen (22.3 USD), a two-day pass costs 5,000 (31.8 USD). The pass is sold online only.
Castle
Osaka Castle rises high above the city, surrounded by a beautiful park. Since the park covers a large area, it can be reached from five different subway stations. Some entrances even have electric vehicles to take you to the castle itself. The history of Osaka Castle dates back to 1496 and is connected with the three unifiers of Japan. The castle was destroyed several times and suffered damage during World War II, but was fully restored in 1997. Today, in addition to the tower and the castle ruins, the park contains the Hokoku Shrine, a baseball field, and a concert hall. The castle is encircled by a massive moat — 70 to 90 meters wide — and a 20-meter stone wall. It is believed that more than 500,000 stones were used to build the massive wall. At the Historical Museum you can learn more about the history of the area; it is located near the southwest corner of the park.
The castle grounds are home to two museum shops with a wide selection of souvenirs. Highlights you can buy here include 3D puzzles of the castle itself, small replicas of decorative elements, collectible figures and figurines, coffee, and traditional sweets. Admission inside the castle costs 1,200 yen (7.64 USD), but strolling through the park is free. The park is especially beautiful — and crowded — during cherry blossom season.
Harukas 300 Observation Deck
Five kilometers from Osaka Castle is the observation deck Harukas 300 — the highest point in the city. The observation deck occupies three floors — from the 58th to the 60th. A ticket costs 2,200 yen (14 USD).
Dotonbori Food District
Dotonbori is the main restaurant district in the city. In the evening, the streets light up with thousands of neon signs, and locals line up for the most delicious food. "Eat until you go broke" is the motto of this neighborhood, proudly displayed on almost every establishment.
Restaurant Kani Doraku specializes in crab dishes: soup will cost 1,200 yen (7.64 USD), stir-fry — 1,800 (11.5 USD), and rillettes — 1,500 (9.55 USD). Genrokuzushi is a restaurant where freshly made sushi travel along a conveyor belt and diners pick whichever pieces they like. At Osaka Ohsho try gyoza dumplings or fried rice with tofu and eel. At Wanomiya Kobe Beef they serve Kobe beef steaks — a premium type of beef from wagyu. Prices per dish range from $50 to $300 (50 USD–300 USD) depending on the size of the steak. At Takohachi Sohonten they make wonderful takoyaki — balls of batter filled with octopus. Ajinoya is famous for its okonomiyaki savory pancakes. They use less flour and cabbage than in the traditional preparation, so the pancakes are not as heavy.
Namba — kabuki theater and shops for geeks
Dotonbori flows seamlessly into the Namba district, where you can browse shops for geeks, grab a bite at a pastry cafe, and catch a performance of traditional kabuki theater. Den Den Town is a shopping quarter packed with stores catering to geeks: electronics, anime, comics, video games, and capsule-toy vending machines known as gashapon. Each machine has its own theme with several toy variants. A single capsule usually costs around 200–400 yen (1.27 USD–2.55 USD). And while these toys were originally designed for children, they have since become a hobby and collectible primarily among adults. There are also many stores carrying Japanese clothing brands. After shopping, you can grab a bite at the pastry cafe Rikuro Ojisan No Mise. They serve a light, fluffy Japanese soufflé cheesecake, and on the upper floor you can escape the noise and crowds.
Namba Grand Kagetsu is a theater featuring comedy shows, stand-up, and plays in the style traditional to Osaka. Nearby stands the traditional kabuki theater Shochikuza. In the performances, actors wear elaborate makeup and costumes. The shows themselves are a mix of dramatic theater, dance, and singing. A ticket costs 5,000–20,000 yen (31.8 USD–127.3 USD).
Umeda — a Ferris wheel on the roof
Umeda is a large district in the center of the city with an endless number of restaurants and shops. Within a one-kilometer radius of Umeda subway station there are more than six thousand restaurants. You can enjoy a view of the city from a Ferris wheellocated on the roof; a ticket costs 600 yen (3.82 USD). And on the roof of the skyscraper Sky Building there is a garden and an observation deck, a restaurant, and a lounge bar. A ticket to the observation deck costs 2,000 yen (12.7 USD).
Nakanoshima-koen is Osaka's first public park, opened in 1891. It is a wonderful place for walks and a break from the urban hustle. Two museums are also located here: the Museum of Oriental Ceramics — relatively small, but its collection features Japanese, Korean, and Chinese pieces — and a museum of modern art and design, the Nakanoshima Museum of Art. The museum's collection numbers more than 6,000 works — Japanese and international art from the mid-19th century to the present day: nihonga (Japanese painting), European modern art, prints, photographs, and sculptures. Among the highlights are works by Saeki Yuzo, a nude by Modigliani, works by Yoshihara Jiro, and others; there is also a library and a rose garden.
The Hanshin department store houses many boutiques of local and international brands, such as Uniqlo, Ojico, Dior, and Shiseido. The seventh and eighth floors regularly host exhibitions and events. You can take a break and refresh yourself at Muni — an izakaya-style bar, something like an Irish pub or Spanish tapas bars.
Shinsaibashisuji shopping street and the Amerikamura district
Merchants and shopkeepers settled on Shinsaibashisuji as far back as the 17th century, when a local merchant named Shinsai built a bridge connecting the new quarter with the Dotonbori theater district. The covered shopping arcade of Shinsaibashisuji stretches 600 meters and houses more than 180 stores. Most of them belong to major international brands — Chanel, Leica, and Apple Store — interspersed with restaurants, bars, and one museum: the Ukiyo-e Art Museum — 1,000 yen (6.36 USD) per ticket.
Amerikamura is a small, lively district with graffiti-covered buildings, street food stalls, independent galleries, and young crowds gathering in Sankakukoen Park. Vintage stores sell clothing, books, and vinyl records. In the evenings, buzzing rock bars and clubs open their doors. Amerikamura translates as "American Village": back in the 1970s, warehouses in the area were converted into stores selling American and Western goods.
One of the largest shopping complexes in Amerikamura is Big Step. It features clothing and sporting goods stores, art galleries (for example, Kuroda-seitaro Kakiba), restaurants, secondhand record shops, and pinball machines. The Amerikamura district is not very large, so you can cover most of it in a few hours. Try takoyaki at Kogaryu Takoyaki, soufflé pancakes at Elk , or grab a bottle of beer at Aquavit.
Shinsekai — a 6th-century temple, a zoo, and a tower observation deck
The main attractions in the Shinsekai district: the zoo Tennoji — 500 yen (3.18 USD), the Spa World shopping and spa complex Spa World, Fine Artsand the tower Tsutenkaku (103 meters), from the top of which there is a great view of the city. A ticket to the observation deck costs 1,200 yen (7.64 USD).
Walking around Shinsekai, you will keep spotting statues and figurines of Billiken, and the shops sell life-size dolls and souvenirs related to him. In 1912, the Luna amusement park opened in Shinsekai, and the Billiken character became its mascot. Billiken was created by the American illustrator Florence Pretz. The temple Shitennoji is a restored Buddhist temple dating to 593, with a pond where turtles live. It is one of the oldest temples in Japan; it also has a five-story pagoda and other architectural landmarks, and the temple grounds are quiet and peaceful. This neighborhood has a particularly high concentration of cafes serving kushikatsu — deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables. Some places to try them are Kushikatsu Daruma, Tengu and Yaekatsu. At Jumbo-Tsuribune Tsurikichi you can pick out various fish and seafood and cook them yourself right at your table.
Tempozan Harbor Village — aquarium, Legoland, and a Vintage Car Museum
Tempozan Harbor Village is a shopping and entertainment complex on the shore of Osaka Bay. You can come here and easily spend an entire day. The local aquarium, Kaiyukan, is one of the largest aquariums in Japan (the biggest is in Okinawa). It is home to more than 30,000 creatures and 620 species of fish, including a majestic whale shark. Admission to the aquarium costs 2,700–3,500 yen (17.2 USD–22.3 USD).
You can also ride the Ferris wheel for 900 yen (5.73 USD), visit the Legolandcenter with your kids, where Osaka's landmarks are recreated in building blocks — 2,200–2,900 yen (14 USD–18.5 USD), stock up on groceries at the market, and grab lunch at the Naniwa Kushinbo Yokocho food court..
In addition, there are several parks, a historic wooden ship moored at the pier, and the Glion museum, which displays dozens of vintage cars — 1,300–1,900 yen (8.27 USD–12.1 USD). The village is located in the western part of the city — Osakako station, just 30 minutes by train from the Umeda or Namba areas.
Universal Studios Japan theme park
Theme park Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is the third most popular theme park in the world and the first in Asia. Getting in can be a challenge — at the very least you'll need to wait in a long line — but you can cut down the wait somewhat with express tickets, which cost roughly twice as much. Compared to Disneyland, USJ is geared toward an older audience: many of the most popular attractions require visitors to be at least 132 centimeters tall. The park is made up of ten zones: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Water World, Friendship Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World. Each zone has its own variety of attractions.
Next to the park you'll find Universal CityWalk Osaka — a shopping center with several official Universal hotels and plenty of restaurants and stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs. A ticket starts from 8,900 yen (56.6 USD yen) for an adult and from 5,700 yen (36.3 USD yen) for a child.
Markets
Kuromon Ichiba Market is an iconic destination for every lover of Japanese gastronomy. Restaurants and chefs have been sourcing fresh ingredients here since 1822. In recent years the market has become one of the most popular tourist attractions. Today it is not only a place to buy produce but also to eat it, with 150 street stalls, 25 restaurants, izakaya bars, and cafes specializing in seafood. What to try: scallops — buttery sea scallops grilled and seasoned with soy sauce, and oden — fish cakes braised in a seafood broth.
Nakanoshima Fish Port is located near the government district and the Ajigawa River.
Tsuruhashi Market, or as it is commonly known, the "Korean Quarter," is famous for its small shops selling kimchi, Korean barbecue, music stores with Korean pop music, and souvenirs.
Surroundings
Osaka is an excellent base for exploring the entire Kansai region: the cities of Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Wakayama. Each can be reached by train in roughly an hour from Osaka (Osaka Station to the north, Namba and Tennoji to the south). All the nearby cities are easy to reach from Osaka by commuter rail — for more details on how to use these trains and how to pay for them, see the "Transport" section.
Expocity
20 kilometers from Osaka In 1970, Osaka hosted the first World Expo in Japan and Asia. The site used for the exhibition has since been transformed into a park. It features gardens, the Expo Museum, an aquarium Nifrel, a Ferris wheel Redhorse Osaka, a movie theater 109 Cinemas, and a sculpture Tower of the Sun by the renowned Japanese artist Taro Okamoto.
Nearby, in the city of Minoo, you can stroll through a vast park and walk to a waterfall — in autumn, crowds of visitors come here to admire the stunning bright foliage on the mountain slopes. From April to October 2025, the second Osaka World Expo was held on Yumeshima Island.
Sakai
20 kilometers from Osaka In the 16th century, Sakai was a prosperous trading port and the birthplace of the legendary tea ceremony master Sen no Rikyu. Today the city is known for its cutlery (Sakai knives are highly prized by professional chefs) and bicycle manufacturing, with brands such as Kuwahara and Corner produced here. Whether for this reason or not, Sakai has excellent cycling infrastructure with bike lanes throughout the city. It is also home to one of the largest ancient burial mounds in the world. Daisen Kofun in the shape of an enormous keyhole-shaped mound, 35 meters tall and 486 meters long. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group.
Nara
30 kilometers from Osaka Nara is one of the oldest cities in the country and served as the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Buddhist temples — Todai-ji, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, Kofuku-ji, Gango-ji, Yakushi-ji, and Toshodai-ji, the Shinto shrine Kasuga-taisha, Heijo Palace and the natural park of Kasuga.
Another popular attraction in the city is Nara-koenpark. Its vast grounds of 500 hectares can be explored for hours, taking in ancient temples, browsing the exhibits at the National Museum, and trying to pet the tame sika deer.
Kobe
30 kilometers from Osaka The city is famous for its Kobe beef — meat from local Tajima-breed cattle, prized worldwide for its tenderness and rich flavor. The best view of the city can be had from the port tower 108 meters tall. A ropeway runs along the slope of the Rokko mountain range; you can ride up and walk to the Nunobikibotanical garden, stopping to see the waterfallalong the way. A round trip on the ropeway costs 2,500 yen (15.9 USD).
Also of interest is one of the oldest Shinto shrines, Ikuta, dating back to the 3rd century (visiting the shrine buildings and walking the grounds is free), Arima Onsen — a resort town with natural mineral waters and Japanese onsen baths. Be sure to also visit Chinatown — one of only three Chinatowns in Japan. Given the historically tense relations between the two countries, it is remarkable that they have survived at all.
Kishiwada
40 kilometers In addition to its stunning castle, Kishiwada is famous throughout Japan for its annual float festival Danjiri Matsuri. A danjiri is a large wooden cart shaped like a shrine. During the festival, these carts are pulled through the city streets. This lively and noisy event draws half a million spectators and takes place every September. You can also come here to stroll through the vast natural park Tonboike, where you can build a campfire and spend the night in a tent beside the pond.
Kyoto
50 kilometers from Osaka Although Kyoto can be visited in a single day, there are so many attractions here — around two thousand religious sites alone — that it is better to set aside three to four days. But if you still need to pick the very best from the vast number of interesting places, they are the shrine Fushimi Inari-taisha, the Buddhist temples Kinkaku-ji (with a gilded facade), Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, the Imperial Palace, the shogun's residence — Nijo Castle, built from cypress wood in 1603, and the geisha district of Gion. For a great view of the city and the surrounding area, you can climb Mount Arashiyama, which is also home to wild macaques.
Akame 48 Waterfalls
50 kilometers from Osaka Waterfall Akame 48 is located in a national park Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi. An easy trail leads to it, winding through the forest along a river and surrounded by numerous small waterfalls. Within the park there are several cafes, a shop, a souvenir store, a Buddhist temple, and an information office. You can easily spend at least half a day here. Park admission costs 1,000 yen (6.36 USD).
Accommodation
The most convenient neighborhoods to stay in are Umeda, Dotonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi. The most luxurious hotels are located in Namba, Shin-Osaka, and Umeda. Honmachi has many affordable business hotels.
In most hostels, a dorm bed will cost 2,000–3,500 yen (12.7 USD–22.3 USD) per night. A private room costs 5,500–9,000 yen (35 USD–57.3 USD). Budget hotels often have no windows. A tiny studio on Airbnb can be rented from 4,500 yen (28.6 USD), but realistically you should budget around 8,000–9,000 (50.9 USD–57.3 USD).
We have selected a few good hotels in different neighborhoods.
Umeda
Umedaholic — quiet and en-suite bathroom, from 12,800 yen (81.5 USD).
Monterey Osaka — a hotel in a pseudo-historical style with an unusual chapel on the eighth floor, and the rooms offer retro charm kept to a minimum. A night in a room starts from 15,600 yen (99.3 USD).
Granvia — nearly four thousand reviews and a rating of 9+, from 21,000 yen (133.6 USD).
Oyado Nakaz — a room in a traditional style with a low floor table, a small kitchen with a stove included, from 21,800 yen (138.7 USD).
Moxy — stylish rooms and a stylish hotel overall, with affordable and good breakfasts at 900 yen (5.73 USD) per person. A night at the hotel starts from 22,800 yen (145.1 USD).
The Westin Osaka — a great view of the city and the reliability of a chain hotel, from 40,000 yen (254.6 USD).
Waldorf Astoria Osaka — expensive and luxurious, exactly as a five-star hotel should be, from 100,000 yen (636.4 USD) per night.
Dotonbori
Mitsuwaya — a stylish hostel with comfortable and spacious common areas, rooftop hammocks and chairs in the fresh air, and tasty if simple breakfasts, from 10,000 yen (63.6 USD).
Kamon — the main highlight of this hotel is its spacious four-bed rooms and a table with a corner sofa where you can grab a bite to eat, from 11,800 yen (75.1 USD).
Hillarys — guests are treated to ice cream, and there is a rooftop onsen bath, from 13,000 yen (82.7 USD).
Ryokan Kuramoto — a traditional Japanese ryokan with mattresses and low tables on the floor and classic room design. The inn has its own hot springs. From 13,000 yen (82.7 USD) per night.
Namba
Plum — if you look at the hotel's photos, the rooms seem tiny. But if you look at the guests' photos, they all praise the room sizes, and their pictures back that up. From 10,800 yen (68.7 USD).
Sotetsu Grand Fresa — self check-in, small rooms, but breakfast is included, from 11,500 yen (73.2 USD).
Monterey Grasmere — rooms offer a great view of the city, so ask for a higher floor, from 20,000 yen (127.3 USD).
Keihan Namba Grande — stylish rooms, buffet breakfast, quality toiletries, free laundry and Starbucks coffee — from 24,600 yen (156.6 USD).
Public Transportation
Transit cards. You can always pay for any type of transportation in cash — this is convenient if you're visiting for just one day and don't want to bother with transit cards. But if you're staying in the city for at least a couple of days, it will be more cost-effective and convenient to use IC cards. Don't forget: if you've purchased the Osaka Amazing Pass tourist pass, you can ride city transportation an unlimited number of times with it.
Icoca. In Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and the Kansai region, the Icoca card works for commuter trains and the subway. Cards are sold at ticket machines at commuter train stations. You can also top up your balance at the machines. The card costs 2,000 yen (12.7 USD), 500 of which is a deposit that can be refunded by returning the card at the ticket office after your trip, and 1,500 will be loaded on the card. Since IC cards are used by everyone in Japan, they can also be used to pay for certain purchases in stores and vending machines, using the card like a bank card.
Enjoy Eco Card is a one-day pass for unlimited use of the subway and most city buses. You can buy it at ticket machines at subway stations. The pass costs 820 yen (5.22 USD). It also gives a discount on admission to 30 attractions.
JR Pass is a special pass available only to tourists that allows significant savings on trains, including high-speed shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho). A seven-day pass costs 50,000 yen (318.2 USD), a 14-day pass — 80,000 yen (509.1 USD), and a 21-day pass — 100,000 yen (636.4 USD).
Subway. The subway lines, city trains, and commuter train lines of various rail companies are integrated into a single system. This can make navigating the transportation system somewhat challenging. That said, rail transport is the most convenient way to get around Osaka. The subway runs from five in the morning until one at night. The fare depends on the distance — the city is divided into five fare zones. Tickets are sold at terminals at the stations and must be purchased for a specific destination station. You must have a ticket to pass through the turnstile when exiting the station. The fare in zone 1 is 190 yen (1.21 USD), and up to zone 5 — 390 (2.48 USD). You can pay by card.
Train. In Japan, rail services are not operated by a single company covering all routes, but by many private ones. West Japan Railway Company trains not only connect Osaka with cities in the surrounding area and beyond the prefecture, but also run within the city. The JR Osaka Loop Line is integrated into the subway system and has 19 stations. There are also two JR West lines connecting the city to Kansai International Airport — Airport Express Haruka and Kansai Airport Rapid. To reach Universal Studios Japan theme park, you can take the JR Sakurajima Line. Fares are paid either with individual tickets or IC cards.
Buses. Osaka has an extensive bus network. Not all stops along a bus route are mandatory — you need to request them by pressing a special button, which are located near the seats and on the handrails. In the central part of the city, the fare is fixed — 210 yen (1.34 USD) for adults and 110 (0.7 USD) for children. Outside the center, the fare depends on the distance. You can pay the fare either at the terminal inside the bus or with a transit card. There is no good bus map of Osaka in English, but bus stops sometimes have route maps. More about buses — here.
Water transport. The Aqua Liner water bus runs along the Okawa River. It departs from the pier on the grounds of Osaka Castle. The schedule and route map can be found on the website. The operator also offers two additional routes:
The Aqua Mini boat can take you from Osaka Castle to Tazaemonbashi on the Dotonbori Canal and to Minatomachi in the Minami district.
The Santa Maria cruise ship, which operates in Osaka Bay from the western pier near the aquarium.
Taxis. Several different taxi companies operate in Osaka. Their stands are located near train and bus stations and close to popular attractions. But you can also easily hail a cab on the street by raising your hand — a free taxi will have a red indicator light glowing in the lower left corner of the windshield. Some drivers speak English, but it's best to prepare the name of your destination or its address in Japanese in advance. Fares are metered, and almost all drivers have card payment terminals. Taxis in Japan are expensive; a short ride will cost from 1,500 yen (9.55 USD).
Bicycle rental. There are several companies that offer bicycle rentals in Osaka: the company HUB chari has more than 250 docking stations across different parts of the city and offers both regular and electric bicycles. Docomo Bike Share operates many stations located near subway exits. Hello Cycling has more than 160 docking stations open in Osaka. The daily rental cost is around 1,500 yen (9.55 USD).
Car rental. Foreigners are not permitted to drive in Japan without a Japanese driver's license.
Connectivity
With the spread of international eSIMs (Airalo, Unisim, and others), for short trips it is often more convenient and cost-effective to use them rather than bothering with local SIM cards. The moment your plane lands, you already have a connection. That said, if you are staying in the country for a week or more, a local SIM is almost always the better deal. We published a comprehensive guide to the most popular eSIM providers — it covers everything about what an eSIM is and which providers connect best in which country. In the past, travelers in Japan had to deal with renting a pocket router or spending significant money and time buying a SIM card. Things have become much simpler now. If your phone does not support eSIM, there is a section below for you as well.
Here are the rates of the most popular eSIM providers for Japan:
• Trip.com — 30 GB for 15 days costs 15 USD.
• Unisim — from $4.8 (4.8 USD) per 1 GB.
• Yesim — 10 GB for 30 days costs 17 euros (19.3 USD).
• Airalo — 10 GB for 15 days costs 15.5 euros (17.6 USD). Promo code for new users: TRAVEL7460.
If you cannot use an eSIM, the most convenient way to get mobile internet in Japan is to rent a pocket Wi-Fi router with a SIM card. Many companies offer this service — for example, E Connect chargesfrom 600 yen (3.82 USD) per day, and the router comes with a power bank; Wifi Rental Store — 400 yen (2.55 USD) per day, but without a power bank. Other providers include Ninja WiFi, G-Call, JAL ABC, PuPuRu Wi-Fi, Vision Inc, and Telecom Square. Discounts are available for rentals longer than a week. If you are traveling with others, this option will be the most cost-effective.
Daily data is capped, and speeds are reduced once a certain threshold is reached. The carriers NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and SoftBank have broadly similar plans and conditions — for example, 1 GB of data for 30 days costs around 3,000 yen (19.1 USD).
The tourist SIM card Japan Travel valid for 30 days costs 2,640 yen (16.8 USD) with 6 GB of mobile data and 3,190 yen (20.3 USD) with 15 GB. In Tokyo, tourist SIM cards can be purchased from several providers: Mobal, Sakura Mobile, Japan Experience, IIJmio, and Docomo. All of them are data-only. SIM cards can be bought at the airport or in electronics stores. For voice calls, you need to rent a phone with a SIM card.
Sometimes it may be more convenient and cost-effective to use roaming from your home carrier or a SIM card from another country if you are flying in from Thailand or Vietnam.
Money
Despite Japan's reputation as a country of the future, cash is still the most common way to pay. Many small stores, restaurants, and bars accept cash only. Credit and debit cards are usually accepted at larger stores and restaurants. Japanese ATMs charge a fee of 216 yen (1.37 USD per transaction) for cash withdrawals. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and MUFG Bank exchange offices. Some locations charge a fee for currency exchange.
Entry requirements
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and all EU countries can visit Japan for tourism purposes without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. It depends on your nationality, so simply living in one of the following countries does not automatically qualify you. Check Japan’s visa exemption list before travelling.
Indian passport holders need a visa in advance. Residents of India can apply for a single-entry tourist eVisa through VFS Global, as explained by the Japanese embassy. Indian citizens living abroad should follow the application process for their country of residence; eligible residents of countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia can apply directly through the JAPAN eVISA system.
If you need a visa, you will generally need a passport, application form, photograph, flight reservation, travel itinerary with accommodation details, and proof that you can cover your expenses. The exact documents, fees, and application process depend on where you apply, so check the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence. If you receive an eVisa, you must display the live “visa issuance notice” on your device when requested; screenshots and printed copies are not accepted.
Your passport must remain valid throughout your stay. Before departure, you can complete your immigration and customs information through Visit Japan Web to save time on arrival. Registration is optional, and paper forms are available.
Travel medical insurance is not compulsory for ordinary tourist visits, but it is strongly recommended: medical treatment in Japan can be expensive. Choose a policy that covers medical expenses and the activities you have planned.
Getting There
Getting to Osaka
Osaka’s main international gateway is Kansai International Airport (KIX). Itami Airport (ITM), officially called Osaka International Airport, now handles domestic flights only.
Kansai has nonstop connections with Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu; Canadian routes include seasonal services from Vancouver and Toronto. In Europe, flights operate from Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Helsinki, and Istanbul, while Australian connections include Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns. Singapore also has direct flights, alongside an extensive network across East and Southeast Asia. Routes and frequencies vary by season, so check the airport’s flight schedule for your dates.
From the UK or India, expect to travel with a connection. Depending on your departure city, options include hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai, or Doha. If your trip includes both Tokyo and Osaka, compare flying into one city and home from the other to save yourself a return journey across Japan.
From Kansai Airport to the city. Choose your train according to where you are staying:
Osaka Station and Umeda: the JR Haruka takes around 45–50 minutes. Eligible foreign visitors can book a discounted Haruka One-way Ticket for 1,800 yen (11.5 USD). This fare also covers journeys to Shin-Osaka; ordinary tickets cost more.
Namba and Dotonbori: the Nankai Rapi:t reaches Namba in approximately 35–40 minutes. A regular one-way ticket costs 1,490 yen (9.48 USD). The slower Nankai Airport Express costs 970 yen (6.17 USD) and takes around 45–50 minutes.
Taxi: a regular metered taxi to central Osaka costs roughly 23,000–25,000 yen, including tolls (146.4 USD–159.1 USD). Traffic and late-night surcharges can increase the fare.
From Tokyo. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo Station with Shin-Osaka in about two and a half hours on a Nozomi service. Budget around 15,000 yen one way for an ordinary reserved seat (95.5 USD); the exact fare depends on the date and ticket. Check schedules and book through SmartEX. From Shin-Osaka, continue to your hotel by local train or the Midosuji subway line.
When to go
Osaka has four distinct seasons: summer is hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching 35 degrees, autumn is comfortable, and warm weather lasts into November. Winter is cold, sunny, and dry, with occasional light snowfall and temperatures dipping below freezing. Spring is mild with infrequent rain. From mid-June to mid-July is the rainy season. Typhoons can occur from May through November, but they are most common in August and September.
The most convenient way to fly to Japan is on an open-jaw itinerary: flying into one city and out of another. The geography is ideal for this: the country is very elongated, closing a circular route is difficult, and you will want to include Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in your minimum itinerary anyway. You save on at least one shinkansen fare (and they are expensive in Japan) or on a domestic flight. Searching through dates manually takes a long time, so we did it for you: we checked hundreds of open-jaw itineraries and put together an up-to-date table of open-jaw routes.
