3 Nights Osaka Itinerary

Here's our draft itinerary for visiting Osaka in late January 2026. We haven't been to Osaka before - but know it to be Japan's culinary hotspot, offering a unique mix of tradition and modern living. We have heard of its reputation for incredible street food and are keen to try it. We only have 2 full days and 3 nights - and want to pack in as much as possible without packing in too much that we don't take time to use all our senses to soak up the experience to the full. .

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

Arrival in Osaka

Welcome to Osaka! After a short flight from Sapporo, we'll be landing at Itami (Osaka) Airport, at 19:45, collecting the bags, we'll be heading for the hotel. We intend to take the monorail over to Yamada Station (15mins), and then catch the first train to Sakaisuji Hommachi Station (30mins to 35mins). The station is very close to the Miyako City Osaka Hommachi hotel that we'll be staying at for the 3 nights.

Day 2: Cultural Immersion and Local Cuisine

Walking tour

I've come across a self guided walking tour on Viator - which appears to be an app, allowing us to explore the city at our own pace, which I think we prefer. As it's about $1 - it's a no brainer. We'll spend the day following the app which promises to take us to or by the following places; Osaka Castle, Dontonbori Tsuriboro, America Mura, Hozenji Yokocho, Kuromon Market, Shinsaibashisuji Kita Shotengai, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Nipponbashi Denden Town, Tsutenkaku, Shitennoji, Orange Street, Harukas 300 Observation Deck, Shinsekai, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine , teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka. It sounds like we will certainly get our steps in and a good understanding of what we might want to go back and see a little more of.

Lunch & Dinner

I want to try the takoyaki - octopus balls that are crispy on the outside and soft within, drizzled with savory sauce and finished with bonito flakes. No doubt we will also have some sushi.

Evening Stroll and Dinner

If we are not done by late afternoon we'll stay out and work dinner into the last leg of the tour, alternatively we will probably pick somewhere close to the hotel to have dinner - trying hard to avoid non-japanese restaurants. It looks like we are within walking distance of Dotonbori Canal - which I understand is pretty special at night. There I would like to try the okonomiyaki — a savory pancake packed with ingredients like cabbage, meat, and seafood. I don't see us getting the cruise on the canal - but who knows.

Day 3: Option 1 - Cultural Immersion and Local Cuisine - Part 2

Morning at Osaka Castle

We'll begin our day at Osaka Castle, a historical gem surrounded by stunning gardens, arriving early to avoid crowds - though maybe in January we might be on our own.

Lunch in the Castle Area

After the castle exploration, we'll head to Daruma for some kushikatsu, deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables served with a special dipping sauce. No double-dipping for us!

Afternoon at Shitennoji Temple

Post-lunch, we'll visit Shitennoji Temple, one of Japan's oldest temples. If the weather is behaving itself we may hire some bikes and explore a little further out. We'll leave that decision for the day as so much depends on weather.

Dinner at Kuromon Ichiba Market

As night falls, we'll either elect to find our own way around eating at Kuromon Ichiba Market, or decide that a guided food tour might be a better idea.

Day 3: Option 2 - Day Trip to Nara

Morning Train to Nara

On our third day, we plan a quick 45min train ride to Nara, known for its historical sites and friendly deer - we are not sure if this is overdone now or not. Once you arrive, head to Nara Park, where you can encounter over 1,000 free-roaming deer that are considered sacred. We won't get involved in feeding them.

Visit Todai-ji Temple

Next, a visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha statue. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an architectural wonder, with its Great Buddha Hall being the world's largest wooden building.

Lunch in Nara

For lunch, we've been told to try the soba noodles, as Nara is celebrated for its high-quality soba made from buckwheat flour. A warm bowl of soba paired with crispy tempura sounds perfect.

Afternoon Stroll and Return to Osaka

Post-lunch, take a leisurely wander through Nara's historic streets, discovering charming shops and cafes. In the late afternoon, return to Osaka and relax at the hotel before a final dinner.

Dinner at a Local Izakaya

For the last dinner in Osaka, we will try to visit a cozy izakaya (Japanese pub). Sample a variety of dishes that are already familiar and popular with ourselves - edamame, yakitori , and sashimi. We missed out on this last time we were in Japan - so looking forward to enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of local life. Just need to do a little more research to find the right pub.

Day 4: Last-Minute Shopping and Departure

Morning Shopping at Shinsaibashi

We are bringing huge bags with us - so plenty of time to get some shopping in. We'll take some time on the final morning to do some shopping at Shinsaibashi, Osaka's iconic shopping district - which again is walking distance to the hotel.

Lunch at a Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurant

For lunch, we'll experience the fun of kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) at Sushiro. We did this a lot last time we were in Japan and enjoyed it a lot. This interactive experience is much different from similar establishments at home.

Departure from Osaka

After an early lunch, we'll grab our bags from the hotel around 13:00, and make our way back to the airport in reverse - back up to Yamada Station, and then take the monorail to the airport ready for another internal flight - to Okinawa @ 17:05. Travelling back to the airport is an experience all of its own, and I don't want to be rushed.

That's it

As I said I'd rather have too many options and leave some out if it gets too busy to enjoy. We'll decide on the approach for Day 3 on the day. We'll book experiences as we go - buying local when we can, which will leave our itinerary nice and flexible.

Let me know what you think.

Happy travels!