Eka
Hi all! My family and I will be spending 2 days in Osaka however half of the first day is booked as travel time while the full second day is intended for USJ leaving us just the latter half of our first day to tour around Osaka. The tour might start at about 4pm.
The places we so wanted to see are Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi-Taisha Shrine, Shi-Tennoji Temple, Umeda Sky Building and Dotombori.
I know covering all these is impossible but as first timers in Japan I would like to ask for your suggestions on which places are a must to visit? If there is 5 of us, will taxi be more efficient than trains/bus (but not too costly)? If our start and end point is at Higashiyodogawa-ku, how would you recommend our routes be? Any further suggestions are welcome!
Thank you very much! Arigatou gozaimasu! :)
You may want to check this article as well, there are many of these things you can find in Dotonboriand other places! You can't miss some of these!
https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/blog/10-must-try-foods-in-osaka
Rodrigo Coelho
Japan
Hi Eka!
I really love USJ, nice choice!
I have visited Osaka more than a few times and I think I can help you with this one.
First, about the means of transportation.
In the taxi, you'll only be able to fit 3, or 4 people at max depending on the taxi. Taxis are pretty expensive too, so maybe it'll be a bit costly, especially because each tourist spot can be a little bit far from each other.
Trains/subway will be the best options for sure. Especially during rush hour, when you could get stuck in traffic if you take a cab.
Buses you have to wait, so maybe not a very good option for you either.
I think your list is very good, Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi-Taisha Shrine, Shi-Tennoji Temple, Umeda Sky Building and Dotombori.
The highest rated places in Osaka are
-Dotonbori. ( https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/dotonbori )
-the Osaka Aquarium Kayukan (I really recommend) https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/osaka-aquarium-kaiyukan
-Osaka Castle ( https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/osaka-castle )
and the Floating garden in Umeda Sky Building ( https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/the-floating-garden-umeda-sky-building )
Another places I would recommend going is Shinsekai. ( https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/shinsekai ) and the Osaka Tenman-gu Shrine ( https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/osaka-tenman-gu-shrine )
If you go to the pages above, you can see what spots are around each place so you can decide your next destination on the go (you can see that on the Planetyze iPhone or android app as well)
Osaka Castle is near your area, just onn the other side of the river. So I think a good itinerary for you would be starting in:
-Osaka Castle (try to go earlier than 4 if you can), don't go in, just take some pictures outside.
-Then run to Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine (if you don't have time to go in both places, skip Osaka Castle and go to the shrine, because it closes at 5 as well as the castle)
-> Shinsekai -> Tsutenkaku ( https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/tsutenkaku it is inside Shinsekai) wait until sun starts going down because -> Umeda Sky building (is more beautiful at night) -> Dotonbori -> Hozen-ji Yokocho https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/hozen-ji-yokocho
Check this itinerary:
https://planetyze.com/en/japan/osaka/itinerary/osaka-night-1
I hope you have a great time! =D
