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My short but sweet two days in Osaka were packed with foodie experiences and mouthwatering bites that proved why it’s called Japan’s Kitchen. This city really does feel like the rebellious middle child of Japan compared to the first born that is Kyoto sticking true with traditions and the youngest child being Tokyo. Osaka offers visitors vibrant streets and chaos. From my visit, I’m crafting the 8 Osaka Steps to Japan’s Kitchen, starting with booking my flight and staying at the awesome Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda. Learn how easy it will be to move around the city using the subway and don’t miss the MUST-do Shinsekai food tour. Trust me, Osaka should be on your itinerary and I recommend either a day trip from Kyoto as it’s only a 30 min train journey or an overnight stay to see its highlights.
Check out my Latina’s Guide to the 5 Best Cities in Japan for a complete look at my trip!
8 Osaka Steps to Japan’s Kitchen Table Of Contents
Book Your Osaka Visit
 Flight |  Stay |  Do |  Drive |
| Skyscanner | Booking | Viator | QEEQ |
Step one of your 8 Osaka Steps to Japan’s Kitchen is booking your flight to Japan, and this dashboard can help you find the cheapest deals.
Make sure to secure your JR Pass before leaving home as you can’t buy it in Japan, and it’s your ticket to seamless travel across the country!
Stay At Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda
Stay at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda for an unbeatable blend of convenience and comfort, like I did! This location is just steps from a major train station and shopping district. It’s modern facilities, including a fantastic 24-hour gym which I fully took advantage of. Personally, I think it offered a great value without breaking the bank.
Book your Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda stay or look for other accommodation options that fit your needs at Booking.com.
Navigating Osaka’s Transportation
Based on our experience, navigating Osaka was a breeze when we weren’t busy walking off all our meals. We found the Subway and Uber to be convenient options. The Osaka Subway accepts Suica cards for easy payment, and Uber is readily available throughout the city.
Transportation Tips: Do NOT stand on the wrong side of the escalators! In Osaka, they stand on the right. Also, you can only eat/drink on bullet trains as it’s seen as disrespectful to do this on local trains.
Umissable Osaka Food Tour
If you’re heading to Osaka, you absolutely can’t miss the Osaka City, Backstreets of Shinsekai Half Day Food Tour offered via Klook. As “Japan’s Kitchen”, Osaka promises an unforgettable feast of Japanese’s best eats, and this tour certainly delivers on this.
Our guide, Anna, was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also a local celebrity who made our journey through Shinsekai both informative and entertaining. With a fantastic mix of food, drinks, insightful anecdotes and an exchange of travel stories from our group, we left feeling delightfully full and with new friends.
This tour was definitely the highlight of our Osaka adventure so I can’t insist enough that you make sure it’s at the top of your itinerary!
Check Osaka City, Backstreets of Shinsekai Half Day Food Tour availability.
Experience Michelin-Rated Omakase In Osaka
If you’re in Osaka, experiencing an authentic Omakase meal at the Michelin-rated Sushidokoro Kurosugi 寿し処 黒杉 is a must. Omakase, meaning “I’ll leave it up to you,” is a dining style where the chef curates a special menu, and doing it in Japan’s kitchen felt like the perfect fit for our itinerary. With just 10 seats, the intimate setting made the experience even more memorable. I particularly enjoyed trying fish I wouldn’t have ordered otherwise like sea urchin and puffer fish. Tasting them as Nigiri bites was a fantastic way to sample a variety without committing to a full dish in other restaurants.
Although English is not used due to the restaurant’s rules, the staff communicates wonderfully with a guidebook the types of fish you are trying, and the chef’s occasional English phrases added a thoughtful touch in making us feel like we were welcomed. The meal was fresh, plentiful, and truly unforgettable.
Activity Tip: Make reservations to Sushidokoro Kurosugi in advance and do note that you have to pay in full when you book.
Essential Stops During Your Osaka Visit
| Shinsekai Market | For an authentic taste of Osaka, don’t miss this spot—This is where the local food tour brings you. It’s a local favorite hangout and the ultimate way to experience Osaka like locals do. |
| Tsūtenkaku | Take in breathtaking views from the observation deck and thrill your senses with their roller coaster ride. Skip the line and grab your tower ticket in advance. |
| Hep Five Ferris Wheel | Another exhilarating ride that tilts on its side, and offers a twist to the classic Ferris wheel experience. Save money on your Hep Five admission ticket. |
| Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street | This is Osaka’s bustling shopping district and where you can try treats like the irresistible 10 yen bread, savory Okonomiyaki pancakes, and decadent Creamia ice cream while indulging in a bit of shopping therapy. Check out some Free Osaka Shopping Coupons offered by Klook. |
Delicious Snacks To Try In Osaka
You are visiting Japan’s kitchen after all – add these snacks while sightseeing for a complete visit!
Japanese Etiquette Rule: FYI, no eating or drinking while walking.
| 10 Yen Bread | 10 Yen Bread is a popular and incredibly affordable Japanese snack known for its fluffy texture, mild sweetness, and cheese. In Osaka you may grab this at “10 Yen Bread Osaka“. |
| Cremia Ice Cream | It is a rich, creamy vanilla-flavored texture ice cream that has become quite popular thanks to social media and given my sweet tooth, I give my stamp of approval to this treat. |
| Okonomiyaki Pancake | The most popular and Michelin rated, Okonomiyaki Mizuno, is worth the wait. |
| Crochet Dessert | In Japan, creative and aesthetically beautiful desserts feel like a standard, and the crochet pillow desserts available at Masahiko Ozumi Paris are a stunning example of this. |
Top Japan Travel Hacks For Osaka
The final step in my 8 Osaka Steps to Japan’s Kitchen guide shares the essential hacks that will enhance your journey, not only in Osaka but also across other Japanese cities based on my travels.
| Before Arriving To Japan: | To ensure you have a smooth transition through immigration when arriving to Japan, register your details in the Visit Japan Website. You will receive a QR code which you can the share with the immigration and customs officers upon arrival. |
| Cash: | Bring some yen with you before arriving—it’s invaluable, especially if you’re arriving in the evening. ATMs usually require a minimum withdrawal of 10,000 yen. |
| eSIM: | A must-have for staying connected on the go. I grabbed my Japan eSIM via Klook which provided very reliable service throughout my time in Japan. |
| Suica Card: | Add this to your mobile wallet upon arrival. A one-time 1,000 yen load gets you started, and you can then top up with any amount you need. |
| Subway/Train Station Navigation: | Allow yourself about 20 minutes to find your platform. Stations are huge with multiple exits, and it can take a while to locate the right line and platform. |
| Lockers: | These are available in multiple locations including train/subway stations. Subway stations will have more available lockers opposed to train stations as locals will use these less. For tourists like us, it’s a convenient way to store your belongings while you explore. Outside of stations, lockers may be found using Radical Locker Storage. |
| Tax Refund: | Take advantage of Japan’s duty-free shopping by claiming your 10% refund at the time of purchase (for purchases over 5,500 yen). Just don’t forget your passport! |
Useful Google Maps For Osaka
You can certainly benefit from saving this Osaka Tourist Google map for your visit in Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and beyond. (It includes locations of sights, restaurants, bars, etc. from many places across Japan.) The perfect and free tool for your Japan visit.
More Japan Travel Tips
- Osaka was just one of the many unforgettable stops during my two-week Japan and South Korea trip. Download my full itinerary to plan your visit – Sushi & Sake Japan & South Korea Itinerary
- Memorize these useful Japanese phrases:
| Sumimasen | Excuse Me / Sorry (If you’re going to learn anything, let it be this one phrase! Use this for getting people’s attention when ordering food, moving past people and don’t be afraid to say it loudly, especially in a noisy restaurant!) |
| Arigatou Gozaimasu | The polite way to say thank you |
| Ohio Gozaimasu | Good Morning |
| Konnichiwa | Good Afternoon |
| Konbanwa | Good Evening |
| Kanpai | Cheers |
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