Osaka Day Trip from Kyoto: The Best Guide

Planning a day trip to Osaka from Kyoto? You’re in luck!

In this guide, I’ll share the perfect route to get you smoothly from Kyoto to Osaka’s best sights. You’ll spend less time traveling and more time enjoying all the attractions.

Osaka is just a quick train ride away, ideal for an unforgettable day out. Let’s jump right in! 😊

10:00 AM: Umeda Sky Building (Kuchu Teien Observatory)

a. About Umeda Sky Building

What It Is: Umeda Sky Building is a 173-meter skyscraper in Osaka. It has two towers, each 40 floors tall, connected at the top by the Kuchu Teien Observatory (“Floating Garden”), which offers stunning city views.
History: Designed by Hiroshi Hara in 1993 as part of a city renewal project. Originally planned as four towers, only two were completed. In 2008, it was named one of the world’s top 20 buildings.
Why Visit: You can enjoy amazing city views from the rooftop Sky Walk, especially at sunset. Ride the famous glass escalators between the towers and leave your own padlock at the rooftop’s Heart Lock area.
Atmosphere: In the morning, it’s calm and refreshing, with clear city views and impressive modern architecture.

b. Kuchu Teien Observatory Highlights

Arrival Floor (35F): High-speed elevators quickly take you to the 35th floor, where you’ll switch to the famous glass escalators.
Glass Escalators (35F–39F): These glass-covered escalators connecting the two towers offer exciting city views as you move upward.

Indoor Observatory (39F): The main indoor viewing area has large windows for panoramic city views. It also has a gift shop, an information center, and access to cafés and restaurants.
Sky 40 Café (40F): A relaxing café serving drinks, snacks, and international beers. You can sit comfortably near large windows to enjoy impressive city views.

Open-air Rooftop (Sky Walk): This rooftop viewing platform (the “Floating Garden”) gives you breathtaking 360-degree views from 173 meters above the city. It’s great for photos and fresh air.

Extra Tip:
Takimi Koji (B1F): Check out this underground area styled as a retro street. Enjoy traditional restaurants serving tasty local Osaka dishes.

c. How to Get from Kyoto to Umeda Sky Building

i. From Kyoto Station

Train to Osaka Station: Take the JR Kyoto Line’s Special Rapid Service (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) heading to Osaka Station. Be sure to choose “Special Rapid Service” for the quickest ride.
Travel Time and Cost: The trip takes about 28 minutes and costs ¥580.
Walk to Umeda Sky Building: Leave Osaka Station through the West Exit, then walk around 12 minutes to the Umeda Sky Building.
Entering the Building: Enter the Umeda Sky Building through Fun Fun Plaza.
Reaching the Observatory: Take the escalator up to the 3rd floor to reach the observatory entrance.
Elevator to 35th Floor: From the 3rd floor, take the elevator directly to the 35th floor.
Glass Escalator to 39th Floor: Ride the glass escalator from the 35th to the 39th floor. This escalator is a popular spot for photos, with great views through its glass walls.
Observatory Experience: On the 39th floor, you’ll find the indoor observatory area. To see stunning 360-degree views of Osaka in open air, continue up to the rooftop observatory.

ii. From Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

Train to Osaka-Umeda Station: Take the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line Limited Express from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station toward Osaka-Umeda Station.
Travel Time and Cost: The journey takes about 42 minutes and costs ¥410.
Walk to Umeda Sky Building: Leave Osaka-Umeda Station through the Chayamachiguchi Exit, then walk around 13 minutes to the Umeda Sky Building.
The following steps are the same as above.

11:30 AM: Having Lunch Near Osaka Station

a. Hakodate Gourmet Kaitenzushi Kantaro Grand Front Osaka

What They Sell: Conveyor-belt sushi with fresh seafood directly from Hokkaido.
Must-Try Dishes: Fatty tuna (otoro), scallops (hotate), salmon roe sushi (ikura), and lightly grilled fluke fin (engawa).
Budget: About ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 per person.

b. Menya Takei Hankyu Umeda

What They Sell: Tasty ramen and dipping noodles (tsukemen) with rich pork and seafood broth.
Must-Try Dishes: Try the special tsukemen with thick noodles, flavorful dipping broth, and toppings like pork, chicken, and egg. Don’t miss the spicy pork rice bowl as a side dish.
Budget: Regular ramen or tsukemen is around ¥980 to ¥1,110. Special dishes start from about ¥1,240. You’ll spend roughly ¥1,000 to ¥1,600 per person.

c. Ichiran Umeda

What They Sell: Famous for ramen with rich pork-bone broth (tonkotsu ramen).
Must-Try Dishes: The classic Ichiran tonkotsu ramen with thin noodles, special spicy red sauce, and pork slices. If you’re still hungry, order extra noodles (“kaedama”).
Budget: Basic ramen is ¥1,080. Extra toppings cost ¥130 to ¥260 each, and additional noodles cost ¥210. Expect to spend about ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 per person.

How to Get to the Restaurants Above from Umeda Sky Building

It’s about a 10-12 minute walk from Umeda Sky Building to Hakodate Gourmet Kaitenzushi Kantaro Grand Front Osaka, Menya Takei Hankyu Umeda, and Ichiran Umeda.

1:00 PM: Osaka Castle

a. About Osaka Castle

What It Is: Osaka Castle is one of the city’s top attractions, famous for its beautiful design, rich history, and great views.
History: It was first built in 1586 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to show his power. The castle has seen many battles, including the Siege of Osaka, and was rebuilt multiple times. The current main tower dates back to 1931.
Why Visit: Explore Japan’s history through interesting exhibits inside. The park around the castle is also perfect for relaxing or picnics, especially when cherry blossoms bloom.
Atmosphere: Enjoy the calm gardens, moats, and green surroundings. It’s a nice, peaceful break from the busy city.

b. Inside the Castle

1st Floor (Introduction Film): Watch a short video explaining the castle’s history.
2nd Floor (Castle Construction): Discover how the castle was built and view models of the decorative golden roof pieces.
3rd Floor (Golden Tea Room): See a copy of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s famous golden tea room.
4th Floor (Samurai Exhibits): Explore displays of samurai armor, weapons, and learn about their fighting methods.
5th Floor (Battle Paintings): Look at paintings showing scenes from the historic Summer War of Osaka.
6th Floor (Closed Corridor): This area is closed to visitors.
7th Floor (Miniature Displays): View small models depicting key events from Toyotomi’s life.
8th Floor (Observation Deck): Take in stunning panoramic views of Osaka from the top floor.

c. Relax and Enjoy Osaka Castle Park

Seasonal Scenery: The park is large and scenic, especially beautiful during cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn (November).
Nishinomaru Garden: Relax in this quiet garden, famous for cherry blossoms in spring. Entry costs ¥200, but the views of the castle framed by blossoms make it worthwhile.
Moats and Stone Walls: Walk along the castle’s impressive stone walls and moats. They’re massive and built with great skill.

d. How to Get to Osaka Castle from Osaka Station

Take the JR Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station to Ōsakajōkōen Station for about 30 minutes and ¥180. Then, walk around 18 minutes to Osaka Castle.

Read More: A Complete Guide to Osaka Castle

3:30 PM: Shinsekai

a. About Shinsekai

What It Is: Shinsekai (“New World”) is a colorful neighborhood in Osaka famous for the Tsutenkaku Tower, lively streets, and tasty local food.
History: Shinsekai was created in 1912, inspired by New York and Paris. It lost popularity after World War II but has since become lively again.
Why Visit: Here, you can experience both old and modern Osaka. Enjoy tasty local dishes like deep-fried skewers (kushikatsu), visit old-style arcades, and admire city views from Tsutenkaku Tower.
Atmosphere: You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, exploring streets filled with bright neon lights, vintage signs, and busy restaurants showing Osaka’s local charm.

b. Top Things to See and Do

Take Fun Photos: Capture fun and quirky photos with Shinsekai’s iconic spots like giant signs, bright lanterns, and the Billiken statue. Great for selfies and group photos.
Enjoy Local Food: Taste delicious Osaka specialties like deep-fried skewers (kushikatsu), octopus balls (takoyaki), and beef tendon stew (doteyaki).
Visit Tsutenkaku Tower: Go up this famous 103-meter tower for great city views. Don’t forget to rub the feet of the Billiken statue for good luck.
Shop at Shinsekai Market: Browse this covered market area for affordable souvenirs, traditional sweets, and unique local products.

c. How to Get to Shinsekai from Osaka Castle

Take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line from Morinomiya Station to Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station. Then, transfer to the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and ride to Ebisucho Station.

The entire journey takes about 36 minutes and costs ¥240. Exit from Exit 3 and walk about 5 minutes to Shinsekai.

4:30 PM: Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

a. About Shinsaibashi

What It Is: Shinsaibashi is a covered shopping street in Osaka, packed with fashion stores, cosmetics shops, restaurants, and cafes.
History: It began about 400 years ago near Shinsaibashi Bridge and is now Osaka’s busiest and most popular shopping area.
Why Visit: Explore over 180 shops, see the latest fashion, buy Japanese cosmetics, and taste delicious snacks—all in one place.
Atmosphere: Bright, busy, and lively with shoppers. The covered street lets you shop comfortably, no matter the weather.

b. Fashion and Cosmetics

UNIQLO: Casual, good-quality clothing at affordable prices.
GU: Trendy Japanese fashion at low prices, perfect for budget-friendly shopping.
H&M and ZARA: Popular international brands with stylish clothes at reasonable prices.
Daimaru Shinsaibashi: A well-known department store selling luxury brands with excellent service and tax-free shopping.
Midosuji Street: Just beside Shinsaibashi, this street has high-end shops like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Cartier.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Daikoku Drug: Famous Japanese drugstores selling affordable beauty products, skincare, makeup and health goods. They often offer discounts and tax-free shopping.

c. How to Get to Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street from Shinsekai

Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Dobutsuen-mae Station to Shinsaibashi Station. The journey takes about 21 minutes and costs ¥240. Use Exit 5 or 6 for direct access to the shopping street.

6:30 PM: Dotonbori

a. About Dotonbori

What It Is: Dotonbori is a lively area along a canal in Osaka, famous for delicious food, bright neon signs, and nightlife.
History: Started over 400 years ago as a popular area for theaters and entertainment. Today, it’s Osaka’s top spot for food and nightlife.
Why Visit: You can try popular Osaka foods, enjoy the exciting atmosphere, and see famous sights like the Glico Running Man billboard.
Atmosphere: Always lively and fun, especially at night. It’s crowded with visitors enjoying bright lights and street food, creating a festive feeling.

b. Must-Try Foods

Okonomiyaki (Mizuno): Delicious savory pancakes with toppings like pork or seafood, freshly cooked on a hot grill.
Takoyaki (Takoyaki Wanaka): Tasty round snacks filled with octopus, topped with sauce and bonito flakes. Best enjoyed hot from street stalls.
Kushikatsu (Kushikatsu Daruma): Crispy deep-fried meat or vegetable skewers. Kushikatsu Daruma is a popular place to try them. Remember, dip each skewer only once into the sauce.
Ramen (Kinryu Ramen | Dotombori Kamukura Sennichimae): Visit Kinryu Ramen (open 24 hours) for flavorful pork broth or Dotombori Kamukura Sennichimae for tasty ramen with clear broth.
Seafood and Crab (Kani Doraku): A famous restaurant known for crab dishes and its huge moving crab sign. It’s a bit pricey, but street stalls nearby offer tasty crab snacks at lower prices.

c. Top Sightseeing Spots

Glico Running Man Sign: Famous neon sign above Ebisubashi Bridge, perfect for selfies.
Giant Signboards: Check out large, eye-catching signs like the moving crab at Kani Doraku or the dragon at Kinryu Ramen. They’re great for photos.
Ebisubashi Bridge & Dotonbori Canal: A busy bridge with amazing views of neon-lit signs and the canal. Great for pictures during the day or night.
Don Quijote Ferris Wheel (Ebisu Tower): A unique oval-shaped Ferris wheel attached to Don Quijote store. It offers great views of Dotonbori in about 15 minutes.
River Cruises: Short boat rides along the canal, especially beautiful at night. The ride lasts around 20 minutes and offers plenty of photo opportunities.

d. How to Get to Dotonbori from Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

It’s a 2-minute walk from Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street to Dotonbori Street.

7:30 PM: Having Dinner in Dotonbori

a. Dotonbori Kamukura Sennichimae

What They Sell: A ramen restaurant popular for its tasty soy sauce-based ramen. The broth is flavorful but not too heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
- Oishii Ramen (Delicious Ramen): Their signature ramen served with pork and Chinese cabbage.
- Gyoza (Dumplings): Crispy fried dumplings, great as a side dish.
Budget:
- Ramen dishes cost around ¥820 to ¥1,270.
- Side dishes like gyoza cost about ¥280.

b. Daiki-suisan Kaitenzushi

What They Sell: Conveyor-belt sushi restaurant serving fresh sushi at reasonable prices.
Must-Try Dishes: Fresh salmon, scallops, sea urchin (uni), and sweet shrimp.
Budget: Plates range from ¥100 to ¥700 each. You’ll spend about ¥1,500 to ¥3,000 per person, depending on your choices.

8:30 PM: Return to Kyoto

a. Returning to Kyoto Station

From Namba Station, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Umeda Station.
Walk about 5 minutes from Umeda Station to Osaka Station.
At Osaka Station, board the JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid Service (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) directly to Kyoto Station.
The total journey takes about 50 minutes and costs ¥820.

b. Returning to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

From Namba Station, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Umeda Station.
From Umeda Station, walk to Osaka-Umeda Station and transfer to the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line Limited Express train bound for Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station.
The entire journey takes about 55 minutes and costs ¥650.