Osaka is one of the most fun and modern cities in Japan, and it was an ideal base for our family trip to Japan. In fact, because we had such a short trip, we didn’t really have an itinerary planned out. Instead, we spent most of our time in Osaka. And boy, are we glad we did. Osaka is just so full of interesting things to do. A good mix of shopping, sightseeing, and fun things to do with kids. With that in mind,
Let me tell you about this Osaka 2 day itinerary for families. Even if you’re on a short trip to Japan, or just passing through, you’ll love this introduction to Japanese culture, food, and modern life.
Day 1: Nara Park to Osaka Check-in
We took the train to Osaka from Kyoto (departed pretty early in the morning, around 8 AM), which was very fast and comfortable. The ride was smooth, and before we knew it we arrived in Osaka. But when we got there, we found out that we couldn’t check-in early to our hotel. And since we didn’t want to lose more time, we checked our bags and went downstairs to eat. After a quick bite and a 3 PM check-in to our hotel, we decided to visit Nara Park.
It’s only a short train ride from Osaka to Nara, and Nara is so good for a day trip to get out of the city. Especially for families, it’s such a nice and open area to explore nature. In fact, we had even planned to see Mount Wakakusa for sunset.
However, after some last-minute research, we realized that it wasn’t the best time to go. Since we were traveling with kids and older parents, we needed to time it right from Osaka. The ride to Nara, then transferring to a bus or taxi, was a little too far. The last entrance to the mountain is 5 PM, while sunset is at around 7 PM in June.
Not only did we need a lot of time to get there, it’s also very limited shade at the top. Mount Wakakusa is a great Osaka activity to do, but it just wasn’t worth it this time for us.
Nara Park
Given these factors, we opted instead to take the short train ride to Nara Park. It’s so much more convenient, with more flexible time, and no entrance fee. You also don’t need to pay to enter Mount Wakakusa, but the view from the top is incredible there. Compared to Nara Park, there aren’t many spots to roam free and interact with deer on the mountain.
We all had a wonderful time at Nara Park, especially with the deer! The kid loved feeding them, and we all got to enjoy a leisurely walk around. There’s really not much to do there, but relax and take it easy. It was just what we needed after a busy morning, and Nara Park is such a peaceful place.
Starbucks Coffee @ Nara Park Bus Terminal
After playing around in Nara Park with the deer, and walking around, we were ready for a coffee break. We stopped by a Starbucks inside Nara Park Bus Terminal, on the way back to Osaka.
Starbucks in Nara is awesome, it’s a nice way to take a load off after a morning full of sightseeing. We got a seat with our drinks and snacks, and the sun was setting over the streets of Nara. The shop had big windows overlooking the roads, and we took in the view while relaxing with coffee and snacks. It was great to have some time to sit as a family after a busy morning.
Day 2: Osaka Brunch and Umeda Exploration
We wanted to make this second day in Osaka a more relaxing one, so we took it easy and explored the city at our own pace. We also started off our morning the right way, with a brunch at Eggs ‘n Things. A Hawaiian-inspired breakfast place, famous for big fluffy pancakes and large portions. Yuyi success!
Everyone had a great time eating pancakes and eggs, along with coffee. We were so stuffed, but also ready to explore Osaka all day long..
HEP Five Ferris Wheel
After brunch, we decided to take a quick walk to one of Osaka’s main attractions. The HEP Five Ferris Wheel. A ginormous red Ferris wheel on top of a shopping mall, it offers panoramic views of the city.
The ride itself is 15 minutes, but the views were worth it. It went up so high, and you could see the entire city. The ride was very calm and relaxing, and a great way to top-off Osaka.
We loved the HEP Five Ferris Wheel, and if you’re with kids, it’s a must-do in Osaka. The ferris wheel alone costs 600 yen, so totally worth checking out. The top area has some shopping and cafes as well, where you can grab a bite before or after your ride.
Exploring Umeda Area
After the Ferris wheel, we spent the afternoon strolling around the Umeda area in Osaka. Umeda is one of the busiest in Osaka, and if you’re a shopping fanatic, you’ll be in heaven. The streets are filled with malls and department stores, and you can easily spend an entire day walking around.
Here are some of my favorite places we shopped and saw at Umeda:
Yodobashi Camera
Yodobashi Camera is a giant electronic store in Umeda. They have all sorts of things from the latest gadgets, kitchen appliances, electronics, and toys. We all loved the 5th floor. They have an area where kids can play with toys and gacha capsule machines!
Grand Front Osaka
Grand Front Osaka is a modern shopping building with lots of shops and restaurants. If you’re not a fan of shopping but want to look around, this is the place for you. We saw all kinds of people walking around, and it’s a great area to window shop.
Daimaru Umeda
Daimaru Umeda is another great shopping center in Osaka. They have all of the designer and luxury goods, like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. This was great for shopping souvenirs and gifts, so be sure to check them out.
Casual Afternoon Walk
After all of the shopping, we took a casual stroll through the streets of Umeda. Osaka has so many little side streets and roads, and they are so worth exploring. You can find cute cafes and small shops, and lots of quirky locals. Osaka is such a fun city, and there’s always something new to discover.
Where We Stayed: Osaka Hankyu Respire
We had a great time staying at Osaka Hankyu Respire, and I want to include it in this Osaka 2 day itinerary. The hotel was great for our short stay in Osaka, and had a great location in Umeda. The room was small (which is normal in Japan) but very clean and modern. It also had all the amenities that we needed for a comfortable stay.
The check-in was super easy, as it was a self check-in. Hankyu Respire was great and I recommend for anyone traveling with family. It’s such a convenient location, and being in Umeda made our trip even better.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed our 2-day Osaka itinerary with my family, and I recommend it to other travelers. Even though we had a short time, we managed to pack in a lot of Osaka activities. From feeding deer in Nara to riding the HEP Five Ferris Wheel, we had so much fun.
Osaka is such a great city and has so much to offer. You can find shopping, food, entertainment, and any activity you can think of. Traveling with the family was easy, as Osaka is very convenient and has so much to do. I think this itinerary works well for anyone, whether with family or as a couple.
I hope this can help plan a short Osaka trip. This is an itinerary that I followed, and had a ton of fun with a quick and fast trip to Osaka. Even on a tight schedule, there’s so much to see and do in this city. Osaka is amazing, and I hope you can visit one day. Safe travels!
FAQs for Osaka
Is Nara Park kid-friendly?
Yes! Nara Park is extremely kid-friendly, and most children love it. There are tons of deer running around for kids to interact with. The space is open and huge, so children can run around and play. We spent at least a few hours there, wandering around and feeding the deer. It’s such a great place to visit, and the atmosphere is very relaxing and peaceful.
How do I get to Nara from Osaka?
The easiest way is to take the Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka Namba Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. It takes about 40 minutes to get there. Alternatively, you can take the JR Yamatoji Line from Osaka Station to JR Nara Station, which takes about 50 minutes.
Both stations are also within walking distance to Nara Park, so it’s very easy to get there and leave the train station.
Is the HEP Five Ferris Wheel worth visiting?
Yes! The HEP Five Ferris Wheel is worth visiting, and was a huge success for my family. It’s also a very romantic spot if traveling with your significant other, as you can enjoy views of Osaka from the top. The ferris wheel itself is 15 minutes long, and takes you up to the top of Osaka.
The view from the top is amazing, and the ride is super smooth and relaxing. At only 600 yen per person, the HEP Five Ferris Wheel is an easy thing to do in Osaka. I think you’ll love it, and it’s one you must try while in Osaka.
What’s the best place to stay in Osaka if I only have a short time?
I would recommend staying in or around Umeda or Namba if you only have a short time in Osaka. Both of these are very convenient and in the center of Osaka. There’s tons of shopping, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. It’s also very easy to get around with public transit as well.
Umeda is a great family-friendly area in Osaka. It’s near Osaka Castle, the HEP Five Ferris Wheel, and many other attractions. On the other hand, Namba is closer to Dotonbori, and good for nightlife and street food.
Is Osaka easy to travel with kids?
Yes! Osaka is a very convenient city and easy to travel with kids. Public transit is very easy to use, even with children. Osaka has plenty of family-friendly attractions as well, from shopping malls with kids’ play areas to parks. Some of my favorite are Nara Park and Umeda, both easily accessible by train.
Where can I use a JR Pass in Osaka?
If you have a JR Pass, you can use it on JR trains within Osaka. This includes the Osaka Loop Line and the Osaka to Nara train. You can’t use it on private rail lines or the subway.
I wouldn’t recommend using a JR Pass for Osaka alone, especially if you’re there for only a short period of time. But if you’re traveling between Osaka and other parts of Japan, the JR Pass is a great value.
Where is the best place to shop in Osaka?
Umeda and Shinsaibashi are two of my favorite shopping areas in Osaka. If you want to shop at large department stores, Umeda is a great place to go. You have options like Daimaru, a large upscale department store. Or Yodobashi Camera, which is an electronic and toy store.
If you prefer to walk around or window shop, Shinsaibashi is a great option. Walk up and down Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, which has both high-end and budget-friendly stores. For more local and unique shopping, visit Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. It’s Japan’s longest shopping arcade, and has tons of great places to buy souvenirs and gifts.
What’s the best time to visit Osaka?
The best time to visit Osaka is during spring (March-May) or fall (September-November). During these seasons, the weather is mild and you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn. Summer can be very hot and humid, while winter is cold but can be nice for shopping and sightseeing.
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