Osaka
Pic: Chris Kirkland

Osaka

Cities and Towns in Osaka

Highlights

Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Amerika-mura, Shitennoji Temple, USJ.

Osaka is Japan’s second-largest city and the biggest in the Kansai region. While Tokyo was still a sleepy fishing village, Osaka was the commercial and mercantile centre of Japan. As such, it has a long and rich cultural tradition. The people are famously less reserved than their Tokyo counterparts and the cuisine is both unique and good value – unlike its stuffy neighbor Kyoto.

Getting to Osaka

As a transport hub, Osaka is second only to Tokyo.

Shinkansen

The Shinkansen (high-speed rail, also known as the bullet train) provides quick access from the west and the northeast to Shin-Osaka Station. Tokyo is two and a half hours away on the fastest Nozomi train, while Fukuoka is about the same distance away in the other direction.

You can book your Shinkansen tickets between Tokyo and Osaka (and other cities) in advance online, but before doing so, if that’s your route, we recommend taking a look at our Tokyo to Osaka transport guide to see whether a Japan Rail Pass might be the most economical option, or whether any discount deals are available for your trip.

Flights

Two airports serve Osaka—Osaka International Airport (also known as Osaka Itami Airport) within the prefecture and Kansai International Airport (KIA) on an artificial island. Despite the name, Osaka Itami deals almost entirely with domestic flights, while KIA deals mainly with international flights. The domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as Peach, Jetstar Japan and Starflyer mainly use the less convenient KIA.

Route Airline One-way Fare Date
Tokyo Haneda => Itami Domestic (Osaka) Japan Airlines US$66.00 Apr 17, 2025 Booking options
Tokyo Haneda => Itami Domestic (Osaka) ANA US$68.00 Feb 11, 2025 Booking options


Highway buses

There are also frequent buses between Tokyo and Osaka, as well as buses from other major cities in Japan. We recommend checking Kosoku Bus for bus ticket prices and schedules.

Osaka Attractions

Events in Osaka

Tours & Activities in Osaka

Restaurants in Osaka

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Eating & Drinking in Osaka

Things To Do in Osaka

Getting Around in Osaka

Recommended hotels near Osaka