On a rainy day in Osaka, Nakanoshima gives you a plan that stays mostly indoors. Visit one museum in the morning, eat in a cafe in Nakazakicho, and go out on the river only when the rain eases. Check each museum's opening days before you set off, because many close one day each week.
The Osaka guide gives an overview of the city. This plan uses the Nakanoshima and Nakazakicho guide, which describes the island and its cafes in more detail.
Check the weather first
Look at the forecast from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on the morning of your visit. A light rain may stop by midday, and a heavy rain may last all day. Choose your plan by the forecast. If the rain is heavy, stay indoors. If it is light, you can walk the island's paths and still see the river.
Keep a small umbrella in your bag. Wet paths and steps can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.
Stop one: a museum in the morning
The Nakanoshima Museum of Art is a modern art museum on the island. It is a good first stop on a wet morning, because most of the visit is indoors. The museum closes one day each week, and the closing day is different from some other museums on the island. Check the opening days and the entry fee on its official website before you go.
Stop two: the public hall
The public hall is a red brick building on the island. It often hosts exhibitions and events, so check its schedule before you go. Even without a show, the building is worth a look from the entrance and the lobby.
Check first: Check the opening days, the exhibitions and the entry rules of each museum and hall on its official website. Bag rules can be strict, so check them before you pack.
Stop three: a science museum for children
The science museum on the island is hands-on, and it has a planetarium. It is a good choice for a rainy day with children. The planetarium show costs extra, so check the times and the price on the official site before you go. Plan lunch at the museum or nearby, because children get tired after a long visit.
Stop four: cafes in Nakazakicho
Nakazakicho is next to the island. Its old wooden houses have become cafes, small shops and galleries. On a wet day, the cafes give you a warm place to sit and dry off. Use Tabelog to find a cafe with recent reviews, and read the photos of the menu before you walk there.
Cafes are small, and some have only a few seats. Go in the mid-afternoon, when the lunch crowd has left. Many cafes close early, and some close one day each week.
Stop five: the river cruise, if it runs
A short boat ride under many bridges shows the city from the water. Boats leave at fixed times, and they can stop in bad weather. Check the operator's website on the morning of your visit. Do not plan the cruise as the only activity on a rainy day, because it may not run.
A simple rainy-day plan
- Morning: Visit the art museum or the public hall.
- Lunch: Eat near the island, using Tabelog to check opening days.
- Afternoon: Visit the science museum with children, or sit in a cafe in Nakazakicho.
- Late afternoon: Take the river cruise only if the weather allows and the operator confirms it.
Who this suits
This plan suits couples who like art and cafes, because most stops are calm and indoors. It also suits families with children who like science. It is less suited to travellers who want a lively night, or a shopping day with many shops. For those, choose another area of Osaka.
Getting there
The island and Nakazakicho have their own subway stations, and the walk from each is short. Check the exit on a map before you leave the station, because some exits are far from the river. Check the last train of the day with the operator, especially if you plan a late cruise.
What to do next
A rainy day here fits well into a longer Osaka trip. Use the planner to fit the plan into your route, and to check the timing for your group. Read the Osaka guide for the rest of the city, and the Nakanoshima and Nakazakicho guide for the basic facts about the island and its cafes.
