Street food, standing bars and one proper sit-down meal.
3 nights from Osaka to Osaka
Plan B details
Plan B has indoor swaps for 1 outdoor items.
Before you fly, five things matter most: check your passport and visa, book your stays and tickets, buy an eSIM and travel insurance, and decide on a rail pass. Open the list for every step, with links.
1 nightsOsaka · Nakanoshima and NakazakichoPrice level ¥Find stays
About Nakanoshima and Nakazakicho Stays link to partner sites. See the note under Find stays.
A river island with museums and old houses turned into cafes and small shops.
When to stay here. Stay here for a second visit, or for art and cafes.
Stay here if: You like art, cafes and calm streets. You stay longer and want a local feel.
Skip it if: You want big shopping streets at your door.
Day 1: steps for your landing time
Midday, 11:00 to 16:00
- Get an IC card. Get an IC card such as Suica or ICOCA at the airport, or add one to your phone. It pays for trains and many shops. First-day guide
- Get online. Pick up your SIM or switch on your eSIM before you leave the airport, so you have maps at once. First-day guide
- Send big bags ahead. If you have a big bag, send it from the airport to your hotel with luggage forwarding, and travel light. First-day guide
- Go to your hotel. Keep the hotel address in Japanese on your phone. If you arrive before check-in, ask if the hotel can hold your bags. First-day guide
- Drugstore run. Buy small things for the first days: wet wipes, bandages, snacks and anything that you forgot. What to buy
- A light meal or an easy walk. Keep the first day easy. Eat close to the hotel and walk around your area.
EveningConveyor-belt sushi
Why it fits you. You like food. An easy and low-price sushi meal. Order on a screen or take plates from the belt.
Other options
1 nightsKyoto · Kawaramachi and NishikiPrice level ¥Find stays
About Kawaramachi and Nishiki Stays link to partner sites. See the note under Find stays.
The central shopping and food area, with a covered market and many bars.
When to stay here. Stay here for a trip about food, shopping and nightlife.
Stay here if: You want food and nights out within a short walk. You use buses and the subway a lot.
Skip it if: You want silence at night.
Moving to Kyoto today? You can send big bags ahead. Luggage forwarding guide
AfternoonNishiki Market tasting walk
Why it fits you. You like food. A narrow covered market with pickles, tofu sweets and grilled seafood on sticks.
Other options
EveningKyoto-style ramen near the station
Why it fits you. You like food. A ramen street on the top floor of the station building. Strong soup, thin noodles.
Other options
1 nightsOsaka · Nakanoshima and NakazakichoPrice level ¥Find stays
About Nakanoshima and Nakazakicho Stays link to partner sites. See the note under Find stays.
A river island with museums and old houses turned into cafes and small shops.
When to stay here. Stay here for a second visit, or for art and cafes.
Stay here if: You like art, cafes and calm streets. You stay longer and want a local feel.
Skip it if: You want big shopping streets at your door.
Moving to Osaka today? You can send big bags ahead. Luggage forwarding guide
AfternoonKitahama retro buildings walk
Why it fits you. Old brick and stone office buildings now used as tea rooms and shops.
Plan B: Seafood bowl lunch
Other options
EveningStreet food crawl
Why it fits you. You like food. Osaka is called the kitchen of Japan. Mix stands and small shops in one evening.
Other options
MorningKuromon Market grazing
Why it fits you. You like food. Fresh seafood, fruit and grilled snacks under a covered street. Go in the morning.
Other options
What this trip costs, in levels. Stay price levels for your budget: ¥. These levels are relative (one yen sign is low, three is high). Live prices come from the partner sites.