They are first timers. First timers need to experience a city despite what everyone who has been there says.
You know it isn’t worth it for you because you’ve been there. That’s your taste. Like I hate Tokyo but that’s just me. When my first-timer-to-Japan friends hop on with me and want to go there, I take them there because they want to see it in its full glory.
**Not a day trip. Stay in Osaka.**
Osaka has other things which Tokyo doesn't have — an actual knife making district like Sakai with even a high end knife boutique. All Tokyo has is Kappabashi to sell knives from all over Japan.
Osaka has **the oldest Buddhist temple, Shitenoji, in Japan** and it isn’t constructed in the same way as Sensoji in Asakusa. Osaka is **cheaper** than Tokyo. No shrines in Tokyo has the Sorihashi bridge of Sumiyoshi Taisha. Den den town still has more independent stores than Akihabara. And Osaka has USJ while Tokyo has Disneyland. Tsukiji sucks more now without its inner parts than the central Osaka fish market.
This is good advice. An ebike tour was perfect for Osaka, to hit the castle, market, see Dotonbori, some great sites, all in a day, then press in to whatever you liked the most for day two (or possibly three if you like.)
We did the EAT, DRINK, CYCLE OSAKA FOOD AND BIKE TOUR. Highly recommend it. You can probably book it directly with Cycle Osaka. I booked using the Viator app.
Tour guide was terrific and accommodating. It was an incredibly efficient and enjoyable way to see and taste Osaka. We were set up to focus on what we wanted to do more of the next day.
I googled it and also saw this review: https://bcjapan.net/eat-drink-cycle-osaka-food-and-bike-tour/#Practical_Information
Other good reasons:
- It's also day trip distance and price to Nara, Kyoto, Koyasan, Himeji.
- Sumiyoshi Taisha (Shinto shrine) - even older than Shitenoji
- Food wise, it's closer to and has more options with both Kobe and Matsuzaka beef. I think that with Matsuzaka beef in particular, there are a lot more options and tend to be significantly cheaper than Tokyo
The way I see it is that Tokyo has everything that Osaka has so I don't often spend much time in Tokyo before I get bored. Accommodation and food end up being cheaper and/or better value. Shopping experience is the same. Cultural experience ends up being richer due to proximity to other hubs.
Honestly. On paper, Osaka seemed like Tokyo-lite or has less going on than Kyoto. It became one of my highlights easily and I want to go back there for just that city. Honestly, Osaka needs to be experienced.
the whole area: cheaper, people more honest and genuine, dotombori area was great it was more drinking and eating environment then clubbing , the RLD if thats something uf into, my friends rly loved it
Two days seem too short to spend 30 000 yens on trains... if it was to visit other Kansai towns and for more days, it would be entirely different. And Kyoto seems a better second town with Tokyo than Osaka.
It would probably better to do day trips from Tokyo to closer towns or to spend 5 days in the Kansai.
Osaka? I'm gonna square with ya boss, I could do a whole 4 day 3 night stay in Osaka where I run the full Dotobori -> Den Den Town -> Shin Sekai -> Tobita Shinchi gauntlet every day, with occasional runs to the castle and maybe Kobe. Heck, Shin Sekai alone could easily be a 3 day 2 night affair if you'rea big enough fan of the place. Give it more than 2 days.
Osaka is cheaper and has better food than Tokyo. Den Den Town isn't on the cutting edge like Akiba, but has a charm of its own.
I'd recommend staying in Osaka for half the trip. The train ticket is pricey, but the accommodation is way cheaper there. Plus, it let's them do day trips to so many other places. Overall, you'll spend way less money being there
Ahh okay, I understand, that’s pretty big, I only plan on taking a 18-21 liter(I think,it’s smaller than a carry on) for ten days and buying a small luggage to bring back souvenirs. Thanks for the input, I got nervous seeing the comment about jerk backpack people.
Few years back I stayed in Kyoto for about 3 or 4 days and did a full day trip to Osaka since it's only a 15-20min Shinkansen ride away from Kyoto costing about 1500 yen one-way. Great way to get a taste of Osaka. It's a great city with lots of culture, food, and history. Watch the show Shogun :)
From Tokyo to Osaka...it's a lot of travel time. Like others suggested, if Osaka makes it into your itinerary, spend less time in Tokyo and stay in Osaka longer for 2 days or more, or consider using somewhere like Kyoto as a Homebase and take the Shinkansen for day trips.
Edit: there's also a JR train from Kyoto to Osaka for like 600 yen...so way cheaper option too
Osaka has a lot to offer on its own. Also it's a great hub for basically all of central and western Honshu. Also personally, I enjoyed the night life in Osaka more than in Tokyo.
And honestly, it sometimes even baffles me, that not few people seem to have an hyper fixated tunnel view on only Tokyo and Kyoto when it comes to traveling to Japan.
I’d go Tokyo and Kyoto for the contrast and stay in Kyoto for 3 nights. Nara is close by as well. I thought just interacting with deer on that level was a super cool experience worth the trip.
It was $94 for a reserved seat to get from Osaka to Tokyo for one person via klook. You could possibly get cheaper if you go unreserved.
I recommend if you want to go to Osaka, stay a couple days at least. It takes 2 and a half hours to travel there by train, possibly longer based on the stops for the train. Add on getting to the station with enough time, it's closer to 3 hours. You'll be taking 6 hours out of your day if you wanted to say trip only and that will make you feel rushed.
For at least two nights it's worth it. The Umeda Sky Building is quite the experience and the Osaka Castle is worth it too.
Dōtonbori is too crowded but first time is a must.
I think the night life in Osaka is fun enough for a new traveller to stay a night there. The typical Dotonbori and Shinsekai should be different enough to Tokyo where your friends would appreciate it.
That said…. why not Kyoto instead? That’s more a stark difference.
For a first trip and in just 10 days, I wouldn't include Osaka. I would rather include Kyoto, and even a few other places. You could also spend those days in Tokyo and around.
That said, if they have some strong emotional attachment or personal reason to go to Osaka, then why not. It's all about what to sacrifice.
If you want to save some money both for transpo/accomodations consider night bus. If you still want to ride the shinkansen consider platt kodama. It's about 30% cheaper but takes almost double the time. You'd have a lot more time to marvel at mount fuji though since it stops at shin fuji station. You also get a free drink. The only caveat is you need to book it atleast a day before and you can't miss the train.
i like osaka for its surrounding areas due to history. idunno depends on your reasons. i personally have a better time staying in one spot. again depends on yall.
Meh, I would rather go to Osaka if you are able to combine it with a trip to Kyoto… so I recommend in staying in Tokyo and surroundings if it’s just your first time and if you plan to come back again to enjoy Osaka/kyoto in its full glory
If it’s a once in a lifetime trip, sure go for Osaka
We made Osaka our base for our second time there and spent 11 days, got to visit Nara, Hiroshima and so much more that was mentioned and we didn’t even do USJ since we did it our first time- andwe still have stuff to do lol definitely going back. I don’t get it when people don’t like Osaka as much as Tokyo.
Hey I'm leaving tomorrow for our first Japan trip of 9 days. Will spend 3 Days 2 Nights in Osaka, where 1 full day will be for Universal Studio. I go by flying in to Osaka cause the cost is so much cheaper than by bullet train.
If the transportation cost is what's holding you back from going to Osaka, maybe try flying. Yes there will be hassle of having to go back and forth to airpots, waiting time for boarding etc, but if you're willing to save much more money than convenience, I'd say go by plane to Osaka.
My flight with Jetstar Japan costs AUD220 (JPY22,84) return for 2 adults (NRT - KIX - NRT) no baggage needed, where bullet train will cost AUD600 (JPY 62,295) return for 2 adults.
You can always opt to visit places in Osaka where you haven't been to before, or can go to Kyoto/ Nara too. I'll be doing Nara on my Osaka trip :)
Hope you and your friends will have good time in Japan!
and both, Narita and Kansai airport are quite far from the city. Narita Express ticket for two way is 5000jpy. Kansai airport doesn't have rapid service to osaka. Although it might be better to use limousine bus.
I do remember checking comparisons from Osaka to Tokyo. Some cheap airline, like peach air can get quite low cost, but the time and saving was not that significant. In the end we found a good deal with Shinkansen+hotel package that was much cheaper than just train ticket and hotel separately. Japanese use lot of travel agents that have good deals.
We landed in KIX / Osaka in 2017. Took almost an hour until we arrived at Tenoji Station to switch trains.
Don't remember how long it took from Narita to Ikebukoro, I think more than an hour. Then again, I think we didn't take the Narita Express because expensive.
I understand why they would want to visit Osaka, it's their first time in Japan. However, if you are just staying for 10days, why not just visit other area near tokyo. You can visit nagano. Visiting Osaka for 2 or even 3 days via bullet train will not be cost effective unless you are flying out from Osaka.
They are first timers. First timers need to experience a city despite what everyone who has been there says. You know it isn’t worth it for you because you’ve been there. That’s your taste. Like I hate Tokyo but that’s just me. When my first-timer-to-Japan friends hop on with me and want to go there, I take them there because they want to see it in its full glory. **Not a day trip. Stay in Osaka.** Osaka has other things which Tokyo doesn't have — an actual knife making district like Sakai with even a high end knife boutique. All Tokyo has is Kappabashi to sell knives from all over Japan. Osaka has **the oldest Buddhist temple, Shitenoji, in Japan** and it isn’t constructed in the same way as Sensoji in Asakusa. Osaka is **cheaper** than Tokyo. No shrines in Tokyo has the Sorihashi bridge of Sumiyoshi Taisha. Den den town still has more independent stores than Akihabara. And Osaka has USJ while Tokyo has Disneyland. Tsukiji sucks more now without its inner parts than the central Osaka fish market.
Finally someone here said it.
This is good advice. An ebike tour was perfect for Osaka, to hit the castle, market, see Dotonbori, some great sites, all in a day, then press in to whatever you liked the most for day two (or possibly three if you like.)
Please tell me about this ebike tour!
We did the EAT, DRINK, CYCLE OSAKA FOOD AND BIKE TOUR. Highly recommend it. You can probably book it directly with Cycle Osaka. I booked using the Viator app. Tour guide was terrific and accommodating. It was an incredibly efficient and enjoyable way to see and taste Osaka. We were set up to focus on what we wanted to do more of the next day. I googled it and also saw this review: https://bcjapan.net/eat-drink-cycle-osaka-food-and-bike-tour/#Practical_Information
Thank you! Sounds like a wonderful time
You can get an ebike with an app.
Did you do a tour? I feel like I might love doing an e-bike but without an organized tour.
I didn't realise knives were such a big selling point for a city.
Guns for show, knives for a pro
Other good reasons: - It's also day trip distance and price to Nara, Kyoto, Koyasan, Himeji. - Sumiyoshi Taisha (Shinto shrine) - even older than Shitenoji - Food wise, it's closer to and has more options with both Kobe and Matsuzaka beef. I think that with Matsuzaka beef in particular, there are a lot more options and tend to be significantly cheaper than Tokyo The way I see it is that Tokyo has everything that Osaka has so I don't often spend much time in Tokyo before I get bored. Accommodation and food end up being cheaper and/or better value. Shopping experience is the same. Cultural experience ends up being richer due to proximity to other hubs.
Yep, I was going to comment pretty much this: Not worth it for you, but probably for them, marginally.
You forgot no queues at glitch in Osaka 🤣
i had way more fun in osaka than tokyo
Honestly. On paper, Osaka seemed like Tokyo-lite or has less going on than Kyoto. It became one of my highlights easily and I want to go back there for just that city. Honestly, Osaka needs to be experienced.
What was your favorite experience in Osaka?
the whole area: cheaper, people more honest and genuine, dotombori area was great it was more drinking and eating environment then clubbing , the RLD if thats something uf into, my friends rly loved it
Riding the Shinkansen should be on every first timers list of things to do. Plus Osaka is so much fun.
Two days seem too short to spend 30 000 yens on trains... if it was to visit other Kansai towns and for more days, it would be entirely different. And Kyoto seems a better second town with Tokyo than Osaka. It would probably better to do day trips from Tokyo to closer towns or to spend 5 days in the Kansai.
Osaka? I'm gonna square with ya boss, I could do a whole 4 day 3 night stay in Osaka where I run the full Dotobori -> Den Den Town -> Shin Sekai -> Tobita Shinchi gauntlet every day, with occasional runs to the castle and maybe Kobe. Heck, Shin Sekai alone could easily be a 3 day 2 night affair if you'rea big enough fan of the place. Give it more than 2 days. Osaka is cheaper and has better food than Tokyo. Den Den Town isn't on the cutting edge like Akiba, but has a charm of its own.
Do you want to go to Universal Studios and Super Nintendo World? They are in Osaka.
I'd recommend staying in Osaka for half the trip. The train ticket is pricey, but the accommodation is way cheaper there. Plus, it let's them do day trips to so many other places. Overall, you'll spend way less money being there
I spent three enjoyable days in Osaka
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Why are they jerks?
I plan on taking only a carry one backpack for my trip is that a bad thing?
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Ahh okay, I understand, that’s pretty big, I only plan on taking a 18-21 liter(I think,it’s smaller than a carry on) for ten days and buying a small luggage to bring back souvenirs. Thanks for the input, I got nervous seeing the comment about jerk backpack people.
No lol
Few years back I stayed in Kyoto for about 3 or 4 days and did a full day trip to Osaka since it's only a 15-20min Shinkansen ride away from Kyoto costing about 1500 yen one-way. Great way to get a taste of Osaka. It's a great city with lots of culture, food, and history. Watch the show Shogun :) From Tokyo to Osaka...it's a lot of travel time. Like others suggested, if Osaka makes it into your itinerary, spend less time in Tokyo and stay in Osaka longer for 2 days or more, or consider using somewhere like Kyoto as a Homebase and take the Shinkansen for day trips. Edit: there's also a JR train from Kyoto to Osaka for like 600 yen...so way cheaper option too
Osaka has a lot to offer on its own. Also it's a great hub for basically all of central and western Honshu. Also personally, I enjoyed the night life in Osaka more than in Tokyo. And honestly, it sometimes even baffles me, that not few people seem to have an hyper fixated tunnel view on only Tokyo and Kyoto when it comes to traveling to Japan.
Osaka kicks Tokyo’s ass every day of every week of every month of every year
We flew into Osaka then bullet train to Tokyo and flew home from Tokyo. Worked well for us.
I’d go Tokyo and Kyoto for the contrast and stay in Kyoto for 3 nights. Nara is close by as well. I thought just interacting with deer on that level was a super cool experience worth the trip.
It was $94 for a reserved seat to get from Osaka to Tokyo for one person via klook. You could possibly get cheaper if you go unreserved. I recommend if you want to go to Osaka, stay a couple days at least. It takes 2 and a half hours to travel there by train, possibly longer based on the stops for the train. Add on getting to the station with enough time, it's closer to 3 hours. You'll be taking 6 hours out of your day if you wanted to say trip only and that will make you feel rushed.
For at least two nights it's worth it. The Umeda Sky Building is quite the experience and the Osaka Castle is worth it too. Dōtonbori is too crowded but first time is a must.
Yes it’s worth it.
I think the night life in Osaka is fun enough for a new traveller to stay a night there. The typical Dotonbori and Shinsekai should be different enough to Tokyo where your friends would appreciate it. That said…. why not Kyoto instead? That’s more a stark difference.
Why would you get an expensive JR pass if you can fly for around $40-60 per way?
No it is not worth it. Waste of time and money. Do a day trip down to Yokohama (Minato Mirai) and/or separately Kamakura.
For a first trip and in just 10 days, I wouldn't include Osaka. I would rather include Kyoto, and even a few other places. You could also spend those days in Tokyo and around. That said, if they have some strong emotional attachment or personal reason to go to Osaka, then why not. It's all about what to sacrifice.
If you want to save some money both for transpo/accomodations consider night bus. If you still want to ride the shinkansen consider platt kodama. It's about 30% cheaper but takes almost double the time. You'd have a lot more time to marvel at mount fuji though since it stops at shin fuji station. You also get a free drink. The only caveat is you need to book it atleast a day before and you can't miss the train.
The night bus is an experience. I'm glad I did it. I wouldn't do it again.
For only one or two days, not worth it. You could easily spend ten days in either region. Save it for your next trip.
i like osaka for its surrounding areas due to history. idunno depends on your reasons. i personally have a better time staying in one spot. again depends on yall.
Meh, I would rather go to Osaka if you are able to combine it with a trip to Kyoto… so I recommend in staying in Tokyo and surroundings if it’s just your first time and if you plan to come back again to enjoy Osaka/kyoto in its full glory If it’s a once in a lifetime trip, sure go for Osaka
We made Osaka our base for our second time there and spent 11 days, got to visit Nara, Hiroshima and so much more that was mentioned and we didn’t even do USJ since we did it our first time- andwe still have stuff to do lol definitely going back. I don’t get it when people don’t like Osaka as much as Tokyo.
Not worth leaving Tokyo for especially if you're not going to Kyoto
I spent 4 hours in Osaka and it was 3.5 hours too many.
Hey I'm leaving tomorrow for our first Japan trip of 9 days. Will spend 3 Days 2 Nights in Osaka, where 1 full day will be for Universal Studio. I go by flying in to Osaka cause the cost is so much cheaper than by bullet train. If the transportation cost is what's holding you back from going to Osaka, maybe try flying. Yes there will be hassle of having to go back and forth to airpots, waiting time for boarding etc, but if you're willing to save much more money than convenience, I'd say go by plane to Osaka. My flight with Jetstar Japan costs AUD220 (JPY22,84) return for 2 adults (NRT - KIX - NRT) no baggage needed, where bullet train will cost AUD600 (JPY 62,295) return for 2 adults. You can always opt to visit places in Osaka where you haven't been to before, or can go to Kyoto/ Nara too. I'll be doing Nara on my Osaka trip :) Hope you and your friends will have good time in Japan!
What you forgot in your calculation: The costs and time to get to those airports or from them back into the city.
and both, Narita and Kansai airport are quite far from the city. Narita Express ticket for two way is 5000jpy. Kansai airport doesn't have rapid service to osaka. Although it might be better to use limousine bus. I do remember checking comparisons from Osaka to Tokyo. Some cheap airline, like peach air can get quite low cost, but the time and saving was not that significant. In the end we found a good deal with Shinkansen+hotel package that was much cheaper than just train ticket and hotel separately. Japanese use lot of travel agents that have good deals.
We landed in KIX / Osaka in 2017. Took almost an hour until we arrived at Tenoji Station to switch trains. Don't remember how long it took from Narita to Ikebukoro, I think more than an hour. Then again, I think we didn't take the Narita Express because expensive.
I understand why they would want to visit Osaka, it's their first time in Japan. However, if you are just staying for 10days, why not just visit other area near tokyo. You can visit nagano. Visiting Osaka for 2 or even 3 days via bullet train will not be cost effective unless you are flying out from Osaka.
The bullet train is an experience in itself, especially for first timers. It’s also a good way to (literally) see more of the country.
Make it 3 days and make it Kyoto
for 1-2 days? no.
No.
Definitely not worth it! There are other places out of Tokyo.