Get ready for a fun Osaka adventure! Today, we’ll be riding like locals on the city’s train lines — hopping aboard the Hankyu, Midosuji, Chuo, or Tanimachi line — to reach our destinations. Each line has its own charm and takes us through different parts of this vibrant city.

As we travel, you’ll get a glimpse of everyday Osaka life, from busy commuters to colorful station shops. Don’t worry if it sounds complicated — we’ll stick together and enjoy the ride! Whether we’re heading toward famous landmarks or hidden gems, the journey itself is part of the experience. So grab your ticket, find your spot, and let’s roll out for a day full of sights, stories, and smiles!

Welcome to our Osaka Castle adventure! Today, we’ll be exploring one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks — and we’ll get there just like the locals do. We’ll start by taking the Midosuji Line, Osaka’s busiest subway line, and then transfer to the Chuo Line, which will take us right to Osaka Castle. It’s an easy and scenic ride, giving us a glimpse of daily city life before we step back in time at the castle grounds.

Once we arrive, we’ll enjoy a relaxed 1-2 hours of walking around the castle park. The area is filled with history, cherry trees, and beautiful photo spots — perfect for exploring at your own pace. The best part? Walking around the castle grounds is completely free! If you’d like to go inside the castle museum, there’s a small entry fee, but even staying outside offers plenty to see and do.

We’ll also take a break for lunch during our visit. There are many tasty options nearby, with prices ranging from 700 to 1,200 yen, depending on what you choose. From local street food to cozy cafés, there’s something for everyone.

For transportation, if you plan to take the train with us, adult tickets are 600 yen, children’s tickets are 300 yen.

Welcome to JO‑TERRACE OSAKA — the perfect stop in the heart of Osaka Castle Park! With around 30 cafés, restaurants and shops to explore, it’s a lively mix of tastes and treats.

Hungry? Many restaurants have lunch menus around ¥1,000–¥2,000, while more upscale dining may be ¥3,000+ for a full meal.

Shopping? You’ll find plenty of souvenir stores — think snacks, themed goods, local crafts and more — perfect for grabbing a keepsake or two. While individual prices vary, many fun items start at a few hundred yen and go up depending on size and specialty.

Welcome to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most famous and vibrant districts! Known for its bright neon lights, colorful billboards (like the iconic Glico Running Man), and endless street food, Dotonbori perfectly captures the lively, playful spirit of Osaka. It’s a place where eating, shopping, and sightseeing all come together in one exciting riverside area.

As you stroll along the canal, you’ll find countless food kiosks and stalls serving Osaka’s Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), usually priced between ¥500–¥1,000 per serving. For a bigger meal at a sit-down restaurant, expect to spend around ¥1,200–¥2,500, depending on the place.

Dotonbori is also filled with shopping kiosks and souvenir stores offering everything from fun Japanese snacks and beauty products to quirky collectibles and T-shirts. Smaller items like keychains and candy start around ¥300–¥800, while higher-end gifts or fashion pieces may cost ¥2,000–¥5,000. Bargain hunters and souvenir lovers alike will have plenty to explore!

What makes Dotonbori truly special is its energy and personality — street performers, glowing signs, and the smell of sizzling food everywhere you go. It’s a lively yet welcoming place where you can experience Osaka’s famous motto, Kuidaore — “eat until you drop.”

And yes, Dotonbori is kid-friendly! Families often enjoy walking by the river.

One popular option is the Wonder Cruise which offers a 20-minute ride along the Dōtonbori canal and gives you unique views of the area.

Ticket prices: Adults (13+) are about ¥2,000, children (ages 6-12) about ¥800. Infants (0-5) go free.

Food & Kiosk Prices in Dōtonbori

Street food kiosks in the Dōtonbori area offer many local favorites: for example, a plate of takoyaki (octopus balls) typically costs around ¥500-¥800.

Namba Yasaka Shrine

Located at 2 Chome-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka.

Its standout feature: a massive lion‐head stage (“Shishiden”) about 12 m high, 11 m wide, said to swallow evil spirits and bring good fortune.

Free entrance (no special ticket needed for the shrine grounds) as is usual with many shrines in Japan.

Shinsaibashi Shopping Center – Osaka

Shinsaibashi is one of Osaka’s oldest and most vibrant shopping districts, blending historical charm with modern retail. Its name comes from a bridge built in 1622 by merchant Shinsai Okada, which spanned the Nagahori-gawa canal. Over the centuries, it evolved into a bustling commercial hub, attracting merchants during the Edo period. The area continued to grow during the Meiji era with establishments like the Matsuya kimono shop, which became the Daimaru Department Store, a cornerstone of Osaka’s retail scene.

Fast fashion items like T-shirts and accessories cost around ¥500–¥3,000.

Boutiques sell unique apparel and accessories for ¥2,000–¥10,000.

Luxury brands such as Gucci or Louis Vuitton start around ¥50,000 and can exceed ¥200,000.

Street food like takoyaki and kushikatsu is typically ¥500–¥1,000.

Casual restaurants serve ramen, sushi, and izakaya meals for ¥1,000–¥2,500.

Fine dining starts at ¥3,000+ depending on the venue.

Shinsaibashi is kid-friendly, with pedestrian-friendly streets, toy shops, arcades, and ice cream parlors, making it enjoyable for families.