Osaka itineraries

Namba & Dotonbori in a day

First time in Osaka? This one neighbourhood does it. Morning market to evening river boat, all on foot.

Castle & Umeda nights

Day one: the castle, Tenma's back streets and sunset from Umeda. Day two: the south side, Tsutenkaku to Harukas.

River, sea and Nara

Based in Umeda: the Nakanoshima riverside on day one, aquarium and hot spring on day two, deer in Nara on day three. A pace that works with kids.

Festivals & seasons

• 1 — Toka Ebisu
• 2 — Plum blossoms at Tenmangu
• 3 — Spring Sumo Tournament
• 4 — Osaka Castle cherry blossom nights
• 4 — Mint cherry blossom passage
• 6 — Rainy season
• 7 — Tenjin Matsuri
• 8 — Midsummer heat
• 9 — Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
• 10 — Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks
• 11 — Minoh autumn leaves
• 12 — Hikari Renaissance & Midosuji Illumination

Souvenirs

• 551 Horai pork buns
• Rikuro Ojisan cheesecake
• Baton d'or (the posh Pocky)
• Grand Calbee
• Kuidaore Taro pudding
• Omoshiroi Koibito cookies
• Don Quijote haul (patches, Glico goods)
• Kuromon dried goods and dashi