Our third stop on our trip was Osaka — known as the foodie capital of Japan. We took the Kintetsu train from Nara to Osaka which only took about 30 minutes. Osaka is famous for it’s street food and markets — particularly takoyaki and okonomiyaki — which are said to both originate in the city. Osaka is also known for it’s vibrant nightlife, shopping, culture, and history. We spent about a week in Osaka during our trip and we had such a great experience. Keep on reading for our full guide to our favorite things to do in the city during your trip!

Where to Stay in Osaka

During our trip to Osaka we stayed at two hotels. One was a more luxury option, the Osaka Station Hotel (part of the Marriott Autograph collection) and one was a more affordable yet lux option, the Swissotel Nankai.

The Osaka Station Hotel was glorious. It’s connected to the JR Osaka Station, a large transportation hub in the city. So it was very convenient for going anywhere we needed to go. The property is also new, I believe it only opened in within the last 2 years, and everything was so modern and fresh. Our room was amazing, large and cozy, and the lobby area was great to hang out in as well. There was also a private ofuro for guests to use depending on which rooms you booked. We loved our stay here and it was a nice retreat in the heart of the bustling city.

swissotel nankai osaka suite bed — *Swissotel Nankai Osaka*

Later, we stayed at the Swissotel Nankai Osaka which is located in Namba and connected to the shopping center & Namba Station. The Swissotel is also in a very convenient location, in walking distance to the famous Dotonbori Street. But our favorite thing about the Swissotel Nankai is their LGBTQ+ inclusivity. They are dedicated to making their hotel welcoming to all guests, and are the first IGLTA Accredited Hotel in Asia. They are committed to continuous inclusive and diversity training for all members of staff, and we could definitley feel welcomed from the second we walked in.

Find other Osaka hotels here on Expedia!

Best Things to do in Osaka

Visit Osaka Castle - a beautiful 16th century castle that played a major role in the unification of Japan.
Walk Dotonbori Street - famous for it’s street food, markets, and the iconic Glico Man sign. Make sure you try some takoyaki and okonomiyaki!
Explore Shinsekai - an older neighborhood of Osaka where you’ll find street vendors, shopping, and food.
Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine - This shrine has a large lion-shaped head that is said to ward off evil spirits!
Check out Shitenno-ji Temple - Japan’s oldest temple, founded in 593 AD.
Go Shopping in Shinsaibashi and Namba - you’ll find an array of local shops, street vendors, thrift stores, arcades, and more.
See a Kabuki Show - Osaka is a cultural hub, and here you can find traditional Japanese theater performances like Kabuki.
Visit Universal Studios Japan - we didn’t go on our trip but we know it’s a highlight for others when they visit Osaka!

Find other tours & activities in Osaka here on Expedia!

Where to Eat (Vegan) in Osaka

You can find vegan options of the famous and traditional Osaka foods all over the city! You just have to know where to look, and we got you!

Oko Okonomiyaki Bar - a one woman show! Shiho runs this establishment by herself (she does it ALL — takes orders, makes the food, etc.) And here you can find both vegan and non vegan options for the famous okonomiyaki.
Oko Takoyaki - also opened by Shiho, here they have a vegan and non vegan options for takoyaki (octopus balls)
Folksaka (vegan cafe)
Aju - small vegan bar
Green earth - vegetarian restaurant
Optimus Cafe - plant based cafe
LUU’s BAO Vegan Food Truck
Teppanyaki Minami (inside Swissotel Nankai)

The LGBTQ+ Scene in Osaka

We visited Osaka during Osaka Pride, and absolutely loved how full out they were about the celebration. The city was decked out in rainbows and many businesses were showing their support by hanging Pride flags or signs in their shops. During Pride Week they had a small rainbow festival in the park which was so cute. There were local vendors & performances, and we got to meet and chat to local members of the LGBTQ+ community. We also got to walk in the Osaka Pride Parade and loved getting to see how happy everyone was to celebrate Pride in their city.

We also got to visit some LGBTQ+ businesses and bars during our trip like Frenz Frenzy (frequented by Lady Gaga), Bar BU (lesbian bar, women only), and Nambar10 in Swissotel also has drag performances weekly! We loved getting to support the local LGBTQ+ community in Osaka, and we also loved getting to experience what it was like there as a queer couple. We felt so loved, welcomed, and supported and would definitely recommend Osaka as a destination to visit to any queer person traveling around Japan.

If you want to see everything we did in Osaka, make sure you check out our Osaka YouTube vlog below!

Thank you to Discover Osaka for hosting us on this trip! As always, all opinions are honest and our own. Some links on this post are affiliate links of which we receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you.

Discovering Osaka | The Best Things to Do on Your Osaka Trip