Deep Osaka: Old Streets, Museums and the Northern Suburbs

Nakanoshima, the old streets of Tenjin, Minoh and Expo Park in the north, Horyu-ji in Nara, plus Sumiyoshi Taisha and Emperor Nintoku's Mausoleum.

Designed for repeat visitors who have already done Dotonbori and Universal Studios Japan. Stay in Umeda. Day 1: Nakanoshima and the high-rise night views. Day 2: Osaka Castle, the Museum of History and the Tenjin shopping street. Day 3: the northern suburbs, including Katsuoji Temple, Minoh Falls and the Tower of the Sun. Day 4: a day trip to Nara, starting at Horyu-ji and continuing to the Todai-ji area. Day 5: the southern shrines and tombs, including Sumiyoshi Taisha, Shitennoji and the World Heritage kofun, before heading to the airport. Moderate pace with an emphasis on history and local life.

Minoh and Katsuoji have the best autumn foliage in November. Summers are hot and humid, so avoid mountain trails then.

Day by day

Day 1 · Nakanoshima and Umeda Sky Building

Osaka（Nakanoshima、Umeda Sky Building）

Take the Midosuji Line subway from Shin-Osaka to Umeda, about 6 minutes. Drop off your luggage, walk to Nakanoshima, and go up the Sky Garden in the evening.

Stay: Umeda

Day 2 · Osaka Castle and the Tenjin Old Town

Osaka（Osaka Museum of History、Osaka Castle、Osaka Tenmangu、Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street）

Take the subway to Tanimachi 4-chome to visit Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of History. Then go to Minamimorimachi to explore Tenmangu Shrine and Tenjinbashisuji, and walk back to Umeda.

Osaka Museum of History is closed on Tuesdays.

Stay: Umeda

Day 3 · Katsuoji, Minoh and Expo Park

Osaka（Katsuō-ji、Minoo Park & Minoo Falls、Expo '70 Commemorative Park）

Take a Hankyu bus to Katsuoji. Walk down the trail past Minoh Falls to Minoh Station, then take the Senri-Chuo monorail to Expo Commemorative Park. It takes about 1 hour to return to Umeda.

Katsuoji buses run infrequently, so check the timetable first. The Minoh trail is about 3 km.

Stay: Umeda

Day 4 · Horyu-ji and Todai-ji in Nara

Nara（Horyu-ji、Todai-ji、Todai-ji Nigatsu-do & Hokke-do、Kasuga Taisha）

Take JR from Osaka Station to Horyuji Station, about 45 minutes. After visiting, take JR to Nara Station, transfer to a bus to the Todai-ji area, and return to Osaka by JR in the evening.

Horyu-ji is far from Nara Park, so go in the morning for a more relaxed visit.

Stay: Umeda

Day 5 · Southern Shrines and Kofun

Osaka（Shitennō-ji、Sumiyoshi Taisha、Daisen Kofun (Mozu Kofun Group)）

Check out and leave your luggage in storage. Take the subway to Tennoji to visit Shitennoji, the Hankai Tramway to Sumiyoshi Taisha, JR Hanwa Line to Mozu, then the Kansai Airport Rapid Service to the airport.

Emperor Nintoku's Mausoleum can only be viewed by walking around its perimeter. For an overview, go to the observation deck at Sakai City Hall.

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