Traveling alone is one of the surprisingly best experiences you can ever have in your lifetime. Sure, traveling with your friends and family is fun but when you go solo, that’s when you really get to know yourself better and try new things you’ve always wanted to try before.
Lots of people find Japan among the safest countries in the world. Osaka, particularly, is a city that many travelers recommend when it comes to starting a solo voyage. With its efficient mass transport, friendly locals, and a variety of solo-friendly activities, your first solo travel will surely be worthwhile and memorable when you choose to travel alone to Osaka.
Best Things to Do Alone in Osaka
Embrace the opportunity to discover Osaka on your own terms and create lasting memories as a solo traveler! Here are some of the best things to do alone in Osaka:
Hop on a sightseeing ship
Embark on a solo journey aboard the Santa Maria sightseeing ship, and see different attractions along Osaka Port! This sightseeing ship offers you admirable Osaka Bay views and lets you learn about the Age of Discovery in ships with its displays. It’s only a 45-minute ride but you’ll definitely enjoy this quick yet unforgettable sightseeing ride.
Address: Marketplace, Tempozan, 1-1-10 Kaigan-dori, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
Relax in an onsen
Another experience worth trying alone is bathing in Osaka’s traditional hot springs. Visit the Solaniwa hot spring onsen for the ultimate relaxation as it offers a garden view, stone sauna, and even a carbonated bath. Some people prefer to visit onsens alone, so make sure to add this to your itinerary and enjoy your me-time through a pampering session.
Address: Solaniwa Onsen, 1-chōme-2-3 Benten, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0007, Japan
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Immerse yourself in Osaka’s culture through its museums
Museums are a great place to learn a lot about a city’s history and culture. In Osaka, you can visit several museums that allow you to have an enriching experience at your own pace. If you want to learn about history during Edo Era, visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. If you like art and technology, head to Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum!
Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Address: 530-0041 Osaka, Kita Ward, Tenjinbashi, 6 Chome−4−20, Japan
Website: https://www-osaka–angenet-jp
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Closed on Tuesdays
Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
Address: Umeda Sky Building Tower West 27th Floor 1-30,Oyodonaka 1-chome, kita-ku, Osaka 531-0076, Japan
Website: https://www.kinutani-tenku.jp/en/
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Friday, Saturday, and day before holidays; Closed on Tuesdays
Go on a food trip in Dotonbori all by yourself
Eating alone can be a delightful and liberating experience– you get to savor your meals as long as you want, you can choose the restaurant you like, and you can be more adventurous with your dining choices. A super popular spot in Dotonbori for solo diners is Ichiran Ramen, which offers a solo dining booth perfect for travelers like you! You can also try a variety of street food anytime you’d like, and no one’s gonna judge you!
Address: 7-18 Souemoncho Chuo-ku Osaka-shi Osaka-fu, Japan
Website: https://en.ichiran.com/shop/kinki/dotonbori-main/
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Enjoy a solo adventure at Universal Studios Japan
Who says you can’t enjoy going to amusement parks alone? Visit Universal Studios Japan and ride all the attractions you want as many times as you want! The best part? Some rides offer single rider lines, thereby reducing your wait time in popular ones. Plus, you can even meet new friends as you explore the park on your own!
Address: 2-chōme-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Join a food sample making workshop
Want to do something worthwhile on your solo travel in Osaka? Book a sample food-making workshop that teaches you how to create a takoyaki keychain or magnet. This fun and creative workshop is a nice way to spend your time in Osaka wisely by learning how to be creative and independent. This also gets you your very own DIY souvenir that you proudly made in Osaka.
Address: Design Pocket Osaka Main Store, 10-11 Namba Sennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Website: https://www.designpocket.net/
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Book a special Osaka beauty treatment
Aside from sightseeing, one productive way to make use of your time in Osaka is getting a beauty treatment. Try the Kadomori Special Course that offers a series of body and beauty treatment that’ll make you feel more healthy and beautiful. Some experiences you can try include hedgehog acupuncture, growth factor therapy, footbath, or skull correction.
Address: KADOMORI Building, 1-8-20 Shinmachi, Nishi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Website: https://kadomori-osaka.com/
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Sunday and holidays
Go sightseeing in the city via a rickshaw
If you’re not a fan of walking tours, that’s fine– try a rickshaw tour instead! Explore Osaka’s iconic spots by riding a traditional rickshaw, and explore the city in a fun and convenient way. Visit Osaka Castle, shop at Sen-nichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street, and sample street food at Dotonbori through a private rickshaw tour of your own.
Watch a Bunraku theater performance
Witness a mesmerizing theatrical performance of Osaka’s traditional performing arts called Bunraku. This show is declared by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003. It’s a show that features puppetry, shamisen music, and narrative recitation, that’ll surely leave you in awe!
Address: National Bunraku Theatre, 1-12-10 Nippon-bashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0073, Japan
Website: https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/en/theatre/bunraku/
See night views at the Umeda SKY Building
Don’t miss the opportunity to see the dramatic night skyline of Osaka through the Kuchu Teien Observatory in Umeda Sky Building! It’s especially more beautiful at night, so you can go here at the end of your daytime adventure. There’s also a cafe here where you can spend some time alone having dinner or a light snack!
Address: 531-6039 Umeda Sky building, 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan
Website: https://www.skybldg.co.jp/en/
Operating Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Osaka Solo Travel Essentials
To ensure a successful solo travel in Osaka, you need a couple of essential items on your journey. Make your adventure hassle-free with these must-haves:
Pocket WiFi or a SIM card
Stay connected 24/7 when you pre-book a pocket WiFi or a Japan SIM card through KKday. By being connected to the internet, you can easily search for your routes, check travel advisories, or share your whereabouts to your loved ones.
Transport Passes
Booking a Japan Rail (JR) Pass is a lifesaver for many solo travelers. With a JR Pass, you can easily hop and off a trains at your convenience. Plus, it’s more cost-effective and saves you from the hassle of queueing every time by purchasing train tickets for each leg of your journey.
Travel Apps
Research ahead and download all the apps that can help you in your solo travel such as Google Translate, Japan Travel by NAVITIME, or a currency converter app for your purchases.
Hostel Recommendations for Solo Travelers in Osaka
Staying in a hostel can be ideal for solo travelers. Hostels are budget-friendly and they also offer opportunities to socialize and connect with travelers from around the world. If you’re looking for hostels in Osaka, these are highly recommended by solo travelers:
The Pax Hostel
This hostel is strategically located near Osaka attractions– it’s a 10-minute ride away from Osaka Castle, and 15 minutes away from the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. They have mixed dormitories and shared rooms, perfect for solo travelers. They also have live entertainment and a leisure room if you want to socialize.
Address: 556-0002 1-20-5 Ebisu Higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Japan
Website: https://www.thepax.jp/
Check-in: from 3 p.m.; Check-out: until 11 a.m.
Guesthouse U-En
Yuen is a charming little hostel that was previously a townhouse, turned into a Japanese restaurant, and once again converted to a hostel. It’s a historic hostel that offers nice accommodations, a coffee shop, and a curry restaurant. If you like telling stories and meeting like-minded people, you’ll love the vibe in this guesthouse.
Address: 553-0003, 2-9-23 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Website: https://www.u-en.jp/
Check-in: from 3 p.m. Check-out: until 11 a.m.
Hostel Jin
This share house is perfect for those who plan to stay longer in Osaka. It has 12 private rooms, lounge, terrace, and shared kitchen and toilets. It’s very cozy and clean, perfect for those who prefer quiet spaces but still want to meet new people in shared spaces.
Address: Konohana-Ku Nishikujo 2-4-19, Osaka, Japan
Website: https://www.hosteljin.com/
Check-in: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check-out: until 10 a.m.
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