Cici Cao

Oct 314 min read

Ultimate Two-Day Osaka & Nara (Cruise Itinerary)!

Updated: Oct 31

Photos are all property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

Geography: Third largest city of Japan, located on the main island of Honshu
Population: Approx. 2.7 Million
Currency: Japanese Yen (Yen); Currency Converter
Cruise Port: Google Map Location
Tender Port: No
Best Time to Visit: Fall (October/November) and Spring (March-May)

Celebrity Millennium, our ship, arrived at Osaka port at 8AM on August 22 and is scheduled to leave on August 23, 2024 at 3PM. Many passengers opted to visit Kyoto, with some staying overnight, but as we had already been to Kyoto, we opted to discover Osaka and take a day trip to Nara on the following day. Although there was no complimentary shuttle service at this port, the walk to the subway took approximately 7 minutes.

Day 1

The owner of Studio Escape graciously hosted us upon our arrival, so we visited the studio immediately after the ship docked. The experience was truly remarkable, and we strongly suggest making time for it if you can. Following the exciting adventure, we strolled over to Nanba Yasaka Jinja to capture some memorable photos.

Afterward, we proceeded to stroll to Kuromon for lunch. The wide array of choices made it challenging for us to decide. Eventually, we settled on a delightful okonomiyaki restaurant where the staff skillfully squeezed the mayo high up in the air.

Our next stop was to the underground shopping center, which housed the renowned Donguri Kyowakoku (Ghibli store) and was conveniently linked to the subway. We indulged in some treats from Mister Donut and took a break at Starbucks. With limited seating for food stands and a scarcity of garbage cans, Starbucks was the best option if you were looking to unwind.

After a tiring walk, we opted to treat ourselves to a body massage at "Jin" near Dotonbori street. It turned out to be a great choice, leaving us feeling rejuvenated as the sun had set (During the summer, the heat is intense when walking outdoors.). Following that, we explored the street, indulging in the renowned street food such as Takoyaki Kukuru (known for its long queues, but not as bad for takeout) and the 10-cent cheese pancake nearby. Additionally, there are charming coffee shops (we suggest "Hoshino") along the street where you can enjoy watching boats glide along the river.

Our final stop of the way was "Teamlab Botanical Garden" which opens at 7:15 pm. Having read a few reviews, we opted for this one over the Tokyo venue, a decision that may have been regrettable. The display consisted of approximately 6 outdoor sections. It was visually appealing, but the visit felt quite short, especially with the added discomfort of the heat and mosquitoes. Be prepared to walk a lot. It's a long walk from the subway and back (there's no transporation inside the park area). I suggest choosing the teamLab experience in Tokyo instead.

Day 2

Because we needed to return to the cruise by 2:45pm, we departed for Nara at 6am. Arriving just as it opened at 7:30am meant that there were very few people there at that time. Opting for the bus to a rear entrance seemed to shorten our walk and brought us near the main Todaiji temple. Please be aware that only cash is accepted for the entrance fee, which amounts to 800 yen for adults. The experience of entering the temple was truly worthwhile. While there were a few deer inside, most of them were outside the temple, and we had several encounters with them on our way back to the bus stop leading to the train station. They didn’t require feeding to approach, but be cautious not to have any loose items as they might follow you and attempt to nibble on them.

After Nara, we decided to head to Osaka Castle. We found the walk to be quite challenging due to the heat. As a result, we opted to take a photo nearby instead of going inside. Just across the street, there was a Q mall offering a few food choices and a fantastic coffee shop where we grabbed a quick bite before returning to the port.

Make sure to visit for a ride or at least take a photo with the iconic Ferris wheel located just outside the port!

Here are some tour options if you don't want to explore on your own:

Tours Near Osaka:

Other Activities in Osaka:

Suggested Food/Drink/Other Places to visit Options:

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium (Tempozan Harbor Village), lunch at Tempozan Marketplace
Univesal Studios Japan
Shinsekai
Ajinoya(okonomiyaki restaurant)
Rikuro's Cheesecake
Yakinuku M