Osaka, Japan
#27th Sep# **Saturday – Skyline Start, Shinsekai, Foodie Night**
**12:00 – 14:00** – **Shinsekai & Lunch**
* Explore nostalgic streets and eat **kushikatsu** (Daruma is famous).
* Visit **Tsutenkaku Tower** if desired.
**14:00 – 15:30** – **Kuromon Market**
* Try grilled seafood, oden, wagyu skewers, and dessert stalls. Great spot for casual grazing.
**15:30 – 18:00** – **Dōtonbori**
* Explore Glico sign, canal views, food, shops, Don Quijote Namba (optional early visit).
**18:00 – 20:00** – Dinner around Dōtonbori
**20:00 – 20:30** – Return to **Dobutsuen-Mae** station (Midosuji Line)
---
#28th sep# **Sunday – History, Aquarium & Sunset Skyline**
**08:30 – 09:00**
* Take **Midosuji Line** from **Dobutsuen-Mae** → **Umeda** (\~11 min)
**09:00 – 11:00** – **Umeda Sky Building** (Best in morning)
* Floating Garden Observatory (opens 9:30 a.m.)
* **Must-do**: 360° outdoor rooftop view, glass elevators, retro “Takimi Koji” basement dining street.
Lunch
**12:30 – 13:30** – Transfer to **Osaka Aquarium** (Chuo Line → Osakako)
**13:30 – 16:00** – **Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan**
* Famous for central tank with whale sharks.
* Don’t miss interactive touch pools.
**16:00 – 17:00** – Transfer to **Tennoji** (via Bentencho → Midosuji Line)
**17:00 – 19:00** – **Harukas 300 Sunset View**
* Go up to 60F observation deck for golden hour and city lights.
**19:00 – 20:00** – Optional dinner near **Tennoji** or back at Dōtonbori
**20:00** – Return to hotel at Dobutsuen-Mae
---
#29th sep# *Monday – Osaka Expo 2025 (Yumeshima Island)*
* From Dobutsuen‑Mae → Namba (Midosuji) → Chuo Line → **Yumeshima Station**.
* Expo runs **9 a.m.–10 p.m.**
### 🕘 09:00 – 13:00 – Morning at Expo
* Enter and explore: Grand Ring stroll via Skywalk (\~2 km, 5 elevators)
* Must-see **Signature Pavilion “null²”**: interactive mirrored digital‑nature experience (don't miss mirror voxel show)
* Head to **Japan Pavilion (“Between Lives”)**: timber‑sustainable, CO₂‑cycle exhibits
### 🍽️ 13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch
* **West Ringside Marketplace**: Expo-themed food + Japanese bento and souvenirs
### 🕑 14:00 – 17:00 – Afternoon Highlights
* **GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE Pavilion**: see 18 m life‑size Gundam + VR space journey
* **Blue Ocean Dome**: immersive ocean and sustainability films in bamboo/carbon‑fiber dome
### 🕔 17:00 – 20:00 – Evening Stroll & Entertainment
* Visit **UAE Pavilion** (space/medical), **Cartier Women’s Pavilion**, and **Canada Pavilion** (AR icebergs + maple snacks)
* Stick around for **evening water‑music-light shows** at Water Plaza
### 🕗 20:00 – 21:00 – Return & Dinner
* Return via Chuo + Midosuji to Dobutsuen‑Mae.
* Dinner near your hotel or Namba.
---
#30th Sep#**Tuesday (Half-Day) – Final Eats & Shopping**
**08:00 – 09:00** – Breakfast in **Shinsekai**
**09:00 – 10:30** – **Mega Don Quijote Shinsekai**
* Great for souvenirs, snacks, quirky gifts, and cheap cosmetics. Open 24/7.
**10:30 – 11:00** – Subway to **Tanimachi 4-chome** (Midosuji → Chuo Line)
**11:00 – 12:30** – **Osaka Castle Grounds**
* Stroll through the park and moat. View the castle exterior; skip tower entry unless interested in history.
* **Tip**: Visit Nishinomaru Garden or grab coffee in park cafés.
**13:00 – 14:00** – Lunch near stay & leave to kyoto