Here’s a few things to know if you visit Osaka.  The most famous attraction in Osaka is probably Osaka Castle but I don’t think it’s that great. If you’ve never been to Japan, then sure, it’s worth a visit, but if you’ve been to other parts of Japan and have seen castles and shrines and the like, it’s not going to blow your socks off.  If you go, check out the Pigeon man who puts seeds on himself (and you if you want) so pigeons eat off him. Don’t worry, no payment is asked for or needed.

Visit Osaka – Pigeon Man at Osaka Castle

There’s loads of flights from Hong Kong to Osaka on Cathay, Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Express, ANA, Air India and others.  So if you want to visit Osaka you won’t have a problem here.  Cathay Pacific is usually way more expensive than any other airline. We’ve flown Hong Kong Airlines a couple of times and they’re a budget Airline for a reason.  Firstly, the check in lines for Hong Kong Express at Hong Kong Airport can be diabolical, like over an hours wait, so make sure you leave plenty of time.  We’ve flown HK Airlines but never to Osaka, and I think they’re way better. Hong Kong airlines don’t serve food and the trolley dolleys will tell you off if they see you’ve bought you’ve bought along your own snacks.  If you’re going to visit Osaka, give Hong Kong airlines a miss and try something else.  Did you know that if you Google “flights HK Osaka” Google will give you the flight time with a list of all direct flights and the days they fly, something like this:

Just some of the HK Osaka flights

You can do this for any destinations, it’s not always totally accurate but will give you some idea of the flights available if you plan to visit Osaka.

Best time to visit Osaka is during Oct/Nov and spring (March, April, May), although you can really go year round.  Summer can get a bit hot and winter’s a bit cold, but nothing too extreme.

If you don’t have much time and are tossing up between Tokyo and Osaka, I’d think about Osaka because you can get to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara easily from Osaka.  Osaka’s also only 2 and half hours by train from Japan and if you’ve never been a bullet train, that’s worth a go.  Turn you phones to silent, don’t make too much noise and you’ll be right.

If you’re thinking to visit Osaka and have any questions or comments, ask us via email or ask us on twitter

Go back to the Osaka Destination Guide home page here.