My 6th trip to Japan, 5th time to Osaka and 1st time here in summer (every other trip has been in Winter) and it was disgustingly hot! This was my first trip since covid and a lot of businesses have closed down, half of Nipponbashi have empty shops, which is such a shame. I also did this trip after quitting my job, so did it pretty cheaply and mainly explored.

My recommendations

Budget friendly:

• Get takoyaki from a street vendor
• Americamura
• Tennoji at night, you might meet some drunken locals
• Shinsaibashi and getting lost in the malls along the rail systems
• Hire a bike and get lost in the city!
• Osaka Science Museum (600yen each in Aug 2023)
• Catch the train to Umeda and look around the shops, we went to some malls and to Yodobashi Camera and it was hectic
• Tennoji Zoo (1500yen each, though it is a bit run down)
• Try out the omurice at https://maps.app.goo.gl/a6Z3U7ZUT8aEMM2i9
• Take some lunch and do a day trip to Nara Park and pet some Deer

Splurge:

• Universal Studios
• Osaka Aquarium (though can be very busy)
• Go to a cat cafe. Or reptile cafe!
• Ferris wheel
• Go to a Gaijin bar and find some locals to take clubbing!