City, Japan
Osaka
Japan's loud, funny food capital: cheaper than Tokyo, easy to base from for Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, and warm to strangers. Dense and concrete; little of it is pretty.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$1,520–2,220Comfortable, one person · ¥240,000–350,000Details
- Value for money63/100Better value than 62% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Aug, 32°CDetails
- Air quality9.4 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet234 MbpsFixed broadband, Japan medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and tastes fine; restaurants serve free water or tea.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$25–63Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGOWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashContactless and IC cards work in chains, konbini and stations; takoyaki stalls, small izakaya and Shinsekai eateries often want cash.Details
Where to stay in Osaka
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Namba–Dotonbori | First-timers: food, nightlife, Nankai airport train |
| Umeda (Kita) | Shinkansen, business, shopping and quieter hotels |
| Shinsaibashi–Horie | Shopping, cafés, young crowd, walkable |
| Tennoji–Shinsekai | Budget hostels, retro streets, cheap local food |
| Nakazakicho | Quieter, café-lined vintage area near Umeda |
Apps that work in Osaka
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: LINE
- Visit Japan Web: Immigration and customs QR codes
- Suica or PASMO: Trains, buses and konbini payments
- Safety tips: Official quake, tsunami and weather alerts in English
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and plentiful at stations and Umeda; no tipping. Few drivers speak English, so show the address on your phone.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Japan.
- Mixed: cards and cash Contactless and IC cards work in chains, konbini and stations; takoyaki stalls, small izakaya and Shinsekai eateries often want cash.
- Currency: Yen (JPY). US$1 ≈ ¥157.82 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: 7-Eleven, Japan Post and AEON ATMs take foreign cards; ¥100,000 per withdrawal at 7-Eleven; small fee; decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not done and can confuse staff. Some restaurants add a 10% service charge, and izakaya often add a small seating charge (otoshi).
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards widely accepted; Suica or PASMO in Apple Wallet; PayPay shops take Alipay+ wallets.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Register on Visit Japan Web before flying to get immigration and customs QR codes instead of paper forms.
- JESTA, an online pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, is planned by fiscal 2028; it is not required yet.
- The International Tourist Tax rose to ¥3,000 per departure on 1 July 2026, normally included in airfares.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787
Plugs
Type A, B. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Data-only SIMs and eSIMs sold at airports and Bic Camera or Yodobashi, about ¥2,000–6,000; voice numbers need a residence card. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Japan
Going to Osaka solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.