What it actually costs
Budget
$70/day
Hotel$28
Food$25
Transport$8
Activities$9
Mid-range
$155/day
Hotel$80
Food$40
Transport$12
Activities$23
Luxury
$380/day
Hotel$220
Food$75
Transport$25
Activities$60
Beer
$4-6
Coffee
$3
Meal
$6-12
Taxi start
$6
When to go
Best months
AprilMayOctoberNovember
Avoid
JulyAugust
Same humidity nightmare. Osaka is concrete — heat radiates off buildings.
Crowd tip
Dotonbori is packed 6-10pm every night. Go for lunch — same food, no crowds.
What locals know
1
Takoyaki and okonomiyaki are must-eats — budget ¥500-800 each.
2
Shinsekai has the best kushikatsu. Rule: never double-dip the communal sauce.
3
Day trip to Nara (45 min) is free — deer park costs nothing.
4
Osaka people are friendlier than Tokyo. Strangers will chat you up.
Honest warnings
Dotonbori tourist restaurants are mediocre. Walk one street back for real spots.
Universal Studios Japan needs tickets weeks ahead. Express passes sell out.
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