What to Book in Advance for Osaka
Last Updated on September 22, 2025 by Kay
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Visiting Osaka soon and wondering what you should book ASAP, even before you come?
Following Tokyo, Osaka has become a tourist hotspot in Japan, with both locals and international tourists, meaning that certain experiences need to be booked as soon as possible to beat the rush.
In this article, I’ll share the top attractions in Osaka where it’s recommended that you purchase a ticket or make a reservation in advance. This way, you won’t waste any of your precious travel time having to wait in lines or not even being able to get in!
What You Need to Book in Advance for Osaka
Kaiyukan Osaka Aquarium
The Kaiyukan Aquarium is one of the largest in the world and is famously home to a whale shark.
Depending on the season, the line to purchase tickets once at the aquarium can be long, and you might have to wait a while before you get in. This is why it’s best to get your ticket for the Kaiyukan Aquarium in advance. I think the day before should be completely fine!
Universal Studios Japan
I highly recommend getting tickets for Universal Studios Japan (also known as USJ) before you go, especially if you want an express pass. The ticket lines can be long, and you’re wasting time in line when you could be inside and heading for Super Nintendo World.
Express Passes are limited as well, and can sometimes sell out, especially during busy periods such as summer vacation, cherry blossom season (March to April), or October when USJ has its famous Halloween event.
I think it’s okay to purchase your USJ tickets up to the day before you plan to go, but if you want an Express Pass, you should try to buy that about a month beforehand.
teamLab Botanical Garden
teamLab, an immersive art collective, has museums across Japan, and Osaka’s location is especially unique because it only opens at night and is completely outdoors since it focuses on combining art with nature.
Unlike Tokyo’s teamLab exhibitions, teamLab Botanical Garden in Osaka doesn’t usually sell out, but it’s not guaranteed. You also need to purchase it online as tickets are not sold at the venue. This is why the earlier you get tickets, the better. I think a few days beforehand should suffice because you’ll want to check the weather forecast (it won’t be very fun in the rain).
I have a full review about my experience visiting, so make sure to give it a quick read if you want to know more.
Osaka Castle
The lines to purchase tickets for Osaka Castle are quite long. The good news, though, is that you can buy your tickets for Osaka Castle online once you’re there. However, just in case something goes wrong, try to buy the ticket the day before at the very latest.
If you really want to maximize your time and money, I recommend getting the Osaka Amazing Pass.
LEGOLAND
If you’re traveling to Osaka with young kids, then you might be interested in visiting Osaka’s LEGOLAND, which is right next to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. My daughter always has such a fun time when she visits, which you can read about in this article.
LEGOLAND tickets should be purchased in advance, although you can try to buy them online on the day of your visit as well.
Note that adults without children cannot visit LEGOLAND.
This is another attraction that’s included in the Osaka Amazing Pass (with some exceptions).
Osaka Amazing Pass
Although it might seem like it, the Osaka Amazing Pass is not a tourist trap. It’s a great way to save money on popular attractions and sights in Osaka, such as Osaka Castle, as well as on transportation costs.
Curious about how it works and how much money you can save? Then read about my experience using it, which includes everything you need to know about the pass.
The good thing is that the Osaka Amazing Pass doesn’t sell out or have limited quantities, so you can purchase it a day beforehand and be good to go.
Pokemon Cafe
The Pokémon Cafe is notoriously difficult to get reservations for. You can only start to make a reservation a month in advance, but spots are snapped up quickly. Sometimes you get in on the day if there’s a cancellation but this means a lot of waiting around when you could be doing something else.
To find out how I managed to snag a reservation for the Pokémon Cafe (without paying anyone to do it), read this article.
Hotels in Convenient Areas
Now that Osaka is on the tourist map, hotels are going fast, especially those in popular tourist areas. This is why I suggest trying to book hotels at least two months in advance.
For those looking to stay in a convenient location that’s close to Osaka’s highlights, here are my recommendations.
Traveling with kids? Then check out my comprehensive list of kid-friendly hotels in Osaka.
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji
My family stayed in this hotel when we were deciding whether to move to Osaka, and I don’t have enough good things to say about it. The service is impeccable, the hotel is beautiful, and it’s close to the station. The view from the room is also stunning! Just like the name implies, I felt like royalty staying here.
Best of all, if you stay in one of their executive rooms, you will be able to use the executive lounge. This lounge has free tea and sweets during the day and FREE unlimited alcoholic beverages (wine, spirits, etc) and snacks at night. The view from the lounge is really nice, too.
I think my only complaint is that there aren’t that many great restaurants nearby (it’s mainly a business area), but this was fine because it was easy for us to travel to foodie areas like Dotonbori by using the Midosuji Line.
Hilton Osaka Hotel
This is expensive, but they have a Japanese suite that looks really amazing, similar to a ryokan. It’s also only a 2-minute walk from Osaka Station.
MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi East
I stayed here with my family and really enjoyed the experience. It’s a spacious apartment-style hotel with a kitchenette and a separate bath and toilet. The only downside is that the walls are a little thin, so you can hear people if they’re especially noisy.
MIMARU also offers a limited quantity of free sake in the lobby, and it’s within walking distance to Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Dotonbori.
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
This hotel is in an excellent location as it’s only a 3-minute walk from Osaka Station and is located inside a huge shopping complex.
Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower
This hotel is a 14-minute walk from Osaka Station or a one-stop train ride along the Midosuji Line. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest outdoor infinity public bath, and also has a cafe and bar with city views on the 17th floor.
If you want to experience staying in a ryokan for one night in Osaka (and you should, the food is amazing), consider staying at Sanso Kazenomori, which is located in the mountains.
They have a shuttle bus running from Minoh Station, which is very easy to get to from Osaka Station (I speak from experience, I used to live a 5-minute walk away!). My husband’s coworker stayed here, and he loved it. It’s on our “to visit” list.