The day before, go to Tokyo station to get a reserved seat on the 8am Nozomi to Shin-Osaka station and your return ticket for the 9:30pm. Nothing in Osaka opens till 11am so getting there earlier doesn’t get you much. Pick up a Ekiben between platforms 6 & 7 before heading to the Shinkansen line.

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Then take the Midosuji subway line to Namba station from Shin-Osaka station.

Go north to the river and explore Dotonbori. Stay along the river walk on the North side and go wherever you want on the South side.

Explore south toward Namba train station and then either head toward Old Osaka or the Aquarium.

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In the evening if you have time head up to Umida/Osaka station and explore the east side of the station, near the HEP Five or Estreet covered market.

The last train back up to Tokyo is at 9:30pm so you will want to be back at Shin-Osaka station by 9 to comfortably make it onto your Shinkansen.

Umida to Shin-Osaka

Aquarium to Shin-Osaka

Old Osaka to Shin-Osaka