If your trip to Osaka is all sorted out but your itinerary is a little on the empty side, we can give you a helping hand.You may need to ask your boss for some more time off, because Osaka is overflowing with famous attractions. First off, be sure to see Osaka Science Museum and Osaka Castle. You won’t want to miss Osaka Takoyaki Museum and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan either.Soak up the best of what this place has to offer by adding Umeda Sky Building and Mint Museum to your must-see list. If you’ve got some spare time, swing by Osaka Museum of History and Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade too.Stop by Kyocera Dome Osaka. It’s one attraction you’ll find on many travelers’ to-do lists. If you still have space on that travel itinerary, Nipponbashi and Kuromon Ichiba Market will keep you amused as well.

More adventure is right around the corner, so buckle up! Travel 22 miles down the road and check out Nara Park and Kasuga Shrine. You’ll find these terrific attractions in Nara. Get ready to rack up those miles, because Kyoto Tower and Fushimi Inari Shrine are also worth a day trip. You’ll discover these great sights in Kyoto, 25 miles away.

Beaches are the best places to launch a kite. If the wind’s up, why not load the kids into the car and take a road trip to Omae Beach Park? It’s 10 miles from Osaka and is a glorious place for some family fun and games.

After spending hours rubbing shoulders with like-minded people, it’s always nice to know you can relax and unwind someplace nearby. If you’re visiting Osaka for work-related purposes, these are some of the convention centers that are close to hotels, restaurants and cafés:

• Osaka International Convention Center (1 mile away).
• Osaka International House Foundation (3 miles away).
• ATC Exhibition Hall (7 miles away).

Here you’ll find our top tips if you want to bag the biggest discounts on a car rental:

• Look into as many different cheap car rental companies as possible (we make that chore as easy as ABC!)
• Set up an email Price Drop Alert for your next exciting vacation destination. You never know what terrific deals will zoom straight into your inbox
• Research is the key to getting your hands on the best rental bargains in town, so be sure to check out both airport and non-airport pickup and drop-off outlets before you splash cash on your ride
• If you have room to move in your schedule, modify your dates to find cheaper prices on different days of the week
• So you don’t end up paying for an extra day or a late fee, aim to keep your pickup and drop-off times as similar as possible
• Keep more dollars in your back pocket. You’ll grab some of the best deals when you pay in advance for your rental vehicle
• Don’t let the deal you want slip through your grasp. Book as soon as possible and secure your dream ride.

On your way to Osaka to tick off Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Osaka Castle? Now that’s an unforgettable road trip! But it’s smart to give a little thought to how you’ll get around. Driving in this urban jungle can be a nerve-wracking experience, so pick a smaller ride, like a mini or a compact car. You’ll be squeezing past traffic jams and snatching car spaces like a pro. If you’d rather leave the driving for outside the city center, that’s OK with us too. Grab something a little more spacious and comfortable, like a standard car, and discover the bays of Japan.

You’ll be pleased to hear that there’s an impressive variety of luxurious rental vehicles in Osaka. What you go with will depend on your budget and what you plan to do. Specialty and prestige vehicles offer unparalleled comfort and class. If you’re splashing out, why not pick an SUV with all the bells and whistles, or perhaps a stylish mid-sized vehicle? Alternatively, if you just need a car to whiz around town in as economically as possible, go for a no-frills compact vehicle (or something else that won’t break the bank).

Driving someplace new doesn’t need to leave you gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles. If you’re headed to Osaka, feel confident in the driver’s seat with these helpful pointers:

In Osaka, you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road. This means the steering wheel is on the right side. If you’ve rented a manual transmission car, get ready to be shifting gears with your left hand.

It can be tricky to get a car space in Osaka. Once you nab one, make sure you pay attention to the signage. Overstaying the permitted time limit or leaving the car in a restricted zone can put a big dent in your vacation budget.

If you don’t like the idea of sitting in gridlock, stay off the roads between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, and again from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm. These are the rush hours in this city of 2,592,400 people.

In the city of Osaka, speed limits range from 30km/h to 100km/h. Residential zones have a default speed limit of 40km/h unless indicated otherwise.

Generally speaking, your chosen rental car company will charge the amount detailed on the fine to your credit card, including local surcharges. Otherwise, they may share your contact details with the relevant local authority, who’ll then issue a fine directly to you.

Provided you have hands-free or Bluetooth functions enabled, you are able to use your cell phone while operating a vehicle in Osaka. But make sure you keep your eyes on the road.

When behind the wheel in Osaka, it’s against the law to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) above 0.03%. Planning to have one or two drinks over lunch or dinner? Consider taking a taxi or using a ride-sharing service.

No, so don’t risk a fine by doing it. In Osaka, red means stop, with no exceptions. When approaching a set of traffic lights, always maintain a safe speed so you can easily stop when you need to.

Seat belts are required in Osaka. Having said that, this rule may differ for some vehicles, such as those used by public transportation networks.