Work Trip to Japan: Osaka & Nagoya – April 3‑10, 2025

Day 1: Arrival in Osaka

Morning: Arrive at Kansai International Airport and take the rapid train to Osaka city center. Check into the hotel near Umeda and settle in.

Afternoon: Explore the Umeda Sky Building for panoramic city views and take a quick lunch at the Grand Front Osaka food court.

Evening: Stroll through Dōtonbori to experience its neon lights and try local street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.

Day 2: Osaka Business & Culture

Morning: Attend a business meeting at the Osaka International Convention Center (INTEX), focusing on regional manufacturing partners.

Afternoon: Visit Osaka Castle and its surrounding park for a brief historic tour and photo opportunities.

Evening: Dinner in the Shinsaibashi shopping district, with options for traditional kaiseki or modern izakaya fare.

Day 3: Osaka Innovation Tour

Morning: Tour the Osaka Innovation Hub to meet local tech startups and discuss potential collaborations.

Afternoon: Visit the Osaka Science Museum for a quick exhibition on manufacturing technology.

Evening: Relax at Osaka Bay and enjoy the sunset from the Tempo Terrace restaurant.

Day 4: Day Trip to Kyoto

Morning: Take a short train ride to Kyoto and start with a visit to the serene Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Afternoon: Walk through the historic Gion district, spotting traditional tea houses.

Evening: Return to Osaka and unwind with a casual dinner at Namba.

Day 5: Preparations & Travel to Nagoya

Morning: Finalize conference materials and pack for the conference.

Afternoon: Travel by Shinkansen to Nagoya (approximately 1 hour) and check into a hotel near Nagoya Station.

Evening: Brief orientation walk around Sakae for dinner and a quick preview of the conference venue.

Day 6: Manufacturing World Conference – Day 1 (Nagoya)

Morning: Register at the Nagoya Convention Center and attend opening keynote on global supply chain trends.

Afternoon: Attend breakout sessions on advanced manufacturing and network with industry leaders.

Evening: Join a networking reception at the nearby Nagoya Castle garden, with views of the illuminated castle.

Day 7: Manufacturing World Conference – Day 2 (Nagoya)

Morning: Participate in a panel discussion at Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology regarding automotive innovations.

Afternoon: Visit exhibitor booths, focusing on robotics and AI for manufacturing.

Evening: Dinner at Meieki district, sampling Nagoya’s famous miso katsu.

Day 8: Conference Wrap‑Up & Departure

Morning: Attend final conference sessions and a closing ceremony at the Nagoya Convention Center.

Afternoon: Take a final stroll through the Nagoya City Science Museum if time permits.

Evening: Travel back to Osaka by Shinkansen for a night flight or continue onward.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Umeda Sky Building – 1.5 hours – $12
• Dōtonbori (food & walk) – 2 hours – $25
• Osaka Castle – 2 hours – $6
• Osaka International Convention Center – 3 hours – $0 (business)
• Osaka Innovation Hub – 2 hours – $0 (meeting)
• Osaka Science Museum – 1.5 hours – $8
• Tempo Terrace dinner – 2 hours – $30
• Fushimi Inari Shrine – 2 hours – $0 (public)
• Gion district walk – 1.5 hours – $0
• Travel to Nagoya (Shinkansen) – 1 hour – $45
• Hotel (Osaka, 3 nights) – 3 nights – $300
• Hotel (Nagoya, 3 nights) – 3 nights – $360
• Nagoya Convention Center – 6 hours – $0 (conference)
• Tomonobu Commemorative Museum – 2 hours – $15
• Nagoya Castle garden reception – 2 hours – $20
• Meieki dinner – 2 hours – $35
• Travel back to Osaka – 1 hour – $45
• Additional meals & transport – 7 hours – $150
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,041

Tips

If you need extra time for networking, consider extending your stay in Nagoya by one night to explore the Atsuta Shrine and the Nagoya Port Aquarium. Conversely, if you wish to shorten the trip, skip the day‑trip to Kyoto and allocate that time to additional conference sessions or early return to Osaka for a final day of relaxed sightseeing.