Osaka
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Osaka’s nickname, “Tenka no Daidokoro” (the nation’s kitchen), originally referred to its historical status as Japan’s rice-trade hub. Although no longer the hub for rice trade, Osaka is now known for being the food capital of Japan. Okonomiyaki and takoyaki are two well-known Osaka dishes, but there are many more delicious foods to try while there. I personally love Osaka because the people are kind and outgoing, and the city itself has a lot to offer.
Places of Interest
Dotonbori: This is one of the main tourist destinations in Osaka. It runs along the Dotonbori canal from Dotonboribashi to Nipponbashi in the exciting Namba district. It’s home to the well-known Glico man sign, amongst other flashy signage. Head here for tasty food and soak up Osaka’s lively energy.
Shinsaibashi: Shinsaibashi is a lively and hip area in the Namba district. It’s the largest shopping area in Osaka and is filled with cool shops and cafes. One notable area within Shinsaibashi is American-mura Village with it’s amazing street art, vintage stores, and random assortment of goods primarily from America. It’s pretty eclectic and is a fun place to walk around in, especially at night.
Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo): Osaka-jo is spectacular and quite stunning. The gold details and beautiful, ornate designs add to its beauty. Seeing it in the spring was also nice because some of the cherry blossom trees were in bloom. If you pay for admission, you can enter the castle and go to the viewing deck. There, you can see an incredible view of the city. Otherwise, you can enjoy the castle and castle park for free.
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum: After the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, the Instant Ramen Museum is my second favorite. I love how interactive the museum exhibits are, and the story behind instant noodles is quite interesting. Learn about the history and make your own CUPNOODLES for only 300 JPY. It’s best to go earlier in the day when the line isn’t as long. Of course, weekdays are preferable over weekends.
Asahi Brewery: Asahi Breweries was founded in Osaka, and there’s no better place to learn about Asahi beer than at one of the brewery factories. At the Suita brewery, you can take a tour that ends with a tasting. I enjoyed the tour and learned some unique facts about Asahi! Suita is about 30 minutes of the city center. There are a couple train stations nearby, but it is better accessed with a car or by taxi. More information for reservations can be found on their website.
Pokemon Center: The Osaka Pokemon Center is located in Daimaru Mall near Osaka Station. Osaka Station has tons of ins and outs, as well as multiple malls and shopping centers surrounding it. Being in a major city, Osaka Station is bustling with business people, city people, and tourists. It’s a little confusing to navigate, but the people at the information desks are very helpful and can direct you to the Pokemon Center.
Shinsekai: Shinsekai is an old neighborhood located next to the downtown area. It’s remained largely untouched over the years and is quite nostalgic. At the district’s center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the symbol of Shinsekai. The area is nice to walk around and explore, but be sure to try kushikatsu while you’re here.
Namba Yasaka Jinja: This lion shrine is one of the notable shrines to visit in Osaka. It hides within the alleyways of Namba district, but can be found on most maps. During the Meiji Restoration the shrine shrank in size. Then in the midst of WWII, it was damaged and rebuilt. Today, the lion spans over 12 meters high and 11 meters wide and features a meditation place in its mouth area.
Travel tip #1: If you’re traveling in Japan, you can always rely on the day lockers in the stations. They typically range from 300-700 JPY. A great option for travelers!
Food
Okonomiyaki: This savory Japanese pancake is just that: a batter-based food with various mix-ins and topped with sweet-tangy brown sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and parsley flakes. It’s probably Osaka’s most famous dish, and one of its most popular. At many okonomiyaki spots, they also serve up a variety of teppanyaki dishes: foods made on large, flat grill tops.
Tonpeiyaki: Lesser known than okonomiyaki and takoyaki, but equally delicious, this is usually served as an appetizer. It features grilled pork slices and cabbage rolled into an egg omelet, which is topped with similar sauces and flakes as okonomiyaki.
Takoyaki: Takoyaki is another Osaka original dish. These piping hot balls consist of octopus (“tako”) stuffed inside gooey and savory batter. They are commonly topped with a sweet and tangy brown sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. I went to Kukuru in Dōtonbori for takoyaki, but you can find it throughout the city and country. Though, it is much more wallet-friendly in Osaka compared to other parts of Japan.
Brooklyn Coffee Roasters: A NYC coffee shop in Osaka serving up some awesome brews. Their iced coffee was especially good, and they have different types of milks available to add in. Lots of space for working or chatting with friends.
Jiggly cheesecake: Make sure to try some of the famous jiggle cheesecake from Rikuro Ojisan no Mise. It’s fluffy, light, and of course jiggly. There are locations sprinkled throughout the city.
Tsuruhashi: Tsuruhashi is Osaka’s Koreatown, which is filled with some of the best Korean food and shops in Japan. Walk around the fresh market area to sample kimchi and other Korean specialities, as well as buy food products. The newer outer market area is where you can do some shopping.
KFC Buffet: This all-you-can-eat buffet is way better than any KFC I’ve eaten in America. Adult price for weekday lunch is 1,880 JPY plus tax—about 2,000 JPY per person. There are no reservations, so it’s first-come, first-served. The check-in process is entirely in Japanese, but Google Translate worked perfectly to complete the simple process. There are a few KFC Buffet locations in Osaka, but the one I went to is located in the Lalaport Expocity mall in Suita, Osaka. You can read more about my experience here.
Craft Beer: Marca is a small, hole-in-the-wall brewery located on the outskirts of the Shinsaibashi area. It’s dimly lit with brewing equipment behind a glass door in the back area of the shop. Room for about 10-15 people to post up at the bar, it’s small and intimate. They had about six beers and a cider chalked on the wall when I visited back in March. The seasonal Yuzu Pale Ale was light and refreshing with a subtle citrus hint—great beer and atmosphere.
Travel tip #2: Osaka is the place in Japan to try street food. It’s best to share orders of street food and eat as you go. In most places in Japan, it is viewed as rude to eat and walk. Many people will either move to the side to stop and eat or simply sit down at the small benches provided near the food stalls to enjoy their food.
Accommodation
Nerarel Hostel is in the Namba district. It is conveniently located near multiple public transportation stations, and has lots of restaurants, bars, and shops in walking distance. If you’re an anime or manga fan, this is the place for you—the hostel has an expansive collection of books in the common area. Other than that, the hostel is clean, in a great location, and the beds are comfortable. Check booking.com for Nerarel Hostel’s rates, as well as other hotel and hostel options in Osaka.
During my March 2018 visit to Osaka, I stayed in an Airbnb near Shinsaibashi. The view from the apartment was beautiful, and the total for three nights was relatively inexpensive. Osaka is more laid back than other places in Japan, making Airbnb a considerable option. However, as of June 2018 Japan has rolled back on allowing residents to utilize services like Airbnb. You may see signs in the place you are staying that say, “No vacations. Tenants only,” which can be fairly off-putting. In addition, there may be fewer listings compared to before due to new regulations set in place by the Japanese Government.