OSAKA

大阪市

Last time, I skipped Osaka, because there wasn't enough time, so I returned happily with one week to explore Osaka to its fullest - and I'm telling you, I wanted to stay. Where Tokyo is all busy, Osaka seems to be more leisure and I have to say I enjoyed the city more than Tokyo. Not only are there many things to discover in Osaka, but it's also close to other amazing places like Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima and so on. I include a list of possible day trips down below. I asked people in advance for recommendations for things to do in Osaka and without exception everyone answered: EAT!

Once you see the huge food signs of Dotonbori, you know why! Osaka is also known to be the food capital of Japan. There are so many things to discover and eat, it will be a real challenge to fit it all in your itinerary. Check out my foodie list down below, so you don't miss out on the delicacies you can only find in Osaka!

NICE TO KNOW

Get a SUICA card upon arrival, you can use it for the public transport and to get to the USJ.

Usually there are signs for pretty much everything, even how to fold the toilet paper for optimal use, no kidding. If you should ever face a situation where you can only find the Japanese letters, I made a post below, so you can compare the words to figure out what they mean ;-)

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES YOU CAN ONLY HAVE IN OSAKA

Make your own TAKOYAKI!
Drink a coffee while holding a snake at REPTILE CAFE ROCK STAR!

Make your own RAMEN at the Instant Ramen Museum!
Have a drink at KINGUU the only bar in Osaka that serves MEAD!

Enroll at HOGWARTS at the Universal Studios Japan!

Catch your dinner at the fishing restaurant ZAUO NAMBA HONTEN!

Drive a GO KART around the city dressed as a video game character!

OSAKA CASTLE

Naturally on the list; the stunning OSAKA CASTLE. Get there first thing in the morning to avoid school classes and tour busses. Since Osaka lies on the coast, the weather changes fast and you will get amazing pictures with a different sky. Don’t miss out on the museum inside.

UMEDA

Make your way to the UMEDA STATION, you can take the Subway from the Castle, the stations only a 15 minutes foot walk away. There are many things to do around the UMEDA STATION, like countless SHOPPING opportunities in the complexes like the GRAND FRONT MALL or the HEP FIVE MALL with the FERRIES WHEEL on the rooftop. Head to the SKY BUILDING and go up to the 40th floor to get some of the best views on Kansai. If you get hungry you can make your own DIY TAKOYAKI at TAKONTETSU or snack your way through the TENJINBASHISUJI SHOTENGAI. You might want to take a stroll to digest in the beautiful NAKANOSHIMA DISTRICT nearby or visit the more than 1’000 year old OHATSU TENJIN SHRINE.

DOTONBORI

Shop your way through the SHINSAIBASHI Shopping Street – don’t be a tourist and walk on the left side! Stop and snap the famous GLICO RUNNING MAN sign on the Ebisubashi Bridge, probably the most famous neon sign in the world. Before crossing the Bridge and find yourself in the Street Food Heaven of Osaka. Down below you’ll find a list of all the delicious foods you can find in the famous food capital of Japan. Once you’ve eaten your share, walk along the much less crowded TOMBORI RIVERWALK and stop to see the strangely oval shaped DON QUIXOTE FERRIES WHEEL.

SASHIMI, ANIME & BEER

Visit KUROMON ICHIBA MARKET to get some of the freshest seafood in town. Local chefs go there to buy ingredients for their restaurants. You might spot even some weird or unseen things like the mini Octopus on a stick. Down below a list of delicious things you shouldn’t miss out on – like the STRAWBERRY REDBEAN DAIFUKU. Once you’ve stuffed your face, it’s time for a little stroll, so head to the NIPPONBASHI DEN DEN TOWN to get your geek fix. It reminded me of the Akihabara District in Tokyo. When the sky starts to darken, head to the SHINSEKAI TOWER, where the fun begins when it’s dark. There are countless restaurant and bars in this area, catch your own dinner at the ZAUO FISHING RESTAURANT.

AMERIKA-MURA

Amerika-mura "Amemura" - is a district of narrow streets which is the heart of youth culture in Osaka since the 1970s. The streets are filled with urban apparel, hip-hop wear, and vintage clothing. But even if you’re not into shopping, there are plenty of foreigner-friendly bars and restaurants. Make sure you check out the third-wave coffee shop LILO ROASTERS, with amazing Coffee and even Almond Milk.

SPECIAL SHOPS

Brows for reading material in the STANDARD bookstore, sip on a coffee in the café and flip through some amazing photography books. For those a little more into fantasy, head to the Wonderland at ALICE ON WEDNESDAY and discover a jewelry and accessory shop hidden behind the small door.

J-POP, TAKOYAKI & ICE CREAM

People swear you can get the best Takoyaki at the corner of the park from KOGA-RYU – get them to go and hangout in the park, to watch the diverse Amerimura crowd and maybe even catch a live J-Pop performance. Loving a dessert? How about the longest Soft Ice Cream from POP SWEET? The longest measures 40cm and you can get vanilla and chocolate flavor.

VINTAGE PARADISE

There’s a cool complex, called SHINSAIBASHI BIG STEP, hidden inside is the SILVER BALL PLANET, the arcade takes you back in time with machines from the 60s. For only 100yen you get the chance to keep the ball from sinking.

JAPAN'S OLDEST SHRINE

A little outside of the centre but easily to reach by subway is the SUMIYOSHI TAISHA, one of Japans oldest shrines founded in the 3rd century, before the introduction of Buddhism. It displays a unique style of shrine architecture, called Sumiyoshi-Zukuri. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the Shinto gods who protect travellers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbours. Due to its location, there aren’t many tourists, what makes it the perfect getaway from the Dotonbori Crowds.

Leading to the entrance of the main shrine grounds is the beautiful SORIHASHI BRIDGE, which creates a uniquely high arch over a pond.

NAMBA YASAKA SHRINE

Close by the Namba Station is a rather special shrine in form of a giant, 12 meter high, lions head. Why a lions head? It's believed that the giants mouth swallows evil spirits and thus brings good luck, especially for those looking to do well in school and business

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

There are many cool attraction and rides in the USJ, for example I found one of my favorite rollercoasters there; the Flying Dinosaur in the Jurassic Park Area. Not only that also the 3D Minion Adventure is pretty fun and feels amazingly real! Last but not least, I finally made it to Hogwarts – A Dream Became True! It’s just magical and I could have spent the whole day there! I brought my Gryffindor Scarf, because buying stuff there is just ridiculously over-prized. I couldn’t stop smiling during the Ollivanders Wand Ceremony, because the guy acted pretty good and almost word for word from the movie ^.^

How to get there: Getting around in Osaka is super convenient, especially when you get the SUICA CARD. There’s a Metro Station right by the USJ named Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line from there the entrance is only five minute walk away.

When to go: Honestly, just go whenever you can – there’s no perfect or less crowded time, if you want to skip the lines invest in an Express Pass. I went in December on a Weekday, off season and there were still plenty of people – just go and enjoy the amazing park!