Osaka is Japan's third largest city and is a short trip from other Japanese tourist cities such as Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Osaka is particularly known for their many neon signs that light up the street scene. The city is probably a bit underrated and many would choose to skip it on their trip around Japan. But when you delve deeper into the city's many possibilities, you find that it is a bit of a hidden gem. The city is a bit of a mix of Tokyo and Kyoto. It is both an incredibly modern city, but at the same time it also has the traditional aspect.
Where to live?
APA Hotel & Resort Midosuji Honmachi-Eki Tower
APA is a chain you can find all over Japan and is a good choice for a good hotel with good facilities. The hotel has a spa, a 24-hour FamilyMart and location close to the metro.
Where to eat and drink?
Osaka is known for its street food, so if you are going to Osaka, you must stop by their food market and try the countless Japanese street food delicacies, such as sea urchins, small octopuses on sticks, "animal" melons, fresh fish, etc. Among other things, Osaka is also known for their cow meat, which is a Japanese delicacy, known for its taste and tenderness.
Here are our top recommendations for places to eat:
A Happy Pancake
Delicious Japanese fluffy pancakes, with delicious accessories. Here you can easily share one portion with 2-3 others. They are hearty and fill your stomach well!
Phew
Osaka is known for their "okonomiyaki", which is a Japanese dish consisting of cabbage, eggs and whatever else you want to put on top of it. You can get it in many places in the city, but we can at least recommend "Fue".
Famous street food in Osaka
- Daifuku with strawberries -> dessert mochi
- Takoyaki -> Octopus, baked inside what looks like an apple slice
- Crab dishes and crab claws
Ramen Jinsei JET
Delicious and cheap ramen.
Ramen Hayoto
Cheap ramen on Japan's Michelin guide.
Shabuzen Umedaten
Unique experience, with delicious yakitori and tempura.
Sushi Itcho Katashinsaibashi
Incredibly delicious and semi-cheap sushi place.
Wagyu Idaten
Wagyu omakase place, also at semi-cheap prices.
Shabuchin Namba sennichima
Cheap and cool shabu-sabu place where you are served thin slices of meat and vegetables in a hotpot, served with a dipping sauce.
What you don't want to miss in Osaka!
Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum
Beautiful architecture and a library that makes you want to read a lot of books.
Dotonbori Glico sign - Running man
A famous giant neon sign of a man running across the Dotonbori bridge. He is called Dotonbori's mascot.
Walk along the canals
A pleasant walk if you are also lucky with the weather!
Umeda Sky Building
Enjoy the view of the city and be fascinated by how high up you are.
Temples
Osaka has many beautiful temple areas, here are some of them: Tenmagu, Shitennoji, Sumiyoshi Taisha
Osaka Castle
One of Japan's most famous landmarks and an incredibly beautiful castle. Here you also have the opportunity to enter and see the castle and feel the enchanting feeling of walking into an ancient castle.
Namba Yasaka Shrine
A unique Shinto shrine consisting of gates encircling a giant dragon's head.
Mido-suji street
A shopping street filled with many small vintage shops.
Tsutenkaku
103 meter high distinctive observation tower.
Haruka's 300
A 300 meter high observation deck, with a view over the whole city.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the world's largest aquariums and is definitely worth a visit.
Universal Studios Japan
In Osaka you will also find the Universal Studios theme park, where you will 100% not regret spending a day.
Nagai Botanical Garden
TeamLab has illuminated parts of the park that make the park worth an evening visit.
