Welcome to Osaka, a city that embodies the spirit of Japan’s Kansai region. Renowned for its bustling streets, mouthwatering cuisine, and friendly locals, Osaka offers a captivating blend of traditional charm and modern energy. In this blog post, we invite you to join us on a virtual journey to Osaka, exploring its iconic landmarks, culinary delights, and unique cultural experiences that make it a must-visit destination for travelers.
Our time in Osaka consisted of 3 days and 2 day trips. The day trips were to Kyoto and Nara. Would recommend going to Kyoto for more than a day if you have the time. Because we went during Golden Week, we planned it would be busier that Osaka and figured we will go back to Kyoto to spend more time to experience the beauty it offers. See our Kyoto post for more details on our trip and what we plan to see when we visit again. Our Nara trip is covered on the Nara post. Stay tuned for more information on a separate post regarding Japan trip planning and recommendations. We stayed at the same hotel brand we stayed at in Tokyo called Karaksa. We stayed at the Namba location which was very conveniently located between two major stations and a five minute walk to the Dotonbori.
We took the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Osaka. There are 3 train options that you can easily take, 2 are covered on the Japan Rail pass(See tips article for more). Hikari and Kodama were the 2 trains you could take with the pass. Kodama is the faster train model, but takes longer due to it stopping at every stop, while the Hikari stops at major stops. The time is between two and half to four hours based on the train taken. The longer distance trains in Japan are very comfortable and easy to navigate. The only issue/recommendation is that you must register luggage that are larger pieces. If you are like us and traveling with kids or planning to do lots of purchasing and have a large check in, the protocol is that you must place such bags in the designated baggage area. Because of the limited space, during busy times, keeping large bags in front of you can result in fines and disrupt other paying passengers. Don’t disturb those passengers by not finding(booking in advance) a way to reserve the seats that come with luggage option.
Osaka is filled with great spots to eat. The main districts to eat are Dotonbori, Shinsekai, Kuromon Ichiba Market. These areas not only offer good on the go eats but also experience Japanese culture through various street vendors. Each district has its own unique charm and culinary specialties, making Osaka a true haven for food enthusiasts. Whether you’re seeking street food, local delicacies, or fine dining, you’ll find it all within the diverse and delectable food landscape of this vibrant city.
Dotonbori is a lively experience and truly a unique nighttime event seeing the many people lining up for food, walking up and down the river, and doing some quick shopping. We had Takoyaki at a few stands, a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion. The best part of eating these molten hot dough balls is washing it down with a cool beverage. Takoyaki is also a very common snack at Izakaya’s while the salarymen drink and talk till late in the night. Also, Dotonbori has tons of shops and retailers for clothing so be sure to stop by to get the latest fashion and trendy clothing.
In Shinsekai, we elected to try another common Japanese food called Kushikatsu,is a Japanese dish of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. In Japanese, kushi refers to the skewers used while katsu means a deep-fried cutlet of meat. We were lucky enough to have bar seating where we could smell all the delicious fried foods being dropped in the fryer in front of us, making us order more and more until we couldn’t eat any more. Daruma Kushikatsu, which has several locations was where we elected to eat. We ordered 1 of everything from their menu. Our favorites where the Lotus Root and Garlic. Everything there was delicious and light. Honestly, If we didn’t have stuff planned for later in the day, or the line outside the restaurant, I could probably sit there all day and just eat. Oh, and whatever you do, DO NOT DOUBLE DIP! We did notice after COVID, restaurants began to give individual sauces/bottles to use, but prior to that, it was a shared dipping tray on the table and double dipping is very frowned upon.
We also did some shopping in Shinsekai as they have tons of shops that have small little gifts and fun items. We had to stop at the Umaibo shop to load up on the many unique flavors they have. Pro-tip, if your a fan of the corn snack, I recommend going to a grocery store to buy them in bulk to get them a t a better price. But if you’re looking for unique flavors, going to a shop like this will be good, but expensive.
While is Osaka, we also spent time at Osaka Castle. It is a great spot to relax as while there are many tourist, there are also many spots to sit and admire the beauty of the castle and Japanese design. We spent the afternoon in the sun at Osaka Castle and enjoyed letting our daughter run around, chase birds and wander the large walkways and areas of the Castle.
Another fun experience was the TeamLabs Osaka. This is a unique and truly fund experience for outdoor lovers as they have set up the art exhibit in the Nagai Botanical Garden. They have the exhibit at night when it gets dark and the entire botanical garden is lit up into several different exhibits that make it a once in a lifetime experience. Bring a jacket/sweater as it can be cold and rainy but keep warm and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere that is created.
Osaka’s hospitality is not just a gesture; it’s a way of life that envelops you in a sense of belonging and warmth. From the cheerful greetings to the delectable street food and the tranquil ryokans, every experience in this captivating city is an embodiment of the Kansai Oshare spirit. As you wander through its streets, you’ll discover that the essence of hospitality is woven into the fabric of Osaka, making it a destination that leaves an indelible mark on your heart and soul. So, come embrace the genuine warmth, immerse yourself in the rich traditions, and relish the extraordinary experiences that Osaka has to offer.
