Osaka – quick travel guide

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Western Japan’s biggest city. Smaller, lower-cost, more laidback, and friendlier than Tokyo.

Osaka was Japan’s former historic business center conveniently near Kyoto (Japan’s former political center), before both were consolidated and moved to Tokyo in the east of Japan. Today, Osaka is a cheaper (compared to Tokyo) but still very vibrant city. Lots of fun and nice place to live. It’s in the vincinity of many tourist-worthy sites but they’re kinda spread out so you can do some tourist things here, but not all unless you commit lots of time. Mainly, you’re here for a less-touristy vibrant city life.

2 days is enough to walk through the main sites. 3 would feel more comprehensive. 5 if you want to really lay back, and perhaps visit other nearby areas (such as Nara).

Where to stay:

  • The 2 main areas you’ll visit are the Dotonbori Street and river area (in Minami District), and the Tennoji District. But you’ll spend most of your time by Dotonbori Street. So pick a place near Dotonbori but near a metro line to Tennoji.
  • If you’re on a budget, you could also stay further out but nearby the metro lines that take you to both Minami and Tennoji areas.

Hostels:

  • I didn’t stay in one.

Neighborhoods & Walking areas:

  • Kita Ward (Umeda Station) – this is the metropolis downtown area that you probably passed through when you first arrived. Lots of shops and big commercial buildings, people walking around everywhere. Lots of life but feels like there’s nowhere to sit down. Everybody is on the move to get somewhere.
  • Minami – probably the 1st and most important tourist area. Has the busy Dotonbori St, and the water area (Dotonbori River), the Glico Running Man billboard. Very busy and vibrant, full of people, shops, restaurants. Feels the most fun for tourists. It’s probably most idea to stay within walking distance or at least by a subway stop that comes through here. The side streets and adjacent areas are totally worth checking out as well; check out Sennichimae area.
  • Tennoji – a newly-revived area of previously lowend/lowrent housing, shops and restaurants. Well known today for the Tennoji green spaces (park, garden, museum)…and the trending Shinsekai retro area full of lights, shops, restaurants, and bars all centered around the photo-famous Tsutenkaku neon lit tower. When you’re tired of Minami or want something more chill (but still lively), this is the place to be.
  • Osaka Bay Area – I would consider this a boring and totally skippable place. However, it’s a good place for families as there’s kid-friendly stuff like amusement park, aquarium, etc. Just look for the “Tempozan Harbor Village”.

Activities to do:

  • Buildings & architecture:
    • Osaka Castle – it was just ok for me compared to other castles in Japan. I enjoyed the walk to the castle and the surrounding park areas than the castle itself. But you should definitely pass by from the outside for a quick look.
  • Parks, gardens, green spaces:
    • Tennoji Park – a big real park if you want some nature.
    • Osaka Castle – the surrounding park area is nice.
  • Bridges, water-points – the Dotonbori River water area is the place to be!
  • Markets, shopping:
    • Big brand shopping, I’d look at the commercial areas around Umeda Station.
    • For all other shops, I’d check the Dotonbori St and river area.
  • Arts & museums – they have some but I didn’t go to any.
  • Viewpoints, sunsets, landmarks:
    • Since it’s a dense city, the best viewpoints is to get on a rooftop or a tower. Try the Osaka Station rooftop.
    • Landmarks…the most touristy one is the Glico Running Man billboard. You can get a good photo of it down by the water (standing from the opposite side of the water). You can also go into the giftshop just behind, wait in line for a photo op…there they have a background built out of the patio to make YOU look like the running man.

Restaurants & Cafes:

There are tons of good food everywhere. But I list the more iconic tourist ones.

  • Fishing restaurant – there are many restaurants where seating areas are designed like boats and you “fish” for your dinner, using a fishing rod to catch fish which are swimming around in a fake river that goes around the entire restaurants. Upon catching one, the staff bangs a drum and everybody claps like you achieved something amazing…hahaha. I think the best ones are in the Tennoji area.
  • Rooftop beer garden – this is an absolute must for me. I went my first time in 2009 and loved the experienced so much, I will never forget it. Some skyscrapers have feature an open-air rooftop restaurant during the summer months. You pay an entry fee and then it’s like a buffet. Really amazing food and drink options, you won’t be disappointed. I believe my favorite one might have been closed by now, but check out Umeda Hankyu Beer Garden and Suntory Building Rooftop Beer Garden.
  • Pokemon Cafe – they have one here if you wanted to go or take your kids. Food is very mediocre and subpar by far for Japan standards. But you’re there for the pokemon experience, right? Make a reservation so you come right in time for “the show” (somebody dressed like a Pokemon comes out and waves and bounces around, nothing special).

Foods to try:

  • everything
  • wagyu
  • seafood
  • okonomiyaki
  • ice cream
  • street food

Bars & Clubs:

  • The best nightlife (even though I haven’t tried it), is probably along the Dotonbori River. Nicest and most posh.
  • The other “nightlife” is the more seedy south end of the Tennoji District. South of the Midosuji Line. Here you see those karaoke bars where business men buy drinks and the female hostesses sing along with them at the counter.
  • Gambling – check out the Sennichimae area.

Miscellaneous tips:

Nearby towns:

  • Kyoto** – absolutely beautiful area with lots of historical sights and culture.
  • Nara** – known by locals for nightlife and hiking. But for tourists, it has the famous Nara Park areas where deer run wild around the whole city. Also the nice big temple here. Many other sites as well, too many to list. You can easily do Nara as a day trip from Osaka, it’s only 30min away.

Unfiltered notes:

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