Discover incredible street food, quirky shopping outlets and soaring views in this Japanese city.
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Why go?
Osaka is a popular spot on Japan travel itineraries for good reason. The lively port city in the centre of the country, around three hours by high-speed train from Tokyo, is known for its brilliant food scene. This is the birthplace of snacks such as takoyaki (small, battered balls typically filled with onions or squid) and okonomiyaki (pancake-like snacks made with eggs, yam and cabbage).
It's also fantastically quirky – the city's biggest draws include the world's largest Sanrio store, with its three floors of Hello Kitty merchandise, and its depachikas – extravagant department store food halls filled with everything from white strawberries to gift-wrapped, football-sized tomatoes.
The best bit? Despite its awe-inspiring skyline (don't miss the chance to speed to the top of the Abeno Harukas, Japan's tallest building), it's incredibly accessible. An easily-navigable metro system makes exploring this beautiful city a breeze.
Key neighbourhoods in Osaka
Dōtonbori
Osaka is a foodie’s paradise and a great place to sample the local cuisine is Dōtonbori, a neon-lit, canopied pedestrian strip where you'll find everything from vending machine restaurants to street food stalls and bars. The best time to see it is at night – look out for the super-sized animatronic seafood models, used to indicate the type of food sold (the huge, wriggling crab above the Kanidouraku Dōtombori-Honten restaurant is our favourite).
For some time out, head to the nearby Hozenji Temple, which dates back to 1600.The narrow alleys close to this historic temple are home to several izakayas (small pubs).
Shinsaibashi
Named after one of the bridges spanning Osaka’s historic canals, Shinsaibashi is a major retail area close to Dōtonbori. At its heart is an eight-block strip of shops where you’ll find everything from the world’s largest Sanrio store (a pink-hued paradise filled with everything from supersized Hello Kitty's to underwear adorned with Sanrio's lesser-known characters) to 100-Yen shops (great places to stock up on weird and wonderful types of Kit Kat) and an enormous branch of Daimaru – the popular Japanese department store.
In the latter, we recommend heading to the basement to check out its depachika (food hall) where you’ll find beautiful displays of every type of food, including gift-wrapped watermelons selling for £50 a pop (the Japanese love to gift individual items of fruit) and freshly-grilled yakitori (skewered meat).
Tennoji
Tennoji is a skyscraper-filled downtown district which you’ll inevitably end up in at some point. It’s home to one of the city’s largest train stations (JR Tennoji Station) as well as its tallest skyscraper, Abeno Harukas. If you’ve got a head for heights, visit the observation deck which occupies the building’s top three floors (58 to 60). Admission is £10 for adults and £4.80 for children.
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Once you’re back on ground level, wander over to the Shitennoji Temple, which dates back to 593 AD and was the first to be built by the state.
Umeda
You’ll probably arrive in Umeda if you’re travelling to Osaka from nearby cities such as Kyoto. The JR Osaka Station has a warren-like collection of shops, restaurants and bars. There’s something for all budgets and the quirkier boutiques are fantastic places to pick up gifts like clutch bag with a wonderfully random slogan or unique pieces of jewellery.
READ MORE: 40 unmissable things to see and do in Japan
Umeda is also home to the Umeda Sky Building, a striking skyscraper which is actually two 173–metre-tall towers connected by a sky bridge-style observatory. Other Umeda attractions include the HEP FIVE shopping and entertainment complex and, for some chill out time, the pretty Nakanoshima Park.
Nipponbashi
Nipponbashi is Osaka’s version of Tokyo’s Akihabara district, famous for its enormous electronic stores. Head here to purchase everything from personal robots to talking toilets, or to simply browse all the other eclectic gadgets on offer.
The three main streets are Sakai-suji Dori, Nansan Dori and Ota Road. The latter is also known for its otaku stores (which cater to those who love anime and manga), making it another great spot for souvenir shopping. Other shops to check out include Super Potato for the huge selection of retro video games, J&P Technoland for five floors of electronics and Joshin Super KidsLand for the impressive collection of action figures.
The best hotels in Osaka
For a splash-out stay, one of our favourite hotels is the Conrad Osaka, a 5-star hotel with an art-filled lobby on the 40th floor of the Nakanoshima Festival Tower.
There’s a spectacular pool and a huge spa, and the hotel’s Kura restaurant is one of Osaka’s best places for teppanyaki – the practice of cooking food on a large hot plate-style grill in front of diners. For special occasions, you can even book a private teppanyaki table. The Conrad is a short walk from the centre of downtown’s Umeda neighbourhood.
Travelling on a budget? For a truly Japanese experience, consider one of the city’s capsule hotels. First Cabin in Namba is a great option and perks include complimentary pyjamas. The cabins come in a range of sizes and prices start from around £30 a night.
For something a little quieter, consider the area around Osaka Castle which is easily accessible from the city centre. Book a night at the quirky CharinCo Hostel which has private traditional ryokan-style rooms as well as dormitories. You’ll also get free use of a bike – a great way to explore this beautiful neighbourhood.
What to eat and drink in Osaka
Where to start? No visit to Osaka would be complete without a few servings of takoyaki – battered, golf ball-sized snacks containing a range of fillings, most commonly octopus, onions or minced meat. One of the best places to try takoyaki is Dōtonbori where it’s sold at dozens of street food stands. The best thing about these delicious dumplings isn’t just the taste – watching Dōtonbori’s dextrous chefs use chopsticks to shape the small battered balls with lightning-fast movements is strangely hypnotising.
Osaka is also famous for its okonomiyaki – pancakes made with flour, eggs and shaved cabbage, and filled with ingredients ranging from pork to squid. Dōtonbori has dozens of okonomiyaki food stands and restaurants, although Kiji Sky, in the basement of the Umeda Sky Building, is another fantastic option. This cosy restaurant is wonderful, with an entrance covered by a tradition noren door curtain.
Make time to explore depachikas (department store food halls) too. Some of Osaka’s biggest stores can be found in the city centre and their depachikas are incredibly popular with office workers grabbing lunch on the go. One of the best snacks to pick up is yakitori – skewered and grilled meat – and, for dessert, one of the incredibly delicate cakes from the pastry sections.
READ MORE: Explore Tokyo: what to do, where to eat and where to stay
The top things to do in Osaka
1. Explore Osaka castle
Full disclosure – Osaka Castle is actually a replica of the original which was built in 1583 but destroyed by Tokugawa troops in 1615. It was rebuilt in 1931, surviving the bombs of the Second World War. Despite its beautifully authentic exterior, it’s modern on the inside – there’s even an elevator if you don’t fancy the stairs.
The temple’s museum provides an insight into the building’s past as well as the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the fearsome feudal lord who built the original castle.
2. Walk from Shinsaibashi to Dōtonbori
Wander from Shinsaibashi to Dōtonbori to experience Osaka in all its quirky, neon-drenched splendour. Shinsaibashi’s Sanrio store (the world’s largest) is worth a visit just to check out the range of memorabilia on offer (everything from Hello Kitty nail clippers to bedding featuring Keroppi, Sanrio’s ridiculously cute boggle-eyed frog), and anything you purchase will be lovingly gift-wrapped by staff.
There are also lots of pharmacies here, which may not seem like an obvious place to browse but trust us, go and explore. Pick up skin-softening face masks resembling animal faces or ingenious (and very cute) anti-mosquito stickers adorned with Disney characters.
From Shinsaibashi, it’s just a short walk to Dōtonbori – a fantastic people-watching spot. There’s always something unexpected happening here, whether it’s an impromptu performance by a K-Pop band or a street vendor scaring the wits out of tourists by using a steam-spewing, canon-like device to cook batches of freshly-picked chestnuts.
3. Visit the Hozenji temple
One of Osaka’s smallest temples, Hozenji temple is in the bustling district of Namba and offers the perfect opportunity to rest weary feet. Make you sure you check out the temple’s dark green Buddha – it’s covered entirely in moss, the result of the constant splashes of water directed at the statue by worshippers.
Afterwards, take a stroll around the narrow, cobbled alleyways surrounding the temple. You’ll find some of Osaka’s oldest businesses and homes here, many with traditional noren cloth-covered doorways.
4. Get a culture fix at a Kabuki theatre
Kabuki is a genre of Japanese drama performed by elaborately-dressed actors and actresses. It combines mime, dance and music, and in Osaka, the best place to see it is the city’s only Kabuki venue, the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre.
The recently renovated building is huge, with two storeys underground and eight storeys above. It’s also fabulously hi-tech and has Japan's fastest revolving stage. After a show, stop by the bar – the theatre is the only one with a beer brewery on site. We recommend the Dōtonbori, one of the first beers to be brewed in the city.
Insider tips
1. Go to the Daimaru department store before opening time
Get to the Daimaru department store in Shinsaibashi just before opening time, at 10am. Senior members of staff gather by the entrance before flinging open the doors and bowing to the store’s first customers.
Head downstairs to admire the amazingly ornate displays of fresh fruit and vegetables, before checking out the rest of the store where you’ll find everything from designer handbags to cool Japanese beauty brands.
Don’t forget to browse the shops lining the pedestrianised avenue which runs alongside the department store – it’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs
2. Take a day trip
The great thing about Japan is that its high-tech network of Shinkansen trains (bullet trains) makes getting around wonderfully easy. Spend the morning in nearby Nara, 18.5 miles (30km) away. This ancient city was Japan’s first capital and one of its most popular attractions is Nara Park – feed the friendly deer and they’ll bow for you.
3. Learn about life at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Osaka is packed with museums and this one is often overlooked. Head here for an unbeatable insight into life during the Edo period (between the 17th and 19th centuries). Don't miss the beautiful replicas of traditional Japanese buildings.
READ MORE: 9 reasons to visit northern Japan
4. Make your own ramen
The Cupnoodles Museum is one of the city's biggest attractions, although many visitors don't realise they can make their own instant noodles here. For 300 Yen you can choose your flavour and toppings, and even design your own cup.
Getting there and around
British Airways launched the first direct flight between the London Heathrow and Osaka in late 2018. Returns start from £585.
Osaka's metro system is efficient, fast and easy to use. Purchase a prepaid Icoca travel card at any metro station but bear in mind that Pasmo cards (most commonly used in Tokyo) can also be used here. Avoid taxis if possible – they're expensive and there's little need to use them, as Osaka is regarded as one of the world's safest cities.
Lead image: f11photo/Shutterstock
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