The second largest city in Japan with a population twice that of London, Osaka is a bustling metropolis with a rich and long port city history that has given it a lively atmosphere and a reputation for being Japan’s foodie city, with a culture perceived to be less serious than the atmosphere in Tokyo.
Not only is it the economic heart of the Kansai region, booming to become so large and futuristic that it inspired Ridley Scott in his idea for the Blade Runner aesthetic, it is also a historically very important city with some of the most interesting temples and historic sites in all of Japan. So what should you do in Japan’s foodie capital?
History and Religion
To begin with, Osaka Castle is an unmissable and iconic attraction in the city, being one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. Initially built in 1583 by the powerful Samurai lord and one of the unifiers of Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it was intended to be the centre of his clan’s power over the nation. However, it was his Samurai lord rival Tokugawa Ieyasu that later successfully unified Japan, destroying Osaka Castle in a great battle in the process before moving the capital to what is now Tokyo. Osaka Castle has since been rebuilt and is now also home to an interesting museum and viewing platforms with some of the best views over the city. It is also one of the best hanami spots in Osaka for those visiting during the season.
Osaka Castle
Due to Osaka’s importance as an ancient port city and being historically close to Japan’s ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto, it itself has a large number of impressive shrines and temples. Most famous perhaps is Shitennoji, commonly regarded as Japan’s first Buddhist temple, dating back to 593 AD and built in the hope of a new Japan in service of the Emperor. Sumiyoshii Taisha is also highly recommended, being an ancient Shinto shrine with a world-famous bridge and architectural style that predates Chinese influence.
Bridge at Sumiyoshii Taisha
Isshinji and its beautiful grounds are also worth a visit, famous for using human cremains to create a new Buddha statue every ten years, having done so since 1887. If you’re in the area, you should also consider visiting Namba Yasaka shrine and its very unusual design, built in the style of a huge lion head. Finally is perhaps our favourite temple in all of Japan, Hozenji, hidden away in the back streets close to Dotonbori. Home to a moss buddha, worshippers are invited to pelt water at the buddha statue to encourage even more moss and receive good luck.
Hozenji
Arts and Entertainment
Not far from Shitennoji lies Tennoji Park, a large municipal park home to botanical gardens, a zoo, an ancient tomb and also the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, with a collection of over 8,000 artworks focusing on Japanese and Chinese art. A little further afield but well worth a visit if you have time is Expo 70 Commemorative Park, built to hold the 1970 World’s Fair.
Expo 70 Commemorative Park
Not only is this a great place to enjoy the great outdoors and get out of the city, it’s also home to a museums and thousands of seasonal plants and trees, guaranteeing beauty whenever you visit. A major draw here is the iconic Tower of the Sun, which has become something of a symbol of Osaka over 70 metres high as it towers over the gardens with its faces looking forwards and backwards.
Also worth a mention are the city’s street art scene, Osaka Aquarium and the famous Osaka Universal Studios.
Cyberpunk and Skyscrapers
A huge part of Osaka’s draw for tourists is its cyperpunk feel and its towering skyscrapers, among the tallest in Japan. To begin with, Abeno Harukas, close to Tennoji, which is the tallest building in Japan (note that although the Tokyo Sky Tree is taller, it’s considered a tower). Home to businesses, hotels and shops, it also has an impressive observatory deck for incredible views over the city. The distinctive Umeda Sky Building is also a great place for views over Osaka.
View over Osaka
The heart of Osaka’s nightlife, Dotonbori is a neon-filled, futuristic cypberpunk district right beside the Dotonbori canal. Home to some of Osaka’s most iconic sights like the Glico Man (first erected in 1935) and the Kani Doroku Crab, this district went on to inspire Ridley Scott in developing the Blade Runner aesthetic. This is a good place to people watch or grab a drink, or you can explore the nearby Shinsaibashi food and shopping complex, the Namba district or Amerikamura for more nightlife options.
Dotonbori
Shinsekai is another district that evokes feelings of a nostalgic futurism. Literally meaning ‘New World’, this district was developed prior to the Second World War, inspired by Coney Island and Paris, and was neglected in favour of other districts following the war. As a result, it still has a very nostalgic feel to it, with Tsutenkaku Tower right in the centre, built in 1912 and rebuilt in the 1950s with inspiration from the Eiffel Tower. This is another great spot to eat and drink in Osaka, especially to try kushikatsu.
Shinsekai
Food and Drink
A big reason why people visit Osaka is its foodie reputation, with the famous saying ‘Tokyoites drink until they drop, Kyotoites shop until they drop and Osakans eat until they drop’. The most famous dish is okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake filled with flour, eggs, cabbage, various meaty fillings and a special okonomiyaki sauce. They have something of a rivalry with Hiroshima over whose is best, and the very best are found in the small restaurants and street food stalls around the city. The same applies to Takoyaki, which are small balls of batter filled with octopus.
Okonomiyaki at Kuromon market
A good place to try classic Osakan dishes is Kuromon Market, filled with stalls selling local street food at great prices. From local seafood and Kobe beef to experimental takes on okonomiyaki and tako tamago (quail egg stuffed into a baby octopus’ head on a stick, sounds odd but it’s good), Kuromon Market is a good place to get to know Osaka’s relationship with food. Hozenji Yokocho is another good spot to try local classics.
Kushikatsu in Shinsekai
Shinsekai, which is the nostalgic Coney Island inspired district mentioned above, is a great place to while away an evening in Osaka, getting to know locals and trying the area’s famous kushikatsu, which is another dish Osaka is famous for. Kushikatsu is essentially skewered deep fried food that you dip in an often communal sauce (no double dipping) and it can be anything from chicken and beef to octopus or ice cream. It goes great with a beer as the sun sets outside and the night takes hold of the district.
Other districts good for food include Dotombori and surrounding areas like Hozenji Yokocho, with many typical izakaya and chains like Torikizoku in the area. A very popular spot near Shinsaibashi is Rikuro’s famous cheesecake, typical jiggly Japanese cheesecake with often long queues. There are plenty of bars and cafes, similar to Tokyo’s kissaten coffee culture, in this area too. The US inspired Amerikamura is also nearby, filled with great restaurants and bars like Hana Sake Bar, which offers sake tasting flights for those looking to get to grips with sake. With public drinking also being legal in much of Japan, Amerikamura is a good place to get a can and enjoy the atmosphere.
Hana Sake Bar
For something fancier, we strongly recommend 40 Sky Bar and a Takoyaki in the sky cocktail while the sun is setting on the city. This was expensive but definitely among our favourite experiences in Osaka as the city came alive at night below us.
Takoyaki in the sky cocktail
Visiting Osaka
Overall, Osaka is a great destination to visit in Japan and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s cheaper and less serious than many other areas of Japan, with plenty to offer visitors there for either its food, history or culture. It is served by a major international airport and is also very easy to get to from Kyoto and Nara via local trains or from Tokyo via Shinkansen. It’s also a good base to explore the other nearby cities of Kobe, Kyoto, Himeji, Wakayama and Nara.
Comments