When you’re searching for another Osaka journey information, you’ve simply landed on the appropriate web page. Japan knowledgeable, La Carmina, shares her finest ideas and recommendation for exploring the extra underground aspect of Osaka.
Solely three hours from Tokyo by bullet prepare, Osaka is a turbo-charged setting for a protracted weekend getaway. Though it’s value seeing historic landmarks resembling Osaka Fortress, vacationers shouldn’t miss out on exploring the underground tradition for another perspective of town. As an illustration, Osaka is house to a gritty and raucous music scene that’s matched solely by its consuming holes — the place the workers has feathered and dyed hair, the audio system blast Def Leppard, and the partitions are embellished with grinning skulls.
I’ve been writing about Japan and visiting Osaka for properly over a decade on my La Carmina travel blog. Listed here are a few of my favourite subculture hangouts within the metropolis, which I hope you’ll get to take a look at in your subsequent journey.
See additionally: A day in Osaka, Japan
Osaka purchasing information
Let’s begin off this different Osaka journey information with a number of classic, indie and distinctive purchasing spots in Osaka.
Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi’s Procuring Arcade is a bustling treasure hunt: search for indie and classic boutiques, resembling Harmful Nude, amidst the mass retailers. Close by Amerikamura is the cultural equal of Tokyo’s Harajuku, with Goths, punks and rockers hanging out in Triangle Park (here’s a map of the most effective shops). Poke your head by the beaded curtains for cyber trend, tarot playing cards and Nineteen Eighties toys.
EST Heart
A stone’s throw from Umeda Station, EST is a younger girls’s “purchasing city with dream and pleasure.” The boutiques lure you in with frantic J-pop music and the stylish outfits seen in Cutie and ViVi magazines. If the hundred-plus indie and different retailers aren’t sufficient, throughout the road is Hep Five, a purchasing and leisure megalopolis with a pink Ferris wheel.
Sightseeing in Osaka
Listed here are a number of extra distinctive sights to go to in Osaka.
Pokemon Heart
Imagine it or not, the Pokemon Center is among the high vacationer points of interest in all of Japan. The gargantuan Umeda, Osaka retailer is stocked with each character possible. Kids in Pikachu hats will remind you that the model’s motto is “gotta catch em all,” so convey your pockets.
Kaiyukan Aquarium
Kaiyukan is among the largest aquariums on the planet and a household favourite. Younger Osaka resident Takumi Tanaka reminisces on his childhood visits. “It’s at all times enjoyable to see the penguins and dolphins taking part in, however my favourite factor to do is go to the Floating Jellyfish tanks. It’s so enjoyable to look at the intertwining tendrils,” he says. “Additionally I really like to look at the workers feed the ocean otters, who play like youngsters.”
Osaka Fortress
Tanaka additionally encourages first-timers to go to the historic Osaka Fortress, particularly in the course of the cherry blossom season. “There are at all times festivals and gatherings within the lovely park, and little stalls that promote conventional meals like takoyaki. It’s enjoyable to only sit on the benches and watch folks go by,” says Tanaka.
Associated tour: Guided Walking Tour around Osaka Castle
Bars and Nightlife in Osaka
What’s an Osaka journey information with out a listing of the most effective bars and nightlife?
Associated tour: Osaka: Nightlife Experience
Bar Midian
Followers of Visible Kei/J-rockers Blood had been heartbroken when the group disbanded. However like a Goth Elvis, vocalist Fu-ki is alive and ominously wielding an ice choose behind the counter of his Bar Midian.
The Umeda dive is near-impossible to search out, so I counsel learning these detailed instructions on my La Carmina Blog. Midian’s decor is a heavy metallic wet-dream: a dripping candle sits in a Dracula wine bottle; an axe rests within the umbrella stand. That night time, we sat with tattooed rockers who headbanged to Black Sabbath movies and scandalized us with their boy-on-boy antics.
Drinks are 500 yen and have names resembling Black Rose and Devil. Fu-ki mixes a powerful cocktail and can gladly make you a particular one, or pour you a Belgian Devil Beer. He’s additionally recognized to choose up the tab for newcomers, particularly in case you bond over music — so don’t overlook to ask him about his Motley Crue cowl band.
Bar Moonwalk
When metallic and rock bands tour Osaka, they often cease by Moonwalk, a bar that pumps Marilyn Manson and Japanese glam metallic to a younger, heavily-pierced crowd.
My journey comrade and I had an instantaneous crush on our eyeliner-smeared server Kouta, who performs bass in a brand new Visible Kei band. The fantasy pale a little bit when he went into the kitchen to prepare dinner our orders: tasty 315 yen plates of Korean fried rice and lotus pork muffins. There’s a 400 yen cowl cost, however the drink menu — which has over 300 choices for 200 yen every – greater than makes up for it. Obtained a candy tooth? Strive the raspberry yogurt cocktail. Extra of a hardcore kind? Go for the brandy ginger mixer. And don’t be shocked if the charming bartender brings over free pictures.
Bar Rock Rock
Alice Cooper. Unhealthy Faith. Motley Crue. Metallica. They’re among the many a whole bunch of famed faces who’ve raised hell at Rock Rock for the reason that bar opened in 1995, abandoning autographed images and tales of destruction.
The environment jogs my memory of a extremely chill jazz membership, solely with screamo vocals. The bar performs something from punk to metallic and has occasions all year long that usher in throngs of rock followers. These embrace particular DJ nights resembling Hell’s Bells (AC/DC), Emotion is Lifeless (emo) and the self-explanatory Loud & Heavy.
The menu is a typical collection of pizzas, pastas and salads (600-800 yen). The drinks are requirements, plus a collection of fruity cocktails (500-800 yen). A bit of pricy, however value it after they’re poured by movie star bartender “Noxl Rose.”
Meals in Osaka
Take your tastebuds on an journey.
See additionally: Japanese Pork Chop in Downtown Osaka
Okonomiyaki
Non-Japanese audio system, memorize the phrase “okonomiyaki.” It’s a tragedy in case you go away with out tasting the grilled savory pancake (normally with seafood, and topped with bonito flakes and brown sauce) that’s Kansai’s soul meals. Search for household eating places resembling Tengu, the place recipes are handed down from a number of generations.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki — grilled octopus balls produced from pouring batter into molds — are one other Osaka specialty. Each main avenue has a stand the place you should purchase a dozen for 500 yen. Twists on the unique embrace egg or melted cheese toppings, and takoyaki stuffed in a crepe. However nothing beats mom-and-pop retailers, resembling Tako Home at Umeda station, the place a shy grandma oversees the cooking.
Yuzu (citrus fruit)
Yuzu is a divine mating between a lemon and a tangerine. In Osaka, you’ll discover the flavour in seemingly each kind of dish: sorbet, sake, shochu. The fruit isn’t discovered contemporary exterior of Japan, so don’t hesitate to gorge on it at each meal.
Associated tour: Eat Like a Local Street Food Tour
Day Journeys from Osaka
If you wish to escape from Osaka for a day, try a number of of those close by locations.
Kobe
Take a jaunt to Kobe to discover its excellent parks, zoo, and harbor. For a stroll on the darkish aspect, go to Gothic / fetish / occult / Satanic Bar Idea. The pleasant women behind the nail-spiked bar will chat with you and carry out darkish rituals, together with shibari or rope bondage demonstrations.
Nara
Get away from the grit with a day journey to Nara, solely an hour away by subway. The cultural capital dazzles with six Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine and the Imperial Place. However the greatest thrill, for vacationers of all ages, is petting the sacred deer that roam in Nara Park.
Associated tour: From Kyoto or Osaka: Private Walking Tour through Nara
Kyoto
Kyoto is positioned north of Osaka, and residential to 1000’s of well-preserved locations of worship resembling Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion). First constructed within the 14th century, the three-story gilded construction holds the Buddha’s ashes and is about in an beautiful backyard with a mirror pond.
Associated tour: From Osaka: Kyoto Top Highlights Day Trip
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