“Kitchen of Japan” — Osaka is overflowing with delectable food, one cannot go wrong. The food itself is the showpiece of Osaka. What a treat!!

Things to Do:

Eat Osaka’s most famous foods

Once Japan’s main merchant town— the first place all edible ingredients came to before being shipped out to the rest of the country.
CLASSIC Osaka dishes: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu

Kaiyukan Aquarium — truly one of the top aquariums in the world. Over 30,000 animals living in 15 different exhibits.

Eat a fried maple leaf by a waterfall – Minoo National Park

30 min train ride from Hankyu Umeda
Not technically apart of the city, a walk along the road to the park’s main waterfall is an easy way to escape the suburban sprawl.
Main path coming out of Minoo Station is a peaceful walk through paths lined with traditional buildings and temples alongside a scenic river. Minoo is one of the loveliest places in Kansai to see autumn leaves. Well known for the bright red maple trees in the area.
Fried maple leafs sold by vendors on road. A local specialty.
Mon 10 am – 5 pm, Wed – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
1-18 Minookōen, Minoo-shi, 562-0002, Japan
+81727213014

Hozenji Temple – one of the smallest temples you’ll see in Japan, but likely the most memorable.

A serene oasis in the middle of the neon jungle of Namba
Buddha has lots of moss because of the constant stream of prayers and subsequent splashes of water thrown in his direction.
The alleyways surrounding Hozenji hearkens back to an older Osaka with cobblestone streets and cloth covered entryways.
1 Chome-2-16 Nanba, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, 542-0076, Japan
+81662114152

Drink craft beer at Osaka shochikuza theatre

Tachibana is on the second basement floor of Osaska’s only Kabuki theatre. Only theatre with a beer brewery on site.
This theater is also an excellent place to try a variety of Japanese food → known for good seafood. Second most popular after the beer is their tofu.
1 Chome-9-19 Dōtonbori, Ōsaka-shi, 542-0071, Japan
+81662142211

Eat Kansai-style Sukiyaki at Kitamura ($)

Sukiyaki is a traditional Japanese stew-like dish prepared in a hot pot. Usually consists of thinly sliced meat, vegetables and other indegredients cooked and simmered in a mix of soy sauce, sugar and mirin (sugary rice wine).
Sit at one of the tatami mat tables and watch waitress cook your hot pot meal right in front of you. It’ll be unforgettable.
Hours: Mon – Sat: 4 pm – 10 pm
1 Chome-16-27 Higashishinsaibashi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, 542-0083, Japan
- Note: Using this address is a different location than if you look up “Kitamura” but this address is what’s listed online
- +81662454129

Shitennoji — first Buddhist temple in Japan, built in 593 AD

TRY GOING on the 14th of any month for the largest flea market in Osaka → great for buying used kimonos, antiques, Japanese pottery.
Mon – Sun, 8 am – 4 pm
1 Chome-1-11-18 Shitennōji, Tennōji-ku, Ōsaka-shi, 543-0051, Japan

Selfie on Dotonbori bridge

If there was just one place to visit in Osaka, it would be to Dotonbori! → This road is the city’s MAIN artery and displays the EPITOME of Osaka culture.
Packed full of restaurants and bars with huge animatronic signs and bright neon lights! (At night, feels like a movie scene)
LED Glico Man running across the world
Peek into Don Quixote to find every Kit-Kat flavor imaginable. Also, the host boys have outrageous haircuts and outfits.
２丁目-4 Dotonbori, Chuo, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan

Kuromon Ichiba Market → Freshest seafood in Osaka

One of the best wet markets in Japan
Well known for having the freshest ingredients and the main spot for area chefs to shop for their restaurants. Popular with local housewives.
Mon – Sun: 9 am – 6 pm
2 Chome-3-2 Nipponbashi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, 542-0073, Japan

Osaka castle – the shining jewel among the city’s tourist attractions

Jan 13 Osaka, Japan