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Sōhonzan Shitennōji

A temple with a long history, a rarity in Osaka. It is the first ever state-sponsored temple in Japan built by order of Prince Shotoku (574-622) in 593. He was also a magnificent statesman who is revered by Japanese even today. Shitennōji has been destroyed countless times by fire caused by wars, lightening, and typhoons, […]

Uranamba Torameyokocho

Nine stores in a retro-style alley that sell kushi-katsu, okonomiyaki, grilled meat and fried chicken. All of the shops have delivery systems. It is also a good option for pub crawls.

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

This shrine is where the Tenjin Festival, one of the three greatest festivals in Japan, is held. The shrine has a long history stemming from 650, when Emperor Kotoku built Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace. The “Shrine of General ” was founded to the northwest of the palace as a guardian deity. In 949, the God of […]

Kitashinchi Yuki Shinten

Run by Kiccho Group, the owner of many Michelin Star awarded Japanese restaurants, Kitashinchi Yuki offers Japanese-style cuisine starting at just ¥3,850 in lunch time. The interior of the restaurant brings about a “Japanese” atmosphere as well and is quite nice.

Grand Front Osaka

It Consists of four landmark buildings forming the largest commercial complex in Japan, with shops, restaurants, offices, hotels (Intercontinental Osaka), a convention center, movie theater, apartments and more. Connected to JR Osaka Station. Contains 270 shops mostly located in the south building (Tower A), with representative stores known for their wide range of products.

Whity Umeda

Whity Umeda forms a large part of the underground shopping center below Osaka Station. The shopping center is visited by around 600,000 people per day – the most visitors out of any shopping center in Japan. There are over 70 restaurants rich in variety, with reasonable prices in comparison to the pricey food stores inside […]

Uratenma

Also known as the “Sacred Land of Barhopping”, Uratenma houses many cheap but delicious restaurants with warm atmospheres. There are some restaurants that use just a simple vinyl plastic sheet for their entrance, have a cheap-looking interior, or require you to drink and eat while standing, but the overall atmosphere is very welcoming and somewhat […]

LUCUA osaka

A shopping station complex directly connected to JR Osaka Station. There are approximately 400 shops in total between the East Building “LUCUA” and the West Building “LUCUA 1100.” There are many popular fashion stores but also trendy department, cosmetic and sweets shops popular with young women.

Dotonbori Glico Sign

Major Japanese manufacturer Glico put up the sign in 1935. The version currently on display is the sixth rendition, remade in 2014. The sign’s happy-looking, smiling male athlete raising both hands and his left leg after scoring is considered symbolic of the city of Osaka itself. From 30 mins after sunset until midnight the sign […]

Kinryu Ramen “Kinryu”

The green dragon sticking through the red wall is very lifelike and looks as if it could move at any moment. Put in place in 1992. The sign itself could almost be considered an elaborate art piece due to its intricate details.   Size Approx. 6m in length  

Hanshin Umeda Main Store

An everyday department store targeted at ordinary people. It is famous for its lively and loud fresh fish section which feels like a real fish market. The squid dumplings, sold for 152 yen each, are so popular that people will queue day after day. If you have the time, it’s worth trying them.

Club Bambi

Large open space that can fit 1000 people. Rare for Japan, the club allows 18 and 19 year-olds so there are many young, energetic people. Good for groups. Genres : EDM, R&B, hip-hop Clientele : Mainly people in their 20s, with a high proportion of flirty males * Must be over 18 to enter:ID checks

OWL OSAKA

About: A high-quality and trendy nightclub with a white owl as its logo. The lighting and interior design is extravagant and the sound quality is also good. Many world-class DJs perform here. Although always busy at night, before the last train in particular the energy in the club peaks and people tend to get excited. […]

CLUB Ammona

Large atriums, spiral staircases gives a high-class impression and creates the feeling of being in an “adult playing space.” Weekends are usually crowded.Go around the dance floor and the loft in a figure-eight pattern is the standard way to party.You will often see celebrities and secret guests appear at events held here. Genres : EDM, […]

Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street

A roughly 160m-long shopping arcade lined with 50 or so stores that sell kitchen utilities, machines and tools targeted at professional chefs and cooks. Of course, you don’t have to be a professional to shop here, so if you’re interested in cooking, it may be worth having a look for new kitchen utensils here. The […]

UMEDA FOOD HALL

Seating approximately a thousand people, the Umeda Food Hall is a large-scale food court in the heart of Osaka, with 18 popular shops including sushi, kushi-katsu, noodles, cafés and sweets. Unlike your typical food court, there are five different areas each with their own atmosphere so that you can relax and appreciate the high-quality food.

Umeda Sky Building / Kuchu Teien Observatory

The high-rise Umeda Sky Building was constructed so that the two individual buildings join at the top to form a design that looks like a floating spaceship. With a global reputation, every year the building is visited by over a million tourists and was once featured in a British magazine article on the “Top 20 […]

Abeno Harukas

Standing proud as the tallest skyscraper in Japan (300 m tall, so it’s not that impressive…the tallest structure in Japan, however, is Tokyo Skytree at 634 m.) On the top floor, presenting a grand view of Osaka roughly 300 meters high, (60 floors up) is the observation deck Harukas 300. Below, a department store stretching […]

4 Chome Nanba/1 Chome Nanbanaka

There is a relatively large gay town in Osaka centered on the fourth district and Namba-naka area of Namba. There are roughly LGBT 60 clubs/restaurants, with 40 of those being gay bars and many for elderly people. One of the main characteristics of the Minami gay bars is their small and fiercely individualistic character. Foreigners […]

Rinku no Yu

Rinku no Yu is a hot spring located in Rinku Pleasure Town SEACLE on the mainland, the opposite shore of Kansai International Airport. The prices are cheap; a good place to visit if you have time until your flight. There are various baths and saunas such as outdoor hot springs and rock baths, and you […]

Janjan Yokocho Alley

The narrow and long Nanyodori Shotengai has a street length of 180 meters from the south to the north, with a width of 2.5 meters that starts from the Dobutsuen-mae Station on the metro, all the way to Tsutenkaku, and it is known as Janjan Yokocho Alley. The nickname Janjan Yokocho Alley comes from the […]

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

This museum, located along the Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, is a life-size replica of the streets of Osaka during the early 1830s of the Edo Period. Many tourists love to dress up in kimono here for just an extra 500 yen (in addition to the admission fee), then take many photos along the photogenic streets. It’s […]

ダイワ果園黒門本店

旬の果物がたっぷり入った生ケーキで有名な老舗高級果物専門店。 日本全国から選び抜かれたフルーツを売っている。 ここではケーキやフルーツの以外にも、4月末〜11月は店頭でフレッシュフルーツジュースも販売している。 テイクアウトのみだ。

Super Kids Land Main Store

A shop specializing in anime/manga characters – mainly figurines and plastic models. The first floor contains figurines, while the second floor contains Gundam products. The large Gundam at the entrance serves as a landmark.

Horie

Horie is perhaps the most refined and high-class area of Osaka, full of shops (including fashion, general goods, furniture), cafes and so on. If the nearby “America mura” is the place for rebellious young people, then Horie is the place for trendy young people. Horie is more open and spacious in comparison to the other […]

オモニ

Daimaru Umeda Store

A department store aimed at young women with a focus on fashion and general goods. Includes major chains such as Tokyu Hands and Uniqlo. The Pokemon Center and Tomika Shop are fun for kids. The food court is also of good standard.

America Mura

A popular place among young people in Kansai and the birthplace of many trends, America Mura is a place where many Kansai youth and teens hang out. Despite being beign only 300m by 500m in area, there are numerous import & second-hand stores, general stores, cafes, galleries, music instrument shops and more – a chaotic […]

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