Introduction: Osaka Travel Guide
Osaka is a large port city and commercial center. It’s known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. Osaka is surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. The city covers an area of 223 km² and is home to 2.7 million people. It’s one Japan biggest transportation hub.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
We stayed near the Tsuruhasi train and metro station, in a small Japanese style apartment called “Koyakoya Apartment – 鶴橋” we would highly recommend it but at the moment it’s not available anymore on booking.
The apartment had everything we needed. The location was great, with a 7-eleven, metro station, shopping streets, restaurants nearby.
Now if we were to come back we would stay there:
- Hostel: Feel Osaka Yu
- House: Bijou Suites IKOI
Arrival/Departure
The easiest way to get to Osaka if you are oversea is to fly directly to its airport. If you are already in Japan, then you can consider taking the train since Japan has one of the best railway networks on earth.
Eating out
You have tones of options wherever you are, we would highly recommend trying out a sushi bar. We tried 2, one in an underground shopping tunnel and one nearby our accommodation, both were local and really yummy.
And while in Osaka, it’s a must to try Takoyaki, a flour and egg-based ball cooked with various filling (originally octopus), Okonomiyaki, a pancake topped with shredded cabbage and other ingredients. And if you like sweets, Mochi is a TOP dessert or snack.
Things to do
Explore Tennoji & Ikuno ward
We explored those areas on our first day as they were walking distance from our accommodation. There were not some famous landmarks or district, but we enjoyed walking around and discovering Osaka’s common area. There we met some really nice people, and one bakery even gave us some local snack to try for free.
Osaka Castle & Park
Osaka Castle is a Japanese castle. It is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century (Azuchi-Momoyama period). Around the castle is a beautiful and huge park worth visiting. If you want to visit the castle, you will need to check out the working hour.
Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
Located on the Shinsaibashi district right next to Dotonbori, the place is one of the most crowded and famous shopping streets in Osaka. The perfect spot to explore after the street food of Dōtonbori. Don’t only visit this main shopping street but hang around the complete neighbourhood.
Things to do nearby
Take a day tour to Nara, which is the capital of Japan’s Nara Prefecture. Nara has significant temples and artwork dating back to the 8th century, when it was Japan’s capital.
Also, it is most famous for Nara’s park where deer roam freely and where you can visit the site of Tōdai-ji temple.
Take a day tour to Kyoto which was also once the capital of Japan and which is famous for its classical Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces, and most known for the Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses.
Kobe
Take a day tour to Kobe which is known for its signature marbled beef and scenic setting of mountains framing the harbor.
Moving around
The best way to move within the city is by metro. The subway’s network is incredible and well organised. Also, each metro station has toilet, and offer vending machine.
Also, during the rush hours, some carriages are female only. Don’t hop on it. We were also confused on which train to take to get to Kyoto, but the conductor on the platform was really friendly and helpful with us and directed us to the right train even though he didn’t speak a word of English.
Our Itinerary
We made a 4 days trip to Japan while we were living in China, here is our itinerary:
Day 1:
- Arrival to Osaka
- Explore Tennoji & Ikuno ward
- Osaka Castle & Park
- Dotonbori
- Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
Day 2
- Nara
- Shinsekai
Day 3
- Kyoto
Day 4:
- Return
井の中の蛙、大海を知らず – I no naka no kawazu, taikai wo sirazu – A frog in a well never knows the vast ocean
