Guidebook for Ōsaka-shi
Arts & Culture
The complex was opened in 1984 as the fourth national theatre of the country, to become the headquarters of bunraku. Bunraku (traditional puppet theatre), Kabuki, Buyo (Japanese traditional dance), Hogaku (Japanese traditional music), Mizoku Geino(folk performing arts), Engei(traditional popular performing arts)
1339 recommandé par les habitants
National Bunraku Theater
1-chōme-12-10 NipponbashiThe complex was opened in 1984 as the fourth national theatre of the country, to become the headquarters of bunraku. Bunraku (traditional puppet theatre), Kabuki, Buyo (Japanese traditional dance), Hogaku (Japanese traditional music), Mizoku Geino(folk performing arts), Engei(traditional popular performing arts)
The Shochikuza Theater is the prime location to see kabuki performances in Osaka. It is a Western style theater that opened in 1923 and has a seating capacity of just over 1000. English headsets are unavailable at Shochizuka Theater, but English program books can be purchased at the information counter.
352 recommandé par les habitants
Osaka Shochikuza
The Shochikuza Theater is the prime location to see kabuki performances in Osaka. It is a Western style theater that opened in 1923 and has a seating capacity of just over 1000. English headsets are unavailable at Shochizuka Theater, but English program books can be purchased at the information counter.
The museum exhibits are visually oriented with several large models. They chronicle the city's history, beginning in ancient times when Osaka served as Japan's first capital and site of the Naniwa Palace and ending with exhibits on the city's bustling shopping arcades of the early Showa Period.
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Osaka Museum of History
4-chōme-1-32 ŌtemaeThe museum exhibits are visually oriented with several large models. They chronicle the city's history, beginning in ancient times when Osaka served as Japan's first capital and site of the Naniwa Palace and ending with exhibits on the city's bustling shopping arcades of the early Showa Period.
The museum focuses on Japanese and foreign contemporary art, with exhibitions from the museum collection and special exhibitions.
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The National Museum of Art, Osaka
4-chōme-2-55 NakanoshimaThe museum focuses on Japanese and foreign contemporary art, with exhibitions from the museum collection and special exhibitions.
The museum was designed with children in mind and takes visitors through displays on the universe, chemistry, electricity and energy. A science show is held three times a day (in Japanese only).
108 recommandé par les habitants
OSTEC Exhibition Hall
1-chōme-8-4 Utsubohonmachi The museum was designed with children in mind and takes visitors through displays on the universe, chemistry, electricity and energy. A science show is held three times a day (in Japanese only).
Food Scene
Kuromon Ichiba Market: With more than 190 years of history and tradition, Kuromon Ichiba Market, a very popular area known by locals as "Gastronome" and "Osaka' s Kitchen", is well-known nationwide. Famous for eat-in shops for sushi or fresh seafood over rice, also grilled fish, shellfish, meat and other food being served in or outside of shops give off mouth-watering aromas to an increasingly international crowd.
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Kuromon Market
Nipponbashi-1-chōme-16 Chuo WardKuromon Ichiba Market: With more than 190 years of history and tradition, Kuromon Ichiba Market, a very popular area known by locals as "Gastronome" and "Osaka' s Kitchen", is well-known nationwide. Famous for eat-in shops for sushi or fresh seafood over rice, also grilled fish, shellfish, meat and other food being served in or outside of shops give off mouth-watering aromas to an increasingly international crowd.
Japanese restaurant chain that specialises in crustaceans and other seafood. The restaurants are known for their traditional appearance and the large, mechanical, red crab that moves above the main entrance.
601 recommandé par les habitants
Kani Doraku Dotombori Honten
1-chōme-6-18 DōtonboriJapanese restaurant chain that specialises in crustaceans and other seafood. The restaurants are known for their traditional appearance and the large, mechanical, red crab that moves above the main entrance.
It is in Kuromon Market, a small sushi bar. The Negitoro, minced fatty tuna sitting over a bite of rice wrapped in fresh seaweed, is my ultimate piece. And along with serving awesome sushi, their service was excellent, and all the staff were friendly and helpful.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Toki sushi
It is in Kuromon Market, a small sushi bar. The Negitoro, minced fatty tuna sitting over a bite of rice wrapped in fresh seaweed, is my ultimate piece. And along with serving awesome sushi, their service was excellent, and all the staff were friendly and helpful.
Ramen Yashichi (らーめん弥七) is a small restaurant, but they maintain a quality and flavor of ramen that blew me away.
The broth is technically shoyu base, but it’s heavy and buttery, and perfectly salty and creamy, with both slices of chashu and a scoop of fragrant wok fried pork, to make the flavor even better. All in all, they serve a beautiful bowl of ramen, definitely worth waiting in line to eat.
37 recommandé par les habitants
Ramen Yashichi
3-chōme-4-8 ToyosakiRamen Yashichi (らーめん弥七) is a small restaurant, but they maintain a quality and flavor of ramen that blew me away.
The broth is technically shoyu base, but it’s heavy and buttery, and perfectly salty and creamy, with both slices of chashu and a scoop of fragrant wok fried pork, to make the flavor even better. All in all, they serve a beautiful bowl of ramen, definitely worth waiting in line to eat.
Takoyaki is almost a synonym of Osaka. These little golf ball sized batter balls stuffed with a piece of octopus are perhaps the most famous thing to eat in the city, and they are a big hit and food craze around the world as well.
This food stand is a very well known, and very popular Takoyaki place :)
107 recommandé par les habitants
Takoyaki Wanaka
1-chōme-21-2 NipponbashiTakoyaki is almost a synonym of Osaka. These little golf ball sized batter balls stuffed with a piece of octopus are perhaps the most famous thing to eat in the city, and they are a big hit and food craze around the world as well.
This food stand is a very well known, and very popular Takoyaki place :)
Just like takoyaki, and even similar in ingredient makeup, is Osaka’s okonomiyaki, yet another food that originates from Osaka, and people passionately love to eat.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of eating at Okonomiyaki Kiji (きじ), was the chef, who must be one of the friendliest chefs in Osaka. A very nice okonomiyaki restaurant, and a great chef.
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Okonomiyaki Kiji
Just like takoyaki, and even similar in ingredient makeup, is Osaka’s okonomiyaki, yet another food that originates from Osaka, and people passionately love to eat.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of eating at Okonomiyaki Kiji (きじ), was the chef, who must be one of the friendliest chefs in Osaka. A very nice okonomiyaki restaurant, and a great chef.
Born in Osaka, kushikatsu is yet another home-grown Japanese food that’s wildly popular in Osaka.
Kushi in Japanese means skewers, and katsu means breaded and deep fried things. The result of this popular street food is a bunch of vegetables and even meats, all skewered, coated in a light batter, and deep fried until golden brown.
Kushikatsu Daruma is legendary when it comes to kushikatsu in Osaka.
45 recommandé par les habitants
Kushikatsu Daruma Dotonbori
1-chōme-6-8 DōtonboriBorn in Osaka, kushikatsu is yet another home-grown Japanese food that’s wildly popular in Osaka.
Kushi in Japanese means skewers, and katsu means breaded and deep fried things. The result of this popular street food is a bunch of vegetables and even meats, all skewered, coated in a light batter, and deep fried until golden brown.
Kushikatsu Daruma is legendary when it comes to kushikatsu in Osaka.
Sightseeing
One of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards.
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Dotonbori
Dotonbori-9-1 Chome Chuo WardOne of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards.
Originally installed in 1935, the sign depicting a giant athlete on a blue track is a symbol of Glico candy. The sign has been altered on several occasions to celebrate events such as the World Cup and to show support for the Osaka baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers. The current version is the sixth, which uses LEDs. The previous five incarnations of the sign used neon lights.
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Dotombori Glico Sign
Originally installed in 1935, the sign depicting a giant athlete on a blue track is a symbol of Glico candy. The sign has been altered on several occasions to celebrate events such as the World Cup and to show support for the Osaka baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers. The current version is the sixth, which uses LEDs. The previous five incarnations of the sign used neon lights.
Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Although it was scrapped during WWII, the tower was reconstructed soon afterwards in 1956. The current tower is 103 meters high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters. A new open-air deck on top of the main observatory was opened in late 2015.
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Tsutenkaku
1-chōme-18-6 EbisuhigashiTsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Although it was scrapped during WWII, the tower was reconstructed soon afterwards in 1956. The current tower is 103 meters high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters. A new open-air deck on top of the main observatory was opened in late 2015.
Shinsekai (新世界) is Osaka's "new world," a district that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia evoking symbol of Shinsekai.
Many of Shinsekai's Kushikatsu(Osaka's best known specialties) restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night.
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Shinsekai
Ebisuhigashi-8-2 Chome Naniwa WardShinsekai (新世界) is Osaka's "new world," a district that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia evoking symbol of Shinsekai.
Many of Shinsekai's Kushikatsu(Osaka's best known specialties) restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night.
In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).
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Osaka Castle Park
Ōsakajō-1 Chuo WardIn the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).
Osaka Tenmangu is famous for its festival, the Tenjin Matsuri, which is held annually on July 24 and 25 and is ranked as one of Japan's top three festivals besides Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri. During the festival, the shrine's deity is paraded in a divine palanquin (mikoshi) through the city in a joyful land and river procession, accompanied by fireworks.
Minamiokajimatenmangu
1-chōme-13-41 MinamiokajimaOsaka Tenmangu is famous for its festival, the Tenjin Matsuri, which is held annually on July 24 and 25 and is ranked as one of Japan's top three festivals besides Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri. During the festival, the shrine's deity is paraded in a divine palanquin (mikoshi) through the city in a joyful land and river procession, accompanied by fireworks.
Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travelers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbors.
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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
2-chōme-9-89 SumiyoshiSumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travelers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbors.
The observation deck is called "Harukas 300" and occupies the building's top three floors (floors 58 to 60). The observation deck is accessed by elevators from the 16th floor. With large floor-to-ceiling glass panels all around, the 60th floor offers 360 degree views of Osaka, while the 58th floor features an attractively designed inner court with a wooden deck and cafe. A souvenir shop and restrooms with views are also available.
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Abeno Harukas
1-chōme-1-43 AbenosujiThe observation deck is called "Harukas 300" and occupies the building's top three floors (floors 58 to 60). The observation deck is accessed by elevators from the 16th floor. With large floor-to-ceiling glass panels all around, the 60th floor offers 360 degree views of Osaka, while the 58th floor features an attractively designed inner court with a wooden deck and cafe. A souvenir shop and restrooms with views are also available.
The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers a great view of the city for a 700 yen admission fee.
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Umeda Sky Building
1-chōme-1-88 ŌyodonakaThe 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers a great view of the city for a 700 yen admission fee.
Shopping
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding Shinsaibashi area is Osaka's premiere shopping center. Approximately 600 m long, this area is unique as it combines chain retail stores and trendy boutiques with expensive department stores and top designer fashion labels.
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Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
2-chōme-2-22 ShinsaibashisujiShinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding Shinsaibashi area is Osaka's premiere shopping center. Approximately 600 m long, this area is unique as it combines chain retail stores and trendy boutiques with expensive department stores and top designer fashion labels.
Located in the Nipponbashi area, Den Den Town is an electronics district comparable to Tokyo's Akihabara, and you may be able to bargain to a better deal. Den Den Town is becoming known as an otaku paradise with numerous manga and anime retailers as well as maid and cosplay cafes located there.
Hours vary by store; typically from around 10:00-11:00 to around 19:00-20:00.
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Nipponbashi
Nipponbashi Naniwa WardLocated in the Nipponbashi area, Den Den Town is an electronics district comparable to Tokyo's Akihabara, and you may be able to bargain to a better deal. Den Den Town is becoming known as an otaku paradise with numerous manga and anime retailers as well as maid and cosplay cafes located there.
Hours vary by store; typically from around 10:00-11:00 to around 19:00-20:00.
Built to resemble a natural canyon, Namba Parks is designed to be a break of nature amidst the sprawling urban landscape. It features a 120 tenant shopping mall including a cinema, amphitheater, and a rooftop garden. The 6th floor is made up of numerous restaurants including some Korean, Italian, and Vietnamese places.
Shops are open 11:00-21:00. Restaurants vary but most are open 11:00-23:00.
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Namba Parks
2-chōme-10-70 NanbanakaBuilt to resemble a natural canyon, Namba Parks is designed to be a break of nature amidst the sprawling urban landscape. It features a 120 tenant shopping mall including a cinema, amphitheater, and a rooftop garden. The 6th floor is made up of numerous restaurants including some Korean, Italian, and Vietnamese places.
Shops are open 11:00-21:00. Restaurants vary but most are open 11:00-23:00.
Entertainment & Activities
Spa World, a huge bath complex with a large number of pools on a European themed floor and an Asian themed floor (enjoyed naked and gender separated). The floors are switched between genders each month. Natural hot spring water is pumped up from far below the earth's surface.
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Spa World
3-chōme-4-24 EbisuhigashiSpa World, a huge bath complex with a large number of pools on a European themed floor and an Asian themed floor (enjoyed naked and gender separated). The floors are switched between genders each month. Natural hot spring water is pumped up from far below the earth's surface.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
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Universal Studios Japan
SakurajimaUniversal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
a shopping mall with multiple official Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs.
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Universal City Walk Osaka
6-chōme-2-61 Shimayaa shopping mall with multiple official Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs.
Marine life is displayed in 15 tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium's main attraction.
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
1-chōme-1-10 KaigandōriMarine life is displayed in 15 tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium's main attraction.
Parks & Nature
Minoo Park is the closest spot to the busy metropolis of Osaka to find a spacious natural recreation area. The park can be reached in less than 30 minutes from the downtown Umeda area. Another similarity, Takao and Minoo were both given quasi-national park status in 1967 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Meiji Period (1867-1912).
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Mino Falls
2-2 MinookoenMinoo Park is the closest spot to the busy metropolis of Osaka to find a spacious natural recreation area. The park can be reached in less than 30 minutes from the downtown Umeda area. Another similarity, Takao and Minoo were both given quasi-national park status in 1967 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Meiji Period (1867-1912).
Drinks & Nightlife
Fantastic comedy club with great regulars on rotation, along with guest performers. Comedians are very funny, with a wonderfully cozy and intimate audience that allows you to feel to be part of the show.
84 recommandé par les habitants
ROR Comedy Club
2-chōme-16-13 NishishinsaibashiFantastic comedy club with great regulars on rotation, along with guest performers. Comedians are very funny, with a wonderfully cozy and intimate audience that allows you to feel to be part of the show.
Great atmosphere and music for R&B and hip-hop lovers! 600¥ w/one drink if you enter before midnight, and then you can dance all night.
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GHOST ultra lounge
2-chōme-17-3 NishishinsaibashiGreat atmosphere and music for R&B and hip-hop lovers! 600¥ w/one drink if you enter before midnight, and then you can dance all night.
Club Pure is known for primarly three things, Hip Hop, RNB & All You Can Drink. They charge a bit higher than the other night clubs but included in the price is free drinks all night. You can even exit the venue and come back. So if you like Hip Hop and don’t want to pay for drinks this could be for you. Price is usually around 3000-4500 yen for guys and about half price for girls. Finding the venue is quite easy even for non locals.
Time: PM22:00 – AM5:00
79 recommandé par les habitants
Pure Osaka
心斎橋筋-2-3 中央区Club Pure is known for primarly three things, Hip Hop, RNB & All You Can Drink. They charge a bit higher than the other night clubs but included in the price is free drinks all night. You can even exit the venue and come back. So if you like Hip Hop and don’t want to pay for drinks this could be for you. Price is usually around 3000-4500 yen for guys and about half price for girls. Finding the venue is quite easy even for non locals.
Time: PM22:00 – AM5:00
This club is certainly not the biggest venue but it can get pretty wild on the weekends. The club plays all kinds of music, so you will probably get your jam sometime during the night. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, usually 1000-2000 yen (1 drink included). It’s also conveniently located very close to Giraffe and Club Pure.
Time: PM22:00 – morning
89 recommandé par les habitants
Sam and Dave One
2-chōme-7-20 HigashishinsaibashiThis club is certainly not the biggest venue but it can get pretty wild on the weekends. The club plays all kinds of music, so you will probably get your jam sometime during the night. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, usually 1000-2000 yen (1 drink included). It’s also conveniently located very close to Giraffe and Club Pure.
Time: PM22:00 – morning