Osaka holds a special place in my heart, for it is the first place I dragged my backpack to in the country I currently reside in, Japan just over two years ago. Osaka is a very interesting place, and a much different city than any other one in Japan. Many people imagine Japanese people to be very courteous, quiet and shy, and in my experience I have also often found this to be true. Osakan people however, turn that stereotype inside out. Osakans are known for being loud and full of energy, with a wide array of gestures and comical comments up their sleeve. You might even find yourself being patted on the back upon a first meeting with one, something Japanese people from Tokyo would never dare to do.
Try eating some local food if you visit Osaka! Takoyaki is a doughy ball filled with a piece of chopped-up octopus, topped with special sauce and mayonnaise, usually coming in sets of either sets of 6 or 12...sounds a bit strange perhaps, but this food is not too bad! You might also try okonomiyaki, created from batter and cabbage, and consisting of a large variety of vegetables. Kushiage is a third Osakan specialty, found particularly around the Tsutenkaku area, and it's pretty much anything that you can think of, enveloped in a deep-fried crust.
Aside from eating, you can spend time in Osaka's downtown district, Shinsaibashi. Directly next to Shinsaibashi is Dotonburi, which is worth spending some time in too! This is where the famous Superman advertisement that has come to represent Osaka can be found. I also explored modern fashion in Osaka’s youth-oriented district, known as Amerika Mura. There’s a whole lot of hip-hop’n, cap-rock’n and fun to be had here! All three of these districts compose Osaka’s “Minami” or Southern District. A bit further north, you can find Umeda, located in Osaka’s “Kita” or North District. This is home to the Umeda Sky Building, an amazing and futuristically-designed building boasting one of Japan’s best sunset lookout spots. Another technological wonder is Osaka’s newest and tallest building, Abeno Harukas, a highly recommended stop for anyone visiting the city. This landmark can be found near Tennoji Station. With all of this great information you now have about Osaka, how could you possibly pass up a visit?
Try eating some local food if you visit Osaka! Takoyaki is a doughy ball filled with a piece of chopped-up octopus, topped with special sauce and mayonnaise, usually coming in sets of either sets of 6 or 12...sounds a bit strange perhaps, but this food is not too bad! You might also try okonomiyaki, created from batter and cabbage, and consisting of a large variety of vegetables. Kushiage is a third Osakan specialty, found particularly around the Tsutenkaku area, and it's pretty much anything that you can think of, enveloped in a deep-fried crust.
Aside from eating, you can spend time in Osaka's downtown district, Shinsaibashi. Directly next to Shinsaibashi is Dotonburi, which is worth spending some time in too! This is where the famous Superman advertisement that has come to represent Osaka can be found. I also explored modern fashion in Osaka’s youth-oriented district, known as Amerika Mura. There’s a whole lot of hip-hop’n, cap-rock’n and fun to be had here! All three of these districts compose Osaka’s “Minami” or Southern District. A bit further north, you can find Umeda, located in Osaka’s “Kita” or North District. This is home to the Umeda Sky Building, an amazing and futuristically-designed building boasting one of Japan’s best sunset lookout spots. Another technological wonder is Osaka’s newest and tallest building, Abeno Harukas, a highly recommended stop for anyone visiting the city. This landmark can be found near Tennoji Station. With all of this great information you now have about Osaka, how could you possibly pass up a visit?
 Amerika Mura Fashion |  Abeno Harukas |
RSS Feed
