Everyone is going to Tokyo. What about a city that doesn't have a lot of bustle?
Most people don't think of Osaka when they think of Japan. You might think that Tokyo and Kyoto are the only two cities worth a visit.
If you are willing to dig a little deeper and enjoy interacting with locals, then Osaka is definitely a Tokyo alternative. Osaka is known for its comedians and lighthearted people.
Osaka is the largest city in the western part of Japan. Stereotypes of the typical Osakan are shrewd business people who don't mind spending their money on food and drink.
Osaka is a town that is not pretentious, sometimes grungy, but full of affordable but high quality eating and drinking. 48 Hours in Osaka will leave you with a big appetite.
Visitors to Osaka usually arrive by rail from Tokyo or Kyoto. Once you exit the Bullet Train portion of the station, you can use the Osaka Metro to connect to downtown.
Umeda and Minami are the busiest parts of Osaka and can be reached via the "Midosuji Line".
You will end up at the airport if you arrive by plane. You can take the JR Haruka Airport Express train to Tennoji or Shin-Osaka station if you have a Japan Rail Pass.
The fastest way into town is the Airport Express which takes 45 minutes and takes you to the center of Namba.
The public transportation in Osaka is very good.
If you're looking for an inexpensive way to get around town, the JR loop Line and Osaka Metro subway lines are worth a look. Before you go out on the streets, make sure to download an offline version of the maps.
The service is only available in taxi form.
There are a lot of options for travelers in Osaka. The North Ward and the South Ward are parts of the same area.
Don't look for a Kyoto style Ryokan in Osaka, it's a big city. It is possible to find a place that suits your wallet.
The Westin, Intercontinental, and Ritz-Carlton are some of the chains that are located in Umeda.
The First Cabin Nishi-Umeda is a great place to stay on a budget. The hotel has two classes: First and Business.
Your own 32 inch Televsion, twin bed, safe and 4.4 square meters of personal space are included in the price of first class. Business Class is a sliding door that opens to a bed with 2.5 square meters of space.
There is a TV and a safe in the bed, so don't worry. A Japanese communal bath is called an Onsen on a budget.
The Rihga Royal Hotel, which has been around for over 80 years and is considered a luxury hotel, is a few minutes south of these hotels.
In Honmachi, which is halfway between the North and South wards, there is a beautiful terrace on the twelfth floor of the St. Regis Osaka.
If you want a clean and tidy room that won't break the budget in Japan, you should check out the APA brand of hotels or the Mitsui Garden Hotels.
The Nikko Hotel is owned by the Japan Airlines group and is located in Shin Saibashi. The location and access to the subway station makes this a great choice for those staying around Minami.
There are many places to stay in this area. Since the train station is connected to the hotel, it's very convenient if you're going to the airport by air.
Osaka Castle is located in Osaka. Don't bother going inside. The building has been turned into a museum. The castle grounds are a great place to take a walk and grab a coffee.
The Osaka Aquarium is a giant aquarium with fish from the Pacific Rim. There is a giant whale shark habitat here.
The Dotombori Canal in Shinsaibashi/Namba area is the place to take a picture. Neons are great at night. It resembles Piccadilly Circus. There are bonus points for posing as thelico man.
You need to head to Sumiyoshi Taisha. If you want to spend a little time in the afternoon, Sumiyoshi Taisha is a great place to go.
Tsutentaku Tower is located in the ShinseKai neighborhood. Tsutenkaku Tower is the Eiffel Tower-like centerpiece of the area and was made to mirror the more posh global cities of New York or Paris.
There are things to eat in this area. Fugu, or Japanese blowfish, at the famous Zuboraya restaurant and Kushi-Katsu, Fried skewers of meats and vegetables, but we will get to that in the food section below for better options elsewhere.
Food Highlights Not To Miss!It makes up for Osaka's lack of tourist attractions and glamour in food. Jiro doesn't mean that Japan is all about exclusive restaurants and expensive dinners.
If you can't give your customers maximum bang for their buck, Osakans will put you out of business.
Where are the locals eating? Just west of Umeda in the North, you can find the JR loop line that leads to the lively Fukushima neighborhood. There are hundreds of little restaurants and pubs around the train station, and you can sneak into a few of them.
It is filled with a piece of Octopus, a piece of batter, and a piece of ginger and scallions. Most neighborhoods in Osaka have street side vendors that serve a variety of food, including a quick take home meal or a spot to stand and enjoy a beer.
What's my favorite place? The key is Takoya. For a traditional start to your takoyaki adventure, try the sauce mayo takoyaki. There are a lot of interesting and fun Japanese pub-style plates to choose from, as well as some of the best sakes in the world.
What would a trip to Japan look like without some of the best beef in the world?
An amazing Japanese BBQ restaurant is a short walk from the Fukushima station. A family of Cattle ranchers from Yamagata Prefecture, home to a beef so exclusive, it only makes up for 5% of all Wagyu consumed domestically.
The beef was Kobe beef. This is not a joke. Fresh cuts of meat are delivered daily.
The basement of the Rihga Royal Hotel is home to an Osaka Sushi establishment that dates back to the year 1653. There is a conversation to be had with your chef about the differences between the Edo-mae and Osaka style of sushi when you arrive.
Going further South back to the Namba area is another Osaka staple. Katsu is a Japanese English abbreviation of Cutlet. Meats, fish and vegetables are skewered up and deep fried to a golden color in Osaka.
There are a lot of low key places to choose from, but my suggestion is for you to go to Namba. Compared to the street food, standing room only type of places, it is more upscale. You can either do a la carte or an Omakse style here.
Is it possible that some Korean food is involved? There are many Koreans and Korean descendants in Osaka. You can get lost in the maze of markets below if you go on the JR loop line to Tsuruhashi station.
Do you want an easier option? The Dotombori Canal can be found on Soemoncho Street. You can get some amazing beef to grill and eat some delicious Korean dishes at the place that's been around for a long time. A trip back in time is what the place has to offer. Can't wait to see it.
Kobe is a great place to visit if you have time to spare. You can visit world heritage sites in Wakayama. Stay at a buddhist temple.
Kyoto is only a 15 minute bullet train ride away with the rail pass, or a 40 minute commuter train ride away, so if you want to stay in Osaka, you can save a lot of money.
Any traveller's bucket list should include Osaka. It's a place where food is art, cherries can come in liquid, blossom or alcoholic form, and culture is abundant. It's hard to find a better place to travel.
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Flat beds... Tokyo and Osaka are the most popular travel destinations. The cities bring a lot to the table. One of the reasons people don't go to Japan is the fear of the long haul journey. They may be able to.
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The trip to Japan is worth it. Japan should be on your bucket list if you had to narrow it down. There is no place on the planet where you will find more fascinatingly polite and respectful people. GSTP doesn't travel very often.
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