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In case you’re in search of an alternate Osaka journey information, you’ve simply landed on the suitable web page. Japan knowledgeable, La Carmina, shares her greatest suggestions and recommendation for exploring the extra underground aspect of Osaka.
Solely three hours from Tokyo by bullet practice, Osaka is a turbo-charged setting for a protracted weekend getaway. Though it’s price seeing historic landmarks resembling Osaka Fort, vacationers shouldn’t miss out on exploring the underground tradition for an alternate perspective of town. For example, Osaka is house to a gritty and raucous music scene that’s matched solely by its ingesting holes — the place the workers has feathered and dyed hair, the audio system blast Def Leppard, and the partitions are adorned with grinning skulls.
I’ve been writing about Japan and visiting Osaka for effectively over a decade on my La Carmina travel blog. Listed below are a few of my favourite subculture hangouts within the metropolis, which I hope you’ll get to take a look at in your subsequent journey.
See additionally: A day in Osaka, Japan
Osaka purchasing information
Let’s begin off this different Osaka journey information with just a few classic, indie and distinctive purchasing spots in Osaka.
Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi’s Purchasing Arcade is a bustling treasure hunt: search for indie and classic boutiques, resembling Harmful Nude, amidst the mass retailers. Close by Amerikamura is the cultural equal of Tokyo’s Harajuku, with Goths, punks and rockers hanging out in Triangle Park (here’s a map of the most effective shops). Poke your head by means of the beaded curtains for cyber vogue, tarot playing cards and Nineteen Eighties toys.
EST Middle
A stone’s throw from Umeda Station, EST is a younger ladies’s “purchasing city with dream and pleasure.” The boutiques lure you in with frantic J-pop music and the stylish outfits seen in Cutie and ViVi magazines. If the hundred-plus indie and different retailers aren’t sufficient, throughout the road is Hep Five, a purchasing and leisure megalopolis with a purple Ferris wheel.
Sightseeing in Osaka
Listed below are just a few extra distinctive sights to go to in Osaka.
Pokemon Middle
Consider it or not, the Pokemon Center is without doubt one of the high vacationer sights in all of Japan. The gargantuan Umeda, Osaka retailer is stocked with each character conceivable. Kids in Pikachu hats will remind you that the model’s motto is “gotta catch em all,” so deliver your pockets.
Kaiyukan Aquarium
Kaiyukan is without doubt one of the largest aquariums on the planet and a household favourite. Younger Osaka resident Takumi Tanaka reminisces on his childhood visits. “It’s all the time enjoyable to see the penguins and dolphins taking part in, however my favourite factor to do is go to the Floating Jellyfish tanks. It’s so stress-free to observe the intertwining tendrils,” he says. “Additionally I really like to observe the workers feed the ocean otters, who play like kids.”
Osaka Fort
Tanaka additionally encourages first-timers to go to the historic Osaka Fort, particularly through the cherry blossom season. “There are all the time festivals and gatherings within the stunning park, and little stalls that promote conventional meals like takoyaki. It’s enjoyable to simply sit on the benches and watch folks go by,” says Tanaka.
Associated tour: Guided Walking Tour around Osaka Castle
Bars and Nightlife in Osaka
What’s an Osaka journey information with no checklist of the most effective bars and nightlife?
Associated tour: Osaka: Nightlife Experience
Bar Midian
Followers of Visible Kei/J-rockers Blood had been heartbroken when the group disbanded. However like a Goth Elvis, vocalist Fu-ki is alive and ominously wielding an ice choose behind the counter of his Bar Midian.
The Umeda dive is near-impossible to search out, so I counsel learning these detailed instructions on my La Carmina Blog. Midian’s decor is a heavy metallic wet-dream: a dripping candle sits in a Dracula wine bottle; an axe rests within the umbrella stand. That evening, we sat with tattooed rockers who headbanged to Black Sabbath movies and scandalized us with their boy-on-boy antics.
Drinks are 500 yen and have names resembling Black Rose and Devil. Fu-ki mixes a robust cocktail and can gladly make you a particular one, or pour you a Belgian Devil Beer. He’s additionally identified to select up the tab for newcomers, particularly if you happen to bond over music — so don’t neglect to ask him about his Motley Crue cowl band.
Bar Moonwalk
When metallic and rock bands tour Osaka, they often cease by Moonwalk, a bar that pumps Marilyn Manson and Japanese glam metallic to a younger, heavily-pierced crowd.
My journey comrade and I had an prompt crush on our eyeliner-smeared server Kouta, who performs bass in a brand new Visible Kei band. The fantasy light a bit when he went into the kitchen to prepare dinner our orders: tasty 315 yen plates of Korean fried rice and lotus pork muffins. There’s a 400 yen cowl cost, however the drink menu — which has over 300 choices for 200 yen every – greater than makes up for it. Obtained a candy tooth? Strive the raspberry yogurt cocktail. Extra of a hardcore kind? Go for the brandy ginger mixer. And don’t be shocked if the charming bartender brings over free pictures.
Bar Rock Rock
Alice Cooper. Dangerous Faith. Motley Crue. Metallica. They’re among the many a whole lot of famed faces who’ve raised hell at Rock Rock for the reason that bar opened in 1995, abandoning autographed photographs and tales of destruction.
The ambiance jogs my memory of a very chill jazz membership, solely with screamo vocals. The bar performs something from punk to metallic and has occasions all year long that herald throngs of rock followers. These embody particular DJ nights resembling Hell’s Bells (AC/DC), Emotion is Lifeless (emo) and the self-explanatory Loud & Heavy.
The menu is a typical collection of pizzas, pastas and salads (600-800 yen). The drinks are requirements, plus a collection of fruity cocktails (500-800 yen). Somewhat pricy, however price it after they’re poured by superstar bartender “Noxl Rose.”
Meals in Osaka
Take your tastebuds on an journey.
See additionally: Japanese Pork Chop in Downtown Osaka
Okonomiyaki
Non-Japanese audio system, memorize the phrase “okonomiyaki.” It’s a tragedy if you happen to depart with out tasting the grilled savory pancake (normally with seafood, and topped with bonito flakes and brown sauce) that’s Kansai’s soul meals. Search for household eating places resembling Tengu, the place recipes are handed down from a number of generations.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki — grilled octopus balls made out of pouring batter into molds — are one other Osaka specialty. Each main road has a stand the place you should buy a dozen for 500 yen. Twists on the unique embody egg or melted cheese toppings, and takoyaki stuffed in a crepe. However nothing beats mom-and-pop retailers, resembling Tako Home at Umeda station, the place a shy grandma oversees the cooking.
Yuzu (citrus fruit)
Yuzu is a divine mating between a lemon and a tangerine. In Osaka, you’ll discover the flavour in seemingly each kind of dish: sorbet, sake, shochu. The fruit isn’t discovered contemporary outdoors of Japan, so don’t hesitate to gorge on it at each meal.
Associated tour: Eat Like a Local Street Food Tour
Day Journeys from Osaka
If you wish to escape from Osaka for a day, try just a few of those close by locations.
Kobe
Take a jaunt to Kobe to discover its excellent parks, zoo, and harbor. For a stroll on the darkish aspect, go to Gothic / fetish / occult / Satanic Bar Idea. The pleasant girls behind the nail-spiked bar will chat with you and carry out darkish rituals, together with shibari or rope bondage demonstrations.
Nara
Get away from the grit with a day journey to Nara, solely an hour away by subway. The cultural capital dazzles with six Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine and the Imperial Place. However the greatest thrill, for vacationers of all ages, is petting the sacred deer that roam in Nara Park.
Associated tour: From Kyoto or Osaka: Private Walking Tour through Nara
Kyoto
Kyoto is situated north of Osaka, and residential to 1000’s of well-preserved locations of worship resembling Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion). First constructed within the 14th century, the three-story gilded construction holds the Buddha’s ashes and is ready in an beautiful backyard with a mirror pond.
Associated tour: From Osaka: Kyoto Top Highlights Day Trip
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