Guidebook for Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi
Food Scene
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.
108 locals recommend
다루마
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.
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.
155 locals recommend
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.
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 locals recommend
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 :)
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 locals recommend
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.
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.
71 locals recommend
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.
Very popular store where you can enjoy freshly baked cheese tarts. It is always packed and a lot of people lining up ourside of the store. But it is worth the wait! Specially if you love sweets. There are also plenty of drink menu such as fresh smoothie made from fruits and originally roasted coffee which goes well with the tarts.
206 locals recommend
Pablo Dotombori
2-chōme-8-1 ShinsaibashisujiVery popular store where you can enjoy freshly baked cheese tarts. It is always packed and a lot of people lining up ourside of the store. But it is worth the wait! Specially if you love sweets. There are also plenty of drink menu such as fresh smoothie made from fruits and originally roasted coffee which goes well with the tarts.
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 locals recommend
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.
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.
2932 locals recommend
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.
Drinks & Nightlife
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 locals recommend
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
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 locals recommend
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
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.
115 locals recommend
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.
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 locals recommend
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.
Sightseeing
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.
1337 locals recommend
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.
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.
2395 locals recommend
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.
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.
499 locals recommend
Osaka Temmangu
2-chōme-1-8 TenjinbashiOsaka 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.
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).
3465 locals recommend
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).
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.
834 locals recommend
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.
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.
2055 locals recommend
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.
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.
426 locals recommend
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.
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.
3588 locals recommend
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.
Arts & Culture
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 locals recommend
OSTEC Exhibition Hall
1-chōme-8-4 UtsubohonmachiThe 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).
The museum focuses on Japanese and foreign contemporary art, with exhibitions from the museum collection and special exhibitions.
701 locals recommend
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 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.
979 locals recommend
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 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 locals recommend
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 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 locals recommend
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)
Shopping
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.
2406 locals recommend
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.
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.
271 locals recommend
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.
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.
850 locals recommend
Shinsaibashisuji
Shinsaibashisuji Chuo WardShinsaibashi 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.
Entertainment & Activities
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.
1923 locals recommend
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.
a shopping mall with multiple official Universal hotels and many restaurants and shops, including stores selling Universal Studios merchandise and Osaka souvenirs.
79 locals recommend
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.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
4440 locals recommend
Universal Studios Japan
SakurajimaUniversal Studios Japan (USJ) was the first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia.
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.
1135 locals recommend
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.
Getting Around
Get off at Shinsaibashi station and you can get to Dōtonbori.
957 locals recommend
Shinsaibashi Station
Minamisenba-3-chōme-12 Chuo WardGet off at Shinsaibashi station and you can get to Dōtonbori.
Nippombashi Station
Nipponbashi-1-chōme-5 Chuo WardHeart of Osaka!