Japan would possibly look like a small assortment of islands, however in reality, it’s far larger than you would possibly realise. Boasting a various and sophisticated combination of each the fashionable and the traditional. Japan is well-known for its juxtaposition of ultra-modern and historic, so it doesn’t matter what your pursuits are, there’s all the time one thing to discover.
In case you are seeking to immerse your self in each chaos and stillness, that’s Japan, however are pressed for time and solely have a brief window to take a look at one metropolis that packs a punch and means that you can actually get your tooth into the distinctive tradition, then look no additional than Osaka. Whether or not you’re after nightlife, temples, or among the greatest issues to do in Osaka, Japan, this information will provide you with all one of the best bits.
A vibrant, historic neon metropolis nicknamed The Nation’s Kitchen, Osaka provides world-class meals tradition, native rural escapes, and a style of Japanese metropolis life with a slower, much less overwhelming tempo than in cities like Tokyo. I beloved Osaka as an introduction to Japan, and it makes an ideal first place to cease and get accustomed to the tradition. A metropolis the place history-lined streets meet the brand new age, with computerized opening taxi doorways and a worldwide epicentre for next-generation know-how. If it’s your first time in Japan, relaxation assured, Osaka is nothing wanting heat and welcoming individuals who genuinely wish to assist you and share the place they name dwelling. Individuals had been so pleasant and genuinely wished that will help you and share the place they name dwelling.
Whatever the causes you might need chosen to go to Japan, Osaka actually is a superb place to start out the journey, and this information covers one of the best issues to do in Osaka throughout each nook of town. On this information, I’ll take you thru the fragrant meals markets of Dontonbori, the place there isn’t a scarcity of meals stalls to select from, all the best way to the ghostly, silent and sacred streets of Koyasan, situated in Wakayama Prefecture, the place you can see Japan’s largest cemetery. That is one in all my favorite stays in all of Japan, and actually, one in all one of the best issues to do close to Osaka when you have the additional day to spare.
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover in Japan. Merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.
When to Go to Osaka
Osaka is a metropolis you may comfortably go to at any time of yr, with a temperate local weather, with the identical seasonal sample because the Northern Hemisphere.
Spring from March to Could, summer time from June to August, and autumn from October into November. Nonetheless, summer time could be extraordinarily sizzling and humid, with June among the many wettest months.
Spring and Autumn will offer you among the most stunning seasons, boasting bursts of color throughout each. In case you are seeking to witness the cherry blossoms (Sakura) and probably the most celebrated season in Japan, head to Osaka in spring; it is going to be the busiest time for each worldwide and home journey. In case you are searching for one thing somewhat totally different, you can too head to Osaka in Autumn, the place you may benefit from the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the altering leaves throughout the mountains and cozy daytime temperatures.
Prime tip:
Travelling throughout cherry blossom season? E-book lodging and fashionable actions prematurely; rooms close to Dotonbori and Namba refill quick, and costs go up because the time approaches!
The place to Keep in Osaka
First issues first: location. Osaka is a reasonably large metropolis with no scarcity of locations to remain, starting from high-end inns to conventional ryokan and price range lodging. Town is split into districts, with Namba/Minami and Kita/Umeda thought of the highest two districts to base your self in in your keep in Osaka. Each areas put you into the center of the motion, with Namba/Minami placing you inside touching distance of the Dotonbori and Kita/Umeda placing you near central procuring districts and transport hyperlinks, and most sightseeing is both a brief stroll away or roughly a 40-minute practice trip, relying on the exercise.
Because it’s Japan, there isn’t a scarcity of native cafes and eating places in each areas and loads of little avenue nooks to discover on foot.
My favorite for worth, expertise and total location was Drop Inn Osaka. Positioned within the Kita/Umeda space and solely a 7-minute stroll from Osaka Station with practice hyperlinks to main vacationer sights and a 15-minute strolling distance from Dotonbori. Drop Inn gives dorm-style rooms with each feminine and blended pods with 6-8 mattress choices.
Japan is huge on private area and respect for others’ want for privateness, so that you’ll discover it fairly regular to have pod-style bunks. Feminine and blended dorms begin at 3,000 yen, roughly £13.00 per night time. In case you are searching for non-public rooms, additionally they provide conventional tatami rooms (with woven straw mats) for 2-4 folks, ranging from 8,600 yen or £40.00. Drop Inn additionally provides premium non-public rooms with thicker futons and some extra fundamental facilities. All rooms share the toilet amenities by gender. Drop Inn doesn’t present en suite amenities in its rooms, however the area is beneficiant.
There’s additionally a comfortable lounge room, a laundry room, and a small shared kitchen obtainable when you want them. There’s a free breakfast of recent bread, spreads, tea, espresso and teas from 7 am – 9:30 am. In addition they present bike leases, must you resolve to get out and discover on two wheels.
Espresso First?
Beginning any journey requires an excellent cup of espresso, and there are definitely an entire host of cafes to seek out in Osaka; the Japanese cafe tradition is sort of unmatched. With tea homes, espresso retailers, bakeries and cafes on most avenue corners. When you’re searching for one thing near town with stunning river views, loads of workspace, and an in-house florist that provides an earthy really feel to an city cafe, then head to Brooklyn Roasting Firm, Kitahamma.
They make nice espresso and their little baked items. I’m a giant fan of their doughnuts. An ideal begin to the foodie journey in Osaka. There was one thing so homely about this place with its leather-based couches and vigorous buzz. Such an excellent little spot to soak within the first few moments of Japan.
Exploring Dotonbori – meals wonderful meals
Meals in Japan, as you may think, is next-level; the whole lot from presentation and repair to the meals itself is an expertise in its personal proper. In Japan, it’s broadly recognised that you simply eat along with your eyes earlier than you even take a chew, so meals is normally offered in a approach that’s nearly an artwork type.
Osaka actually is the place to go in case you are seeking to eat your approach by way of Japan. With avenue distributors, eating places, pop-ups and even the native 7-Eleven sushi being actually good when you’re in a rush. That you must be fast, although, as a result of lots of people use it as a fast lunch cease and can clear out the cabinets throughout lunch.
There actually is sort of an excessive amount of selection in Osaka, however day or night time, one of many biggest locations to go to is Dotonbori. It must be one in all Osaka’s most mesmerising and explosive districts, located on the Dotonbori River with leisure, nightlife and naturally meals.
With neon and lantern-lined streets, large brightly colored ads and a buzz like no different. Suppose large octopus and crabs which can be actually leaping off the partitions.
My favorite meals cease for dinner or lunch, and the proper place when you’re seeking to get your first Japanese Ramen, is Kinryu Ramen Dotonbori. It’s a well-liked selection with locals, so you already know it’s going to be good. This little place provides cute alfresco and immersive eating. Simply situated by its iconic large inexperienced dragon and vibrant purple options.
Ordering meals in Japan can look totally different at occasions, with digital vending-machine-style kiosks that difficulty a ticket and a quantity. Supplying you with time to look at the cooks in motion. I beloved the informal ambiance of this place, and naturally, the ramen was scrumptious.
Extra Should-Attempt Bites
Just a few extra foodie spots I couldn’t omit:
Attempt Okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) or Takoyaki (octopus balls). I’ve shared a few my favorite spots for each above, however there are heaps of different locations to attempt round Dotonbori, simply comply with the place your nostril leads you.
Dive into the traditional Historical past
In case you are seeking to get amongst some historical past whereas in Osaka, then a terrific place to kick begin the journey is Osaka Fort. The fort was inbuilt 1583, with an 8-story museum protecting the historical past of the Samurai and town’s deep historical past. The ornate fort sits inside the grounds of Osaka Park, surrounded by moats and over 600 cherry blossom timber that, when you catch them in season, actually add to the mysticism and surprise of this place.
The grounds themselves are surrounded by beautiful little picket avenue distributors the place you may choose up some scrumptious avenue eats with views of the fort within the background. It’s the proper place to take a seat and take in the magic of Japan’s historical and conventional tradition, juxtaposed with fashionable skyscrapers.
In case you are staying at Drop Inn or staying in both of the 2 essential areas in Osaka, it’s pretty simple to commute by way of practice. Beginning on the Osaka Station, take the Osaka Loop Line clockwise to Ōsakajōkōen Station, and from there it’s a 20-minute stroll to the doorway. It’s also possible to take the Tanimachi Line from Higashi-Umeda Station to Tanimachi 4-chome Station, from there it’s a couple of 26-minute stroll.
The entry charge for the tower is roughly £6.00, with a separate charge for Nishinomaru Backyard of roughly 200 yen, rising to 350 yen throughout cherry blossom season, so £1 – £2.
Discover Kema Sakuranomiya Park
In case you are seeking to expertise the cherry blossoms and have extra of an immersive stroll by way of public parklands, then head twenty minutes on foot to Kema Sakuranomiya Park.
The park follows the Okawa River, and you may stroll as a lot or as little as you need. The park itself spans round 4.4km. The right place for folks watching, woven with little ponds and stress, traversed by conventional bridges and little shrines. In each spring and autumn, it turns into an immersive expertise of color because the seasons shift. With round 4,000 cherry blossom timber, it’s broadly thought of the most effective cherry blossom viewing areas. The right alternative for these all-important and spectacular photographs.
With views of town reflecting over the river, with boat rides obtainable when you resolve you don’t wish to stroll and expertise town from the water. Very similar to at Osaka Fort, there may be an array of momentary meals distributors lining the river in case you are searching for fewer crowds to seize a chew to eat. Tucking into some Takoyaki and, in fact, a matcha float, scrumptious iced matcha with smooth serve matcha on prime.
When you resolve to stroll far sufficient, you can see the Osaka Waterfront, a mini metropolis seashore, full with a sandy shore. Admission to the park is free, and it makes an ideal addition to, or an alternative choice to, Nishinomaru Backyard when you’re seeking to save somewhat cash or just wish to expertise extra of Osaka on foot.
When you resolve to make a separate journey to the gardens, then you may hop onto the Osaka loop line and soar off at Sakuranomiya Station, placing you into the center of the park.
Kōyasan
Getting out of town to expertise rural Japan must be on the record of issues to do whereas in Osaka. By far one of the immersive experiences is staying at an lively Buddhist temple and taking the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains to get there. I can’t advocate the journey to Mount Koya extremely sufficient when you have time. The journey will take somewhat little bit of effort, however fortunately, journey logistics are one thing that the Japanese are famend for.
When travelling from Osaka Station, there are a number of methods to achieve Koyasan (Mount Koya), with numerous practice strains and connections. Travelling from Umeda Station, the best choice is to take the Midosuji Line to Tennoji, then proceed to Namba Station. From Namba Station, you’ll meet with the Nankai-Koya Line, travelling the total 14 stops to Hashimoto Station. From there, you’ll want to alter to trains heading from Gokurakubashi Station. When you attain Gokurakubashi Station, you’ll want to change from trains to the cable automotive. The Nankai Koyasan Cable automotive will take you up above the mountains to satisfy with Koyasan Station. The ultimate leg of the journey takes you into Koya by way of the Koyasannai Line. Getting off at Karukayado-mae, you’ll be within the coronary heart of the village.
The entire journey takes round 2 hours and 45 minutes. The longest practice journey is about an hour, and different hyperlinks are round 10-20 minutes and value roughly £10.00 (2,170 yen). It sounds sophisticated, however in actuality, it’s not too laborious to navigate.
In a single day keep at an lively Buddhist monastery
As soon as in Koyasan, you’ll discover a utterly totally different tempo, surrounded by forests, mountains, clear rivers and sleepy streets. Koyasan is broadly thought to be a central web site of Buddhism and is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Each avenue is steeped in historical past, with stunning, peaked, tiled roofs and picket facades. With the odor of cedar wooden and crisp mountain air, you’ll really feel worlds away from the busy streets of Osaka.
Koyasan itself is a hub for Pilgrims embarking on their journey and following the best way of the Monks. Residence to over 100 particular person temples and the most important cemetery. Many temples provide in a single day lodging, and I extremely advocate taking the time to immerse your self. The streets are so stunning it’s laborious to not take lots of of photographs of all of the totally different temple entrances and beautiful locations of worship.
Essentially the most notable shrine on the coronary heart of Mount Koya is the Danjo Garan, full with Torii Gates and a shocking purple pagoda. The central grand pagoda is a placing distinction to the others within the space, standing tall and vibrant. The area is fairly lively with Monks doing every day duties and prayer, and pilgrims making their option to their vacation spot.
I like to recommend staying at Ekoin. I solely stayed right here for one night time, but it surely was by far my favorite expertise in Japan. Ekoin provides all kinds of Conventional Japanese Ryokan rooms, from luxurious suites with non-public gardens to common and extra fundamental rooms with shared amenities, massive baths, and gender-separated washrooms, in addition to Western-style rooms for many who would favor to not sleep on futons. Nonetheless, the night time’s sleep I had right here continues to be up there among the many better of my life. To the purpose I thought of eliminating my mattress for a futon.
No matter what you select, the expertise of staying in an lively temple is one thing very particular. The final room charge was round £244 (52,000 yen) per night time for 2 folks. With different rooms going up in worth relying on the type and the person’s wants.
The temple provides conventional Buddhist meals at each breakfast and dinner, with non-compulsory lunch. Each breakfast and dinner are provided in your room, however when you keep in bigger teams, meals are served within the corridor. Proudly serving meals that’s secure for each vegans and vegetarians with cooking strategies which were handed down for generations.
The morning meal is made up of steamed white rice, fermented tofu, miso soup, evenly pickled greens, umeboshi, which is a dried, salted pickled plum, pickled radish and tempura greens.
Ekoin additionally provides its visitors experiences and perception into the lifetime of a Buddhist monk. With the choice to hitch a prayer at 7 am each morning, adopted by the fireplace ritual at 7:30 am. I attended the fireplace ritual, sitting in a room utterly blackened by ash from years of its efficiency. The fireplace represents the knowledge of the Buddha, and the wooden symbolises human needs; the fireplace is a cleaning ingredient. The burning away of human needs, and as we pray for needs to come back true.
In addition they provide Ajikan (meditation), Sutra Copying, the observe of transcribing, and a Koyassan night time tour, taking you thru the cemetery whereas lit by lanterns.
The morning hearth prayer was my favorite a part of my tour. The room is extremely small and darkish, creating a really intimate view of the Buddhist ceremony and the lifetime of the Monks. You nearly really feel as if you’re a fly on the wall watching one thing extremely sacred and personal. It’s really an honour to witness and one thing I believe few folks find out about earlier than visiting Japan.
A gaggle of us walked by way of the cemetery at night time, because it was near the lodging, an odd and spooky expertise, however the lanterns lit the trail by way of 1000’s of years of historical past.
Kōyasan is a spot I really feel you might spend an excellent chunk of time with onsen’s and cafes, mountain climbing trails and simply an total softness that’s price saying a couple of night time to expertise and soak in. Your entire expertise will transport you to a unique place and time earlier than it’s important to return to the hustle and bustle of Osaka, prepared for the subsequent journey.
Have you ever been to Osaka?
What are one of the best issues to do in Osaka? Something you’d add to this Osaka bucket record?
Francesca Solloway
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering one of the best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover in Japan. Merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.