osaka overload: 10 epic adventures for foodies, fanatics & fun-seekers!

Cheers to Osaka – a true eating and entertainment hub of Japan! This colorful city is one of the best destinations for most especially the lovers of food, crazy souls, and lovers of fun. It is a paradise of exploration and therefore can make one feel a little overwhelmed by the choices available here. That’s why I have created this list of the 10 best things to do in Osaka for obsession to take you on 10 of the most awesome, uniquely Osaka experiences across this gustatory, eccentric metropolis. Attention all you culture vultures! Get ready for Osaka overload!

1. Kuromon Ichiba Market: A Mouthwatering Street Food Experience Head First

Kuromon market is a must-visit place for anyone with the slightest interest in food and dining. This is an open but roofed market where most food sellers are found with fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, eggs, and even ready food such as takoyaki, which is a ball of flour-based batter cooked around a filled seasoned octopus. Strolling around the stalls is very tasty and it will allow you to get acquainted with the cuisines of Osaka in detail. Hey, you should try going to the fish market, especially Yukari’s stall where they have a huge tuna being sliced.

2. A couple of weeks ago I traveled to Osaka, Japan to visit a friend and one night we went out and went singing at a karaoke bar.

Karaoke is a rather important activity in Japan, and the Japanese city of Osaka turns it into an art. Check out one of the quirkily themed karaoke bars like Monkey Magic or worship at the altar of torturous ballads at the public group karaoke of Joysound. If the walls are covered with jungles or disco parlors, and songbooks containing more than 100,000 songs, then you sang until dawn. It is fun and silly and it looks like there is nothing more appropriate for the musical genre.

3. Osaka Urban Transformation as Viewed from New Heights: The Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory

Umeda Sky Building is another must-visit, especially if you want to get an unobstructed view of the city. This high-rise glass and steel has an open-air observatory, the Floating Garden that connects two of its towers. Head up to the top floor to get an incredible 360-degree view including from the concrete jungle of Osaka to inland seas. Try not to negotiate on the opportunity to cross the glass floor that offers spectacular views of the ground below!

4. Encountering Feudal Japan: A Visit to Osaka Castle

It is one of the most recognizable buildings in the region as it is described that this castle was built in the 16th century and has an epic legend behind its construction. Located in the Kansai region of Japan, the castle was constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi – a man, once a peasant, who conquered all of Japan; sieged, burnt, and bombed, but still majestic. Stroll through the high towers and big dry moats to get the feel of feudal Japan and then get snap happy in front of the ‘Renaissance man’ samurai!

5. Retirement: Shop Till You Drop at Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

Further, get set to shop till you drop at Shinsaibashi-Suji – Osaka’s leading shopping district! Stretching for almost 2km and packed with international stores and fashionable boutiques, as well as traditional shopping arcades, it is a heaven for buyers. Search for trendy Japanese urban clothing before stocking up on sets of cute Japanese stationery and fashionable Japanese homeware. No matter how much one might dislike shopping, the choice here is so vast that even antisocial homophobes will not be able to get bored!

6. Osaka is home to the most popular cat cafes where you have the privilege to meet famous cat celebrities.

Cats are a popular pet and a beloved animal in Japan in general but Osaka is the place with the highest concentration of cafes where cats are the main attraction! Places like Neko no mise (kitty shops) such as Neko no Niwa and Cattern allow customers to hold adopted cats while taking coffee and tea. Some cafés even have feline celebs- Internet-renowned café cats with follower count above 100k. This way, cat lovers can get their cute fix between greeting cat idols with the Japanese ‘Konichiwa.’

7. Have a Bit of Fun by Talking to Kitaro at Dotombori

For tourists, it would be incomplete to visit Osaka and not have a photo shoot in the infamous Dotombori, Osaka’s energetic and lively entertainment area. Visit the famous Glico Running Man sign and then explore Kitaro – the billboard guy constructed over the waters of a canal that communicates with the public through messages that have been prerecorded. You can also have a comical conversation with an extra serving of bizarre humor with this Dotombori feature!

8. Open the door and get ready to enjoy the forbidden fruit at Minami’s infamous Hozenji Yokocho Alley.

As we have mentioned before, Dotombori is a pedestrian area and there is a narrow street directly adjacent to it, filled with the energy of spirited tapas bars, izakaya taverns, and yakitori stands. Sneak beneath the red paper lanterns and enter the Hozenji Yokocho for quite the most lively atmosphere to enjoy beer, sake, or smoked chicken. You just don’t want to resist the non-stop party atmosphere that is always present here.

9. Dōtonbori Canal Clubs: For the Best Nightlife Experience Feel Free to Party All Night Long

At night, Dōtonbori becomes the ultimate nightlife district as clubs that overlook the canal are a blaze in neon lights. These pumping nightclubs are open all year round and night, embracing raving DJ parties up to sunrise where the world’s top EDM DJs perform. Prepare yourselves for some intense nightlife in Osaka of fast-paced clubs and even faster rhythms!

10. Experience the essence of Michelin-starred Takumi Tastes

As if food cannot be fun and eateries cannot be fine. Osaka has rightfully claimed the title of being the city of good eats as it has more Michelin stars than any other city in Japan except for Tokyo. For the ultimate luxury go for Chef’s Table tastings with stunning views at Takumi and enjoy the multicourse journeys with ingredients of Japanese cuisine infused with global techniques – absolute delight!

And that’s our round-up of the 10 outrageous Osaka experiences for the foodie, the fanatic, and the fun-seeker! From bowels and shouting your lungs out in neon-lit karaoke pits to senses overloading modern gourmet Michelin-starred meals, this city does it all. Prepare, therefore, for sensory and cultural overload, Osaka style! Please share what other epic experiences you would like to be included in this obsession list.

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