osaka obsession: 5 unforgettable neighborhoods you need to explore!

Osaka is usually not a priority destination for tourists because people prefer more well-known places such as Tokyo and Kyoto; however, there is much more to see in Osaka. Osaka has good food and the people are friendly and hospitable – a city that is very alive with lots of energy. However, for this list, save for the general atmosphere of the city and the mesmerizing vibe that the place exudes, I have pinpointed five areas in Osaka that are worth visiting when you are in this part of Japan. You can find more information in our detailed guide about Osaka neighborhoods below!

1. Dōtonbori

As any guide to the best districts in Osaka will attest, no visit here is complete without a trip to the dazzling neon heart of Dōtonbori. This is a famous tourist attraction area situated along the Dōtonbori canal and home to some of the most famous imagery in the city including the massive mechanical crab and gigantic pufferfish sculptures. Nightlife begins to light up immediately when one sets foot in the neighborhood, with numerous restaurants, shops, bars, and karaoke businesses all over the place. Of course, it’s recommended to go for such foods as takoyaki (octopus), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), and matcha ice cream when traveling Dōtonbori’s noisy and visually striking pavements. That’s right, do not hesitate to take pictures with the Glico Man! In the Dōtonbori district of Osaka, one can get lost in the culinary and hedonistic bliss of the Japanese big-city frenzy.

2. Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade

Shinsaibashi-suji is another important shopping area located a few small streets away from Dōtonbori and it is placed right across the Dōtonbori River. This extensive passageway for shopping has approximately two hundred outlets of shops and restaurants connected under one extremely lengthy and incredibly lengthy glass canopy. Shop for discounts and outlets when visiting chains and big shops, small Japanese shops, restaurants, and fashion brands as you are shielded from prying eyes and the elements while in Osaka. Shinsaibashi-suji and the other overhead bridges also lead the visitors to Amerikamura, a rather cute youth-oriented subculture shopping district in Japan. Among these two districts that are closely located, one can shop to their heart’s content!

3. Kuromon Ichiba Market

Culinary enthusiasts will simply have to take a trip to Kuromon Ichiba Market, considered one of the city’s most popular food markets. This covered market is 600 meters long and contains over 150 shops with the freshest meats, produce and spices, plus some of the best street food stalls. Take a moment to gaze at the glittering stacks of octopus, tuna, and shellfish; then, indulge in fruits, local pastries, and beer. Make sure to taste specialties such as dragon fruit, matcha desserts, soft and fluffy pancakes, or the Takoyaki II top pick. Not just the food but the souvenirs are also something you’ll get to explore at the Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka.

4. Umeda Sky Building

Although Osaka sparkles brightly in the streets, going up to the Umeda Sky Building to catch the bird’s eye view of the city, the shine is even brighter. This large-scale urban structure in Kita, Osaka consists of two forty-story towers linked at mid-twenty of height by the breathtaking Floating Garden Observatory. Also, take the escalators up the spectacular central staircase that is a nod to the building’s futuristic look and get to the open rooftop observatory deck for a 360-degree view of Osaka. On a bright day, one can view up to the other side of the harbor to the Port of Osaka. Sky Building also contains an indoor observation deck an area with restaurants and shops and the Floating Garden Museum to visit before returning to the ground level.

5. Osaka Castle

Osaka is perhaps one of the most famous and bustling cities in Japan, and it would be rather incomplete to tour this city without visiting the centuries-old symbol of the city – Osaka Castle. Located on the outskirts of Nagoya and built in 1583, this castle had been through numerous wars, fires, and restorations to become the magnificent fortress symbolizing the power and elegance of feudal Japan. The castle tower is also a museum with displays of history and items as well as an observation deck on the 8th floor. Another part of the castle is tour-worthy and this includes the parks, moats, gates, towers, shrines, and even a life-sized replica of the castle keeping though only three stories high. In this year’s cherry blossom season, Osaka Castle brings you from the concrete jungle into the tranquil gardens and storytelling walls of the Sengoku Era.

As one of Japan’s largest cities, Osaka is a sprawling metro blessed with an abundant food scene and rich architecture from old school buildings to the electric streets of Namba. However, Dōtonbori, Shinsaibashi-suji, Kuromon Ichiba, Umeda Sky Building, and Osaka Castle must be on your Osaka touring agenda if you wish to be true to the city’s spirit. Therefore, become that city wanderer, taste some takoyaki, and let Osaka’s sleazy and gritty allure devour you! The city is undeniably as the locals coined it, the “kuidaore” city meaning that one can eat till he drops and shop till he pops!

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