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Should you’re searching for another Osaka journey information, you’ve simply landed on the proper web page. Japan skilled, La Carmina, shares her greatest suggestions and recommendation for exploring the extra underground facet of Osaka.
Solely three hours from Tokyo by bullet prepare, Osaka is a turbo-charged setting for a protracted weekend getaway. Though it’s value seeing historic landmarks comparable to Osaka Fort, vacationers shouldn’t miss out on exploring the underground tradition for another perspective of town. For example, Osaka is dwelling 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 embellished with grinning skulls.
I’ve been writing about Japan and visiting Osaka for effectively over a decade on my La Carmina journey weblog. 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 procuring information
Let’s begin off this different Osaka journey information with just a few classic, indie and distinctive procuring spots in Osaka.
Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi’s Buying Arcade is a bustling treasure hunt: search for indie and classic boutiques, comparable to 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 (right here’s a map of the perfect shops). Poke your head by way of the beaded curtains for cyber trend, tarot playing cards and Nineteen Eighties toys.
EST Middle
A stone’s throw from Umeda Station, EST is a younger ladies’s “procuring 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 outlets aren’t sufficient, throughout the road is Hep 5, a procuring and leisure megalopolis with a pink Ferris wheel.
Sightseeing in Osaka
Listed below are just a few extra distinctive sights to go to in Osaka.
Pokemon Middle
Imagine it or not, the Pokemon Middle is likely one of the prime vacationer sights in all of Japan. The gargantuan Umeda, Osaka retailer is stocked with each character conceivable. Youngsters in Pikachu hats will remind you that the model’s motto is “gotta catch em all,” so carry your pockets.
Kaiyukan Aquarium
Kaiyukan is likely one of the largest aquariums on the planet and a household favourite. Younger Osaka resident Takumi Tanaka reminisces on his childhood visits. “It’s at all times enjoyable to see the penguins and dolphins enjoying, however my favourite factor to do is go to the Floating Jellyfish tanks. It’s so enjoyable to observe the intertwining tendrils,” he says. “Additionally I really like to observe the workers feed the ocean otters, who play like youngsters.”
Osaka Fort
Tanaka additionally encourages first-timers to go to the historic Osaka Fort, particularly in the course of the cherry blossom season. “There are at all times festivals and gatherings within the lovely 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 Strolling Tour round Osaka Fort
Bars and Nightlife in Osaka
What’s an Osaka journey information with out a listing of the perfect bars and nightlife?
Associated tour: Osaka: Nightlife Expertise
Bar Midian
Followers of Visible Kei/J-rockers Blood have been heartbroken when the group disbanded. However like a Goth Elvis, vocalist Fu-ki is alive and ominously wielding an ice decide behind the counter of his Bar Midian.
The Umeda dive is near-impossible to search out, so I counsel finding out these detailed instructions on my La Carmina Weblog. Midian’s decor is a heavy steel wet-dream: a dripping candle sits in a Dracula wine bottle; an axe rests within the umbrella stand. That night time, 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 comparable to Black Rose and Devil. Fu-ki mixes a powerful cocktail and can gladly make you a particular one, or pour you a Belgian Devil Beer. He’s additionally identified to choose up the tab for newcomers, particularly in the event you bond over music — so don’t overlook to ask him about his Motley Crue cowl band.
Bar Moonwalk
When steel and rock bands tour Osaka, they steadily cease by Moonwalk, a bar that pumps Marilyn Manson and Japanese glam steel to a younger, heavily-pierced crowd.
My journey comrade and I had an instantaneous crush on our eyeliner-smeared server Kouta, who performs bass in a brand new Visible Kei band. The fantasy pale slightly 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. Acquired a candy tooth? Attempt 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 photographs.
Bar Rock Rock
Alice Cooper. Unhealthy Faith. Motley Crue. Metallica. They’re among the many lots of of famed faces who’ve raised hell at Rock Rock for the reason that bar opened in 1995, forsaking autographed pictures 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 steel and has occasions all year long that usher in throngs of rock followers. These embody particular DJ nights comparable to Hell’s Bells (AC/DC), Emotion is Lifeless (emo) and the self-explanatory Loud & Heavy.
The menu is a typical number of pizzas, pastas and salads (600-800 yen). The drinks are requirements, plus a number of fruity cocktails (500-800 yen). Just a little pricy, however value it after they’re poured by celeb 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 in the event you depart with out tasting the grilled savory pancake (often with seafood, and topped with bonito flakes and brown sauce) that’s Kansai’s soul meals. Search for household eating places comparable to 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 purchase 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 outlets, comparable to 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 recent exterior of Japan, so don’t hesitate to gorge on it at each meal.
Associated tour: Eat Like a Native Avenue Meals 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 facet, go to Gothic / fetish / occult / Satanic Bar Thought. 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 largest thrill, for vacationers of all ages, is petting the sacred deer that roam in Nara Park.
Associated tour: From Kyoto or Osaka: Non-public Strolling Tour by way of Nara
Kyoto
Kyoto is situated north of Osaka, and residential to hundreds of well-preserved locations of worship comparable to 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 Prime Highlights Day Journey
LaCarmina
La Carmina launched her LaCarmina.com weblog in 2007, and has been reporting worldwide on different tradition, trend and journey ever since. She is the creator of 4 books (with Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random Home), seems on journey TV exhibits for networks like Discovery, CNN and Journey Channel, and is a SATW award profitable journalist. La Carmina is especially identified for her dispatches on Japanese and Gothic subcultures in over 70 international locations.
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