Osaka where is it ?
A good guidebook for Osaka :
Tips:
Inside of Osaka train station, there are a lot of Ramen restaurants very tasty and cheap, where local people eat.
Osaka ?
If you think that Tokyo is too big and too impersonal, and if you also think that Kyoto is too small and doesn't have a nightlife, Osaka suits you perfectly ! Osaka is really between Kyoto and Tokyo : You can find a lot of restaurants as cheap as Tokyo's restaurants (and cheaper than Kamakura, very touristy place) and also many more options than Kyoto. Like Tokyo, you can find some locations with a lot of stores dedicated to cosplay, anime, or figures. (Same as Akihabara, but much less). If you like video games, you will find a lot of video arcades, and also some pachinko. On the other hand, you won't see a lot of nature like in Kyoto.Osaka - City of markets:
Kuromon Ichiba market, one of the best-known markets. It's simple, you can find everything: Japanese food, drinks, desserts, meals, Kobe beef, clothes, and fresh fish everywhere ! Osaka has been called pantry in the old times, and when you walk in Kuromon Ichiba market, you will understand why ! Good to know: Osaka has a very big coastline, you will find a lot of good and fresh fish.
The little Tokyo:
Osaka is also called the little Tokyo: A lot of stores, restaurants, pachinko, arcade video... And the the best known street is:
Dotonburi:
Dotonburi is the best known street in Osaka (every Japanese people know it). Dotonburi brings together major retailers. And it's exactly here (in the pic above) where every tourist comes to take pictures when they come to this street.
Dotonburi street crosses the Dotonburi canal:
Ezaki Glico:
Can you see the blue and red ads ? The sprinter ? Yes, that's here ! ? It's Ezaki Glico, a famous candy brand, and it's this ad that everybody takes a picture for.
And obviously, it's good to pose like the logo, with arms in the air !
Some Kobe beef ?
And one sushi at 4€ for me ! Yes because if you're not planing to go to Kobe, which is just near Osaka, try the Kobe beef. It is famous as one of the tastiest and softiest meat in all over the world ! The Kobe beef gains its reputation for having the cows listen to classical music, getting a massage regulary (yes really) and drinking beer. The goal is let the cows relax as much as possible. Obviously the price is in line with it, and, if you don't want to spend a fortune in a restaurant to taste this incredible meat, do like me, try the Kobe sushis !
500 yens (around 4€) this Kobe sushi.
Dotonbori :
Welcome back to Dotonburi ! Try to follow the people in the streets, feel the atmosphere, and, if you don't want to do shopping, try the street food, epecially places with a lot of people waiting in line !
Every time a video game coming out, it's a very big event in Japan ! In the picture below, you can see all the Lawson's products are disguised for the coming out of the last Dragon Quest.
Why did they give me chopsticks to eat this steak and this egg ?!?
Osaka's castle moat :
Osaka's castle :
Osaka castle, which is more of a fortified temple than a castle, is one of the best known temples in Japan, due to its role in Japanese history. You can learn more about it in on the 7th floor, in 3D ! Osaka castle is, with Donbori street, a must see if you're going to visit Osaka.
Museum of Osaka's castle:
My first impression when I was entering inside the Osaka castle was... The disappointment ! I expected one of those amazing authentic Japanse interior designs, like in Shogun castle at Kyoto, but instead it was a very modern museum, with modern stairs, elevators, and showcases. If you're comparing from the outside, it's crazy different.
Be aware, taking pictures is forbidden on some floors, don't do like me ! I saw the sign too late ! So you would have access to the first 6th floors ( ou know why there are elevators now) to the museum, some things are authentic, some are copies.
However it's on the 7th floor (yes, there is still floors after the 6th floor) I found my visit interesting for the Osaka castle.
The picture (fuzzy because the characters moving, forgive my samsung galaxy A5) represents one of the numerous scenes from the history of Osaka castle. The 3D is mixing with a painting and a real decoration..
It's in Japanese, with English subtitles.
The 8th floor of Osaka castle :
My advice : go on a clear weather (even me, in July, I had rain !) the 8th floor ( yes the last floor !) of Osaka castle ( it's really weird to call it a castle 😑) let you see a 360° view from the rooftop. For people who love pictures, you will dislike the fence, good for safety but very annoying for taking beautiful pics.
Conclusion :
Osaka can be visited in one whole day, or two days if you want to take your time. The two main attractions (Dotombury street and Osaka castle) are located next to each other. For other activities, it's, as written before, a little Tokyo. Go to different markets if you have time, especially Kuromon Ichiba, and, if you are a food lover, don't miss the Kobe beef !
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