Osaka is a city that deserves several days to get to know it beyond the surface. Its blend of history, lively urban life and one of Japan’s best food scenes make it a very complete destination. However, many travellers can only visit it in passing, taking advantage of its excellent location and train and plane connections. If that’s the case for you and you only have a day or two to discover it, here are our recommendations for a quick visit to one of Japan’s most entertaining cities.
The best place to start is Osaka Castle. Although it is a modern reconstruction, its interior functions as a museum that traces the history of the city and the castle itself, which played a key role during the Sengoku period (1467–1615), a time of civil wars between feudal lords. But beyond the building itself, what is really worth seeing is its surroundings, with extensive gardens, large moats and green areas where locals stroll, picnic or simply relax. Enjoy a leisurely morning in this beautiful setting.
From here, you can take the underground northwest to the Umeda area, the business and shopping district par excellence. In Umeda, not only will you find shopping centres and stations full of people, but also one of the best viewpoints in the city, the Umeda Sky Building. From its floating platform, you can see the whole of Osaka stretching out to the sea, which is especially beautiful at sunset. This area represents the most modern and functional side of the city, in contrast to the more chaotic, fun and authentic side that you will discover later on.
As evening falls, it is best to head south to the Namba and Dotonbori area. This part of Osaka is an explosion of lights, neon signs, people, shops, restaurants and street stalls. Everyone stops to photograph the iconic Glico corridor sign, but what is truly memorable here is the food. Try takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (a kind of Japanese omelette) or any local dish at the numerous izakayas or street stalls. The night in Osaka always promises a good atmosphere and tasty dishes.
If you are lucky enough to have a second day during your short stay in Osaka, you can start with a more peaceful visit to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, a beautiful Shinto temple with unique architecture that feels far removed from the urban hustle and bustle, despite being within the city. Afterwards, take a stroll around Shinsekai, a retro-style neighbourhood that seems frozen in time, full of inexpensive restaurants, lanterns and the famous Tsutenkaku Tower.
But if you want to get off the beaten track without complicating your life, we recommend losing yourself in Tenma, an area little known to travellers but much loved by locals. Its covered market, Tenjinbashi-suji, is the longest in Japan and is full of small shops, izakayas and restaurants where you can eat well and cheaply.
In the evening, you can sit in one of the small bars that line the train tracks, where office workers and neighbourhood residents gather to chat and share simple dishes with a cold beer in hand. It’s one of the most authentic ways to experience Osaka, even if only for a few hours.
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Image credits: Satoshi Hirayama en Pexel. (last photo)