La Carmina’s Different Osaka Journey Information

Should you’re on the lookout for an alternate Osaka journey information, you’ve simply landed on the fitting web page. Japan skilled, La Carmina, shares her finest suggestions and recommendation for exploring the extra underground aspect of Osaka.

Solely three hours from Tokyo by bullet practice, Osaka is a turbo-charged setting for a protracted weekend getaway. Though it’s value seeing historic landmarks reminiscent of Osaka Citadel, vacationers shouldn’t miss out on exploring the underground tradition for an alternate perspective of the town. As an illustration, Osaka is residence 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 nicely over a decade on my La Carmina journey weblog. Listed here 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 buying information

Let’s begin off this various Osaka journey information with just a few classic, indie and distinctive buying spots in Osaka.

Shinsaibashi

Shinsaibashi’s Buying Arcade is a bustling treasure hunt: search for indie and classic boutiques, reminiscent of 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 means of the beaded curtains for cyber trend, tarot playing cards and Eighties toys.

EST Heart

A stone’s throw from Umeda Station, EST is a younger ladies’s “buying 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 various outlets aren’t sufficient, throughout the road is Hep 5, a buying and leisure megalopolis with a purple Ferris wheel.

Sightseeing in Osaka

Listed here are just a few extra distinctive sights to go to in Osaka.

Pokemon Heart

Imagine it or not, the Pokemon Heart is without doubt one of the prime vacationer sights in all of Japan. The gargantuan Umeda, Osaka retailer is stocked with each character possible. 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 without doubt one of the largest aquariums on the earth 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 stress-free to look at the intertwining tendrils,” he says. “Additionally I really like to look at the workers feed the ocean otters, who play like youngsters.”

Osaka Citadel

Tanaka additionally encourages first-timers to go to the historic Osaka Citadel, particularly through 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 Citadel

Bars and Nightlife in Osaka

What’s an Osaka journey information with no checklist of the perfect bars and nightlife?

Associated tour: Osaka: Nightlife Expertise

Bar Midian

Followers of Visible Kei/J-rockers Blood had 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 learning these detailed instructions on my La Carmina Weblog. Midian’s decor is a heavy metallic 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 reminiscent of 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 when you bond over music — so don’t overlook to ask him about his Motley Crue cowl band.

Bar Moonwalk

When metallic and rock bands tour Osaka, they regularly cease by Moonwalk, a bar that pumps Marilyn Manson and Japanese glam metallic to a younger, heavily-pierced crowd.

My journey comrade and I had an prompt crush on our eyeliner-smeared server Kouta, who performs bass in a brand new Visible Kei band. The fantasy pale somewhat when he went into the kitchen to prepare dinner our orders: tasty 315 yen plates of Korean fried rice and lotus pork desserts. 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 sort? Go for the brandy ginger mixer. And don’t be shocked if the charming bartender brings over free pictures.

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 because the bar opened in 1995, abandoning autographed pictures and tales of destruction.

The environment jogs my memory of a very chill jazz membership, solely with screamo vocals. The bar performs something from punk to metallic and has occasions all year long that herald throngs of rock followers. These embrace particular DJ nights reminiscent of Hell’s Bells (AC/DC), Emotion is Useless (emo) and the self-explanatory Loud & Heavy.

The menu is a typical choice of pizzas, pastas and salads (600-800 yen). The drinks are requirements, plus a choice of fruity cocktails (500-800 yen). Just a little pricy, however value it after they’re poured by superstar 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 when you go away 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 reminiscent of Tengu, the place recipes are handed down from a number of generations.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki — grilled octopus balls constituted of pouring batter into molds — are one other Osaka specialty. Each main avenue has a stand the place you should purchase a dozen for 500 yen. Twists on the unique embrace egg or melted cheese toppings, and takoyaki stuffed in a crepe. However nothing beats mom-and-pop outlets, reminiscent of 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 sort of dish: sorbet, sake, shochu. The fruit is never discovered contemporary outdoors of Japan, so don’t hesitate to gorge on it at each meal.

Associated tour: Eat Like a Native Road 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 aspect, 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 greatest thrill, for vacationers of all ages, is petting the sacred deer that roam in Nara Park.

Associated tour: From Kyoto or Osaka: Personal Strolling Tour by means of Nara

Kyoto

Kyoto is situated north of Osaka, and residential to hundreds of well-preserved locations of worship reminiscent of Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion). First constructed within the 14^th century, the three-story gilded construction holds the Buddha’s ashes and is about in an beautiful backyard with a mirror pond.

Associated tour: From Osaka: Kyoto High Highlights Day Journey