La Carmina’s Different Osaka Journey Information

For those who’re on the lookout for another Osaka journey information, you’ve simply landed on the proper web page. Japan professional, La Carmina, shares her finest ideas 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 Fort, vacationers shouldn’t miss out on exploring the underground tradition for another perspective of the town. As an illustration, Osaka is house 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 adorned with grinning skulls.

I’ve been writing about Japan and visiting Osaka for properly 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 purchasing information

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

Shinsaibashi

Shinsaibashi’s Procuring 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 most effective shops). Poke your head via the beaded curtains for cyber style, tarot playing cards and Nineteen Eighties toys.

EST Heart

A stone’s throw from Umeda Station, EST is a younger girls’s “purchasing 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 purchasing 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 among the prime vacationer sights in all of Japan. The gargantuan Umeda, Osaka retailer is stocked with each character possible. Kids in Pikachu hats will remind you that the model’s motto is “gotta catch em all,” so convey your pockets.

Kaiyukan Aquarium

Kaiyukan is among 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 stress-free to observe the intertwining tendrils,” he says. “Additionally I like to observe the workers feed the ocean otters, who play like kids.”

Osaka Fort

Tanaka additionally encourages first-timers to go to the historic Osaka Fort, particularly throughout the cherry blossom season. “There are at all times festivals and gatherings within the stunning park, and little stalls that promote conventional meals like takoyaki. It’s enjoyable to simply sit on the benches and watch individuals 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 most effective 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 recommend 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 recognized to choose up the tab for newcomers, particularly if you happen to bond over music — so don’t neglect 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 instantaneous crush on our eyeliner-smeared server Kouta, who performs bass in a brand new Visible Kei band. The fantasy light slightly 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. Obtained a candy tooth? Attempt the raspberry yogurt cocktail. Extra of a hardcore sort? Go for the brandy ginger mixer. And don’t be stunned 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 for the reason that bar opened in 1995, forsaking autographed pictures and tales of destruction.

The ambiance jogs my memory of a extremely chill jazz membership, solely with screamo vocals. The bar performs something from punk to metallic and has occasions all year long that usher in throngs of rock followers. These embody 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 collection of pizzas, pastas and salads (600-800 yen). The drinks are requirements, plus a collection of fruity cocktails (500-800 yen). A bit of pricy, however value it once 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 if you happen to go away with out tasting the grilled savory pancake (normally 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 created from pouring batter into molds — are one other Osaka specialty. Each main avenue has a stand the place you should buy 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, 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 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 aspect, go to Gothic / fetish / occult / Satanic Bar Thought. The pleasant women 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: Non-public Strolling Tour via Nara

Kyoto

Kyoto is positioned 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