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Osaka, Japan
Photo: Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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(上方浮世絵館) A rather small museum in Nanba dedicated to ukiyoe, Japanese woodblock prints. The interior of the museum looks a bit like an adobe house. It may be most interesting to someone already familiar with the art, as the information inside mostly Japanese only.
大相撲春場所
The Osaka Tournament of Japan's national sport, sumo wrestling, is usually held mid-March annually at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Check for schedules and ticket availabilities at the official Nihon Sumo Kyokai homepage.
One of the last places in the world where bunraku, a form of intricate puppet theater from the Edo period, can be seen live. The large puppets, which require three operators each, are accompanied by traditional music and narration, and act out great Japanese plays of the 1600s and 1700s. Transcripts in Japanese and synopses in English are provided.
English-language stand-up comedy playhouse.
ザ・シルバーボールプラネット
Pinball arcade featuring over 100 retro, classic & modern pinball machines. ¥100 per play (3 balls) typically, but some are as cheap as ¥10
Best for a snack, this outdoor stall offers a hard-to-find and delicious treat called tamago-yaki, fried egg atop a wide flat sembei cracker with sauce and a variety of toppings available. Much tastier than it sounds.
鶴橋風月
Good okonomiyaki and yakisoba, with extra toppings (egg, cheese, etc.). The restaurant overlooks Umeda. There's an English menu.
This takoyaki place has very friendly staff. Look for the big red octopus wearing a crown.
えん難波店
The Namba branch of the excellent En izakaya (see above).
鳥貴族
Torikizoku is the most popular yakitori chain in Kansai, and can be found near most major stations in Osaka. The food is delicious, comes in generous serves and is very cheap. It's very popular with both locals and expats, and is always busy. Try to come before 19:30 to secure seats.
Some of the best okonomiyaki in Osaka, and they're so proud of it they prepare it for you from start to end, making a good choice for the casual visitor as well. The "A set" (¥5,900) includes no less than four styles and will leave four people stuffed to the gills. Very popular, so join the queue early, and beware that ordering here is once and done: you can't add on more later.
Australian café, serving all day breakfast.
はり重
Shabu-shabu or sukiyaki in Japanese tatami rooms. No reservations are taken except for large groups, so arrive early at nights (18:00 or so) to be sure you get a room without waiting.
かに道楽
Now a nationwide chain, but this is the original -- although there are three branches around Dotonbori alone! Easily identifiable by the giant mechanical crab waving its pincers about, and as you might guess, the speciality here is crab. The menu runs to pages and pages of ways to prepare the crustaceans, ranging from sushi to hotpots to gratin, but perhaps the most Japanese way is to order o-tsukuri (sashimi) and try your crab legs raw. English menu with easy ordering via tablets.
Small cozy karaoke bar is almost impossible to find but well worth the effort. Foreign and English-speaking Japanese staff, and over 130,000 songs to choose from. The owner, Richard, is a long term resident of Japan and is a wealth of information on what to do and see in the area, where to stay and even where to find work. (No "u" in e-mail address is correct, or: richosaka@gmail.com.)
This pair of Irish pubs have a laid-back atmosphere, friendly staff, and a decent happy hour.
This British pub chain is at many locations around Osaka, including along Midosuji street in Shinsaibashi, in Namba, and in Chayamachi (Umeda, east side of Hankyu station and walk north a little). HUB serves as a meeting place for many expats as well as Japanese locals. Get there early for happy hour discounts on cocktails (17:00-19:00).
One of Osaka's most popular gay and lesbian bars among foreigners.
Great place to listen to Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and all black music. Beside playing the latest music, you can also listening the old school classics. Enjoy a wide range of drinks to get you in the party mood or help you relax.
Packed with trance lovers.
Extremely crowded dance club. The crowd is around 25-30% international. Be sure to bring your passport, as the ID check here is atypically rigorous. The closest subway station is Namba Station, which is about 5-10 min walk. No dancing is allowed in the club.
由苑
The ground floor of this building was once a printing factory, and the upper level was a family home. The guest house has a traditional atmosphere.
Sauna available, and there is a separate area for women.
Sauna available, and there is a separate area for women.
アズガーデン日本橋
Online reservation site in English here but you may or may not get a response. If no response, try an online booking agent.
かねよし旅館
This comfortable, modern ryokan is in the heart of downtown on the riverside of Dotombori and very close to the Osaka shopping quarter. English website has an online reservation system.
ウィークリーグリーンINナンバ
English website has an online reservation system. It claims to have English-speaking staff on its website so you may attempt an online reservation. If no response, try an online booking agent. Each apartment equipped with in-suite shower and toilet, kitchenette, fridge, portable cooking stove, A/C, TV and telephone.
2 blocks east of Shinsaibashi's central covered shopping arcade, this hotel is a little better than the average business hotel, with clean rooms, English-speaking staff, and a free, generous breakfast buffet.
This is a slightly nicer business hotel with larger than average rooms. The hotel provides English language instructions for laundry machines and other hotel services. Breakfast an additional ¥ 1,000.
大和屋本店
A Japanese-style hotel in Dotonbori. There are staff members who can speak English.
About 5 minutes walking distance from the Shinsaibashi shopping area. Some staff speak good English. The rooms are very small, but very clean.
Compact but airy and comfortable studio, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments right across the street from Nankai Namba station. Full kitchen and washing facilities make this a great choice for longer stays.
Huge Landmark Hotel smack in the middle of Shinsaibashi along tree lined Mido-suji Avenue. Rooms are comfortable and have amazing views at night as hotel is the tallest building in the immediate area. Attached to Shinsaibashi train station and close to Amerika-mura, shopping, and night-life.
A luxury business hotel in Osaka, Japan offering accommodation, 13 restaurants and bars, vacation packages and meeting rooms. This five-star hotel is in the Osaka Business Park near Osaka Castle.
Next to Namba train and bus stations.
By plane
Nankai's Rapi:t limited expresses from Kansai International Airport take 34 minutes and cost ¥1390. Cheaper but slower trains are also available.
By train
By bus
There are two bus terminals around Namba railway stations. Kansai Airport Limousine bus runs from Kansai International Airport to Namba OCAT bus terminal, ¥1050 one way.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Osaka · International · ITM
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