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Osaka, Japan
Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Kita (キタ) is the newest centre of Osaka city. The area around Umeda station, where major terminals for the Osaka subway, Japan Rail (JR), Hankyu and Hanshin railways can be found, it boasts department stores, buildings full of fashionable shops and various attractions. The southern edge of the ward is Nakanoshima, a sandbank in the middle of the river which is home to cultural institutions and government offices.
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大阪市立科学館
Big interactive activity center on several floors. Great for kids. Planetarium and cinema (with science films) downstairs.
大阪くらしの今昔館 Ōsaka kurashi no Konjaku-kan
Step back in time as you walk through this life-sized reproduction of an Osaka neighborhood from the 1830s. The street contains re-creations of a public bath (you can borrow a yukata, or cotton kimono, to wear as you stroll around), as well as various shops and merchants' living quarters. There's also a section displaying detailed dioramas of Osaka after the Meiji Period. English-language audio guides are available.
梅田スカイビル
Built in an attempt to upgrade Osaka's somewhat downbeat Kita district, the project wasn't quite the hoped-for commercial success but this bizarrely shaped 40-story, 173-m building is still a city landmark. Take the escalator through midair to the rooftop observatory for an open-air view of Osaka, which is particularly impressive on a clear night. There is a lover's seat, where if you hold your partner's hand, and each hold a metal button on the seat, the ground around you lights up into a heart. You can purchase an engraved heart lock (¥1000) and attached it to the padlock wall around the seat (padlocks only available after 19:00). Observatory admission ¥2000, 9:30AM-10:30PM daily. The basement features a recreation of a Meiji-era street, with a few small restaurants and bars in appropriate style. There is also a small store downstairs where you can purchase quality mochi on the cheap.
造幣局
It's not widely known even by people from elsewhere in the country that Japan Mint is headquartered in Osaka. For Osakans, Sakura-no-tōrinuke (桜の通り抜け, cherry blossom tunnel road) is a synonym for this facility, attracting a large number of visitors (close to 1 million in just 7 days) during a limited, planned week in mid-Apr. A must-see if you are fond of nature and happen to drop into Osaka in-season. The museum is open 09:00-16:45, is free, and has two floors of coin displays with explanations in Japanese.
大阪天満宮
大阪四季劇場
Home of the Shiki Theatre Company, proposing plays and musicals.
A pop club, capacity 2500.
ビルボードライブ大阪
A jazz club, formerly "Blue Note Osaka".
スナックパーク
Offers okonomiyaki, takoyaki and a few surprises like doteyaki (どて焼き) — stewed beef sinew.
鶴橋風月
Good okonomiyaki as well as yakisoba, with extra toppings (egg, cheese, etc.). The restaurant overlooks Umeda. There's an English menu.
はなだこ
Standing or to-go takoyaki, very popular with the locals.
えん梅田店
En is one of the most atmospheric and tastiest izakayas in Osaka, with branches in Umeda and Namba. The interior is beautiful and food is delicious and reasonably priced. En also has a large range of Japanese sake and has an English menu.
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 7:30PM to secure seats.
ゑんどう寿司
Sushi place in Osaka's fish market.
Sushi restaurant located in the Tenjinbashisuji shopping street. Whenever they are open, there is a line outside, mainly composed of locals, so be prepared for a wait of an hour or more.
A gay and lesbian bar owned by a lesbian couple.
One of Osaka's gay and lesbian bars.
Osaka's most popular and largest (albeit still not very big) gay club. They hold special events on Fridays and Saturdays, some of which are men-only and occasionally women-only, so check their website to make sure that you will be able to enter on the day you plan to visit. Foreigners sometimes get discounts or extra free drink coupons, so bring identification (especially if you are of Asian descent).
A men-only gay nightclub.
Popular international dance club with a meat-market vibe. Two locations in Osaka.
A lively backpackers hostel in the central Osaka. There are three kinds of private rooms (twin, double and triple room). All staff members speak English and can help guests making travel plans. There are also staff who speak French and German. Free WiFi with your laptop or ¥100 per 30 min. for hostel computers. Rental bikes (¥500 per day), with no curfew or lockout and held-luggage services.
ニュージャパン梅田
Formerly known as Capsule Inn Osaka. This is Japan's first capsule hotel, designed by noted architect Kisho Kurokawa and opened in 1979. Still open for business, happy to accommodate male foreigners with some semblance of a clue and a steal of a price. No women allowed.
大東洋
Near Umeda, with branches at Namba and Juso. It has a hot spring spa, sauna, and a floor for women.
サンプラザ臨海
Website is in Japanese. The English site can be obtained through an online booking agent if you Google its full name and if vacancies are available an immediate confirmation will be given. Twins beds available. Each apartment has in-suite shower and toilet, A/C, TV, and a kitchenette complete with fridge, stove and cooking utensils.
Across the street from JR Osaka station.
Next to the JR Osaka Train Station.
At riverside.
Opened as the New Osaka Hotel in 1935, this landmark hotel proudly offers one of the best hotel services in town.
Japan's first. This particular outlet was voted the best hotel in Japan several times, and has become known as one of the city's swankiest dining and meeting points. Rates start around ¥30,000 a night and rise skyward from there.
Next to the Umeda Sky Building.
大丸 梅田店
One of the largest department stores in Osaka.
阪急三番街
The large shopping areas filled with a variety of shops from cages to brandname boutiques.
ハービスプラザ ENT
Boutiques of famous brands inside and outside Japan, gourmet restaurants.
By bus
There are several bus terminals around Osaka railway station. Airport Limousine bus runs from Kansai International Airport to Hotel New Hankyu bus station, ¥1500 one way.
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