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Osaka: City of Contrasts and Satisfying Street Food
Osaka is a city of contrasts. Japan’s third-largest city bustles with modernity yet manages to maintain Japan’s traditional character. The city is a melting pot of cultures, with roots in the Edo period blending with modern architecture. Osaka also stands proud with its famous street food, which locals swear by. The city is perfect for travelers who want contemporary experiences with a traditional vibe.
The scenery of Osaka is quite captivating. The city has a mix of old and new architecture, and it’s interesting to see how each building complements the other. The iconic Osaka Castle stands tall and proud, overlooking the city with its great view of the moat. The castle is an excellent place for photography lovers. The Umeda Sky Building, a skyscraper that stands 173 meters tall, provides stunning views of the city. The perfect time to visit is in the evening to observe Osaka transform into a city of blinking lights.
What I like most about Osaka is the city’s booming nightlife. Locals in Osaka are a lively bunch, and they like to party till dawn. The city has an astounding number of nightclubs and entertainment venues. Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most famous nightlife districts, is an excellent place to witness the city’s vibrant energy.
One of the things I dislike about Osaka is the traffic congestion. Roads in Osaka can be busy, especially during rush hour. However, this is a small issue compared to the fantastic sights and sounds Osaka has to offer. The average cost of living in Osaka in a day is roughly $100-110, depending on the traveler’s preferences.
Top 20 Points of Interest in Osaka
1. Osaka Castle (1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku)
2. Umeda Sky Building (1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku)
3. Dotonbori (Dotombori 1 Chome, Chuo-ku)
4. Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street (Chuo-ku, Osaka)
5. Tsutenkaku Tower (1-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku)
6. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku)
7. Osaka Museum of History (4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo-ku)
8. Universal Studios Japan (2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku)
9. Tempozan Ferris Wheel (1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku)
10. Abeno Harukas (1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku)
11. Ame-Mura (America-Mura) (Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku)
12. Osaka Science Museum (4-2-1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku)
13. Sumiyoshi Taisha (2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku)
14. Shinsekai (1-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku)
15. HEP Five (5-15 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka)
16. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (2-1-8 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku)
17. Hozenji Yokocho (1 Chome-2-9 Higashinemadacho, Chuo-ku)
18. Nipponbashi Den-Den Town (4-12 Nippombashi, Naniwa-ku)
19. Osaka National Museum of Art (4-2-55 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku)
20. Expo ’70 Commemorative Park (Senribanpakukoen, Suita)
Top 20 Street Food in Osaka
1. Takoyaki (Octopus balls) (price varies, try the famous Takoyaki Doraku 1-5-5 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku)
2. Okonomiyaki (Savory Pancakes) (around $8-12 depending on ingredients, Okonomiyaki Chitose on Dotonbori)
3. Yakiniku (Grilled Meat) (price varies, Ikuta in the Namba area)
4. Yakitori (Grilled Chicken) (price varies, try Miura Misakiko in the Shin-Osaka area)
5. Kushiage (Deep-fried Skewers) (price varies, try Tengu in Dotonbori)
6. Kushikatsu (Fried Skewers) (price varies, Daruma in Shinsaibashi)
7. Ramen (Noodles) (price varies, try Ichiran in Umeda or Tenjinbashi)
8. Mochi (Rice Cakes) (price varies, try Kagizen Yoshifusa in the Umeda area)
9. Taiyaki (Fish-shaped dessert) (price varies, try Kurikoan Matsuzakaya in the Osaka Station area)
10. Nikuman (Steamed Buns) (price varies, try Butaman Honpo in Nishinari-ku)
11. Kani Douraku (Crab Dishes) (price varies, try Kani Douraku in the Dotonbori area)
12. Kakigori (Shaved Ice) (price varies, try Yukinoshita in the Umeda area)
13. Gyoza (Dumplings) (price varies, try Hozenji Yokocho in the Namba area)
14. Sushi (price varies, try Endo Sushi in Osakako)
15. Warabimochi (Mochi dessert) (price varies, try Mochidukiya in the Namba area)
16. Katsu (Deep-fried pork cutlet) (price varies, try Fukutaro in the Shin-Osaka area)
17. Horumon yaki (Grilled beef/pork offal) (price varies, try Horumon Juku in the Namba area)
18. Ishiyaki bibimbap (Stone bowl rice) (around $10-20, try Osakaya Sohonten in the Dotonbori area)
19. Oden (Assorted hotpot) (price varies, try Fumi Oden in the Umeda area)
20. Katsudon (Deep-fried pork cutlet on rice) (price varies, try Kimukatsu in the Umeda area)
Top 10 Hotels in Osaka
1. InterContinental Osaka (3-60, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku) – starts at $150 per night
2. The St. Regis Osaka (3-6-12 Honmachi, Chuo-ku) – starts at $180 per night
3. Conrad Osaka (3-2-4 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku) – starts at $220 per night
4. Hotel New Otani Osaka (1-4-1 Shiromi, Chuo-ku) – starts at $140 per night
5. Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel (1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku) – starts at $165 per night
6. Hotel Nikko Osaka (1-3-3 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku) – starts at $100 per night
7. APA Hotel Osaka- Umeda (4-1-3, Nakazaki-Nishi, Kita-ku) – starts at $50 per night
8. Hotel Monterey Osaka (3-3-45 Umeda, Kita-ku) – starts at $60 per night
9. Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka (1-2-3 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku) – starts at $70 per night
10. Hotel IBIS Osaka Umeda (1-5 Komatsubara, Kita-ku) – starts at $50 per night
Top 10 Airbnb lists in Osaka
1. Osaka City View in the Sky (1 Chome-26-9 Benten, Minato-ku) – starts at $95 per night
2. East-side of Osaka city easy to access (8 Chome-9-13 Miyakojima, Miyakojima-ku) – starts at $40 per night
3. Excellent Osaka Ryokan (2 Chome-11-11 Naniwa, Naniwa-ku) – starts at $70 per night
4. Ginza 14 Heaven (7 Chome-16-11 Nishinari-ku) – starts at $45 per night
5. Stylish Wooden House near Osaka Castle (1 Chome-3-28 Tenmabashi, Kita-ku) – starts at $80 per night
6. Luxurious Suite Master-Double bed 1 living room (5 Chome-1-6 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku) – starts at $60 per night
7. Bookish Nostalgic Apt.&Sweet room at Shinsaibashi (2-6-24 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku) – starts at $30 per night
8. Cozy House with Private Garden in Osaka City Center (9 Chome-8-13 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku) – starts at $100 per night
9. Designed Small Space in City Center (2 Chome-1-8 Minamihorie, Nishi-ku) – starts at $40 per night
10. The Nakanoshima Skyline (11-28 Nakanocho, Nishi-ku) – starts at $70 per night
The top 5 worth and reasonable for cost-effective are:
1. APA Hotel Osaka-Umeda – affordable and strategically located near train stations and shopping centers. The hotel is ideal for travelers who don’t want to spend much on accommodation.
2. Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka – offers great value for money, with amenities that cater to both business and leisure travelers. The hotel’s location is accessible to popular tourist attractions and has easy access to public transportation.
3. Cozy House with Private Garden in Osaka City Center Airbnb – offers a home-like atmosphere and is ideal for couples or solo travelers who want to experience Osaka’s local vibe. The house is in a quiet neighborhood but remains close to significant attractions.
4. Osaka City View in the Sky Airbnb – ideal for travelers who want a unique experience at a reasonable price. The property offers an excellent view of the city skyline, and it’s close to public transit.
5. Hotel New Otani Osaka – offers an ideal combination of luxury and comfort while still maintaining affordable prices. The hotel is located near popular attractions and has easy access to public transportation.
In summary, Osaka’s unique character makes it an excellent travel destination. The city offers an exceptional mix of traditional and contemporary experiences, making it an ideal choice for first-time travelers to Japan. With its vibrant nightlife, famous street food, and rich culture, Osaka is a must-visit destination for any wanderlust traveler.
Rating: 9/10
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