What do you do in Osaka?

2024/10/09

In Osaka, there are office buildings, new shops popping up, and plenty of theme parks and cultural facilities. Osaka is a metropolis that has many options for fun, including a lively downtown area where you can experience the power of Osaka's merchant and food culture. A commuter town spreads out around the center, and there are parks full of nature and suitable facilities that are essential to people's rich daily lives.

Osaka's top attractions

Osaka Castle was built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple as a base for unifying the country. The castle fell during the Summer Siege of Osaka, and was rebuilt under the Tokugawa regime. However, the castle tower was destroyed by lightning. The current castle tower, built in 1931, is the third generation.

Osaka Castle can be seen from multiple angles inside with the help of historical materials, dioramas, videos, and more. The inside of the castle is a must-see as there are many highlights such as the magnificent stone walls incorporating huge stones, the Otemon Gate, and the many turrets.

Universal Studios Japan

The first theme park under the Universal Studios brand in Asia was built at Universal Studios Japan. The theme park in the Osaka Bay Area opened in 2001 and has expanded since then to become one of the most popular amusement parks in Japan.

Universal Studios Japan currently has ten sections are Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World.

Visitors can indulge in various amusement rides, including carousels that are kid-friendly, roller coasters that are thrilling, and simulators that recreate popular movies like the Minions, Shrek, and Jurassic Park.

Dotonbori

The expression 'Kuidaore', which is often translated as 'eat until you drop', is a common expression in Osaka for their food obsession, which may mean spending so much on food that they end up in financial ruin. Dotonbori is said to be the best place in Osaka to experience this Kuidaore style extreme love of food! Famous restaurants in Dotonbori include the following.

Dotonbori is renowned for its vibrant and striking signage, featuring giant pufferfish, octopus figures, a clown, and the iconic Kani Douraku crab, all competing for your attention and contributing to an atmosphere reminiscent of a lively amusement park. The Glico running man above Ebisubashi Bridge is the most well-known of all these signs.

Osaka's best gourmet food

Okonomiyaki

Over 3,000 shops in Osaka Prefecture alone are said to have this Osaka specialty, which is constantly evolving Toppings such as chopped cabbage and seafood mix into a flour batter and then grilled on a griddle. There are many restaurants that offer original menus, such as modern Yankee with yakisoba and Uma Suva wrapped in egg.

Takoyaki

When many people hear the word "takoyaki," they get the impression that it is a specialty of Osaka.The takoyaki commonly eaten in Osaka has the flavor of the soup stock soaked into the dough, and most commonly contain octopus, green onions, and tenkasu.

However, for people who are not from Osaka, takoyaki may include cabbage. In eastern Japan regions such as Chubu and Tohoku, many restaurants use cabbage, but in Kansai they don't put cabbage in takoyaki.

Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu is one of Osaka's specialties, made with various ingredients coated in batter and fried. Kushikatsu is said to have originated in a shop in Shinsekai, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City in the 1930s. The reasonable price is another reason why it is so popular.

In Kushikatsu restaurants, the sauce is not served to each customer individually, but is shared among all customers, and the Kushikatsu is dipped into the sauce from a stainless steel container.

All restaurants have a rule that says, "You are not allowed to dip a half-eaten skewer in a sauce container once you have put it in your mouth," which is good etiquette when eating kushikatsu.

Have fun taking day trips to Osaka!

Osaka is a bustling metropolis filled with office buildings, emerging new shops, and a variety of theme parks and cultural facilities. It offers countless opportunities for entertainment, especially in its vibrant downtown areas where you can immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of the city’s merchant and food culture. Surrounding the city center, residential areas extend outward, complemented by nature-filled parks and essential amenities that contribute to a fulfilling daily life for its residents.

Have fun taking day trips to Osaka!

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