Fondly known as ‘Tenko No Daidokoro’, which translates to ‘The Nation’s Kitchen’, Osaka should be your one-stop destination in Japan if you’re on a gastronomic pilgrimage for some solid Japanese cuisine.

This food-focused metropolis is home to a plethora of delectable Japanese delights. From the humble street stall vendors selling piping hot takoyaki to the large restaurant chains that churn out plates of kaiten sushi, the vast variety of food here is sure to leave your stomachs hankering for more.

If you’ve been to Osaka or have done extensive research on it, you would probably have come across Kuromon Ichiba, a popular market that has been around for almost 170 years. Despite being a seafood market, the 580-metre stretch also has shops that sell fresh local produce as well as restaurants that serve up local cuisine.

A staggering average of 23,000 people visit Kuromon Ichiba a day and the market is said to not attract just tourists, but locals too. However, over the years, does the place continue to be an accurate representation of a Japanese seafood market or has it slowly evolved into just another tourist trap?

The market supposedly wakes up around 9am every morning and despite reaching there just slightly before the official opening hours, the place was already bustling and packed with people.

FRESH SEAFOOD

The bulk of the market specialises in seafood-related items. Whether you’re here to grocery shop or to down some freshly shucked oysters, the market has plenty of fresh seafood to go around.

Vendors line the front of their stalls with beautiful displays that showcase their colourful array of crustaceans and other sea creatures. The selection is pretty impressive and includes the likes of lobsters, snow crabs, oysters, salmon and sea urchins.

The market also has stalls that specialise in fugu, also known as pufferfish. While pufferfishes are known to be poisonous and dangerous to even touch, it is considered a delicacy in Japan. Places that sell fugu are required to have a government certification so fret not, you can safely sample this unique dish without worrying about being poisoned to death.

Watching a fugu being slaughtered for its flesh is not for the faint-hearted; the creatures are plucked from their tanks alive and squirming and are then immediately skilfully sliced open by the chefs. The process is bloody and quite stomach-turning, so if you aren’t a fan of gory sights, it’s best if you don’t witness the procedure first hand. However, for the more curious and adventurous, the grisly experience is definitely a unique one for the books.

COOKED SEAFOOD 

If you want to chow down on something that is piping hot and freshly cooked, there is also cooked seafood available for purchase. Watch your scallops being grilled right before your eyes while you munch on some skewered tako; your mouth won’t be able to stop moving!

The appealing thing about Kuromon Ichiba is that you get the thrill of watching the vendors prepare your food; the built-up anticipation from watching it being marinated, cooked and garnished is enough to make one salivate!

RESTAURANTS 

There are also a number of restaurants within and at the outskirts of the market for those of you who prefer to have a meal while sitting down. These restaurants serve a very extensive variety of dishes which include rice bowls, soba and udon.

FRESH PRODUCE AND SNACKS

Aside from seafood, the market also has a variety of other food and snacks available to fill your bottomless pits.

We came across a wide assortment of goodies which ranged from fresh produce such as dried fish and vegetables to premium cuts of A5 Wagyu beef. Sweet tooths can even get themselves some ice cream and fruit!

While Kuromon Ichiba undoubtedly has an impressive range of foodstuff for sale, the prices here are, however, much steeper than what we expected. Having visited this market a few years back, we were rather shocked by the mark up of prices. Granted, this is a popular tourist stop that attracts swarms of visitors daily, but some of the price tags that we came across were pretty outrageous.

The market is definitely worth a first-time visit for curious travellers, but we would probably give it a miss if we already had a relatively packed itinerary.

Kuromon Ichiba
2 Chome-4-1 Nipponbashi
Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6631-0007
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nippombashi/Nippombashi

For an all-rounded experience of authentic Japanese cuisine, there is no better place to visit than Osaka, fondly known as “The Nation’s Kitchen”. The vibrant, bustling city is known to be the place for foodies to fill their bottomless pits, and you can easily find something to eat at every corner of this gastronomic paradise.

While there are plenty of options that you can stuff your faces silly with, one popular street snack that is a must-try here is takoyaki. For the uninitiated, takoyaki refers to a spherical Japanese appetiser that is made from a wheat flour-based batter that gets its shape from the unique moulded pan it’s cooked in. It usually comes stuffed with ingredients such as diced octopus, but these days, you can also get fillings such as tempura scraps, ham and shrimp.

Dotonbori is a great place to head to if you’re keen to try some authentic takoyaki. However, the streets here are lined with multiple stalls that sell the same thing, so which stall truly has the best takoyaki? Like the true blue Singaporeans we were, we decided to find the Takoyaki stall with the longest queue. Alas, this led us to Takoyaki Juhachiba, which had a snaking long queue that stretched on for about half an hour.

The stall isn’t hard to miss and it can easily be identified by the gargantuan 3D model of a takoyaki that is placed right smack above the restaurant.

Like most places in Japan, you purchase your food via a ticketing machine before queuing up to collect your order from the main counter. They also offer an extensive menu, with numerous flavour options for you to choose from. However, we decided to go back to the basics and ordered 8 pieces of their classic Sauce & Mayonnaise Takoyaki (650 Yen).

After queueing for almost half an hour, we finally managed to get out hands on a piping hot tray of takoyaki. While you’re in the queue, you can also entertain yourself by watching the skilful chefs prepare the snack right before your eyes; it is rather mesmerising!

The takoyaki here is made with a light scatter of crispy fried bits which gave the exterior an interesting texture. However, the skin itself was more on the doughy side and we would have preferred it to be a little bit thinner and crispier.

Break open the sphere and be welcomed by a soft and moist filling that is a nice contrast to its charred exterior. Hidden within the creamy mess are 2 plump pieces of octopus that gave each takoyaki a nice bite and slight sweetness.

While the takoyaki wasn’t half bad, it was nothing to shout about. Perhaps the pressure from the long queue compromised its quality. Regardless, after trying other takoyaki stalls around Osaka, we felt that Takoyaki Juhaichiban was only average at best. If you’re not keen on enduring a long arduous wait, you could give this place a miss.

Takoyaki-Juhachiban
Japan, 542-0071 Osaka
Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, 1 Chome?7?21
Tel: +81 6-6211-3118
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nippombashi/Osaka-Namba

There is something oh-so-magical about the hustle and bustle of fast-paced Dotonbori, an iconic street in Osaka that is packed with a never-ending array of things to see and do. If you’re an unashamed foodie like us, you’ll also be glad to know that the area is a fantastic place to try some authentic Japanese fare.

However, the crowd does sometimes get to us and some of the prices for food here can be rather steep as Dotonbori is, at the end of the day, still a tourist hotspot. Many a time, we wished that there was somewhere we could settle down for a quiet meal to get away from the crowd for a bit.

We are glad to say that if you search hard enough, you can actually find some gems that are a little less hectic than the places in the main area of Dotonbori. That was how we came across Wakasaya Nankai Namba along a random street. This humble restaurant is great for people who love raw seafood as they specialise in wholesome sashimi bowls at wallet-friendly prices.

Located in an obscure, quiet street of Dotonbori away from the massive crowds, the restaurant is your typical Japanese dining establishment with its narrow, cramped interior. One side of the eatery is lined with a long table with around eight seats while the other has three four-seater tables.

They have a very extensive menu, packed with every conceivable combination of sashimi bowls out there. While we were spoilt for choice, we decided to go back to the basics and ordered ourselves a Salmon Bowl (720 Yen)

The dish featured a bed of warm rice that was generously blanketed with thick strips of salmon sashimi. Each piece of salmon was fresh and evenly sliced, and we liked how each cut was thick enough for you to get a good mouthfeel of the fish without it being too cloying. We also loved how buttery the salmon was; it simply melts away in your mouth!

If you’re an indecisive person who enjoys sampling a little bit of everything, we recommend getting bowls that come with a variety of different toppings. We ourselves opted for the Negitoro, Sea Urchin & Ikura Don (1320 Yen) and were pretty impressed by it.

The dish came embellished with a generous, fresh smothering of negitoro (minced tuna), creamy uni and juicy salmon roe served once again atop a bed of warm rice.

We liked how the negitoro managed to add some richness and saltiness to the dish without being too fishy or overpowering. When mixed in with the rice, it also added a little stickiness that helped to gel the various components together.

The uni, on the other hand, had a more buttery texture that too helped enhance the dish by giving it an addictive creaminess. It also provided the dish with a subtle sweetness as well as a briny touch.

Finally, the explosive ikura (salmon roe) tied everything together by giving us little sensational pops of flavour with every mouthful.

If you’re in Dotonbori, be sure to check out Wakasaya Nankai Namba. They don’t have the best sashimi bowls in town, but we find that for the price point and the location, this spot is really worth visiting.

Wakasaya Nankai Namba
Japan, 542-0075 Osaka, Chuo Ward
Nanbasennichimae, 12?34
Tel: +81 6-6556-9508
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Osaka-Namba

If you’re a foodie who’s heading to Japan for the first time and you’re not sure which city you should start with, we highly recommend that you slot in Osaka at the top of your list.

Endearingly known as “Tenka no Daidokoro”, which translates to The Nation’s Kitchen, Japan’s second largest metropolitan area is home to a plethora of food options that are sure to leave you spoilt for choice. From bite-sized balls of takoyaki to piping hot bowls of ramen, there is something to eat in pretty much every corner of Osaka. You’ll never go hungry in this gastronomic paradise!

Aside from being a glutton’s idea of heaven, the fast-paced city is jam-packed with plenty of things to see and do. From one of the largest pokemon centres in the world to the majestic Osaka Castle, Osaka is truly a one-stop destination where you can experience the beauty of Japan in a nutshell.

For those of you who need some help with your itinerary, here is our 5D4N guide on what to eat, see and do in the kitchen of Japan.

DAY 1

HAVE LUNCH AT KIMUKATSU

Start your trip off with some tonkatsu at Kimukatsu. The tonkatsu here is more like a pork mille-feuille that is made up of many thin layers of pork. In addition to the original tonkatsu, they also have other flavours like cheese, black pepper, green onion, garlic, sour plum and yuzu pepper.

1-9-19 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Namba

EXPLORE DOTONBORI 

Prized as one of the hottest tourist destinations in Osaka, Dotonbori is an iconic street that is packed with a never-ending array of things to eat, see and do. This happening, fast-paced stretch of entertainment and restaurants is enough to keep you occupied for an entire day.

Come dusk, the entire place is illuminated by the glows of neon signboards from stores that line the streets and Dotonbori Canal. Do remember to snap a picture of yourself with the famous Glico billboard!

1 Chome-9 Dotonbori Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Nearest Station: Osaka-Namba/Kintetsu Nipponbashi

VISIT DOTONBORI KONAMON MUSEUM 

The kitchen of Japan is home to a plethora of scrumptious eats, but one notable candidate that is criminal not to try is the takoyaki. For the uninitiated, takoyaki is a spherical-shaped street snack made of flour-based batter. A typical takoyaki is stuffed with minced or diced octopus but other variations of fillings include tempura scraps, shrimp and ham.

When in Dotonbori, you can check out the Dotonbori Konamon Museum which features a museum that talks about the history of takoyaki, an area where you can make takoyaki wax samples and a booth on level one that pushes out freshly made takoyaki for hungry guests. Adults can also head down to B1 where they can enjoy their takoyaki with carefully selected wine and champagne at the museum’s very own bistro.

1 Chome-6-12 Dotonbor Chuo Ward
Osaka 542-0071, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6214-6678
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Osaka-Namba/Kintetsu Nipponbashi

ENJOY A KAPPO-STYLE DINNER AT KIGAWA 

For the uninitiated, Kappo refers to a multi-course meal that is left entirely up to the chef. To experience an authentic Kappo-style meal, we recommend checking out Kigawa, an institution that is well-known for naniwa-kappo. Elusively hidden in a back alley near the Hozen-ji, Kigawa looks just like one of those ancient houses that are better known as machiya.

1-7-7 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6211 3030
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

SHOP TILL YOU DROP AT DON QUIJOTE 

If you’re still in the mood to shop after dinner, you can head on over to Don Quijote, Japan’s famous discount chain store that has over 160 outlets across Japan. A Don Quijote store isn’t hard to miss and you can usually identify it by its massive neon signs and iconic penguin mascot.

You can find pretty much anything and everything at Don Quijote; from basic groceries, beauty products and household items to clothes, luggage bags and funky Japanese products, the place will keep you occupied for ages.  Most Don Quijote stores are also open till the wee hours of the morning, so you can do some late night shopping if you can’t sleep.

7-13 Souemoncho Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0084, Japan
Tel: +81 6-4708-1411
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Osaka-Namba/Nippombashi

**Multiple outlets across Japan

DAY 2

START THE DAY WITH SOME SASHIMI BOWLS FROM KUROMON SANPEI

Primarily a wholesaler, the folks behind Kuromon Ichiba supply fresh seafood as their core business. A few years into the business, they decided to set up Kuromon Ichiba, a small retail-cum-eatery for the mass market. If you love fresh, raw fish, this is a great place to get your fix!

2-4-1, Nipponbashi
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6635 1938
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Nipponbashi

EXPLORE THE MAJESTIC OSAKA CASTLE 

A visit to Osaka is not complete without visiting the magnificent Osaka-Jo, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. The castle played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century and you can learn more about its past as well as Japan’s history at the museum within the castle. You can also get spectacular views of the castle grounds and the surrounding area from the top of the castle.

Aside from the castle, the area is also home to the Nishinomaru Garden, a gorgeous garden with over 600 cherry trees and a teahouse.

1-1 Osakajo
Chou Ward 540-0002, Osaka, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6941-3044
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Osakajokoen

Photo Credit: twofatkids 

HAVE LUNCH AT SUSHIRO 

When Sushiro opened their first store at Tiong Bahru Plaza in 2019, Singaporeans went absolutely crazy, and for a good reason too. They are known for consistently pushing out fresh plates of sushi and they sell around 1.36 billion plates annually, making them one of the most popular kaiten sushi chains in Japan. Sushiro is also much cheaper in Japan, so you can binge away and stack those plates high without feeling the pinch in your wallet!

Japan, 530-0041 Osaka Kita Ward
Tenjinbashi 5 Chome 6-24, 1F
Tel: +81 6-4800-1780
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tenjimbashisujirokuchome Station

**Multiple outlets across Japan

Photo Credit: j.jeii

WALK DOWN OSAKA’S LONGEST SHOPPING STREET— TENJINBASHISUJI SHOPPING STREET 

The Sushiro outlet that we mentioned above is located at Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, also known as the longest shopping street in Japan.

Spanning a whopping total of 2.6km, the place has around 800 stores that sell all kinds of things. From clothes to household items and even kimonos and traditional knives, you can spend a good 2 to 3 hours just exploring the area and uncovering hidden gems. Walking down the street is also great exercise!

Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward Osaka
532-0011, Japan
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tenjimbashisujirokuchome Station

Photo Credit: xu.xit

LEARN MORE ABOUT JAPAN’S HISTORY AT THE OSAKA MUSEUM OF HOUSING AND LIVING 

At the furthest end of Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street near Tenjimbashisujirokuchome Station is Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. It’s great for history buffs or people who are just curious about Japan’s culture.

The museum has interactive exhibits that showcase how people in the past used to live and they even recreated a section of the townscape of Osaka in the late Edo Period. You can also don traditional Japanese costumes for a small fee and have your photos taken; it’ll really make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time!

Japan, 530-0041 Osaka Kita Ward
Tenjinbashi, 6 Chome-4-20
Daily: 10am – 4.30pm
Nearest Station: Tenjimbashisujirokuchome Station

SHOP TILL YOU DROP AT UMEDA

Just close by Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is Umeda, which is also known as Kita, meaning the ‘North’ district. It is one of the two main cities in Osaka and is considered Osaka’s busiest transportation hub. Aside from that, it is also home to some of Osaka’s largest departmental stores and underground malls, making it one of the best places to get your shopping done.

Some malls here that you can visit are Lucua, Grand Front Osaka, Hankyu, HEP FIVE, and a massive underground shopping street.

Nearest Station: Umeda

Photo Credit: inspirock

VISIT THE LARGEST POKEMON CENTRE IN OSAKA 

Pokemon fanatics will be thrilled to know that the largest Pokemon Centre in Osaka is located right smack in Umeda. Located on the 13th floor of Daimaru Department store and just 5 minutes away from JR Osaka Station, this store will make even non-pokemon fans excited! There is an overwhelming amount of merchandise available as well as limited edition items that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, making it the perfect place to do some gift shopping.

Japan, 530-8202 Osaka Kita Ward
Umeda, 3 Chome-1-1, 13th floor
Tel: +81 6-6346-6002
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Umeda Station/Osaka-Umeda Station/JR Osaka Station

HAVE DINNER AT GYUKATSU MOTOMURA 

One of our favourite foods in Japan is gyukatsu, also known as deep-fried breaded beef cutlet. There are multiple places across Japan that serve decent gyukatsu, but one of our absolute favourites is Gyukatsu Motomura. The simple menu consists of nothing but gyukatsu with different portion sizes for people with differing appetites. If you love beef and all things fried, you definitely need to try this when you’re in Osaka.

They also have outlets in other parts of Japan such as Tokyo and Kyoto.

Japan, 530-0001 Osaka
Kita Ward Umeda
3 Chome-1-3 LUCUA 10th Floor
Tel: +81 6-6151-1290
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Umeda Station/Osaka-Umeda Station/JR Osaka Station

**Multiple outlets across Japan

Photo Credit: Reijikirihara

SEE OSAKA FROM ABOVE ON THE HEP FIVE FERRIS WHEEL 

Aside from shopping and food, one of Umeda’s main attractions also includes the HEP FIVE Ferris wheel, which is attached to the roof of the mall. You can board it on the 7th floor and it takes about 15 minutes to complete one full circuit. We recommend going in the day so you can have clear views of Osaka from above, but if you prefer the city when it’s lit up, go at night.

5-15 Kakudacho
Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0017, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6313-0501
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Umeda Station/Osaka-Umeda Station/JR Osaka Station

DAY 3

SLURP UP YOUR BREAKFAST AT ICHIRAN 

When in Japan, it is an absolute must to try Ichiran. This popular Japanese ramen chain has been widely accepted as one of the best spots for tonkatsu ramen and it has most definitely set the benchmark for Japanese ramen.

The broth is unbelievably rich and thick, which pairs well with the springy noodles. They also let you customise your ramen broth, the texture of the noodles, as well as the ingredients you want to have with your ramen. It is, in a nutshell, the perfect bowl of ramen. You have to try it to believe it!

1 Chome-4-16
Dotonbori Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Tel:  +81 6-6210-1422
Daily: 24 Hours

**Multiple outlets across Japan

RELEASE YOUR INNER CHILD AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN 

Theme park enthusiasts can’t leave Japan without checking out the exhilarating and magical Universal Studios Japan. Some of their more popular attractions include the backwards-riding Hollywood Dream roller coaster, Space Fantasy and the thrilling Flying Dinosaur. We can also foresee Potterheads spending hours in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which makes you feel like you’re on the actual set of the movie!

2 Chome-1-33
Sakurajima Konohana Ward
554-0031, Osaka, Japan
Nearest Station: Universal-City

Photo Credit: taken.identity

TRY TAKOYAKI AT THE OSAKA TAKOYAKI MUSEUM

Right outside of Universal Studios Japan is Universal Citywalk Osaka, an area that is lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and speciality stores. One place here that you definitely should check out after a fun day of playing is the Osaka Takoyaki Museum. Here, visitors can learn about the origins and history of takoyaki, do some souvenir shopping and sample takoyaki from five popular takoyaki shops.

Japan, 554-0024
Osaka Konohana Ward
Shimaya 6 Chome-2-61 4th Floor
Tel: +81 6-6464-3080
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Universal-City

HAVE DINNER AT MATSUSAKA BEEF YAKINIKU M

Most people are probably familiar with Kobe beef, but have you heard of Matsusaka beef? Also known as Japanese Black, Black-haired Wagyu or Kuroge Washu, Matsusaka beef from the Mie Prefecture is actually a grade higher than the famous Kobe beef. It has one of the highest fat-to-meat ratios and it has an insanely creamy texture and a sweet aftertaste.

Matsusaka Beef Yakiniku M is a beef paradise that carries the mentioned prized Matsusaka Beef. You will definitely be in for a meaty feast that will leave a lasting impression! We also love the excellent service which helps to enhance the dining experience. Reservations are recommended.

1-1-19, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel:  +81 6-6211-2904
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12am
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

DAY 4

HAVE FRESH SEAFOOD FOR BREAKFAST AT KUROMON ICHIBA 

Kuromon Market is a seafood lover’s paradise! The 600 metre-long street is packed with stalls selling a multitude of seafood and fresh produce that are handled and prepared right before your very eyes. You can either purchase seafood to cook at home or have the staff freshly prepare it on the spot for you. Apart from seafood skewers like scallops and octopus, you can also find uni (sea urchin) and fugu (blowfish), which are interesting must-try items when in Japan. 

2 Chome-4-1 Nipponbashi Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0073, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6631-0007
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Namba

Photo Credit: yogaquarelle 

GO FOR SOME RETAIL THERAPY AT SHINSAIBASHI 

Shinsaibashi is one of the city’s main shopping areas and this long shopping arcade houses a mixture of both international and local brands. Aside from shops selling the latest fashion items as well as drugstores that are chock full of beauty products, the street also has quaint dessert and coffee houses that are great pit stops in between shopping. Foodies can also look forward to wining and dining at some of the plenty of restaurants available that serve both Japanese and international cuisines.

Nearest Station: Shinsaibashi

HAVE LUNCH AT MIZUNO OKONOMIYAKI 

Mizuno is famous for its okonomiyaki. For the uninitiated, okonomiyaki is one of Japan’s most popular street snacks and refers to a savoury Japanese pancake that originated from Osaka. The restaurant dishes out a variety of pancakes to hungry patrons throughout the day. Among all the options on the menu, the best-seller is the yam flour Okonomiyaki with scallops and roast pork.

1-4-15 Dotonbori
Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6212 6360
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

GET YOUR CAFFEINE FIX AT GRANKNOT COFFEE

Located in America-mura, Granknot Coffee is a great coffee spot for all you caffeine addicts to get your midday fix. They have a pretty extensive menu filled with a variety of different coffees; there’s a cuppa for everyone! Aside from coffee, they also have American-style food which includes sandwiches and french toast.

1Chome-23-4 Kitahorie
Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0014, Japan
Tel: +81 6 6531 6020
Mon to Wed, Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 6pm
(Closed on Thursdays)
Nearest Station: Nishiohashi

Photo Credit: trixiepgallery

SHOP VINTAGE AT AMERICA-MURA 

To experience Japanese youth culture, head on over to America-mura where you can find plenty of quirky clothes and accessories that are definitely head-turners. People who love to shop vintage can also come here to hunt for unique pieces that are carefully sourced and curated. The whole area is centred around the famous Sankaku Koen Park, where you can sit, people-watch and appreciate the vibrant atmosphere of the place.

Nearest Station: Yotsubashi

TAKE A TRIP TO WONDERLAND AT ALICE ON WEDNESDAY 

Have you ever dreamed of being Alice, falling down a rabbit hole and entering a magical world where you could meet The Madhatter, Cheshire Cat and the gang? You can do so here at Alice On Wednesday, a lifestyle concept store with a magical Alice in Wonderland theme. Step in through the tiny door and be transported to another world; you may not even feel like you’re in Osaka!

Japan, 542-0086 Osaka Chuo Ward
Nishishinsaibashi 2 Chome-12-25
Tel: +81 6-6211-6506
Daily: 11am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Shinsaibashi/Yotsubashi

END THE DAY WITH DINNER AT HANAMARUKEN RAMEN 

Ramen lovers in the know will find their way to Hanamaruken. This much-loved Osaka ramen chain has been dishing out hearty bowls of ramen for over 30 years. The broth is made from stewed pork cartilage and the pork that comes with each bowl of ramen is fork-tender and outrageously succulent. We recommend getting their Signature Happiness Ramen bowl, which features tonkatsu ramen with slow-braised pork rib.

1-2-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Tel: +81 6 6213 0131
Daily: 24hours
Nearest Station: Namba/Nipponbashi

**Multiple outlets across Japan

DAY 5

Photo Credit: love_travel_food_kanazawa

HAVE BREAKFAST AT NAKANOSHIMA NADAMAN 

For an authentic and traditional Japanese breakfast, head on over to Nakanoshima Nadaman where they serve kaiseki style meals. For the uninitiated, Kaiseki is a style of traditional Japanese cuisine where small, intricate dishes are prepared and served to diners on a tray. The sets here are all very well-curated with quality ingredients, ensuring you of a fantastic Japanese breakfast experience.

5 Chome-3-68 Nakanoshima Kita Ward
Osaka, 530-0005, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6443-7101
Daily: 7am – 10am, 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 9pm

FULFIL YOUR INSTANT NOODLE CRAVINGS AT THE INSTANT RAMEN MUSEUM (MOMOFUKU) 

Did you know that instant noodles were first invented by Momofuku Ando in Osaka? Nissin Foods was the first company to create and distribute it to the masses. To celebrate this amazing creation that many around the world are thankful for, the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum was born in 2011 and is open to the public to come forth and understand the history and significance of this iconic food.

Here at the museum, you can even customise and make your own cup noodles for a small fee. It makes the perfect memento!

8-25 Masumicho
Ikeda Osaka 563-0041, Japan
Tel: +81 72-752-3484
Thu to Tue: 9.30am – 4pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest Station: Muromachi

Photo Credit: aiphoto0508

LOOK AT ADORABLE ANIMALS AT TENNOJI ZOO 

Tennoji Zoo has been around for over 90 years and was the third zoo to be built in Japan. The 11-hectare space is home to over 1000 animals which include specimens from New Zealand and Australia. Aside from that, they also have lions, chimpanzees, a reptile house and a hippo enclosure that mimics the African savanna.

1-108 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji Ward
Osaka, 543-0063, Japan
Tel: +81 6-6771-8401
Daily: 9.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Dobutsuen-Mae/Tennoji

Photo Credit: reji.sti

DO SOME LAST MINUTE SHOPPING AT TENNOJI 

Aside from the zoo, Tennoji also has a massive cluster of brightly lit malls and skyscrapers that shopaholics will adore. Some of the malls that you can visit include Tennoji Mio Plaza Mall, Abeno Cues Town and Hoops. There is also a massive Don Quijote and plenty of restaurants that are a short walk away from the train station.

Nearest Station: Tennoji

Photo Credit: w___album

HAVE A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF OSAKA FROM ABENO HARUKAS

Aside from being a shopping mall that houses a massive department store, an art museum and a hotel, Abeno Harukas, standing at 300 meters tall, is also the tallest skyscraper in Japan.

It would be befitting to place an observation deck on one of the tallest buildings in Japan, so that is exactly what they did. Harukas 300, their observation deck, can be accessed on the 58th, 59th and 60th levels of the building. The massive floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide one with a magnificent 360-degree view of Osaka and we could honestly spend the whole day here just watching the world pass by.

1 Chome-1-43 Abenosuji
Abeno Ward, Osaka, 545-6016, Japan
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tennoji

Photo Credit: rum_1412

EXPLORE THE COLOURFUL SHINSEKAI 

Shinsekai, in our opinion, is one of the most intriguing neighbourhoods in the whole of Osaka. One step into the area and you’ll feel like you’ve been zipped back to the 1960s. We adore the colourful buildings and loud, quirky decor that gives the place plenty of personality and character. At the heart of it all is the famous Tsutenkaku Tower which stands tall and proud and was designed by architect Tachu Naito, the same man who designed the Tokyo Tower.

The area is also a foodie’s idea of paradise. Here, the streets are lined with rows and rows of restaurants and eateries that sell all kinds of delicious food; it makes you want to try everything!

Nearest Station: Ebisucho/Dobutsuen-Mae/Shin-Imamiya

INDULGE IN SOME CRISPY KUSHIKATSU 

One famous dish that you must try in Osaka is kushikatsu. Also known as kushiage, kushikatsu is essentially deep-fried meat and vegetable skewers. Every skewer is coated with a light batter and deep-fried to a lovely golden brown.

A typical kushikatsu outlet is usually simple and fuss-free, and sells nothing else but skewers and drinks. The options available are usually chicken and beef, vegetables like brinjal and capsicums, eggs and mushrooms. There are over 60 restaurants in Shinsekai that sell kushikatsu and if you’re spoilt for choice, we recommend that you go to Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Sohonten for some quality sticks of fried goodness.

2 Chome-3-9 Ebisuhigashi
Naniwa Ward
Osaka, 556-0002, Japa
Tel: +81 6-6645-7056
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ebisucho/Dobutsuen-Mae

STUFF YOUR FACE WITH SUSHI FOR DINNER AT KURA SUSHI 

Fans of conveyor belt sushi will adore Kura Sushi, a sushi joint that sells a whole array of sushi at incredibly affordable prices. Besides the cheap price point, you also get to play with the gachapon machines stationed at every table every time you eat a certain number of plates of sushi.

While on the conveyer belt, the plates of sushi also make their rounds in little domes to retain its freshness.

Japan, 556-0002 Osaka, Naniwa Ward
Ebisuhigashi, 2 Chome-6-3 2F
Tel: +81 6-6632-6101
Daily: 11am – 11pm

**Multiple outlets across Japan