Osaka is known for its vibrant nightlife, bright neon signs, and delicious street food. Here are 5 fun things to do (and eat) in Osaka!
1. Dine On Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki
The birthplace of the iconic Japanese pancake dish known as okonomiyaki, Osaka is the best place to enjoy it!
Cooked over a hot pan, this delicious recipe consists of eggs, flour, cabbage, and seafood mixed together and topped with a savory sauce and mayonnaise.
You can find okonomiyaki restaurants everywhere in Osaka, from dine-in stores to okonomiyaki stands, you can have it how you like!
2. Grab Some Takoyaki
Takoyaki is another iconic dish of Osaka, consisting of flour, egg, and octopus covered in delicious sweet barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and fish flakes.
Unlike okonomiyaki, takoyaki is more commonly found in street food stores, though you can typically order them as an entree at select restaurants.
Cheap, delicious, and easy to eat, you haven’t been to Osaka if you haven’t tried these amazing octopus dumplings!
3. Hit Up America-Mura
Literally meaning “American village,” America-mura is like the Harajuku of Osaka, comprising a youth fashion and hip-hop culture.
There is a skate park in the center of America-mura where the youth of Japan can be seen skateboarding and roller-skating up and down with funky music playing.
It’s also not uncommon to see street performers showing you what they got, whether it’s in the form of dance, music, or magic tricks.
Oh yes, I should explain the photo; at America-mura there is a must-try dessert shop where you can get these fried sweet buns filled with cold creamy soft serve for a delectable sugar hit!
4. Take A Photo With Glico Man!
It wouldn’t be a complete “things to do in Osaka” list without mentioning the Glico Man.
Personally, I’ve never taken a photo with the damn thing, but every man and his dog that steps foot in Dotonbori Osaka insists on taking a photo with it.
I mean, it is quite impressive when you see it in real life, and I’ve enjoyed taking photos of the people that have come to visit me in Osaka, so perhaps I’ll take one for myself someday.
5. Enjoy Some Japanese Barbecue!
Now back to food; another awesome cuisine that is superabundant in Osaka is yakiniku, otherwise known as Japanese barbecue.
There are a ton of yakiniku restaurants in Osaka, some fancier than others, but all serving up delicious Japanese beef!
If you’re a Muslim, there are a couple of yakiniku restaurants that are 100% halal, one of which I highly recommend called Zerohachi Yakiniku in Namba.
If you want to keep your Osaka night experience to street food only, there are plenty of stalls serving up premium wagyu and Kobe beef skewers too!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!