Osakans have a reputation for directness, good humour and a nose for business. The city wouldn't win a beauty contest but there's a hearty warmth to the place and to the people, who consider themselves to be more down-to-earth than their refined neighbours in Kyoto.
Printable version
We've made a version for you to print out and take with you. Simply download and print.
01
Essentials
| 01 |
Osaka is fiendishly hot in the summer. Japanese people know to carry a small flannel or handkerchief for discreetly mopping sweaty brows. Also useful as a hand towel - public loos rarely have hand dryers. |
| 02 |
Eat Korean food - Osaka has Japan's largest population of ethnic Koreans. |
| 03 |
Osaka has its own escalator etiquette - stand on the right hand side (in Tokyo, it's the left). |
| 04 |
If you've got time to kill, buy a bento lunch box, a one-cup sake (or a picnic glass of chilled rosé from Muji) and sit in the rose garden on Nakanoshima Island. |
| 05 |
Show your knowledge of the local dialect - Osaka-ben - by saying “okini" for thank you. |
| 06 |
Convenience stores are a Japanese wonder. Lawson, Family Mart, and the rest are well-stocked with everything from stationery to spare undies. |
| 07 |
Cover up tattoos or you'll find yourself barred from almost every gym and public bath - it doesn't matter if you're a yakuza (gangster) or not. |
| 08 |
Go to a big pharmacy such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi for a range of useful products unique to Japan - from deodorant wipes to energy-boosting "genki" drinks. |
| 09 |
When you find a shop or a restaurant you like, be sure to take their card for future reference. You'll never find your way back otherwise. |
| 10 |
If asked, say that your favourite Japanese baseball team is the Hanshin Tigers. Such is the Osakans devotion to the Tigers that they jump off Shinsaibashi bridge whenever they win a major championship. An unusual event, even if they have the loudest fans in the league. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Dojima Hotel
2-1-31 Dojimahama, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6341 3000
dojima-hotel.com
Dependable chain
Hyatt Regency
1-13-11 Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-Ku
+ 81 6 6612 1234
hyattregencyosaka.com
Premium
Ritz Carlton Osaka
2-5-25 Umeda, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6343 7000
ritzcarlton.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Vade Mecvm
Takagi Building, 1-13-21 Kyomachibori, Nishi-Ku
+ 81 6 6447 1335
vademecvm.com
Business breakfast
The Diner
Dojima Hotel
2-1-31 Dojimahama, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6341 3000
dojima-hotel.com
Working lunch with colleagues
Fudo
Graf Building
2F, 4-1-18 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6444 4009
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Kigawa
1-7-7 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku
+ 81 6 6211 4736
Lunch on your own
Sangmi
3-10 Tsurunomachi, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6375 3531
sangmi.jp/
umeda.html
Afternoon tea/drink
Dieci
2F Tenichi building 1
1-1-11 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6882 7828
dieci-cafe.com
Dinner on your own
El bau decoration
flower shop and café/restaurant.
Dinner with colleagues
Kushiyoshi
1-46-24 Hannan-cho, Abeno-ku
+ 81 6 6621 8230
Private dinner
Nagahori
2-6-5 Shimanouchi, Chuo-ku
+ 81 6 6212 5856
Big dinner with partner clients
Maimon
Umeda-2-2-22, Herbis Plaza Ent 5F
+ 81 6 6456 2388
Drink after dinner
El Poniente Gozo
Hiranomachi 1-6-1, Kitahama
+ 81 6 6204 6606
Late drinks
Osaka B Bar
2F Hilton Plaza East, 1-8-16 Umeda, Kita-ku
+ 81 6 6341 2375
baccarat.com
Late bite
Manmasa
3-3-2 Momodani, Ikuno-ku
+ 81 90 2592 9687
On the tiles
Noon
Under JR Kyoto Line, 3-3-8 Nakazakinishi, Kita-Ku
+ 81 6 6373 4919
noon-web.com
04
Reading
Bookstore
Hacknet
Basement of Dojima Hotel
+ 81 6 6341 3717
05
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Furniture by Truck
1-6-10, Kamimachi, Chuo-ku
+ 81 6 6764 5405
truck-furniture.co.jp
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Head for the Umeda district
Something for the kids
Wooden toys by United Arrows Green Label Relaxing
3F Namba Parks, 2-10-70 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku
+ 81 6 6634 1265
green-label-relaxing.jp
Hanshin Tigers souvenirs from the official Tigers shop
Diamor Osaka shopping centre, Umeda, Kita-ku
diamor.jp
Something for someone you love
Design from Graf
4-1-18 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku
graf-d3.com
Something for yourself
Design from D & Department
2-9-14 Minamihorie, Nishi-ku
+ 81 6 4391 2090
d-department.jp
06
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Museum of Oriental Ceramics
One of the great ceramic collections in Japan. |
02 |
National Bunraku Theatre
Osaka is the home of Bunraku, puppet theatre (don't think marionettes - this is a whole other art form). |
03 |
Shinsaibashi
Stroll around the area (if you've seen Black Rain, it's here). |
07
Limousine/car
Taxis and Limos
MK Osaka
+ 81 6 6554 2310
mk-group.co.jp
08
Transport
One-day Pass - ¥850 (€5) for adults for unlimited travel for one full day on subways, the New Tram, and city buses (you can also get a discount on some sights like Osaka Castle with this pass).
Alternatively, use the prepaid Rainbow pass which you charge up with a minimum of ¥500 (€3) - good for subway, the New Tram and city buses. No limit on validity.
09
Fitness
Good gym
City Plaza Hotel
Good running route
Osaka Castle Park