Exploring the "Real Osaka" Beyond Universal Studios and the Expo!
For my next trip to Osaka, I’ve decided to take a slightly unconventional route. While Universal Studios Japan and the Expo sound fun, this time I’m skipping them to savor the local charm of Osaka!
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■ Day 1: Retro Streets and Neon Lights in Osaka
First stop: Umeda Sky Building. I’ve heard the view from the Floating Garden Observatory is breathtaking, so I’m hoping for clear skies. It seems great both during the day and at night, so I’ll decide the timing based on the weather.
Next, I’ll head to Nakazakicho, which is within walking distance. This area is lined with retro cafes and stylish shops, perfect for taking lots of photos. I’m looking forward to relaxing in a café housed in a renovated traditional home.
For the evening, it’s off to Dotonbori! I’ll take the classic photo in front of the Glico sign and enjoy street food like takoyaki from Wanaka and okonomiyaki from Kiji. I’m excited for a feast of Osaka’s rich and hearty B-grade gourmet delights.
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■ Day 2: Downtown Vibes and Stunning Views of Osaka
On the second day, I’ll start my morning in Shinsekai. After climbing Tsutenkaku Tower to enjoy the view of Osaka, I’ll indulge in some hearty kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) at Daruma. I’m eager to soak in the local atmosphere and feel the vibe of the neighborhood.
To wrap up the trip, I’ll visit Abeno Harukas. From Japan’s tallest building, I’ll take in a panoramic view of Osaka. I can’t wait to see how the city looks from such a high vantage point!
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■ Where I’m Staying…
This time, I’ll be staying at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka in the Umeda area. It’s conveniently located near the station and offers a luxurious, extraordinary space to unwind and recharge after a day of exploring.
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Discovering Osaka’s Charm by Skipping the Mainstream
By stepping off the beaten path, I hope to encounter unique sights, atmospheres, and interactions with people. This trip is all about enjoying those “small discoveries” and uncovering Osaka’s hidden gems. With my camera in hand, I’m ready to leisurely, thoroughly, and deliciously enjoy these two days!
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【Recommended Transportation Passes for Osaka】
■ Osaka Metro & City Bus Exclusive "Enjoy Eco Card"
• Price: Weekdays 820 yen/day for adults / Weekends & holidays 620 yen
• Coverage: All Osaka Metro lines & Osaka City Bus
• Perks: Discounts on admission to about 30 facilities, including Osaka Castle, the Dotonbori Ferris Wheel, and Spa World
■ Osaka Amazing Pass
• Price: 1-day pass: 2,800 yen for adults
• Coverage: Osaka Metro, City Bus, and designated sections of some private railways (Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Nankai, etc.)
• Perks: Free entry to about 40 facilities, including Tsutenkaku, Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden, and Dotonbori Cruise
It is a shopping street with a long history. It is an excellent place to explore the common people’s culture in Osaka, Japan. The small shops on both sides are full of nostalgic style of the times. A dazzling array of products and various specialty shops, There are also very exaggerated signboards, which can take many good photos. It is also a concentrated place for fried skewers. You can feel the local people’s eating and party habits.
came here because of the slide, it’s popular so it took quite a long time to queue for the slide, but it was fun, just took seconds from top to bottom. there were also some shops around, you could find some to eat and some to buy for souvenir, worth spending a day there to have fun.
A very good attraction, on the top floor of the HEP FIVE shopping mall. Remember not to enter with drinks, you will be required to finish drinking before you can get on the Ferris wheel! I originally went there during the day, but because I just bought milk tea, I couldn't enter, so I simply went after dinner, but I saw the beautiful night view, which was very good! You can connect to Bluetooth in the car to play your favorite songs, although it only takes about 10 minutes to go around!
It's worth a good tour of the area. There are many local specialty food shops. In addition to tasting delicious food, the shops are eye-catching and even exaggerated in decoration. Signboards are also worth visiting and enjoying, showing a variety of POSEs for a photo. There is a tall, tall and tall street to Tongtian Pavilion. There are some local restaurants in it. They are not big enough. Passing by, we can see the guests sitting at the bar and singing karaoke. Also passed a chess and card room, where more than a dozen tables of grandfathers played chess seriously. Choose a shop called Zaobao for dinner. One person chose to sit at the bar. The box of cabbage in the photo was presented by the shop. It was tasty to eat with sauce. In particular, we should pay attention to the point, see the box of sauce in the photo? I gave you the whole box of sauce. It's not just a table for you. You don't need so much sauce for a person's cabbage. This box of sauce is public, so when dipping the sauce, picking up the cabbage, only the unoccupied cabbage to contact the sauce, do not bite the cabbage and then dip.
New World Block in Osaka is not far from the Tianwang Temple Zoo. Take JR to Xinjinggong Station, Metro to Huimei Xuding Station and Zoo Front Station. The centre of New World Block is Tongtian Pavilion. Tongtian Pavilion is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. It can be visited free of charge with Osaka Tour Card. The largest number of new world blocks is all kinds of Fried String shops. There are many old-fashioned Fried String shops gathered here. The most famous one is the Yuanzu with the statue of his grandfather at the door. Of course, there are also famous puffer fish, Xuanpin. The big puffer fish sign and Tongtian Pavilion are the most striking scenery. If you want to eat Osaka, you don't have to queue up here. The New World neighborhood has its own night view and day view. Even if it rains, it's good for visiting. After the rain, the rain shined the streets and signs. It's like golden when it's illuminated by lights. There are statues of God of Fortune in New World. It is said that if you touch the foot of God of Fortune, you will get good luck.
There is no Mining District Story downstairs in New World, so I wrote it under New World. Mining District Story is delicious and cheap. If there is no episode, I would give it five stars. The mall reopened for a big sale, with a small discount of 50%, and general snacks, bread and drinks are 20% off or buy two get one free. Other places are really crowded, but Mining District Story is a breath of fresh air. There are five people queuing in front, and it is half off. Buy, buy, buy. I originally wanted to buy two cups, but I was cautious and refused. I had to buy one cup first to try it. What if it doesn’t taste good? Half off is also money! Fu Platinum Pearl Milk Jelly is milk green. There is no medium cup, only large cup, so it’s a large cup. Half off is just willful. There are seats to sit and wait. Although there are not many, there are not many people, so there is no need to fight for seats. After waiting for a few minutes, I got it, drink it! Oh, it’s delicious, how can this milk jelly be so thick and delicious, how can this gold pearl be like a larger sago and also delicious. Then I took photos, drank most of it, and then went to buy another cup. But the paper bag I packed was really... It rained yesterday, and I had an umbrella, but the rain was floating on the paper bag, so it was a little wet, and the bottom was half open, and then comrades, the high-end milk tea didn't fall out and was firmly in the paper bag, but when I got home, I found that the straw was gone... I was dumbfounded.