"Osaka - my home for three and a half years" Osaka by mikegr

Osaka Travel Guide: 848 reviews and 2,363 photos

Dear God! - was I really there that long????

Osaka may not be the prettiest city in the world, but it's a lively and exciting place, with fantastic connections to some of the most historic cities in Japan. And if you want to get away from it all, with just a short train or bus ride, you can do that too!

Monk under cherry blossom - Osaka Castle

That's not to say that Osaka is devoid of interest to travellers. Check out the impressive (from the outside!) reconstructed Osaka Castle and the Aquarium in particular, but don't overlook the appeal of getting lost in the many back streets just off the main roads, especially around the Namba area. When it all gets too much for you, head for Spa World and allow your stresses to be soaked away.

A night out in Osaka is another opportunity not to be missed. The Pig And Whistle is often mentioned in guide books, but you will have lots more fun wandering into random bars. Many of them are above street level in buildings containing loads of tiny drinking spots. This is a great way to meet the locals, who are usually very friendly and who usually expect foreigners to go to tourist traps like The Pig and Whistle. Every now and then you stumble on a real gem of a place (incidentally The Pig and Whistle in Kyoto is much better than its Osakan counterpart!).

Around Osaka

Towards Minoo Falls

There are also some beautiful places to visit just outside of the city.

Minoo is a suburb of Osaka just half an hour from Umeda which offers pleasant woodland, an impressive waterfall, monkeys (sometimes a bit reclusive!), hiking opportunities and a relaxing spa. When the city gets too much for you, this is the place to head to!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Exciting atmosphere
Cons:Lack of open spaces and greenery in the city
In a nutshell:An exciting city with easy connections to more attractive destinations in Kansai

Last visit to Osaka: Jul 2005
Intro Updated Apr 11, 2006
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Reviews (22)

Bar Blow - a place to chill rather than mix - Osaka

Reggae Bar in America Mura Nightlife (2)

Bar Blow is my favourite bar in the Namba area. Its a fairly small place with a relaxed atmosphere which so far seems to... more travel advice

Osaka Ferris Wheel Things to Do (8)

700 yen will buy you a trip around the Osaka Ferris wheel which lasts 15 minutes. Ferris wheels are not renowned for... more travel advice

Boys will be boys! Doya Doya -Shi-tennoji - Osaka - Osaka

Doya Doya! Things to Do (8)

Doya Doya is an Osaka festival with a difference. Held on January the 14th each year at Shi Tennoji Temple, you won't... more travel advice

Street vendor cooking okinomiyaki - Osaka

Okinomiyaki Restaurants (3)

I was under the impression that eating in the street in Japan is considered rude. Given the popularity of vendors in... more travel advice

Shopping (2)
See All A more pleasant place to shopping ;-)
Tourist Traps (1)
Tempozan Market Place
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Suminoekoen Park

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (10)

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Jim_Eliason Jun 1, 2012 at 1:33 PM

Nice page
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el_ruso Nov 20, 2006 at 12:03 AM

Wonderful photos. You must have a really good camera to take those shots of the dolphins :) Hope you will add more photos and narrative in the future.
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Martman Aug 18, 2006 at 1:54 PM

I am open to correction, but believe Osaka is the only place in the world with a Whale Shark in captivity! Must be one huge tank!
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Nichola1 Jul 11, 2005 at 1:30 PM

I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to your sayonara party. It looks like you had a cool time anyway. Good luck and gambatte on your trip and keep safe! NO MORE MITSUAKI!!!!!!!
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canadiantravelgirl Jan 7, 2005 at 9:32 PM

Cool page with lots of great tips and pics!! A ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel sounds particularly appealing but I think I will pass on a dip in the water under the bridge haha!!!
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camilo74 Jan 6, 2005 at 10:13 AM

Beautiful photos, i'll be checking the resr of them, If you need any information you just have to ask me for it, no problem, and hope you enjoy Chile soon. BTW i love travel too, and hope one day i'll be able to do it as you do
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gilabrand Aug 8, 2004 at 11:49 PM

Very good tips here.
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RoyJava Aug 8, 2004 at 10:35 AM

Thanks for these Osaka tips Mike,... excellent pages, great! Would love to visit the Glorious Spa World ;-) Keep it up, greetzzz RoyJava
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littlesam1 Aug 3, 2004 at 9:04 AM

Great page. And it seems the best advice is to leave your clothes on and stay out of the water...lol.
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JourneyOf1 Jun 22, 2004 at 11:34 AM

Tins Hall, my kind of place. *and* If you like the spas of Japan, perhaps you might like to try a sweat lodge if ever you have the chance. I recommend them highly.