"Osaka: The Manchester of Asia" Osaka by OsakaHatter

Osaka Travel Guide: 1,012 reviews and 2,128 photos

A student of mine recently described Osaka as the Manchester of Asia and as an industrial second city at the other end of the country to the glittering lights of the capital, the description isn't far wrong. And quite remarkable, given that it came from a NOVA student.

Osaka is a special city, and you can read into the use of the world 'special' anything that you will...

Taxi drivers struggle to drive down streets a bus with a broken steering shaft could navigate without difficulty. Japanese pedestrians wander around aimlessly, blissfully unaware that there is anyone else in the street with them. Gaijin stagger around groggily, wondering who turned the lights on, what happened to the last 8 hours, and just how much that last round of car bombs in Murphys cost them.
And then usually fall asleep head down in a bowl of ramen.

Osaka is keeping it real, unlike the rest of Japan which, quite frankly, lost the plot years ago. And, despite comments to the contrary by the unenlightened, is much better than Tokyo. Which we don't like. Arrogant, you see? Typical bloody capital city...

The Milkman Cometh

Virtually flattened during the second world war, Osaka was rebuilt rapidly, in classical 60's flat-pack concrete sheet style on a loose grid system.
During the day the mess of hire wires, raised roads, pachinko parlours and identikit apartment blocks, along with a seeming lack of consistent planning schemes has given rise to the city's reputation for being ugly.

However at night, Osaka comes to life and shows the peculiar charm that people fall in love with. Osakans are famously more laidback than many Japanese and their love of eating and socialising is evident in the mass of restaurants, foodstalls and bars spilling out onto the streets, luring people in with their glowing neon.

'ave you got a light boy?

The rapid rebuild makes Osaka seem as if it has been cunningly designed to make almost all its buildings nigh on identical. This at first would seem to be to bemuse and discourage tourists, but in fact it's a piece of architectural genius that emphasises the few beautiful sights the city has to offer.

Some of the most enduring images in Osaka are not always places to visit as such, or even obvious at first. The lampposts in Ami Mura, such as the one to the left, are a case in point. I'm using the travelogues below to document some of the more unusual sights around the city.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Good travel base, excellent public transport, bustling nightlife, down to earth locals.
Cons:It ain't pretty, and does get very hot.
In a nutshell:Experience the Urban Elephant Man. Learn to love it.

Intro Updated Sep 3, 2009
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Reviews (34)

Glico: Milk gives you a real glow - Osaka

Dotombori Nights Things to Do (9)

Dotombori is the heart of night time Osaka, with hundreds of restaurants, bars, karaoke booths, pachinko parlours and... more travel advice

Classic 1930's Japanese architecture - Osaka

Goin loco, down at Ohh saka Jo... Things to Do (9)

Ah, Osaka-jo. THE symbol of Osaka. THE most visited tourist attraction in Japan (according to my good friends at the... more travel advice

Dangerous Drunks. Warnings Or Dangers (1)

Don't trust these people. Just don't. Don't start drinking with them. Don't engage them in conversation. It'll all end... more travel advice

Pretty, but the river still smells. - Osaka

Dotombori Daylight Things to Do (9)

Over the last few months, the area around Dotombori river has been redeveloped with the addition of wooden walkways... more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (3)
See All Osaka Dome
Shopping (2)
See All Shopping Gorge
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Asashiobashi Park
Local Customs (1)
Hanami
Nightlife (5)
See All Mexican hideout

Restaurants (6)
See All Curry Rice!
Transportation (3)
See All Going Deeper Underground
Favorites (1)
Good guides
Hotels (1)
Munchkin Mansions
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (7)

Heavens-Mirror May 16, 2007 at 2:54 PM Report Abuse

wow what a fantastic place to live. Japan has always been on my list to go to. Osaka looks amazing. Take care, Stacey xxx
Nichola1 Nov 25, 2006 at 9:14 PM Report Abuse

I thought you said there was a pic of me on here :( have i been replaced already!?
itzchak Aug 30, 2006 at 6:41 PM Report Abuse

Best insite that I have seen re-Osaka, excellent Iwould have to say!! Looks like party time has to be in the itinery! Thanks-keep it up!
jcunningham Dec 27, 2005 at 2:27 AM Report Abuse

I'll be in Osaka for New Year, where's the party? Cheers
chiara76 May 30, 2005 at 4:28 AM Report Abuse

Good page , nice pictures! Greetings from Warsaw:)
Ben-UK Mar 29, 2005 at 10:57 AM Report Abuse

Great commentary! -- nightlife looks good, but do they have jazz nights like they do in the Waltzing Weasel? -- and have they got a stadium as good as Edgeley Park?
justbecks Nov 16, 2004 at 1:20 PM Report Abuse

hiya osakahatter..could have easily been madhatter...Tell me which u prefer!:) had a look..had a laugh!Love the brutal honesty and unconventional Jap commentry alongside your pics.Well done..keep going!becks