Osaka is like Tokyo's younger and more mischievous brother. The city goes against a lot of the usual norms of other Japanese places and subverts the rules that you normally follow in Tokyo and Kyoto.
For example, on escalators you stand on the opposite side (it's left in Tokyo and right in Osaka) and jay-walking isn't as frowned upon as it is everywhere else in Japan. Adjusting to not walking across the road when there are no cars coming is hard, and for a UK resident, it definitely takes some practice...and some patience.
Osaka is becoming a very popular place to visit and in 1994 they built an airport in the city that will allow international flights to land, making it even easier for visitors to access! However, we travelled from Tokyo to Osaka on the Shinkansen (the bullet train) and found the journey to be quite enjoyable! Make sure to pick yourself up a bento box and a drink beforehand as the route can take up to four hours! Luckily, our trip was included with our Japan Rail Pass, saving us a lot of money on tickets!
If you're spending four to five days in Osaka, here's what you should put on your itinerary:
Hit the strip
...but not in an Ibiza or Kavos kind of way. Dotonburi is a popular district in Osaka for food, theatre and fun, which comes as no surprise when you see the vast amount of snacks on offer! The 'strip' has lots of street food vendors selling takoyaki (fried octopus balls), which is a must-try for seafood lovers! I can't even compare them to an everyday taste. Down the main street, you'll see the famous giant octopus and moving crab landmarks, which are pretty hard to miss!
There are 24/7 convenience stores (7/11 was definitely my favourite), arcades (if you didn't get your fix in Tokyo) and shops galore! Just over the bridge, next to the food strip, is the famous Glico man - the symbol of Asia's famous confectionery company!
Get lost in Don Quijote
If you didn't catch a glimpse of these mega stores in Tokyo, you'll definitely stumble into one of them in Osaka - they are literally everywhere. The one in the Dotonburi district has a ferris wheel-esque ride going over the top of it! Don Quijote is a popular discount store, where you can browse for hours on multiple levels in the shop. I think we only made it to level five, but there were even more floors to explore above us! You can buy shoes, backpacks, hairdryers, Thrasher hoodies, chocolates, themed chopsticks, shampoo, make-up, face cleanser, Pokemon socks - the store really does have everything. Even if you are not after a toiletry refill, be sure to check out one of these shops - you'll seriously be impressed.
On a side note, did you know that Japan offers refillable toiletries? For example, you buy your first plastic bottle of shampoo, then when it's finished, you simply buy refill packs for that container. I don't know why, but I think that's a pretty cool idea!
Karaoke the night away
Is there ever a bad night for karaoke? We think not! Osaka offers lots of different spots for karaoke - you just need to take your pick! Now, you can go to a series of karaoke bars in the area, but if you're looking for a more private experience, you can rent a room with one of the karaoke companies in the district. We found a place that charged you a set amount and you could rent the room from 6pm to 5am - perfect for those who want to enjoy the night, then get the first train home! You get a drink included and can choose from a range of Japanese and English songs. I did a horrifically drunk rendition of Florence and the Machine's Dog Days are Over - the video of it has not made the final blog cut. Everyone made it through until around 4am, except for me, as I fell asleep on the karaoke couch around three.
Take a trip up Osaka Tower
Osaka Tower definitely offered a different experience than the other towers we visited in Japan. It could double-up as a nightclub in the sky. As soon as we stepped out of the lift to the observation deck, Humble by Kendrick Lamar was playing, followed by hits from Ariana Grande, Zedd and Anne-Marie. There were multi-coloured flashing lights and disco balls in every corner, so if you're going to visit, we suggest getting there after dark for a full clubbing experience.
As you venture back down, there's a pretty cool Pocky exhibit, with a few games and information about the history of the tower and the company - no free Pocky though, unfortunately.
Pay your respects at the 'Love Shrine'
In the middle of the city, so hidden away you could easily miss it, is the Tsuyu-no-Tenjinja Shrine (Ohatsu Tenjin). It was named after a famous poem by Suguwara Michizane.
However, today, the shrine is better known for its romantic connections as it's the setting for a puppet play about two tragic lovers. Many go to the shrine to pay their respects and wish for eternal love and a long-lasting marriage. There are some beautiful statues and Torii gates, and even a light-up heart you can have your picture taken in!
Have a latte in the Pokemon Cafe
When you've had your fill of shopping in Osaka's Pokemon Centre, you can make a reservation next door at the Pokemon Cafe! It even has its own selection of teddies specific to the restaurant - a chef Pikachu for example.
The cafe is cute and ideal for any Pokemon lovers! There are two giant Pikachu teddies for you to take your picture with and a menu dedicated to all things Pokemon (or Pocket Monsters as they're referred to in Japan). You can get a latte with your favourite Pokemon etched on top and meals inspired by the cute creatures. There were Gengar smoothies, Pikachu pancakes and a Snorlax rice dish. All were served in themed bowls or were shaped to look like the Pokemon itself! You even got to play a game to win a free coaster too.
Be terrified at the horror-themed restaurant
The Lock-Up was at the top of my list when I heard all about it. It's a horror-themed restaurant where you are handcuffed and led to your table...which is in a prison cell! There are Halloween decorations on the walls and horror film posters hanging up everywhere. All the drinks and food on the menu are horror-themed too. We only had the beverages, which all came in weird flasks, syringes, test tubes and I even had one that came in a blood bag! We had shots in pill capsules too.
I do not want to spoil the surprise for anyone, but the first part of the experience was absolutely terrifying. There are also 'monster shows' at certain times. When you get to your table, the waitress will ask you, 'Is it okay if the monsters can come in?' I mean, you make your own decision there, but we reluctantly agreed. We booked our reservation for eight o'clock, so we got to see the show at 8:30pm - it was definitely something I'll never forget.
Be deer-lighted at Nara Park
Nara is only a short train journey from Osaka and it's well worth the trip! There are shrines, a giant Buddha and of course, Nara Park.
Nara Park is filled with shrines, temples and hundreds of deer! They are cute, but tactile and determined, so do not let your guard down around them at any point. Eat your food before entering the park, or hide it somewhere the deer won't be able to find...or smell it. You can buy deer food at the park for ¥200, but luckily a lovely, elderly man gave us some for free. However, after I'd run out the deer began to nibble and bite on my leg - oh deer!
After you've made all the deer puns you can make, take a stroll to the temple district Todaiji, which is home to the Great Buddha Hall. A gigantic bronze Buddha resides inside and it's 1,498cm high (seated). There are some other impressive statues in there too, so make sure you don't miss out! You can learn a little about the history of the place and get some smaller Buddha souvenirs on your way out!
Tuck into an Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a savoury Japanese pancake and it is delicious! There are lots of restaurants dedicated to the tasty delicacy, where the staff will cook it in front of you while you wait. There are so many different options for you to have too - mochi and cheese, teriyaki chicken, or even Indian spiced sausage.
They are then covered in sauce and it's your choice whether you'd like to add mayo, seaweed and fish flakes. You get a little slider utensil to help you cut the pancake and serve yourself, but then it's all down to your chopstick skills from there.
I hope you found my list helpful, let us know if you're travelling to Japan and if any of these are on your itinerary!