Osaka Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Osaka

This is my second trip to Osaka and I have to say, it\'s just as great as I remember it. I spent a lot more time seeing the sights and a lot less time partying at night this time around. Tuesday-Thursday are very slow days for tourism. It\'s great for people who want to avoid the...more This is my second trip to Osaka and I have to say, it\'s just as great as I remember it. I spent a lot more time seeing the sights and a lot less time partying at night this time around. Tuesday-Thursday are very slow days for tourism. It\'s great for people who want to avoid the crowds, but I personally enjoy meeting new people.close

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by KanagawaGuy – posted on Nov 20, 2007

1

Osaka is a working city, without the attractions of nearby Kyoto. But it does have some bustling areas for good food and drink. Go to Dotonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi. In an hour of walking, you can loop through the three neighborhoods. I wouldn\'t go to Shinsaibashi at night, as...more Osaka is a working city, without the attractions of nearby Kyoto. But it does have some bustling areas for good food and drink. Go to Dotonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi. In an hour of walking, you can loop through the three neighborhoods. I wouldn\'t go to Shinsaibashi at night, as it\'s a sketchy part of town after dark, but during the day it is a busy bazaar with some good and inexpensive places to eat. Look for Kushikatsu (grilled stuff on skewers).close

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by TommyStone – posted on Nov 16, 2007

7

If I had to recommend one Japanese city to visit, Osaka would definately NOT be it! It is okay to see once or twice, see the cool buildings and temples, but I much prefer other cities in this beautiful country. Also, Osaka \"slang\" is a bit more difficult to understand than other...more If I had to recommend one Japanese city to visit, Osaka would definately NOT be it! It is okay to see once or twice, see the cool buildings and temples, but I much prefer other cities in this beautiful country. Also, Osaka \"slang\" is a bit more difficult to understand than other cities.close

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by dwittman – posted on Nov 14, 2007

4

Although initially very hard to find (the directions given are very poor), the ryokan itself was very nice to stay at. The owners were wonderful in giving advice on how to get around the city & were extremely thoughtful during our stay. Just be warned the ryokan is in a red light district so...more Although initially very hard to find (the directions given are very poor), the ryokan itself was very nice to stay at. The owners were wonderful in giving advice on how to get around the city & were extremely thoughtful during our stay. Just be warned the ryokan is in a red light district so don't be surprised to see various characters around the streets at night. It is however still very safe to walk around.close

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by Noelle7652 – posted on Feb 20, 2007

7

i'll keep this short and sweet. apart from a couple of museums, osaka castle there isnt much else i went to see. however, you're not too far from hiroshima, nara, kyoto and kobe, all have more to see! if you like night life, then you're in luck. den den town and shinsaibashi...more i'll keep this short and sweet. apart from a couple of museums, osaka castle there isnt much else i went to see. however, you're not too far from hiroshima, nara, kyoto and kobe, all have more to see! if you like night life, then you're in luck. den den town and shinsaibashi are 30mins walk or a subway trip away! den den is more for the anime/manga fans but shinsaibashi is lively and has PLENTY of shops, amusements, bars and restaurantsclose

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by shinobi2070 – posted on Feb 17, 2007

2

I personally would prefer staying in Osaka longer than Tokyo because it almost carries the same characteristics, but with a much less population and is way more cozy than Tokyo. Kyoto and Himeji are very close by Osaka too, so then it was easy to travel to many traditional Japanese places without...more I personally would prefer staying in Osaka longer than Tokyo because it almost carries the same characteristics, but with a much less population and is way more cozy than Tokyo. Kyoto and Himeji are very close by Osaka too, so then it was easy to travel to many traditional Japanese places without spending too much time on the train.close

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by Diane2 – posted on Feb 11, 2007

2

Don't get me wrong Osaka was fun and I have little to go on considering the length of my stay but... it just wasn't what I expected. The cost is relatively high, actually really high for the oddest things ie. the subway, which is suppose to be a cheap method of transportation and things...more Don't get me wrong Osaka was fun and I have little to go on considering the length of my stay but... it just wasn't what I expected. The cost is relatively high, actually really high for the oddest things ie. the subway, which is suppose to be a cheap method of transportation and things like Soda. Your meal will be 540 yen and your drink is 450...strange. Also I found it hard to find a range of restaurants. I know the saying goes when in Osaka....but sometimes you just want some good ole pub food. I found the english restaurants very few and far between. I visited on a Monday so the party scene was slow but the bars I visited we're pretty rockin and I could only imagine what it would be like on a weekend. Other than that the shopping is amazing and if you look you can find some good deals.close

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by misdonn – posted on Dec 3, 2006

2

I'm not sure why you'd want to go to Osaka if you're a tourist. It has bigger shopping and drinking districts than most Japanese cities, but how many stores do you need that sell the exact same socks or hair accessories? How many bars do you need to go to that only have Asahi on...more I'm not sure why you'd want to go to Osaka if you're a tourist. It has bigger shopping and drinking districts than most Japanese cities, but how many stores do you need that sell the exact same socks or hair accessories? How many bars do you need to go to that only have Asahi on tap? If you live in Japan, it'll do the trick for a Big City Fix, but if you're a tourist, stay in Kyoto for an extra couple of days instead.close

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by dragonfl – posted on Nov 24, 2006

11

Towards the end of August Osaka was in the middle of a high humidity heat wave. When getting around it was to get out of one shop and head for another to get out of the heat. I find the people in Osaka lower in the friendliness scale compared to Koreans but not unpleasantly so. They are...more Towards the end of August Osaka was in the middle of a high humidity heat wave. When getting around it was to get out of one shop and head for another to get out of the heat. I find the people in Osaka lower in the friendliness scale compared to Koreans but not unpleasantly so. They are more westernised than Korea. The cost of living is quite high but there are surprising bargains to be had for those prepared to look around. In general prices are on a par with most western countries. Many Japanese restaurants have a full mockup of the menu on offer so you can see what you will be getting if you order. For an English speaker it is simply a matter of pointing at the desired meal and sitting in the place the waiter puts you. As most meals are also priced, you know what you will be paying before you eat. Currently meals can be enjoyed from just below 500Yen (US$5) upwards. Consider McChuckers at 650yen for a medium meal for an idea of value. Oh and make sure you know how to use chopsticks. No western utensils provided unless you BYO. Homeless people can be found lying on street sides in some places. I noticed some at the entrance to FestivalGate the first night I was there. I also observed in the same area a garage with a Rolls Royce, Jaguar and BMW so there can be a big contrast. In general I would say that Osaka is a developed city. i.e. it ranks up there with the likes of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne where I have been. The drivers have a good respect for pedestrians. Just be careful when you walk on the foot path as you can get ten-pinned by the millions of cycle riders who ride the footpaths of the city. Do not make any sudden change of direction as you walk down the footpath if you want to avoid getting hit from behind by cyclists. If Computer geeks visit the Den Den electrical market and the other big one in Osaka proper they will probably think they have died and gone to Geek heaven. There is plenty of computer gear for them to drool over. And video and digital cameras as well. I still think there are better prices to be seen in Yongsan computer market in Seoul.close

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by gtaske – posted on Aug 17, 2006

2

If you stay in the right area near Osaka Station you can have fun. If you wander into some areas (near Shin-Imamiya) station, it can get scuzzy. As geijin's we also had trouble getting cabs in some areas. They literally would not even open the door when they saw us. The main city is nice though,...more If you stay in the right area near Osaka Station you can have fun. If you wander into some areas (near Shin-Imamiya) station, it can get scuzzy. As geijin's we also had trouble getting cabs in some areas. They literally would not even open the door when they saw us. The main city is nice though, and it serves as a good hub for other day trips. I would recommend staying in Kyoto if you are going to do that though.close

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by Mattbecke – posted on Aug 11, 2006

2