Guidebook for Nishi-ku, Ōsaka-shi
Food Scene
Head downstairs to this spirited, friendly izakaya for standards such as skewered meats, seafood, vegies fresh off the grill and giant pieces of tori no karaage (fried chicken). The best seats are at half-round counters, where your chef will serve you using a loooong paddle. Most dishes are ¥324. It's on the street along the west side of Hankyū Umeda Station, to the left of the signage featuring a guy wearing a headband.
96 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Isaribi
1-chōme-5-12 ShibataHead downstairs to this spirited, friendly izakaya for standards such as skewered meats, seafood, vegies fresh off the grill and giant pieces of tori no karaage (fried chicken). The best seats are at half-round counters, where your chef will serve you using a loooong paddle. Most dishes are ¥324. It's on the street along the west side of Hankyū Umeda Station, to the left of the signage featuring a guy wearing a headband.
Friendly and trendy, near the western edge of Ame-Mura, Absinthe serves fantastic cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and juices and a rare (for Japan) Mediterranean menu (falafel, hummus and babaganoush, plus pastas and pizzas). It's a tad pricey, but you're paying for quality ingredients, stylish surrounds and laid-back atmosphere; sliding doors create a sidewalk cafe vibe, weather permitting. And, yes, it does serve absinthe.
189 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Cafe ABSINTHE
1-chōme-2-27 KitahorieFriendly and trendy, near the western edge of Ame-Mura, Absinthe serves fantastic cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and juices and a rare (for Japan) Mediterranean menu (falafel, hummus and babaganoush, plus pastas and pizzas). It's a tad pricey, but you're paying for quality ingredients, stylish surrounds and laid-back atmosphere; sliding doors create a sidewalk cafe vibe, weather permitting. And, yes, it does serve absinthe.
There's a cheery bustle inside this hard-working kaiten-sushi restaurant in a prime Dōtombori location. Over 50 seats zigzag around counters where plates rotate, colour-coded by price and thoughtfully labelled in multiple languages. Non-sushi-eaters can get cooked foods including tori no karaage (fried chicken) and fried tuna. English-speaking staff help make sense of it all.
163 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Daiki-suisan kaitenzushi Dotombori
There's a cheery bustle inside this hard-working kaiten-sushi restaurant in a prime Dōtombori location. Over 50 seats zigzag around counters where plates rotate, colour-coded by price and thoughtfully labelled in multiple languages. Non-sushi-eaters can get cooked foods including tori no karaage (fried chicken) and fried tuna. English-speaking staff help make sense of it all.
Drinks & Nightlife
Imagine a storeroom crammed with old records, CDs, worn-out knick-knacks and random ornaments. Then imagine a bar in the middle of it. That's kind of what to expect at this tiny, quirky place, where you'll be heartily welcomed by the long-haired owner as he spins folk-rock tunes on the record player and serves drinks and snacks. There's an English sign out front.
109 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Folk Rock Bar "Phoe～be"
Nishishinsaibashi-2-chōme-7 Chuo WardImagine a storeroom crammed with old records, CDs, worn-out knick-knacks and random ornaments. Then imagine a bar in the middle of it. That's kind of what to expect at this tiny, quirky place, where you'll be heartily welcomed by the long-haired owner as he spins folk-rock tunes on the record player and serves drinks and snacks. There's an English sign out front.
With city lights spread beneath you like a twinkling carpet, views are extraordinary from this chichi bar-restaurant. Drinks start at ¥1150, and there are Italian dishes like the namesake pizza with mascarpone, prawns, mushroom and black truffle (¥2850). Enter the hotel from above Nankai Namba Station.
111 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
TAVOLA36
5-chōme-1-60 NanbaWith city lights spread beneath you like a twinkling carpet, views are extraordinary from this chichi bar-restaurant. Drinks start at ¥1150, and there are Italian dishes like the namesake pizza with mascarpone, prawns, mushroom and black truffle (¥2850). Enter the hotel from above Nankai Namba Station.
An unbeatable spot for sophisticated drinks with a view, on the Hilton Osaka's 35th floor. There's a ¥1750 per person table charge (¥1200 for hotel guests) and drinks average ¥2000 each. Popular food menu items include a gourmet plate (¥3300) of smoked salmon, ham, cheese, salami, shrimp and more.
112 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Windows on the World
1-chōme-8-8 UmedaAn unbeatable spot for sophisticated drinks with a view, on the Hilton Osaka's 35th floor. There's a ¥1750 per person table charge (¥1200 for hotel guests) and drinks average ¥2000 each. Popular food menu items include a gourmet plate (¥3300) of smoked salmon, ham, cheese, salami, shrimp and more.
Sightseeing
Known by the nickname Tenma-no-Tenjin-san. Enshrines Sugawara-no-Michizane, the god of learning. Famous for the Tenjin Festival held every year on July 24th and 25th.
499 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
โอซาก้าเทมมันกุ
2-chōme-1-8 TenjinbashiKnown by the nickname Tenma-no-Tenjin-san. Enshrines Sugawara-no-Michizane, the god of learning. Famous for the Tenjin Festival held every year on July 24th and 25th.
The site of the main guardian god of Sonezaki, Umeda, built over 1,300 years ago.
189 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
ศาลเจ้าทสึยะเท็นจินชะ (โอฮัตสึเท็งจิน)
2-chōme-5-4 SonezakiThe site of the main guardian god of Sonezaki, Umeda, built over 1,300 years ago.
After unifying Japan in the late 16th century, General Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this castle (1583) as a display of power, using, it's said, the labour of 100,000 workers. Although the present structure is a 1931 concrete reconstruction (refurbished 1997), it's nonetheless quite a sight, looming dramatically over the surrounding park and moat. Inside is an excellent collection of art, armour, and day-to-day implements related to the castle, Hideyoshi and Osaka. An 8th-floor observation deck has 360-degree views. Hideyoshi's original granite structure was said to be impregnable, yet it was destroyed in 1614 by the armies of Tokugawa Ieyasu , rebuilt 15 years later, then razed again when anothe
1376 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Osakajo
Osakajo Chuo WardAfter unifying Japan in the late 16th century, General Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this castle (1583) as a display of power, using, it's said, the labour of 100,000 workers. Although the present structure is a 1931 concrete reconstruction (refurbished 1997), it's nonetheless quite a sight, looming dramatically over the surrounding park and moat. Inside is an excellent collection of art, armour, and day-to-day implements related to the castle, Hideyoshi and Osaka. An 8th-floor observation deck has 360-degree views. Hideyoshi's original granite structure was said to be impregnable, yet it was destroyed in 1614 by the armies of Tokugawa Ieyasu , rebuilt 15 years later, then razed again when anothe
Japan's tallest building (300m, 60 storeys), this Cesar Pelli–designed tower opened in March 2014 and dominates Osaka's southern skyline, offering sweeping city views. It houses Japan's largest department store (Kintetsu, floors B2-14), other shops, a hotel, offices, restaurants and observation decks. Admission is free except for the top-level Harukas 300 observation deck and the Abeno Harukas Art Museum , where temporary shows so far have encompassed Renaissance painting to tantric Buddhist artifacts. Although Abeno Harukas is Japan's tallest building, the tallest structure is Tokyo Sky Tree , at 634m.
2395 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
อาเบโนะฮารุคัส
1-chōme-1-43 AbenosujiJapan's tallest building (300m, 60 storeys), this Cesar Pelli–designed tower opened in March 2014 and dominates Osaka's southern skyline, offering sweeping city views. It houses Japan's largest department store (Kintetsu, floors B2-14), other shops, a hotel, offices, restaurants and observation decks. Admission is free except for the top-level Harukas 300 observation deck and the Abeno Harukas Art Museum , where temporary shows so far have encompassed Renaissance painting to tantric Buddhist artifacts. Although Abeno Harukas is Japan's tallest building, the tallest structure is Tokyo Sky Tree , at 634m.
A century ago, Shin-Sekai ('new world') was home to an amusement park that defined cutting edge. Now this entertainment district mixes down-on-its-heels with retro cool. It's centred around the crusty, trusty, 103m-high steel-frame tower Tsūten-kaku – built 1912, rebuilt 1956 – surrounded by ancient pachinko parlours, rundown theatres and a few homeless folks and suspicious-looking characters. Shin-Sekai still attracts plenty of visitors for nostalgia and cheap eateries behind over-the-top signage, especially for kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers).
834 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
ชินเซไก
Ebisuhigashi-8-2 Chome Naniwa WardA century ago, Shin-Sekai ('new world') was home to an amusement park that defined cutting edge. Now this entertainment district mixes down-on-its-heels with retro cool. It's centred around the crusty, trusty, 103m-high steel-frame tower Tsūten-kaku – built 1912, rebuilt 1956 – surrounded by ancient pachinko parlours, rundown theatres and a few homeless folks and suspicious-looking characters. Shin-Sekai still attracts plenty of visitors for nostalgia and cheap eateries behind over-the-top signage, especially for kushikatsu (deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers).
Arts & Culture
Japan's best venue for the mesmerising art of bunraku , puppet theatre closely associated with Osaka. Performances can last all day, with two multiple-act parts up to 4½ hours each (acts are often unrelated). Too long? Nonreserved, same-day single-act tickets are sold at the venue from 9.45am, priced accordingly. Rent the English-language audio guide (full program/single act ¥700/300) for detailed explanations. Shows sell out quickly.
1339 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
โรงละครแห่งชาติบุนรากุ
1-chōme-12-10 NipponbashiJapan's best venue for the mesmerising art of bunraku , puppet theatre closely associated with Osaka. Performances can last all day, with two multiple-act parts up to 4½ hours each (acts are often unrelated). Too long? Nonreserved, same-day single-act tickets are sold at the venue from 9.45am, priced accordingly. Rent the English-language audio guide (full program/single act ¥700/300) for detailed explanations. Shows sell out quickly.