Osaka is known as the National Kitchen of Japan. Located in the Kansai region of Japan, it is the capital of Osaka Prefecture. It is the second largest Japanese city at the mouth of Yodo River on Osaka Bay. It was destructed during the world war and has developed quickly and almost haphazardly to one of the biggest Japanese cities.
Osaka was previously known as Naniwa and was a major city even after it once was the capital city. Osaka literally translates to “large slope” or “large hill”.
It is not as costly as Tokyo and you get to eat the best foods you’ve probably ever had in your life in here. Rice is the main crop here and hence finds its place and use in almost all dishes of Osaka.
The weather in Osaka is hot and humid since it is next to Osaka Bay. The springtime is beautiful and famous for the cherry blossoms.
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Osaka is also called the food capital of the world by authors and food critics. This is due to the delicious mouth-watering dishes you get to have here that once you have in impossible to get out of your head. Osaka foods have a large variety and the people in Osaka, Japan are renowned for overspending on food. One of the major reasons for its good food is attributed to good ingredients which are easily accessible to this city because it is next to a renowned bay. Some people say that during winters blowfishes, a popular dish is Osaka is imported from neighboring Russia.
Here is a list of must visit places if you’re wondering where your next vacation should be. It is a pleasant alternative for the over-crowded and popular Tokyo and Kyoto. Plus you get to have the best of the best cuisines you’ve never thought of, so what’s not to like about it?
#1. Kuromon Ichiba Market:
This is one of the biggest markets in Osaka. This place is the hub of fresh seafood and authentic and aromatic Japanese culinary ingredients. Even the chefs of top restaurants come here to shop. You get the best octopus, scallops, oysters, sushi to tempura fried chicken. This is in walking distance from Namba Station. This place is great for a long food walk if you have the appetite to do so.
Source: wow-j.com
#2. Osaka Castle:
Osaka castle is the largest castle in Japan. Spread over a sprawling land of 60,000 square meters, has three structures which are designated as important cultural assets by Japanese governments. Inside there are a lot of 3d pictures and holograms that explains the time in which this was built. The best part is the observation platform inside which provides with the best of city views, you’ll not see anywhere else.
image source: freetworoam.com
#3. Shinsekai:
This place is also known as Osaka’s “new world” and was built before the war and then was destructed again but it got rebuilt quickly. The northern half is made like Paris and southern half reflects New York. But today it seems like any Japanese market with high rises and neon boards along with the bustling crowd. At the center is the famous Tsutenkaku tower, this was built as a replica of the Eiffel Tower of France.
Source: japan-guide.com
#4. Hattori Ryokuchi Park:
This is a sprawling green park in Osaka, with old Japanese houses. The place looks particularly beautiful during the month of April when the cherry blossoms cover the scenery of the park. There is not a prettier sight than this in all of Japan.
Source: japan365days.com
#5. Umeda Sky Building:
Umeda Sky Building is a picturesque building in Kita district of Osaka. This is also known as “new Umeda city”. 2 173 meters building is connected by one “floating garden observatory” situated on the 39th It offers great views of the city. Most of the floors in this building have offices. The basement has a restaurant that is a replica the of the old town of Showa period.
Image Source: japan-guide.com
#6. Shinsaibashi Dotonbori:
Image Source: willflyforfood
This is the prime shopping area of Osaka and Dotonbori is like the kitchen of Osaka with the best food in the town. Shinsaibashi has lots of shops and high-end fashion retailer stores. There are a lot of boutiques where you can shop for unique Japanese clothes. This place is a must visit and you cannot leave Osaka without a trip to Shinsaibashi.
Osaka is a beautiful city that perfectly combines the flashiness of a modern city and the simple charm of a small town. Then the cherry on the cake is the lip-smacking delicacies off Osaka that’ll get stuck in your head forever. So plan your next trip to this wonderful city of Japan and revive yourself.
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