Live Your Best Lives
Japan should be the place that every middle school boy yearns for. Being influenced by Japanese anime since childhood, it teaches us love, passion and enthusiasm.
From a severely middle school boy to a mildly middle school young woman, I chose Osaka as my first stop in the 11th ward.
Why Osaka?
Compared to Tokyo, it has more historical heritage; compared to Kyoto, it has more modern civilization and brightness. It is like a huge amusement park where the whole family, young and old, can find their own fun points.
But in the final analysis, it was the influence of "Detective Conan". After all, "There is Hattori in the West and Kudo in the East". That bright Osaka boy - Hattori Heiji once said: "Osaka dialect is also great Japanese!" It made me inexplicably curious about his "home nest".
Osaka is Japan's second-largest city, and many people choose it as their first stop when visiting Kansai, as it serves as the transportation hub for land, sea, and air transportation in western Japan. As an international metropolis, Osaka boasts a highly developed commercial culture.
There's a bustling shopping district here, where you can shop endlessly until your wallet is empty and your credit card is maxed out, provided you have enough energy. There's also a rich food culture here, where you can savor a variety of snacks and local flavors in every street and alley.
Osakacheck the details
Osaka, a city in Osaka Prefecture in the Kinki region of western Japan, is the seat of Osaka Prefecture and a designated city. Osaka covers an area of 223 square kilometers and has a total population of approximately 2.67 million, making it Japan's third most populous city after Tokyo and Yokohama. As Japan's second most prosperous major city after Tokyo, and close to the ancient capital of Kyoto and the charming city of Nara, Osaka is often overshadowed, becoming a one-stop shopping destination for travelers to and from Kansai. This status is clearly unfair to Osaka, which boasts numerous attractions as a travel destination: shopping, dining, family trips, cityscapes, classical architecture, and more.
Recommended month: All seasons
5512 recommendations, 4066 visits
Tips:
① Best time to visit: Spring and autumn. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late March to early April, and red leaves cover the ground in late November.
② Clothing Guide: Osaka experiences heavy rain year-round. Summers are hot and muggy, but winters are not particularly cold (few sub-zero temperatures). Light clothing is sufficient in spring and autumn, but be mindful of heatstroke prevention in summer.
③Consumption Level: Looking solely at food and beverages, I personally feel that overall costs in Japan are higher than in China. Breakfast at a convenience store will set you back around 20 RMB, while other light meals are around 50-100 RMB. For seafood, such as at Kani Doraku, a set meal is around 300-400 RMB, which is still relatively affordable.
④ Time difference: Japan is in the East 9th District, and the time in Osaka is one hour ahead of Beijing time, that is, when it is 9 o'clock Beijing time, it is 10 o'clock Osaka time.
⑤ Voltage: Japan's voltage is 110V, and double-flat-pin sockets are the main type. It is recommended to bring your own conversion plug.
If you have three full days and are not here just for shopping, then the itinerary I give you should be of some reference value.
Yes, you read that right, on the first day you are asked to go shopping and buy everything on your shopping list.
Why do we shop on the first day? The answer is: to give ourselves a chance to catch up on any missing items in the next two days.
As a shopping paradise, Japan is a place that fascinates anyone who has even a little bit of shopping desire.
Namba in southern Osaka and Umeda in northern Osaka are the most bustling shopping districts in the Kansai region. Osaka's shopping destinations include Shinsaibashi, Nipponbashi, Amerikamura, and the various department stores near Umeda. These areas are densely packed with shops, offering a wide range of dining and leisure facilities, making them truly a shopping paradise. (Sorry, I have a slight tendency towards shopaholicism, so my words may be a bit harsh. Please tone it down.)
Shinsaibashi
This area is home to a mix of large department stores, chain drugstores, established brands, and smaller shops. You'll find a wide range of goods, from high-end to high-end. Most stores in Shinsaibashi offer Chinese-speaking guides and accept UnionPay and Alipay payments (Alipay also offers coupons and discounts).
Regarding the cosmetics that girls care about most, there are many drugstores in Japan, such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Daikoku, SunDrug, Tsuruha, Kokumin, etc. The discounts in each store are different. Even the same product may have different prices in different stores of the same brand. Generally, you can apply for a tax refund if you spend more than 5,000 yen. Don't forget to pay attention to this!
Tips:
Shopping tips:
① Remember to do your homework before buying anything. If you are a "newbie", you must learn about Japanese cosmeceuticals, otherwise you will be confused when you enter the store.
②Try to buy in the same store so that it is easier to get a tax refund.
③Unless you are a professional purchasing agent, it is better to make appropriate comparisons.
④ Check carefully whether tax is included. 税务龼 = tax included, 税务抜き = tax not included. Also, if there are regular checkout counters and duty-free counters in stores, be sure not to go to the wrong counter.
⑤ If you really can’t find it or have some minor problems, the Chinese shopping guides in each store can help you.
Don't miss BIC CAMERA if you're passing by. It's Japan's largest home appliance chain, specializing in cameras, watches, electronics, and daily necessities. Here, you can find photography equipment and accessories that are out of stock in China, products priced lower than in China due to exchange rates, and a variety of beauty and hairdressing appliances that women love.
Daimaru Department Store, with its impressive number of stores, is a must-see destination. It consists of the Main Building, South Building, and North Building, with approximately 20 street-level stores nearby. You can find not only world-famous brands but also a wide selection of affordable and high-quality goods. The cosmetics counter on the first floor offers Japanese-made goods exclusively for domestic use.
Most commercial areas in Japan are open around 11 a.m., so if you're used to getting up early, you'll need to go out a little later. Today is the day we officially meet and greet Osaka. Our first stop is Osaka Castle Park.
⭐Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle, a historic stone castle, served as the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Momoyama period. Located in Osaka's Chuo Ward, the park is a popular spot for strolling and relaxing, and a must-see for tourists.
The castle tower we see today was rebuilt with funds raised by Osaka citizens after World War II. Inside the castle tower, there are images of many Japanese generals, dolls and architectural models, which tell the turbulent history of Japan.
Tips:
①Tickets
Regular ticket: 600 yen (Monday to Sunday, January 2nd - December 27th)
Free admission: Junior high school students and below
②Opening hours
09:00-17:00; Last admission: 16:30 (Monday-Sunday, January 2nd - December 27th)
Note: The museum opens with extended hours in spring, summer, and autumn each year; it is closed from December 28 to January 1.
Bring your quack, my quack, and check in together~
There are some cute souvenirs sold at the exit of the castle tower.
The entire Osaka Castle Park is very well greened, and it will be beautiful during the cherry blossom season and the red maple season.
As a historical site, we met many children who came here to visit and learn.
Note: Japanese people attach great importance to privacy. Generally, if tourists want to take pictures of children, teachers will come up to stop them, so everyone should pay attention to this.
After visiting the castle tower, you can also take the Osaka Castle Gozabune to explore its moat (a tour takes about 20 minutes).
Opening Hours:
10:00 AM - 5:20 PM (last bus at 4:50 PM)
November to February 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last bus at 4:30 PM)
⭐Tsutenkaku
After visiting Osaka Castle Park, you can go to Tsutenkaku and have lunch while you're there.
Loyal Conan fans should have seen the movie "The Magician of the Century's End", in which Kaito Kidd stood on the top of Tsutenkaku and jumped down.
Once Japan's tallest building, it's said to have been modeled after the Eiffel Tower. Take the elevator from the ground floor to the fifth floor. The ceiling features a unique time machine-like explanation of Tsutenkaku's history, transporting us back to the time of the first Tsutenkaku's completion in 1912. The fourth and fifth floors offer panoramic views of Osaka. The top open-air observatory is closed after 5:30 PM for safety reasons, so be sure to check the time if you're planning to visit.
Tips:
①Tickets
Regular ticket: Adult ticket 600 yen
Children's ticket: RMB 300 per person
②Opening hours
09:00-20:30 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
This is a classic shooting angle of Tsutenkaku. You can see that many stores in Japan use three-dimensional protruding billboards, which are very cute.
Climbing up to Tsutenkaku, you will have a very broad view.
⭐Umeda Sky Building
Umeda Sky Building is a skyscraper in Shin-Umeda City, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It is a popular spot for overlooking the entire city of Osaka and enjoying the sunset and night view.
The building boasts 40 floors above ground and two underground. The observatory is circular, connecting the East and West Buildings, offering a 360-degree panoramic view. The building also has a special outdoor observation deck, which we were unable to visit due to the typhoon.
Tips:
①Tickets
Adults: 1,500 yen; 4 years old to elementary school students: 700 yen; Disabled persons: 350 yen (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Free admission: Children under 4 years old
Special reminder: When using a disabled ticket to enter, please present the disability handbook (one accompanying person can enjoy the same ticket discount); holders of the Osaka Amazing Pass can enter for free.
②Opening hours
09:30-22:30; Last admission: 22:00 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
The business hours for special holidays shall be subject to the official website.
Take a check-in photo with my quack
Night view of tall buildings
⭐Hep Five Ferris Wheel
The Hep Five Ferris wheel is built in front of Hankyu Umeda Station. A ride station is located on the seventh floor of a shopping mall. The gondola rises through the roof to 106 meters above the ground. It takes about 15 minutes for the Ferris wheel to complete a full rotation.
After riding the Ferris wheel, you can go shopping in the mall. The decoration of the mall is very unique, and it sells things for young people, including many popular domestic fashion brands.
Tips:
① Admission Ticket: 600 yen (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
②Opening hours: 11:00-22:45 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
I bought my favorite Conan comic at the bookstore at the subway station.
If your calves have been severely injured by the trip in the past two days, I strongly recommend that you go to a drugstore and buy a plaster to apply before sleeping to relieve the soreness and swelling.
⭐Ukiyoe (Ukiyo-e)
During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Osaka and Kyoto regions were often referred to as Kamigata, and Kamigata Ukiyo-e originated from the art of Kamigata region.
This is the only museum in the world that permanently exhibits Kamigata ukiyo-e paintings created in Osaka during the Edo period. The four-story building features exhibitions on the first, second, and third floors, a museum shop on the first floor, and authentic Japanese-style rooms on the fourth floor.
Tips:
Opening Hours:
10:00-18:00 (but admission is until 17:30)
1:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:30)
Closed on Mondays (if it is a holiday, it will be closed on Tuesdays)
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
The Tempozan Ferris Wheel, once the world's largest Ferris wheel and now second only to the London Eye, offers panoramic views of the sea, distant mountains, and the entire city of Osaka. From there, you can even see Mount Rokko in Kobe from the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
There are two types of private rooms here. The ones with transparent floors require a 20-minute wait, while the ordinary ones are available at any time. At the highest point of the Ferris wheel, you will feel time and space frozen, appreciate the vastness of the world, and quietly gaze at the world flowing.
Tips:
①Tickets
Regular ticket: 800 yen (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
②Opening hours
10:00-22:00; Ticket sales end at 21:30 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Note: The service may be suspended due to rainy days, strong winds and other weather conditions
From the aquarium you can see the Ferris wheel, the blue sky and white clouds, and an expansive sense of happiness.
As the Ferris wheel slowly rises, the sea, port, distant mountains, city, bridge, etc. are all in sight.
At this angle, are you a little afraid of heights?
⭐Sailboat sightseeing boat
The Santa Maria sightseeing boat is a replica of the one Columbus took when he discovered the Americas. The boat passes by Universal Studios Japan and you can even see the Sakishima Prefectural Government Building in the distance. The boat usually takes about an hour to play and returns to the shore at sunset.
Tips: The boat leaves on the hour, so it is recommended to queue up 20 minutes in advance
⭐Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world, famous for its giant whale sharks. Take the elevator up to the 8th floor, then spiral down, exploring the depths and mysteries of the underwater world.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is probably the highlight of the second day. After getting messy in the wind, please tidy up your mood and appearance, and go out with your girlish heart.
Tips:
①Tickets
Regular tickets: Adults (high school students and over 16 years old) 2,300 yen; Children (elementary and middle school students) 1,200 yen; Infants (4-6 years old) 600 yen; Seniors (over 60 years old) 2,000 yen (Monday-Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
②Opening hours
10:00-20:00; Last admission: 19:00 (June 1-July 13, September 1-30, November 1-December 31, Monday-Sunday)
09:30-20:00; Last admission: 19:00 (August 1-10, October 1-31, July 14-31, August 12-31)
08:30-20:30; Last admission: 19:30 (August 11-15)
PS. Opening hours vary a lot, please refer to the official website
③Recommended tour time: 2-3 hours
All living things are gifts from nature to us, filling our vision with blue, flawless and transparent.
It was already dark when we came out of the Aquarium KAIYUKAN after visiting it. The Tempozan Ferris Wheel in the distance added color to the night.
Because of limited time and energy, I arranged three days of this full schedule. I hope it can give you some reference~
If it's your first time in Osaka and you want to explore the city and visit famous attractions like the castle tower and Tsutenkaku, or see the night view of downtown like the Sakishima Tower and the Umeda Sky Building, or ride a Ferris wheel (Osaka probably has the most Ferris wheels of any city), like the Hey Five Ferris Wheel and the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, then you absolutely must get the Osaka Amusement Park Pass. This pass grants free admission to 35 attractions, plus boat rides. While you certainly can't see them all in one day, if you can hit three, it's well worth the price. After all, it's also a transportation card that grants unlimited rides within the designated area. However, please note that this pass doesn't include free admission to the aquarium; you can only use the "TOKU x 2" coupon, which offers a 100 yen discount on admission.
Comparing the two tickets, the 2-day ticket is definitely the best deal. However, the 2-day ticket doesn't cover private rail travel, so you'll need to plan your route and transportation in advance. If you don't want to plan your route, buying two 1-day tickets will give you access to a wider range of destinations.
Osaka, Japan, is known as the "Kitchen of the World," the home of the sushi and takoyaki restaurants that fill the streets. As I mentioned earlier, the overall cost of living in Japan, especially for food, is still relatively high, so for breakfast, I chose to be a "convenience store girl." However, lunch, dinner, and snacks are clearly planned, and I definitely wanted to try some of Osaka's signature dishes.
Cai Lan once said that Japanese ramen is magical. Originating from China, ramen has undergone a series of reforms and changes to suit Japanese tastes, becoming the country's most down-to-earth and representative popular delicacy.
We can see such ramen vending machines on the street, and people just stand on the street and slurp ramen.
Since we were unfamiliar with the place, we chose to go to the popular Ichiran.
Ichiran Ramen is a very popular ramen brand store in Japan. It was founded in 1960 and is the first membership-based ramen restaurant in Japan. It has the same ramen ordering machine as above. Basically, a bowl of ordinary ramen costs about 50 or 60 RMB.
The presentation is typical of Japanese food: simple and refined. As for the taste, the first bite was amazing, but a little greasy towards the end.
It is said that the citizens of Kansai, Japan, once voted for the food that best represents the flavor of Osaka, and Okonomiyaki ranked second. For Osaka people, eating Okonomiyaki in restaurants or at home is a part of life. For Japanese tourists, if they come to Osaka, they will feel missing out if they don't try the local Okonomiyaki.
The method of making Okonomiyaki is to add water to wheat flour and stir to form a batter, then add vegetables, meat, fish, shellfish and other ingredients, fry on an iron plate, and finally add seasoning to eat. Personally, I feel that the soy sauce taste is a bit strong.
The teppanyaki udon tasted good, but the main flavor was still the soy sauce.
I'd like to introduce Osaka's Shin-Umeda Food Street. Its narrow space boasts over 100 shops, primarily izakayas, but also Western restaurants, Chinese cuisine, and Osaka specialties like takoyaki and teppanyaki. It's said to be a favorite after-get off work hangout for local office workers. You'll notice that almost all the diners are locals, many of whom eat standing up.
Here, we had the "amazing" octopus balls, which were definitely not comparable to the shoddy octopus balls you find in some food courts back home.
The takoyaki at this restaurant costs 600 yuan without green onions and 700 yuan with green onions. At first, no one had high hopes for the one with green onions, but later they found that it tasted much better with green onions.
Donburi (丼) is romanized as "DON" in Japanese. It's actually an ancient Chinese character. When pronounced as [dǎn] in Chinese, it represents the muffled sound of throwing something into a well. It can also be pronounced [jǐng], meaning "well." After this character arrived in Japan, the Japanese were inspired to imagine the "well" part as a bowl or lunch box, and the dot as the dish on top, thus corresponding to the common dish of the time: donburi.
Yes, I recommend a rice bowl specialty store called "Laughing Egg" in Umeda Food Street. Hahaha, isn't this easier to understand?
Their eggs are high-quality eggs from Tamba, with yolks that don't fall apart. They're then seasoned with a special sauce, resulting in a bowl of authentic, sweet, and rich flavor. This is a typical Japanese restaurant, with small, row-style seating, where you can watch the chefs cook.
This is a typical Oyakodon, a bowl of rice and a serving of udon. The portion is quite large and I didn’t finish it. It really takes a child.
I've always longed for the conveyor belt sushi scenes in Japanese dramas. Since Japan is an island country, the seafood is relatively fresher, so I have a lot of fantasies about sashimi and sushi.
However, time was limited, so we did not have the opportunity to eat sushi in the scene we longed for. We could only order takeout sushi at a sushi restaurant in Umeda Food Street.
Plum wine paired with sushi has a unique flavor.
As a fan of fried food, I became a little discouraged after eating it a few times in Japanese restaurants in China. However, now that I am in Japan, I would feel a little regretful if I don’t try tempura.
I have to say that this unexpected visit to the store satisfied my beautiful imagination of tempura.
Although the quantity is small, the crispy taste is still unforgettable.
Of course, Osaka has more than just these delicacies, but for me who doesn’t like the taste of soy sauce, I still prefer to drink some drinks to enjoy the flavor.
The visa to Japan is a bit troublesome, the transportation in Japan is a bit complicated, and the etiquette in Japan is a bit cumbersome, but if you have the opportunity, I recommend you to come.
Although history cannot be forgotten, if we let down our guard against each other and get to know and understand this country, you will discover a different kind of beauty.
