Osaka Gourmet｜Delicious Omurice in the Ivy-Covered Historic Aoyama Building!! Polaris Restaurant

Food Guide

Continuing to explore the historic buildings near Nakanoshima in Osaka 🚶🏻‍♀️

Wandering from the riverside area of Nakanoshima into the inner streets, you can discover more historic buildings with different styles.

On one street, there is a building covered in ivy. If you happen to pass by, your eyes will definitely be drawn to the wall full of vines. (In spring and summer, it should be a lush expanse of green 🌿)

This building is called the Aoyama Building. It was originally the private residence of Genjiro Noda, a food importer. After returning from Europe, it was designed by Obayashi Corporation and built in 1921 during the Taisho era in a Spanish style.

When first built, the building had one basement level and three floors above ground. Later, two more floors were added, creating its current appearance.

Today, the Aoyama Building is a combination of shops and offices. On the first floor is a restaurant called Polaris (I actually found this place specifically to eat here), and the other floors house offices running various businesses.

🥣 In the afternoon, I pushed open the door and entered this building, first arriving at the cozy Polaris restaurant. This is a well-known chain famous for its omurice. I heard the main store in Shinsaibashi often has long lines, but the Aoyama Building location (Kitahama branch) is relatively less crowded, and I was seated smoothly.

The lighting inside is warm yellow, and the walls and furniture are in warm tones. There is a small row of coat hooks on the wall next to the sofa seats. I feel this place is like a friendly family restaurant where you can eat comfortably. The omurice here is the best I’ve had in Osaka! 😋

After finishing the meal, I walked along the corridor toward the staircase side. The marble tiles on the walls, European-style chandeliers, winding stairs, and beautiful stained glass are all original items preserved from the Taisho era.

Each floor has shared restrooms and kitchens. The doors of some offices are slightly open, and rather than offices, they feel more like family studies or workrooms, probably with less cold and oppressive atmosphere.

If you love omurice, don’t miss the Polaris restaurant here. After eating, don’t rush to leave; you can take a look around and stroll gently inside this historic heritage building.

📍 Address: 2-2-6 Fushimimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Aoyama Building

Travel Trip
Architecture Off-the-beaten-path travel
Food
Nakanoshima