Osaka

Dreamy Osaka, the adorable city you can walk through 🍡🗾✨

If we talk about a warm, cute, and food-loving city in Japan (very much so!), it has to be Osaka. The big city second only to Tokyo, with its unique charm—from the distinctive Kansai accent, cheerful locals, plenty of attractions, cute cafes, to insanely delicious food… just thinking about it makes me want to pack my bags already 🎒💕

Osaka is a city full of stories wherever you walk. It’s not a city to rush through; it’s like a close friend inviting you for a stroll and always showing you something cute along the way 🐾

⸻

🍽 Starting with deliciousness: Kuromon Market

The first place to open your heart to is Kuromon Market. Simply put, it’s a “fresh market that’s super fresh!” because the seafood here is on a master level.

Passing the first shop, the aroma of grilled scallops with garlic butter hits your nose unexpectedly. Turning another corner, there are grilled fish, big crab legs being torched, and long lines of Japanese people buying takoyaki.

I stopped to enjoy some “hot takoyaki” packed with octopus, finishing off with freshly sliced melon—sweet, cool, and so refreshing 🥰

The atmosphere in the market is super friendly, like the Japanese version of “Eat up, don’t be shy,” and honestly, I wasn’t shy at all 🤣

⸻

🏯 Osaka Castle: Majestic yet secretly cute

Not far from there is Osaka Castle, standing tall in a green park. The white and gold castle looks like it stepped out of a period drama.

The surrounding garden is peaceful, with a gentle breeze, people walking dogs, cycling, and some spreading blankets for a picnic. I secretly rested under a cherry blossom tree (even though it wasn’t cherry blossom season, it still felt heartwarming!) 🍃

Climbing to the top of the castle offers a 360-degree city view, perfect for photos. Your camera will definitely love this view 📷

⸻

☕ Cute cafes in Amerikamura

If your heart craves something adorable and sweet, I recommend stopping by Amerikamura, or simply “Ame-mura,” Osaka’s youth fashion and art district 💿👟

Here, Korean-Japanese style cafes blend perfectly. One of my favorites is a cafe decorated with dolls, wooden swings, and small tables serving bear latte art + heart-shaped croissants. Taking photos here will melt your heart! 🐻💕

People in this area dress so stylishly that every photo looks like a street fashion magazine. I walked around smiling—it’s cute without even trying.

⸻

🐟 The giant aquarium at Kaiyukan

Another must-visit spot is the Kaiyukan Aquarium, where everyone says wow. It features a huge whale shark swimming around a giant tank.

Kids rush to the penguins, laughter echoing like a cartoon.

Walking further, you’ll see shimmering jellyfish, clownfish, tiny clownfish, and even deep-sea creatures that look like they came from a fantasy world 🧜♀️

The highlight is the museum’s path designed to spiral down slowly, like diving into the deep sea. It’s a soft, lovely experience that’s hard to describe—you have to go to understand 🌊

⸻

🌉 Colorful nights at Dotonbori

When the sun sets, it’s time to eat again at Dotonbori! This area is the quintessential image of Osaka.

There’s the big Glico sign, neon lights reflecting on the canal, laughter, and lively calls from shops.

I pinned down a 24-hour ramen shop first—rich broth, chewy noodles—then another round of takoyaki (I’ve lost count by now 🤣)

Along the canal, there are game arcades, claw machines, vending machines, snacks, toys, and even cool Japanese-style fortune machines.

It feels like walking in a city that “never grows up” because everything is fun and vibrant 💡✨

⸻

🛍 Shopper’s happiness: Shinsaibashi

Next to Dotonbori is Shinsaibashi, a long shopping street where you always end up with something in your hands.

Japanese cosmetics, food, cute items, authentic Japanese brand clothes, knick-knacks, and even officially licensed cartoon merchandise (expensive in Thailand but very affordable here!)

You pick up things as you walk, and before you know it, you’ve “bought five times more than you planned.”

But your heart says, these are souvenirs from Osaka worth bringing home 💼

⸻

☁️ The last day you really don’t want to say goodbye

On the last day, I didn’t plan to go far. Just woke up late, strolled near the accommodation, ate convenience store rice balls, and watched the river.

This kind of atmosphere is Osaka’s greatest skill… simple yet heartwarming.

When I pulled my suitcase out of the hotel, the Japanese staff bowed and said “Okinari domo” in a gentle tone.

I smiled back, even though I wanted to say, “I don’t want to leave yet!” 😢

⸻

🎀 A heartfelt closing note

Osaka isn’t a luxurious city, but it’s cute in its own “being yourself” way.

It’s a city full of life, vibrancy, warmth, and ultimate deliciousness!

Every journey in this city is a story, and every meal is a small happiness that accumulates into big memories.

For anyone hesitating whether to come to Osaka…

Let this review be a little cheer from me saying,

“Come on, you’ll fall in love with this city just like I did” 💖

⸻