{"id":3299,"date":"2012-09-12T16:31:07","date_gmt":"2012-09-12T15:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insidejapanblog.com\/?p=3299"},"modified":"2020-01-29T15:56:02","modified_gmt":"2020-01-29T15:56:02","slug":"learning-to-love-osaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2012\/09\/12\/learning-to-love-osaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning to love Osaka"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F3299\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>Our Mark from the UK office spends quite a bit of his time tour leading in Japan too. He recently headed out to Japan to lead a couple of tours along with doing a bit of volunteering in Tohoku and partying at the huge traditional summer festivals in the region. Mark also went to Osaka. Mark was famed within IJT for not being an Osaka fan, but he had admitted himself that possibly hadn\u2019t given it much of a chance. Here\u2019s the story of how Mark got on with Osaka.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>I\u2019ll be honest, I have been guilty of overlooking Japan\u2019s third largest city for far too long. My previous experiences of visiting one of Japan\u2019s most loved cities resulted in trying to like a place I found to be an underwhelming concrete jungle. I concede that I was missing out all the time and I was being arrogant and stubborn. Whenever I received a new enquiry asking about Osaka I would hesitantly say it is a \u201cvibrant city\u201d with character and is \u201cdown and dirty\u201d\u2026\u00a0 Although I had visited about 5 times before, my first impressions were very wrong\u2026 here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n<p>Finally this summer I had the chance to really get beneath the surface and explore the city I had loved to hate. During leading Essential Honshu (another awesome IJT group tour) I made a concerted effort to \u201cdo Osaka\u201d as best as I could in 48 hours\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Here are my top tips for a short stay (in no particular order):<\/p>\n<p>1.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Dotonburi \u2013 the down and dirty drag. A great street vibe with flamboyant fashion, sprawling buildings of all shapes and sizes broken up by a network of canals, young businessmen being offered all sorts of escort services and some amazing street food. Here\u2019s where you really get a feel for the city. Must see at night.<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0\u00a0 <a title=\"HEP\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hepfive.jp\/about.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u00a0Hep5<\/a> \u2013 not a lethal strain of disease but a cool ferris wheel perched on top of a building. Random! Think more fairground than London Eye.<\/p>\n<p>3.\u00a0\u00a0 <a title=\"Okonomiyaki world\" href=\"http:\/\/okonomiyakiworld.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u00a0Okonomiyaki<\/a> (mixed up savoury pancake cooked on a hot plate in front of you). Almost as good as Hiroshima style but having lived in Yamaguchi for three years I prefer watching the layers build up! Plenty of choice in Dotonburi and a must try culinary experience.<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0\u00a0 <a title=\"takoyaki\" href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dHY3GBEEhWk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u00a0Tacoyaki Octobus balls<\/a> (stuffed doughy balls filled with small pieces of octopus and cooked on a hot plate topped with mayo, scattered with katsuobushi (moving fish flakes!) and herbs). Osaka wins hands down on taste when it comes to this unique Japanese favourite fast food. Available on every good street corner.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3308\" title=\"Osaka Castle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773.jpg?w=225\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4773-900x1200.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n5.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<a title=\"Osaka Castle\" href=\"http:\/\/www.osakacastle.net\/english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Osaka Castle<\/a>. I have seen a million castles in Japan (well not quite). Although it\u2019s another remake atop the original stone foundations (impressive in itself \u2013 just how did they get the stones there?) the castle houses an excellent and very informative walk through history. By the time you leave you will have given up on who was trying to fight who and for what! A great place to check out the lay of the city from the top.<\/p>\n<p>6.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<a title=\"Sky building\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kuchu-teien.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Building<\/a> \u2013 Fantastic views from the top of this looming masterpiece of modern architecture. A walk across the Skywalk (when it\u2019s not being hit by lightning as in my case) I\u2019m sure would be awesome too.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3306\" title=\"Osaka from Osaka castle\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4760-900x675.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n7.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<a title=\"USJ\" href=\"http:\/\/www.usj.co.jp\/e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USJ<\/a> (Universal Studios, Japan) OK, I also confess to being somewhat of a theme park luddite but USJ rocks and makes a welcome break from temples. You can\u2019t fail to enjoy the Spiderman ride. Kids will really appreciate a day off from a hectic schedule of sightseeing.<\/p>\n<p>8.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<a title=\"Osaka Aquarium\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kaiyukan.com\/language\/eng\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Osaka Aquarium<\/a> \u2013 who doesn\u2019t like watching one of the world\u2019s few whale sharks in captivity in a massive tank? The building itself is a another great example of modern Osakan architecture.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3303\" title=\"Osaka Whaleshark\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/img_4734-900x675.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n9.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Shopping \u2013 not high on the list of priorities for everyone when travelling around Japan, but Osaka has so much choice and a sprawling network of underground shopping malls perfect for getting lost in.<\/p>\n<p>10.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Love Hotels \u2013 just swipe your card and you\u2019re in. Swipe your card on the way out and you\u2019re a few thousand yen down and hopefully all the better for that moment of passion shared! Seedy \u2026 who me? Never tried it! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p>11.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<a title=\"Summersonic\" href=\"http:\/\/www.summersonic.com\/2012\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Summersonic Festival<\/a>\u2026 I wish my colleagues would stop rambling on about how great <a title=\"Fuji Rock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.smash-uk.com\/frf12\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fuji Rock<\/a> is! Summersonic is more your V-Festival than Glastonbury so more \u201cglamping\u201d than wallowing in mud but here you see some top acts and lots of Japanese bands for a reasonable price. DO not I repeat DO NOT turn up without a ticket!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/314_24224297915_9467_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3300\" title=\"Summersonic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/314_24224297915_9467_n.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/314_24224297915_9467_n.jpg 604w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/314_24224297915_9467_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/314_24224297915_9467_n-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nA few final thoughts\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Osaka is all about the atmosphere, the quirky people (what other country in the world is divided by people that queue on the right side of the elevator everywhere else and on the left in one city?). Osaka = people with attitude, people with a purpose, people who tell it like it is and people who are not afraid. Don\u2019t be intimidated \u2013 the friendly, laid back atmosphere is very welcoming and strangely appealing. Stand clear and let the Osakans get on with their business \u2013 after all they are also the fastest walkers in the world (apparently). Take the jabs and jibes from the obaasans (feisty older Osakan ladies) when queuing and forgive the small amount of litter (a welcome sight in Japan that prides itself on being uber clean), graffiti (who doesn\u2019t like a good <a title=\"Banksy\" href=\"http:\/\/www.banksy.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Banksy<\/a> or two) and lack of coherent <a title=\"Engrish\" href=\"http:\/\/www.engrish.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">English signing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You will enjoy if\u2026<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re fun loving, open minded. Don\u2019t go expecting more historic sights and temples\u2026 there aren\u2019t many of noteworthy importance since Osaka is a modern city largely rebuilt after the heavy bombing during WWII.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re a kid \u2013 it\u2019s one of Japan\u2019s most child friendly cities with so much to keep the kids entertained.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll hate it if\u2026<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re stubborn, pedantic and fussy like me!<\/p>\n<p>A cool way to arrive\u2026<br \/>\nIf you\u2019ve made it all the way down to Kyushu and want an interesting trip back to Osaka then take the overnight ferry from Kitakyushu. The tatami flooring is cheapest but unless you want to cuddle up to the random stranger next to you then don\u2019t go during busy holiday periods. Head up on deck when passing under the bridges that span across to Shikoku.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>I think that means Mark is converted. It is not always easy to tell, but I think that this is generally a positive piece from Mark. In my own opinion, Osaka is a great city for getting to grips with down-to-earth Japan. The city has a lot of surprises and I think that most people will be pleasantly surprised by the Kansai capital. I love <a title=\"Shisekai\" href=\"http:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/e\/e4012.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shinsekai <\/a>for example and I think different people will like different things about this place, but they will like it. Why not go and take a look.<\/p>\n<p>[slideshow size=&#8221;half-width&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! Our Mark from the UK office spends quite a bit of his time tour leading in Japan too. He recently headed out to Japan to lead a couple of tours along with doing a bit of volunteering in Tohoku and partying at the huge traditional summer festivals [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2365],"tags":[1508,1520,1678,1778,1793,1971,2242],"class_list":["post-3299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-festivals-events-in-japan","tag-festivals","tag-food","tag-japan","tag-kansai","tag-kinki","tag-osaka","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3299"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3299\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9497,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3299\/revisions\/9497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}