Osaka doesn’t stop eating when dinner service ends. Around Namba and Dotonbori, it’s surprisingly easy to find ramen, gyudon and other filling meals after midnight. Some restaurants continue into the early morning, while a smaller number operate 24 hours. That distinction matters. Plenty of famous Osaka food shops are excellent at 8pm but useless at … Read more
Osaka might be famous for neon-lit streets, lively izakayas and a food culture that encourages visitors to eat their way through the city, but it also has a more intimate side. Away from the crowds around Dotonbori, couples can discover beautifully designed cocktail bars, quiet whisky counters, sophisticated hotel lounges and rooftop terraces overlooking the … Read more
Finding somewhere to drink in Osaka is easy. Finding a bar that can comfortably accommodate eight friends, keep everyone entertained and avoid an unexpectedly expensive bill requires a little more planning. Much of Osaka’s drinking culture revolves around small izakayas, intimate cocktail counters and neighbourhood bars. These can be wonderful places for couples or solo … Read more
Osaka looks completely different from above. At street level, the city is a maze of shopping arcades, busy railway stations, glowing signs and restaurants packed into narrow buildings. From a high-floor bar, the same streets become ribbons of light, surrounded by office towers, rivers and neighbourhoods stretching towards the horizon. Finding the best bars with … Read more
You don’t need a big nightlife budget to have a good night in Osaka. Around Namba, Tenma and Shinsekai, there are still plenty of places where ¥3,000 can cover a couple of drinks and something to eat—particularly if you’re happy with standing bars, casual izakaya and neighbourhood drinking spots rather than cocktail lounges. The difficult … Read more
Drinking in Osaka doesn’t have to mean ¥1,500 cocktails or an expensive night around Dotonbori. Some of the city’s most enjoyable places to drink are tiny tachinomi standing bars, neighbourhood izakaya and casual counters where you can order a beer or highball, add a couple of small dishes and move on when you’re ready. The … Read more
Osaka has a reputation for being one of Japan’s best cities for a night out, and it is not difficult to understand why. Around Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Namba, the streets remain lively long after dinner, with everything from intimate cocktail bars to relaxed drinking spots that welcome customers until the early morning. The challenge is … Read more
Osaka is a city that rewards looking up. At street level, the neon signs of Dotonbori, crowded restaurants of Namba and towering office buildings of Umeda compete for your attention. But head above the streets, and the city reveals a completely different personality. From the right bar, you can watch Osaka Castle rise above its … Read more
Osaka may be famous for street food, bustling izakayas and lively nights around Dotonbori, but its luxury cocktail scene deserves just as much attention. Hidden beneath the busy streets of Umeda, you’ll find a tiny cocktail bar with only six counter seats and an international reputation. A short distance away, the city’s newest luxury hotels … Read more
Osaka is one of Japan’s easiest cities for a casual night of drinking. You don’t need reservations, a dress code or a carefully planned list of cocktail bars. Around Namba, Tenma, Shinsekai and parts of Umeda, some of the most enjoyable nights happen standing at a counter with a beer or highball and a couple … Read more