Osaka’s best drinking experiences often begin somewhere that barely looks like a bar. A narrow counter beside a railway station, a sake shop with a few people drinking at the back, or an izakaya where the evening menu is written on strips of paper above the kitchen. These are the places that make Osaka’s local … Read more
Finding a great bar in Osaka isn’t always as simple as following the brightest signs. Some of the city’s most interesting drinking spots are concealed in basement corridors, upstairs in ordinary commercial buildings or behind entrances that give little indication of what’s inside. One bar hides behind a red telephone booth. Another is marked by … Read more
Osaka is one of Japan’s most enjoyable cities after dark, but the best time to head out depends on what kind of evening you’re looking for. At 6 pm, the city’s izakayas are already welcoming customers for beer, grilled skewers and after-work drinks. By 8 pm, Dotonbori’s illuminated signs reflect across the canal, restaurants are … Read more
Tokyo and Osaka are Japan’s two biggest nightlife destinations, but a night out feels surprisingly different in each city. Tokyo gives you far more choice. One evening can mean tiny bars in Shinjuku, cocktails in Ginza, clubs in Shibuya or a late-night meal in a narrow yokocho. The trade-off is scale: nightlife is spread across … Read more
Osaka is a very good city for whisky. You can drink Japanese whisky at a specialist counter in Sennichimae, explore Suntory’s range near Osaka Station, or spend an evening around Shinsaibashi and Namba moving between small whisky bars. There’s another advantage: Yamazaki Distillery is just outside Osaka, in Shimamoto. If whisky is a major reason … Read more