Osaka is famous for street food, lively izakayas and late-night drinking, but one of its most unusual dining experiences begins after the main meal has finished. Hidden on the third floor of a building in Kitashinchi, Ijou Maru is a small dessert bar where elaborate Japanese parfaits are served with the ceremony usually reserved for … Read more
A scallop lands in front of you on the end of a long wooden paddle. A few minutes earlier, it was sitting beside the grill. Now it’s bubbling with butter and sauce, still in its shell, and costs ¥385. That’s the part of Rikimaru Robatayaki Isaribi that photographs don’t explain particularly well. Yes, this is … Read more
Japan’s vending machines stop being surprising fairly quickly. After a few days in Osaka, buying water, coffee or an energy drink from a machine beside the road feels completely normal. Then you find one that gives you a cake. Not a packaged slice from a refrigerated shelf. At SpielKuchen in Osaka, you put ¥500 into … Read more
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