10 Things to Do in Osaka
Few things are more pleasant than springtime in Japan. Get your fill of cherry blossoms, food and booze in picturesque Osaka. Kate Springer shortlists 10 awesome things to do in the region for an easy escape.
1) Visit Osaka Castle
Dating back to 1583, the Edo-era Osaka Castle (admission $39) is decked out with striking white walls crowned with graceful sloping tiled ceilings. The castle is actually more of a historical reconstruction of its former glory, as the castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times due to warfare and a ruinous lightning-sparked fire. Early April is the best time to visit, as the cherry blossoms scattered around the 2-square-kilometer castle grounds light up the views from every angle.
2) Devour takoyaki balls
Nicknamed the “Nation’s Kitchen,” Osaka has no shortage of delicious eats. The staple street snack is takoyaki: essentially fried dumplings with bits of octopus inside. It’s hard to miss the open-air stalls cooking up rows and rows of these savory treats, but the alfresco market around Doˉtonbori, which runs parallel to the Dotonbori Canal, is a great place to graze.
3) Sleep in a capsule hotel
Though I wouldn’t recommend committing a whole week to one of these cramped compartments, capsule hotels are a cheap and memorable way to spend a night. You can find authentic, retro-style capsule lodges available throughout the city, and walk-ins are welcome. Upon check-in, you’ll trade your shoes for a pair of keys to a storage compartment. Traditionally men and women are separated, each with their own public spa area. The spa is nothing fancy: just hot baths and basic massages. Are the capsules comfortable? Not especially. Don’t expect to be able to control your pod’s temperature or the volume of your neighbors’ conversations. But it makes for great dinner chat when you get back.
4) Drink chūhai
This is less of a uniquely Osaka recommendation and more of a nod to Japan’s general excellence. Get your hands on some chūhai, a simple yet endlessly refreshing mixed drink. There are dozens of derivatives, but a basic chuˉhai is made with shochū alcohol, soda water and a fruit flavoring of your choice. Find these bad boys on menus everywhere, or pick up a few cans at 7-Eleven.
5) Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market
