DESTINATIONS OSAKA ASIA
second-favourite tipple (sake will always reign supreme).
13.00: It’s time for a visit to Dotonbori. Get there by taking the metro to Namba station. Speaking of which, Osaka’s metro network is wonderfully easy to navigate, with clear, colour- coded maps and ticket machines with English language options. The Dotonbori district has sprung up on the banks of Osaka’s canals, for which the city earned a nickname as the ‘Venice of the east’. You’ll find bars, restaurants and lots of shops, and the 100 yen stores (Japan’s equivalent of Poundland, albeit for a bargain 66p) are great for souvenirs. Don’t forget to check out a pachinko parlour. They’re a Japanese institution, filled with rows of colourful, bleeping, pinball-like machines. The aim is to win steel balls, which can be exchanged for prizes. For lunch, visit one of the area’s
ASK THE EXPERT
Matt Spiller, agent sales manager, InsideAsia Tours “Osaka is a great city – possibly one of Japan’s most underrated destinations. If its reputation for delicious culinary specialities, street food and Michelin- grade restaurants isn’t enough to take you there, Osaka has plenty more to offer. The neon buzz of Namba and the historic Shinsekai district, combined with J-pop culture, tradition, history and the friendly atmosphere, make it a great base for any Japan trip. The city is the perfect place to start or finish a trip to Japan, with nearby Kansai airport easily accessible.”
vending machine restaurants. Machines by the entrance display images of various dishes and drinks – simply find whichever dish tickles your tastebuds, press the corresponding button, enter your yen and give the ticket to the attendant, who will show you inside. Many restaurants have open kitchens, so if possible, opt for a ringside seat.
Pachinko parlours are a Japanese institution, filled with rows of colourful, bleeping, pinball-like machines
15.00: Take the metro to Nipponbashi, a colourful district known for its manga shops and electronics stores. Wander around Kuromon Ichiba Market, which dates back almost 200 years, to understand why Osaka is also known as Japan’s kitchen. You’ll see fresh, spiky sea urchins, every type of fruit and dozens of stalls selling fresh takoyaki (battered squid snacks). Nipponbashi is also home to several
toy shops, which are worth a visit for an insight into the Japanese obsession with manga, along with some fabulously weird and wonderful maid cafes, designed to cater to Japan’s army of Otaku (fans of anime and manga).
17.00: Swap manga for museums with a visit to the Museum of Oriental
09.00: Umeda Sky Building
Ceramics, in the central Nakanoshima district. This cube-shaped brick building is home to thousands of pieces of Korean and Japanese pottery, alongside more unusual items such as Chinese snuff bottles – all housed in shock-absorbing, earthquake-proof display cases. Afterwards, take a walk through
Nakanoshima-koen Park. It’s sandwiched between the Dojima-gawa and Tosabori-gawa rivers, and the cooling breeze can be a godsend when the humidity soars.
19.00: Head to Swissôtel Osaka’s Hana-Goyomi restaurant for some fine dining, Japanese-style. There’s a huge range of sakes, and the dinners are kaiseki-style, a term describing traditional Japanese meals featuring multiple courses. There’s a real focus on seasonal ingredients, and guests can sit at a sushi bar or tempura counter.
w DAY TWO 9.00: Time for a visit to Osaka castle. But don’t be fooled – although work on the first version started in 1583, the fortress was destroyed in 1615. Its replacement burned down 50 years later and in 1931, a concrete version was built. It’s surrounded by citadels,
15.00: Kuromon Ichiba Market
17.00: Nakanoshima-koen Park
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travelweekly.co.uk 15 February 2018
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