Previously referred to as the Japanese capital of retailers and an vital centre for commerce, Osaka has an extended historical past to look again on. In the course of the Edo Interval (1603–1868), town performed an vital function within the nation’s tradition and welfare.
With almost 2.7 million inhabitants, Osaka has grown to develop into Japan’s third-largest metropolis and a extremely in style journey vacation spot within the Kansai space. It’s really easy to fall for its quirky allure. However what’s Osaka well-known for?
It’s not the sights alone that make Osaka so compelling, however its distinct native meals tradition, festivities all year long and conventional performing arts that originated on this place a whole bunch of years in the past.
Beneath, we’ll share crucial issues Osaka is thought for.
What Is Osaka Recognized For?
Listed below are a number of the issues Osaka is known for:
1. Road Meals
If there’s one factor Osaka is thought for, it should be avenue meals. The truth is, Osakans take their meals tradition very critically. Dearly liked in all places throughout Japan and well-known past the nation’s borders, Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki are native dishes everybody ought to strive when visiting Osaka.
Takoyaki is Japan’s well-known octopus balls, and Osaka is the place they originated. What higher place might there probably be to eat this scrumptious avenue meals? The default kind is normally full of octopus, inexperienced onions, crimson pickled ginger and tenkasu, small items of deep-fried tempura dough. The dish is then topped with sauce, bonito flakes and inexperienced seaweed powder.
Regardless that sometimes referred to as avenue meals, you’ll be able to even make Takoyaki your self in some eating places throughout Osaka. Irrespective of if you happen to’re travelling with mates, household or alone, it’s an excellent enjoyable expertise. All it’s important to do is order the batter and a few additional substances like cheese, sausages, mochi – and octopus. After the waiter has introduced all of the gadgets to your desk, you can begin frying.
Equally in style is Okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savoury pancake. Okonomi (お好み) actually interprets to ”nonetheless you prefer it”. The batter is made with cabbage, crucial ingredient used on this dish.
Apart from that, you’ve full freedom of selection on the way you need to customise your Okonomiyaki. You possibly can add slices of meat, cheese, mochi, seafood or different substances from the menu, mainly no matter you want. High it with Okonomiyaki type sauce, mayonnaise, inexperienced seaweed powder and bonito flakes, and also you’ve received your self a tasty meal.
Negiyaki could be a relatively little-known subtype of Okonomiyaki, however it’s no much less scrumptious. When in Osaka, you’ll discover it served in lots of eating places. Inexperienced onions are the principle ingredient carrying the flavour. One other in style Osakan dish is Kushikatsu – deep-fried, skewered meat, seafood and greens.
There may be even a Japanese proverb saying that individuals from Kyoto spend an excessive amount of on garments, whereas folks from Osaka excessively spend on meals (京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ). In Kyoto, this tradition is called kidaore (”costume until you drop”) and as kuidaore (”eat until you drop”) in Osaka. No marvel, Osaka has the status of being the road meals hub of Japan.
2. Dotonbori
Dotonbori lies within the glowing coronary heart of Osaka, well-known for its neon lights, avenue meals and nightlife. Visiting it is without doubt one of the best things to do in Osaka at night. The historical past of this district dates again to the seventeenth century when a service provider referred to as Yasui Doton invested some huge cash in Dotonbori to make it a industrial space.
As one of the frequented and touristy districts in Osaka, it’s normally filled with folks no matter time. However the space involves life at night time when all of the billboard indicators alongside the canal are colourfully illuminated. Even if you happen to solely have one day in Osaka, visiting this space is a should!
3. Glico Man
When visiting Dotonbori, you could be questioning why so many individuals appear to take loads of footage posing on the Ebisu Bridge. Right here, you’ll discover one of the in style picture spots in Osaka.
The Glico Working Man Billboard was a easy commercial for Glico, an enormous meals and confectionery firm in Japan however grew right into a famous landmark over time.
4. Osaka Dialect
Similar to each different language, Japanese is available in a variety of dialects.
Osaka dialect (or Osaka-ben) is a regional selection that many Japanese are considerably aware of, because it often seems within the media. It’s usually recognized for sounding barely blunt or tough. However truly, this dialect is preferred by lots of people.
Some fundamental expressions in Osaka-ben embrace ookini (おおきに, ”thanks”), honma (ほんま, ”actually”) and akan (あかん, ”no good”). It may be labeled as a variation of Kansai-ben, the collective time period for dialects spoken in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, and Shiga Prefecture. Regardless of having some traits in widespread, they’re nonetheless totally different from each other.
Amongst Osakans, there are some widespread jokes associated to the native dialect. ”Chigau, chigau” (違う違う) in normal Japanese, actually interprets to ”no, it’s not (like that)” or ”it’s totally different”. Within the Osaka dialect, this turns into ”chau, chau” (ちゃうちゃう).
On the identical time, ”chau, chau” is pronounced precisely just like the canine breed Chow Chow (チャウチャウ). Mix the 2 and also you’ll get a tongue tornado that feels like this: ”Chau chau chaun chau” (チャウチャウちゃうんちゃう), which means ”It’s not a Chow Chow, is it?” in English.
5. Manzai
Manzai is a well-liked kind of Japanese-style stand-up comedy that has been linked to Osaka in recent times. The Osaka-style Manzai with dialogues fully delivered within the native dialect is at the moment probably the most influential in Japan.
Totally different from Rakugo, the place just one narrator is having a comedic monologue, Manzai options two performers interacting with one another and making the viewers giggle with their dialogues about on a regular basis life subjects and sharp puns.
Often, the duos are made up of two foremost characters with personalities opposed to one another – boke (”the humorous one”) and tsukkomi (”the rational one”).
6. Bunraku
Alongside Nō and Kabuki, Bunraku is without doubt one of the three classical performing arts of Japan. In 2008, all of them have been designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Bunraku is also known as conventional Japanese puppet theatre. Its origins will be traced again to Osaka in the course of the Edo Interval (1603–1868). Osaka is residence to the Nationwide Bunraku Theatre and one of many few locations in Japan the place you’ll be able to nonetheless expertise this fascinating performing artwork first-hand.
7. Osaka Citadel
Initially in-built 1586 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the course of the Azuchi Momoyama Interval (1568–1600), Osaka Citadel is undoubtedly one of the iconic landmarks in Kansai. Regardless that it has been destroyed and reconstructed a number of occasions all through historical past, it’s nonetheless a must-see when spending a while in Osaka.
Inside, yow will discover a museum recapping the lengthy historical past of the citadel and an observatory platform on the uppermost flooring. In spring, the encircling park is a hotspot for cherry blossom viewing.
8. Outgoing Folks
Whereas it’s troublesome to make generalisations about all the inhabitants of Osaka, its inhabitants are extensively recognized for his or her outgoing nature.
In Japan, it’s generally stated that Osakans are usually pleasant, humorous, and sometimes barely blunt people who find themselves total much less reserved than Tokyoites.
9. Escalators
One other peculiarity of Osaka is its escalator tradition. This may increasingly sound unusual at first, however it’s an etiquette that you ought to be conscious of when exploring town.
When you normally stroll on the left and stand on the fitting facet of the escalator in the remainder of Japan, you stroll on the fitting and stand on the left facet solely in Osaka.
Staying in Osaka for just a few days? Be sure to add a number of the best Osaka day trips to your itinerary – there’s a lot to see close by!
10. Cup Noodles Museum
In 1958, Momofuku Ando created the world’s first chicken-flavoured prompt noodles. It didn’t take lengthy earlier than it took the world by storm. The city of Ikeda in Osaka Prefecture is thought to be the birthplace of this invention.
Upon visiting the Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda, you can’t solely be taught extra in regards to the historical past of this well-known product and its inventor however even customise your individual cup noodles.
11. Osaka Loop Line
Exploring Osaka, it’s seemingly you’ll board the Osaka Loop Line in the end.
With 19 stops in whole, this helpful subway line connects main practice stations corresponding to Osaka, Tennōji and Kyōbashi Station and is important for getting across the metropolis.
12. Common Studios Japan (USJ)
For those who’re on the lookout for enjoyable methods to spend a day in Osaka, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with visiting Common Studios Japan (or USJ). It’s among the finest amusement parks in Japan, internet hosting an enormous number of curler coasters and different points of interest.
On prime of that, the Common Studios Japan additionally host particular occasions such because the annual Halloween Horror Nights. Plus, it’s the place to seek out the just lately opened Tremendous Nintendo World!
13. Tenjin Matsuri
The Tenjin Matsuri is without doubt one of the most important festivals in Japan and takes place each summer time over a span of 1 month. It culminates in a two-day lengthy foremost competition on July twenty fourth and twenty fifth.
The principle competition is split into the Yomiya, the occasion on the night time earlier than the grand finale, and the Honmiya, the final day of the celebrations centred round a festive procession. It contains dance and music in honour of the poet and scholar Sugawara no Michizane who’s revered as a deity in Tenmangu Shrine.
Over a million spectators comply with the occasions of the principle competition annually, making it one of many greatest in Japan. Ending with a fantastic firework show at night time, the Tenjin Matsuri combines lots of these experiences which might be so attribute of summer time in Japan. And it’s not the one occasion in the course of the sizzling season in Osaka…
14. Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Competition
Yearly in August, Osaka hosts the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Competition – one of many greatest firework shows in Kansai.
The annual occasion takes place alongside the banks of the Yodo River and attracts round 600.000 guests a 12 months. Following a distinct motto every time, the firework present is split into 5 sequences with matching background music.
Conclusion – What Is Osaka Well-known For?
Osaka isn’t solely recognized for its plentiful sights, however much more for its outgoing folks, native peculiarities and festivities, and flavourful avenue meals.
As a metropolis with a number of sides that take time to unravel, visiting solely as soon as won’t be sufficient to dive deep into Osaka’s distinctive tradition and expertise all it has to supply. However even when time is restricted, one factor is at all times for positive – you’ll be able to by no means go incorrect with a visit to Osaka (and Kansai).
