第三章 · STOP 03 · 大阪
Osaka · Kansai base
4 nights
4 nights
Four nights of takoyaki steam, river reflections in Dōtonbori, and sunset views from the city's sky-high observatories.
Osaka is the eating city — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, kitsune udon — and it leans into it. From our base in Shinsaibashi we're within walking distance of the Dōtonbori canal and Osaka Castle, and a short Shinkansen ride from Kobe for the beef and the Nunobiki ropeway. Kansai in December means winter illuminations and a whole lot of warm bowls.
An apartment-style stay in Shinsaibashi — walking distance to Dōtonbori and Namba, with quick access to every Kansai line.
Takoyaki from a street window, okonomiyaki cooked on the table, kushikatsu in a standing bar, and matcha soft-serve somewhere in between.
Glittering signs, the giant running Glico man, narrow streets of lantern-lit izakaya — Osaka at its most cinematic.
Kobe beef for lunch — teppanyaki at the counter — then the Nunobiki Herb Garden ropeway up the hillside for city-meets-harbor views.
The city's most iconic landmark — a stroll through the moat-ringed park, then up to the top floor for a panorama across the whole of Osaka.
The glass escalator ride up through open air between the twin towers, and the rooftop Floating Garden Observatory — one of Osaka's great sunset spots.
Osaka has a wonderful third-wave coffee scene and quiet old kissaten with pudding and thick toast — perfect cold-weather stops.
Shinkansen in, drop bags, straight out for takoyaki and river lights.
Teppanyaki Kobe beef for lunch, then the Nunobiki Herb Garden ropeway and a slow walk down. Home for a casual dinner in Shinsaibashi.
Morning at the castle and its moat-ringed park, a kissaten lunch, afternoon wandering Shinsekai, kushikatsu for dinner.
Slow morning coffee, Umeda Sky Building at sunset from the Floating Garden, okonomiyaki for a last izakaya night.
