The symbol of the city that gave birth to okonomiyaki and takoyaki, Osaka Castle stands tall as one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Japan. Eight stories on the outside and five on the inside, the revitalized Osaka Castle is protected by strong stone foundations and an enormous moat, with its signature green roof tiles twinkling with grand hints of gold. The castle’s Nishinomaru Garden features over 600 cherry blossom trees, its lawns a scenic spot for hanami viewing parties come springtime. Neighbored by Hokoku Jinja Shrine Hall and Osaka-jo Hall around the grounds, the Osaka Museum of History seconds the historical samurai museum within the castle itself. 

Lively come festival season, yatai street food stalls sell ice creams and octopus balls, tempting visitors with the idea of a picnic beside the castle’s magnificence with bento boxed snacks. With 360 degrees views from the Osaka Castle observation deck, somewhere off in the distance one of Asia’s largest Ferris wheels spins at Tempozan Habor Village, families design their own ramen at the Cup Noodle Museum, and the futuristic Sky Building arches high in Umeda. Symbolic and magnificent, Osaka Castle is Osaka’s beacon of history, unification, and Kansai cuisine.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Prefecture proudly stretches itself across the Kansai region, a modern metropolitan area with some of the best food in Japan. In the wake of Japan opening up to foreign trade, Osaka Prefecture operated as an essential trading hub, where the boisterous capital city of Osaka still overlooks the industrial Osaka Bay to the west. Once a port town but now the third largest city in Japan, the glittering city of Osaka is like Tokyo’s rowdy younger sibling, famous for its laidback nature and slower pace of life. Far less serious than their Tokyoite counterparts, the people of Osaka harbor a widespread love for comedy shows performed in the Kansai dialect, matched with a wild party culture that seems to never sleep. Osaka Prefecture is also the center of the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe regional trifecta, collectively known as the Keihanshin metropolis area. 

As the capital of Kansai, Osaka is proudly attributed with the creation of two classic Japanese food favorites: okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake, “grilled as you like it”) and takoyaki ( molten balls of batter filled with octopus pieces and topped with savory-sweet sauce). Lovingly nicknamed the “Nation’s Kitchen,” Osaka has a loud reputation for high-quality food and so much of it. The region’s obsession with food fuels the local motto, kuidaore, meaning (and encouraging) “to eat yourself into ruin.” You’re spoilt for choice with street food on every corner (kushikatsu deep-fried skewers is a must-try) and izakayas offering all-you-can-eat dining; let alone the number of high-class restaurants serving fresh fugu (pufferfish) and premium wagyu beef. Osaka Castle lies in the heart of the city, while the colorful characters of Universal Studios live on the city’s outskirts, plus all kinds of business, shopping, and nightlife from Namba to Shinsekai, with pockets in-between and beyond.

Osaka

Osaka Prefecture is the birthplace of Kansai-style okonomiyaki and many classic Japanese street foods. Centered around Osaka (the prefectural capital), the clash of trade, traditions, and modern technologies contributes to the dynamic energy of this prefecture overlooking Osaka Bay.

The beacon of Osaka City, Osaka Castle symbolizes unification with its historical architecture, traditional culture, and festivals celebrated with food stalls and hanami parties.

Gluten-free

Halal

Kosher

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Family-friendly

With 1 drink

The fleeting nature of the beautiful Osaka cherry blossoms makes the sakura season each year even more special. Every spring, gorgeous pink and white flowers flood the country, working its way up along Japan, moving with the warmer weather. It’s a beautiful cause for a seasonal celebration, so embrace the Hanami flower viewing spirit like a local and join a wonderful Osaka Cherry Blossom Food Tour. Eat and drink seasonal foods as you admire the beautiful blossoms throughout the grounds of Osaka Castle, one of the city’s top tourist destinations you simply can’t miss!

Alive with street food stores, Osaka Castle is one of the best areas to see Osaka cherry blossoms. During this Osaka Cherry Blossom Food Tour, you’ll spend the morning exploring the castle grounds and its surrounding neighborhood, experiencing Hanami and the wonderful seasonal food that comes with the festivities. During this limited edition tour, you’ll learn about the history of Osaka and local specialties as you taste seasonal snacks, making stops at street food festival stalls along the way. After a healthy dose of Hanami magic, you’ll enjoy a local Japanese-style lunch featuring delicious handmade soba noodles, fresh and festive on a beautiful day, experiencing Osaka cherry blossoms during this exciting seasonal festival.

A tour only offered seasonally, like a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) tour.

Seasonal Tours

Osaka Cherry Blossom Food Tour 2020

Regional food

Shopping time

In the city of kuidaore, meaning “to ruin oneself by food,” you know the Osakans mean business when it comes to serving up delicious meals. So when we say Kuromon Ichiba Market is known as “Osaka’s Kitchen,” the name comes with a certain gravitas. And it’s a reputation the market lives up to, with 39 fishmongers, 10 grocery shops, 12 butchers, 7 candy shops, and 24 restaurants. Boasting all types of wild seafood, a rainbow of pickle varieties, and scrumptious street food offerings, Kuromon Market is the go-to place for foodies, chefs, and restaurateurs alike! On this Osaka Kuromon Market Tour, you’ll find yourself immersed in the smells, sights, and flavors of Osaka. 

After your cravings for takoyaki and Osaka street food is satiated at the Kuromon Market, kickstart your digestion by taking a little walk over to Osaka’s “Kitchen Town,” Sennichimae Doguyasuji, where you can admire the local craftsmanship of razor-sharp cooking knives, gorgeous Japanese ceramics and lacquerware, and even the lifelike Japanese shokuhin sanpuru, or “food samples.” You might have seen these intricate plastic Japanese food samples in restaurant display cases and in department stores, but you probably didn’t know that you can buy them for yourself! Take home a foodie souvenir to remember your Osaka food tour by, or pick up something at the Kuromon Market to give to friends or family back home! 

Food tour at a market (such as a fish market).

Market Tours

Osaka Kuromon Market and Kitchen Town Tour

With dessert

Minami Osaka (South Osaka) is a hub of restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife. Like in Tokyo’s Shibuya, surrounded by shining neon lights and towering billboards it can be easy to be dazzled (or overwhelmed) by the city’s fun-loving, boisterous character. That’s where this Osaka Food Tour at Night comes in. Going on an Osaka food tour is the perfect way to explore the off-the-beaten-path areas, to see those truly local Osaka spots that are still unknown among foreign tourist circles, and dip a toe into Osaka’s rowdy nightlife. 

The tour will begin in the Dotonbori area, iconic for its massive billboard of the Glico Running Man, advertising the Japanese food company best known for Pocky. It can be easy to get trapped in this commercial area, just going to the same old establishments, but this tour will take you on a winding journey through little alleyways, to see another side of Osaka. Sample local dishes, like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), and of course the famous takoyaki (molten-hot grilled balls of batter with a piece of chewy octopus in the center). You’ll also get to visit a local izakaya (Japanese gastropub) and have a drink alongside yummy seasonal dishes like yakitori (meat skewers), tempura, and sukiyaki (beef hot pot). 

You’ll also be shown around Osaka’s retro drinking alleys, with tons of tiny izakaya bars crammed together, each bar with its own unique point. These artsy, hole-in-the-wall izakayas are worlds in and of themselves, with different themes or twists on the classic Japanese bar. Lastly, finish up with a dessert, and then feel free to explore the area on your own, checking out some of the local guide’s recommended spots. You’ll likely want to stay out all night!

Food tour of a particular area or neighborhood.

Neighborhood/Area Tours

Osaka Food Tour at Night: Backstreets, Bars, and Bites!

With dinner

Osaka is the vibrant food capital of Japan that’s also famous for it’s wild nightlife. With hundreds of bars, restaurants, izakayas, and clubs in the central area of Osaka alone, there’s so much choice when it comes to party time! Endless adventures are just waiting to happen, but some of the best hidden places can be hard to find. With the help of a local guide during The Ultimate Osaka Night Tour, you’ll surely have an action-packed night out in the youthful and delicious party city of Osaka! 

The first stop on The Ultimate Osaka Night Tour is an izakaya where you’ll have an authentic Japanese pub dinner, enjoying some of the best food in Osaka with your first drink. Next, you’ll explore some of the cool backstreets of Namba in a walking tour of its alleyways, getting a feel for the more hidden parts of the city. Away from the crowded tourist lights, you’ll experience a different side of Osaka nightlife during this awesome night out on the town. Your friendly local guide will introduce you to some unique hidden bars, each with their own character that comes to life once the sun goes down. This is the chance to learn more about different Japanese beverages and drinking culture in the vibrant city, with great tips on how to have a night out like a local. 

Next up, you’ll head off to see the glittering neon lights of Dotombori before heading the massive party centers of Shinsaibashi and Amemura. On Friday nights and Saturday night’s you’ll be able to experience a quintessential piece of Osaka culture, a live comedy show featuring English-language stand-up comedians (entry is an additional 1000 yen). After the show, you’ll receive a “Pub Passport” that gets you discounts to some of the city’s best venues, including free shots and cheap drinks as well as discounted nightclub entry when you buy your first drink in each place. All you have to do is buy your first drink at each club to get over 3000 yen worth of gifts to keep the night going!

A tour of several drinking establishments.

Bar Hopping

The Ultimate Osaka Night Tour

Free drinks

A fun, hands-on cooking experience for home cooks, people with basic cooking skills, or kids.

Casual Cooking Classes

Takoyaki Experience

With recipe

With lunch

It’s colorful, it’s healthy, and it’s delicious! Learn to make a traditional Japanese lunch box during this Osaka Bento Making Class. Along the way, you’ll learn the techniques of Japanese home cooking, following traditional Japanese recipes for classic home-cooked dishes. The techniques you’ll learn include marinating, frying, grilling, and simmering. You’ll make simmered squash, a savory-sweet ginger beef, addictingly nutty veggies with sesame dressing, the classic Japanese grilled fish, an iconic Japanese rolled omelet, deep-fried shrimp, and two types of onigiri rice balls. This Traditional Osaka Bento Making Class uses seasonal ingredients, and as such, the menu might be tweaked a little to accommodate for the best ingredients and flavor.

With the help of a cooking instructor and step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to create these flavorful Japanese dishes in a relaxed environment. Then, you can take home the recipes and make it again at home for your loved ones! They’ll definitely be impressed by the colors, flavors, and textures of this artistically arranged Japanese bento box.

Menu:
-Simmered squash
-Ginger beef in sweetened soy sauce
-Green vegetables with sesame dressing
-Grilled fish
-Dashi-maki (dashi omelet)
-Deep-fried shrimp
-Two types of onigiri rice balls
-Miso soup
-Fruit

Traditional Osaka Bento Making Class

Every region of Japan seems to have its own special twist on ramen, from Hakata ramen in Fukuoka to Hokkaido miso ramen. But you ramen fiends out there might not want to stop at just one bowl of ramen. Why not join the Osaka Ramen Cooking Class and make three varieties of ramen, with noodles made totally from scratch!

The shio ramen (salt ramen) you’ll be making is topped with sweet, succulent pork, bean sprouts, and seaweed; the shoyu ramen (soy sauce ramen) has steamed cabbage, green veggies, and sweet corn; and the miso ramen is topped with spicy chicken, boiled egg, and green onion. Note that the ingredients may change depending on seasonality, but that just means you’ll be getting the freshest produce!

If you’re worried about the sheer amount of noodles, don’t be! The bowls of ramen are smaller than average, and the total amount of noodles is about 100 grams. But make sure you save some room, because after you’ve made and indulged in these three types of ramen, you’ll get to have dessert!

Menu:
-Shio ramen
-Shoyu ramen
-Miso ramen
-Dessert!

Osaka Ramen Class (Noodles from Scratch & 3 Types of Ramen!)

In this immersive, hands-on Osaka Sushi Cooking Class, you’ll learn how to make several types of sushi, like nigiri sushi, gunkan maki, and maki sushi, alongside other classic Japanese dishes like yakitori and miso soup. With a professional to show you the ropes, you’ll learn how to use Japanese ingredients, make perfectly seasoned sushi rice, and slice and roll your sushi like a pro. You’ll make juicy, sizzling yakitori chicken to go along with your fresh sushi, as well as the classic Japanese miso soup. At the end of the Osaka Sushi Cooking Class, you’ll be rewarded by some sweets, and be able to take home recipes so you can impress your family and friends at home. This is the perfect class if you want to learn the history of Japanese cuisine with the guidance of an expert, as well as a variety of sushi-making techniques.

Menu:
-Nigiri Sushi(9)
-Gunkan Maki(2)
-Maki Sushi(1)
-Yakitori(2)
-Miso soup with Tofu
-Pickles
-Sweets

Osaka Sushi Cooking Class

osaka

Food

Drinks

Tableware

Traditional Japanese / Kaiseki / Kappo

There’s plenty to love about Taian, a traditional kaiseki restaurant in Osaka: fantastic chargrilled dishes, innovative wine pairings, and a modern-classic interior design which sets the tone for the meal to come. The main secret to this restaurant’s success, however, is the forward-thinking mentality of the chef. 

His use of ingredients from all over the world in his modern interpretations of kaiseki classics has won Taian the coveted three star status in the Michelin Guide. A meal here includes a course of amuse bouche bites, moving through a range of seasonal and signature offerings such as black wagyu spare ribs in honey and red wine, and ending with desserts infused with a French touch.

While you watch the chef prepare all of this behind the counter, the manager (the other half of this culinary power couple) will make sure you’re totally comfortable, topping up your glass with your choice of sake or wine. 

The three Michelin star rating has brought a wave of fresh interest in Taian, so make sure to reserve early to secure your spot at one of the most consistent and inventive kaiseki restaurants in Hiroshima.

A traditional restaurant in Osaka with an international outlook and three Michelin stars. Place your reservation now on byFood. dweded 

Food Experiences

Restaurant Reservation

Gourmet Product

Osaka Castle

Taian