Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide

Take a walk through Dotonbori street with its huge billboards, hundreds of restaurants and food stalls selling local foods including Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.

Shinsekai (新世界, lit. "New World") is a district in Osaka that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia-evoking symbol of Shinsekai. The area was developed into its current layout following the success of the 1903 National Industrial Exposition, which brought over five million people to the neighborhood within just five months. Shortly after the expo closed its doors, work began to improve and update Shinsekai.

Kuromon Market (黒門市場, Kuromon Ichiba) is a covered public market that stretches around 600 meters parallel to Sakaisujidori Street in the Minami area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce, with other shops also purveying traditional sweets and low priced clothes and homeware. The market dates back to the Edo Period, and today makes for an atmospheric place to stroll around, shop and eat a variety of different street foods.

Koreatown at Ikuno. This place sells many Korean food items ranging from 10 different kinds of fermented vegetables (kimchi, radish, cucumbers etc), Korean mochi (ddok, ddok cake, ddokboki), seaweed (gim), sushi roll (kimbab), pancakes, potato chips, red pepper paste, etc.

This narrow, stone-paved lane next to Dotombori Street feels like the Osaka of olden days―of hundreds of years ago. Cozy and quaint, lined on both sides with small food shops and cafes, it earned instant fame with Sakunosuke Oda's novel "Meoto Zenzai" (Sweet Bean Broth for Two). It is also famous for its moss-covered Fudo-myo statue, known as Mizukake Fudo. You will find a signboard with calligraphy written by the third Harudani Katsura on the east gate, and by Kambi Fujiyama on the west gate. The beautiful stone-paved pathways here, and the moss-covered Buddhist figure, represent the cultured aspects of Osaka.

A 150 meter long shopping street lined with specialty stores with every cooking utensil and kitchen item available. The Doguyasuji Festival on October 9 (Tool Day) is an event where various tools are on sale, and where the Garapon Lottery will also be held. In addition, you can take part in hands-on food sample making and glass-etching experiences, as well as an ever-increasing number of artisanal restaurants.

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street is a must-visit in Osaka. This giant shopping arcade of cosmetics stores, apparel shops, and restaurants extends 600 meters. Read this detailed guide to learn about this lively Osaka neighborhood and how to get to the area!