Nous nous promènerons dans la rue Dotonbori avec ses immenses panneaux d'affichage, ses centaines de restaurants et ses stands de nourriture vendant des produits locaux, notamment les célèbres Takoyaki et Okonomiyaki.

La rue commerçante Shinsaibashi-suji est un incontournable d'Osaka. Cette immense galerie marchande de 600 mètres, regroupant boutiques de cosmétiques, de vêtements et restaurants, est idéale pour découvrir ce quartier animé d'Osaka et découvrir comment s'y rendre !

Les poissons les plus célèbres du marché de Kuromon sont le congre en été et le fugu en hiver. Au moins 10 % des magasins de fruits de mer de Kuromon sont spécialisés dans le fugu et le hamo. Ce marché animé et couvert s'étend sur environ 580 m et compte environ 150 boutiques, toujours très fréquentées. Ce marché a tout pour plaire : des fruits de mer frais, des poissons-globes et des tortues à carapace molle, aux restaurants, aux primeurs, aux boucheries, aux produits marinés, aux produits séchés, aux confiseries japonaises et aux gâteaux occidentaux.

Koreatown at Ikuno. I knew about this place from watching a Korean Variety Show (Superman Returns). This place sells many Korean food items ranging from (at least) 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.

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.

Osaka has been the capital for bunraku, traditional Japanese puppet theater, for many centuries. The popularity of the theater form had grown in the city during the Edo Period when bunraku (like kabuki) was a rare kind of art entertainment for the common public rather than the nobility. The National Bunraku Theater (国立文楽劇場, Kokuritsu Bunraku Gekijō) in Osaka is one of the few places to view the fascinating art form today. English programs and earphones are available. Performances are usually held in three week runs in January, April, June, July/August and November.

Une rue commerçante de 150 mètres de long bordée de boutiques spécialisées proposant tous les ustensiles et articles de cuisine. Le festival Doguyasuji, le 9 octobre (Journée des outils), propose une vente d'outils variés et accueille également la loterie Garapon. Vous pourrez également participer à des ateliers de fabrication d'échantillons culinaires et de gravure sur verre, ainsi qu'à un nombre croissant de restaurants artisanaux.

Behind Hozenji Temple is a group of small, traditional alleyways that has been popular with locals since the 17th century. Despite being just a few minutes’ walk from Dotonbori and Namba, it is often overlooked by tourists. Hozenji Yokocho is ideal to visit in the evening, not long before it gets dark. You can start with a quick visit to Hozenji Temple before finding a local izakaya (traditional pub) to enjoy a drink. If you have time, be sure to check out the statue of Fudō Myō-ō, the god of fury. Locals pour water over the statue, symbolic of purification, and say a prayer. There is a lot to do in this labyrinth of alleyways, so if you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to give this lesser-known area a try.

If you are looking for a quiet, less crowded place to go to or to date, I think this is the place to go to. It was almost deserted around 6pm when I went on a weekday. Tenjimbashi-suji seems to be a relic of an old shopping area that may not be as popular as before, or maybe it was due to the evening hour. I went alone and I felt nice and unrushed, but also unsafe. It may also be possible that one end of this extremely long suji closes earlier than the other end, and I just happened onto the end that became deserted early.

I’m not sure how to translate this name, it literally means ‘America Village (mura)’, but if you apply Japanese grammar, it might be ‘Village America’ instead. Now I’m confused. Anyway, if you are looking for high-end shopping, it’s all here: Prada, Louis Vuitton, you name it. With endless fashionable shops lining the streets, you’d definitely be spoilt for choice. There is even a Big Bang (Korean boyband) Café. Beware though, people tend to dress-up in this area.

Le Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社, « Grand Sanctuaire Sumiyoshi ») d'Osaka est l'un des plus anciens sanctuaires du Japon. Fondé au IIIe siècle avant l'introduction du bouddhisme, il présente un style architectural unique, appelé Sumiyoshi-zukuri, exempt d'influences asiatiques. Seuls deux autres styles architecturaux sont également considérés comme purement japonais : le Shinmei-zukuri, tel qu'il est observé aux sanctuaires d'Ise, et le Taisha-zukuri, tel qu'il est observé à Izumo Taisha.