From affordable yet delicious convenient store bites to the freshest omakase that money can buy, here’s some eat-spiration for your return to the Land of The Rising Sun this June!
I recently watched Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, and — while completely illustrated — the food looked so good I couldn’t help but allow my belly to growl with dreams of returning to Japan. Luckily for us, Japan is finally reopening its doors to travellers from Singapore, Australia, Thailand and the United States (in packaged tours, for now). So if onigiris and ishiyaki imos are on your mind, it’s time to make those dreams a reality! Here’s our guide to Osaka, the food capital of Japan, to help you figure out which delicacies and monuments should be on your watch list when you head over this year.
According to The Straits Times, Japan will be opening its borders to about 50 vaccinated tourists from all four countries this month. Those who wish to visit must be:
✅ fully vaccinated, with one booster shot
✅ purchase their own medical insurance
✅ be accompanied by a tour guide throughout
As of now, individual tourists will not be allowed in Japan but stay tuned for updates!
💜 Stay Up To Date:
#1: Singapore Vaccinated Travel Framework Updates: What You Need to Know
#2: Ultimate Guide to VTF Travel From Singapore
#3: Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Policies
YouTrip’s Guide To Osaka 2022: Best Eats
1. Okonomiyaki Chitose
Image credits: TripAdvisor
Where: 1-11-10 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka 557-0002
What: Okonomiyaki and takoyaki (vegetarian options available!)
Price: All items are priced under ￥1000 (~S$11.90)
2. Genrokuzushi Sennichimae
Image credits: Genroku Sangyo Co
Where: 2-11-4, Sennichimae, Chuo, Osaka
What: Good ol’ conveyor belt sushi
Price: Regular plates are ￥135 (~S$1.60) and premium plates are ￥216 (~S$2.60)
3. Ippudo Nanba
Image credits: Winter Jade
Where: 3-1-17 Nambanaka, Naniwa-Ku, Osaka 556-0011
What: The famed Oppudo ramen!
Price: From ￥780 (S$9.30)
Make your reservation here.
4. Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M, Hozenji Yokocho
Image credits: Klook
Where: 1-1-19, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076
What: Matsusaka beef, barbequed to perfection
Price: From ￥2980 for a set (~S$35.57)
Make your reservation here.
5. Gyukatsu Motomura Namba
Image credits: Trip Advisor
Where: 3-3-1 Sugata Bldg B1F, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076
What: Gyukatsu and katsu sandwiches
Price: From ￥1300 (~S$15.50)
Make your reservation here.
6. Honke Shibato
Image credits: TripAdvisor
Where: 2-5-2 Koraibashi, Chuo, Osaka
What: All things unagi
Price: From ￥3000 (~S$35.80)
Make your reservation here.
7. Miyazaki Beef Teppanyaki Steak Miyazaki-kan
Image credits: My Concierge Japan
Where: 2-1-32 Shinsaibashisuji 1F IS Bldg, Chuo, Osaka 542-0085
What: Teppanyaki and prime cuts of steak
Price: From ￥13,200 (~S$157.50)
Make your reservation here.
YouTrip’s Guide To Osaka 2022: Best Things To Do
1. Go On A Food Tour
Image credits: Trip Advisor
Dine like a local and discover the city through your taste buds on this tour. Walkthrough hidden arcades and plazas away from the usual tourist attractions — all whilst making new friends, and learning about local culture and traditions!
Price: From S$69.90
Book your activity here.
2. Go Off The Beaten Road
Image credits: Viator
Voted Best of the Best Travellers’ Choice on Tripadvisor in 2021, this tour will take you off the beaten road down the backstreets of Osaka and immerse you in an experience like no other. Learn about the history of the popular red-light district and find out more about the secrets of the triads — and get a taste of authentic local cuisine all in one tour!
Price: From S$79.40
Book your activity here.
3. Dress Up And GoKart
Image credits: Viator
Live out your wildest Mario Kart dreams with this go-kart tour around Osaka. Race down the streets of Dotonbori and Namba (safely, of course), in your costume of choice and get pictures for the ‘gram at attractions like the Tsutenkaku Tower and the Kitashinchi district.
To Note: A valid driving license (international license with Japanese translation) is required for this tour
Price: From S$91.60
Book your activity here.
4. Take A Trip To Nara
Just a 50-minute train ride away from Osaka is Nara Park — that spot you’ve seen multiple times on your Instagram feed. There are multiple stalls that sell treats for the deer as well as for humans like mochi or senbei (rice crackers) along the way as you explore the area.
Find out more here.
5. Spend The Weekend In Kyoto
Formerly the capital of Japan for over 1000 years, Kyoto is full of streets loaded with history and culture. Think temples shrouded in lush greenery like the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, as well as the cobblestone paths of Kyoto’s Geisha District, Gion, and Southern Higashiyama.
6. Osaka Castle & Park
Image credits: Japan-guide
Osaka Castle was once the home of the wife of Japanese ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was built in 1580. It is now a museum with fun interactive technology that will tell you more about the history of the castle and what life in Japan was like then. While Osaka Castle Park is open to visitors for free, entry to the main castle costs ￥600 (~S$7.10) for adults aged 16 and above — it is free of charge for children.
7. Universal Studios Osaka
Image credits: Inside Osaka
Voted Japan’s Best Theme Park, Universal Studios Osaka is a great place for the whole family. Start with some butter bear from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, before taking flight via the Flying Dinosaur in Jurassic Park before meeting your favourite characters for a must-have selfie.
Price: From￥8200 (~$S97.90) for adults, from ￥5400 (~S$64.40) for children
Book your tickets in advance here.
YouTrip’s Guide To Osaka 2022: Travel Sim Cards
| 30 Days Plan | |
| Tre SIM | ￥2647 for 2GB (~S$31.60) |
| Anyfone JP | ￥5610 for 3GB (~S$67.00) |
| Softbank | ￥1650 for 500MB (~S$19.70) |
| Sakura Mobile | ￥3278 for 4GB (~S$39.10) |
YouTrip’s Guide To Osaka 2022: How To Get Around
1. Subway
Image credits: Osaka Metro
One of the best ways to get around Osaka is to take the metro. With its extensive coverage, you can almost be certain that the attraction you are headed to would be relatively near a subway station. The subway fare depends on the distance travelled starting from ￥160 (~S$1.40). If you’re going to be using public transport as your main mode of transportation, consider getting the Icoca Card that covers the whole Kansai Region which includes places like Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and more.
Get your Icoca Card from Klook here.
2. Taxis & Rideshare Apps
There are multiple taxi companies in Osaka and it’s quite easy to hail a cab by the side of the road. For a normal-sized cab, the base fare is ￥660 (~S$7.80) for the first two kilometres, and then ￥80 (~S$1.00) every additional 296 meters.
Just in case there aren’t any taxis in sight, rideshare apps like Uber and JapanTaxi are around for your convenience — they are great for preventing bill shock. Plus, both rideshare apps are available in English for easy navigation.
Go Back To Japan With YouTrip
Now that travel is opening up worldwide, and you’ve got all the know-how with this guide to Osaka, you are ready for your return to Japan! Before you go, don’t forget to pack along your YouTrip card to enjoy Wholesale Exchange Rates with zero bank fees when booking your trip and travelling around.
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Stay safe, and happy travels.
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*All currency conversion rates are accurate to the nearest 10 cents on 18 May 2022 SGT 2.30 PM. Bank card prices are calculated based on 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee.
