Long thought of as Japan’s second city, Osaka has enjoyed both a rivalry with the capital and the admiration of the rest of the nation for its place in history, its excellent cuisine, and its vibrant nightlife. It’s no surprise, then, that it is also a major hub for LGBTQ+ tourists! Hot off of being the first Asian city to host the IGLTA Global Convention, let us take you through some of the best things to do in the Kansai capital!
Food Frenzy
Tokyo may have more Michelin stars than any other city, but there is a reason Osaka is called “the kitchen of Japan.” A historic port town, ingredients and spices flowed into Osaka from across the country and, indeed, around the world, leading to an incredible food culture springing up in the middle of Japan.
Dotonbori is the place to go in order to sample some of the delicacies of this gastronomic paradise, with many local vendors selling affordable and delicious street food. The restaurants in this area have truly gone to the next level in presentation, with moving crabs and octopuses on the storefronts.
Some choice suggestions to try include kushikatsu, deep-fried meat and vegetables on a stick – very much a “Japanese corn dog,” if you will. Okonomiyaki is another tasty treat, but the real Osaka speciality is Takoyaki. Pieces of octopus deep-fried in delicious batters and covered in a variety of sauces to suit your taste, this is popular all over Japan (and indeed, the world!) but there’s no place ti try it like right here in its home town.
Osaka Castle
This keep is one of Japan’s most famed and recognizable landmarks – and for good reason. Historically, it was a focal point of the unification of Japan, being the site of Yokugawa Ieyasu’s siege against Toyotomi Hideyori. This action, lasting less than a year, marked the end of the Toyotomi clan, and so ended all realistic opposition to the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, who went on to be Japan’s de facto rulers for centuries.
Today, it stands as a piece of living history, and as the architectural heart of the city. The main tower is accessible to the public, though the real highlight for visitors are the gardens that surround it. These gardens offer not only magnificent views of the castle, but are an oasis of greenery and slow pace, in contrast to the faster world of urban Osaka. The gardens are a terrific place to go for a jog, take in the flora, or even enjoy a picnic with friends.
Universal Studios Japan
If you prefer rollercoasters to rolling green lawns, then this is the place for you. Universal Studios Japan is the most visited theme park in Asia, and visitors can easily see why: there are ten different “lands,” each with their own unique attractions, restaurants, and bars to enjoy. The latest area to open, back in 2021, was Super Nintendo World, which includes Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, an augmented reality ride.
Some of the other popular lands include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which includes a recreation of Hogwart’s Castle and the Flight of the Hippogriff ride. For those who like your nostalgia a little more finely aged, there is Jurassic Park, whose titular Jurassic Park: The Ride is one of the few remaining that opened on the same day as the park, in 2001.
There are five hotels that surround the park, meaning that you will be easily able to find places to stay. This is, for many, the theme park to visit in Japan, so don’t miss your chance on your trip!
National Museum of Ethnology
Based in the small suburb of Suita, the National Museum of Ethnology, also known as Minpaku, this is a treasure trove for anyone looking to discover the history — and even pre-history — of Japan.
The museum has a wide range of artifacts to be seen, including pieces from the Jomon period, a time between 14,000 and 300 BCE when Japan was inhabited by the Jomon people, an early agricultural society that created a number of sculptures and other arts using primitive techniques.
From here, you can also explore the cultures — from the work, leisure, music, and languages — of peoples from all across the world. By going across the world in nine different sections before ending up “back” in Japan, visitors can get a better sense of how Japan developed, and how connected it is to the rest of the world. The cultural differences that are on display are elevated and celebrated by the museum, whose fundamental belief is that no culture is inferior or superior to any other.
LGBTQ+ Nightlife
When it comes to LGBTQ+ bars and izakaya, Osaka has one of the best hubs in the country in Doyamacho, the Kansai equivalent of Tokyo’s Nichome district.
One of the best places for newcomers and visitors to the city is Explosion. A mix bar that anyone can attend, it has regular shows on weekends and before holidays, and the interior literally shines, thanks to its disco ball and glowing dance stage.
For the ladies, we’d recommend Area 1. This is a women only-bar, and not only does it have affordable drinks and friendly staff, but you can also get free tarot readings! If you’re into the occult, then it would be a curse to miss this place.
And for anyone from Tokyo hoping to find a little bit of home, there’s EAGLE OSAKA, the Kansai-branch and sibling bar of its Tokyo big-brother. A Japanese-themed interior with art from Jiraiya, it has muscular gogoboys and is popular with locals and tourists.
You can find more information on Doyamacho here!
In Summary
As Chicago is to New York, as Manchester is to London, Osaka is not just one of the exclusive groups of Second Cities, but is also an incredible place to visit in its own right. With exciting attractions, delicious food, and a nightlife to die for, visitors will never be short of things to do, eat or drink in the Great Slope.
