To spend 24 hours in Osaka is to plunge into a thunderous, glitz and gluttonous Japan. On the program: cultural and culinary discoveries, in a turbulent city, definitely apart from the land of the Rising Sun.

Known for not leaving anyone indifferent, Osaka, nicknamed “Tokyo’s rebellious little sister” will offer travelers a more unknown facet of the archipelago: less codified, more extravagant, only a few minutes by train from the imperial Kyoto.

8am – Taking the pulse of the city at the market

As you walk around the Kuromon Ichiba Market, Osaka’s covered market, you will soon understand why the city hasn’t stolen its nickname of “Japan’s pantry”. Between stalls covered with fresh fruit and vegetables and the cheerful shouts of fishmongers and butchers selling their freshly delivered goods, there is no shortage of delights for the eyes and taste buds.

The Kuromon Ichiba Market is the oldest in the city. With its 500 square meters and 170 stalls, it is the daily meeting place for the inhabitants of the district but also for the famous chefs of the capital of Kansai. To visit it in the early morning is the assurance to avoid the other travelers who often go there around lunchtime.

24 hours in Osaka, what to see, what to do?

If it is indeed a must in Osaka, it is the district of Dontombori, very close to the eponymous canal.

In the main artery of the city, the loudspeakers spit out J-pop at all hours of the day and night and the restaurant fronts compete ingeniously to attract passers-by with huge animated signs, each one more extravagant than the other. Don’t hesitate to let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere, after a few steps in the middle of the crowd, you feel like a fish in water.

12:30 pm – Devour the Osaka speciality: takoyaki.

It is impossible to visit Osaka without tasting one of the city’s specialties: takoyaki, these small balls of savoury dough filled with octopus, sprinkled with dried bonito and sauce. A treat served in portions of 6 or 8 that can be savoured on the go, after watching the fast and safe movements of the cooks who turn the balls of pasta in their moulds at lightning speed.

Purists will tell you to devour them as soon as they are served. For our part, we prefer to wait for them to cool down a bit, as the filling is often hot!

2pm – Discover the underground district of Osaka

Still under the radar, the Shinsekai district, “the new world”, is the epicenter of the city’s underground culture. Vintage shops, old cinemas, small timeless cafes where the inhabitants of the district meet, Shinsekai offers another facet of Osaka.

It is also the best place to admire the famous Tsûtenkaku tower, one of the architectural symbols of the city. It whispers that its creators were inspired by the Eiffel Tower when it was built in 1912.

16:30 – Cultural break at Osaka Castle

Change of scenery and head north of the city to visit Osaka Castle, one of the most famous in the country. Built in 1583, it was destroyed and rebuilt in 1620, before suffering several fires and then further destruction. An eventful life therefore, which subsided in the 20th century, when the castle was completely rebuilt. Composed of 8 floors, it is open to visitors who can discover a collection of weapons, armour and objects used over the centuries within it.

A small piece of advice: don’t hesitate to climb the last steps that lead you up to the eighth floor, you will then have a very beautiful view of the city as well as the moat and the park that surround the castle. If you pass through Osaka during the cherry blossom season, the castle park is one of the Japanese’ favorite spots to celebrate hanami, as it is home to more than 600 cherry trees!

6:00 pm – Getting higher to admire the sunset over the city

The best place to see the sunset and the city adorned with golden reflections? The Umeda Sky Building, which offers a 360° panorama of Osaka. With its two towers connected by a circular observation platform, it is recognizable at a glance among the more classic buildings of the Shin-Umeda district.

The first stop is the 39th floor, where you can observe the city behind the windows while having a small snack. Then, weather permitting, we head for the top floor, this time outside, which offers a breathtaking view of the city: we can see the castle, the nearby Yodo river, and the various districts of the city, with their heterogeneous architecture.

20h – Dinner in one of the many izakaya of Osaka

After a day of visiting, nothing better than a dinner in an izakaya, these small typical restaurants where Japanese people meet with colleagues, friends or family to have a drink and share a meal.

Special mention for the Kyobashi district, where these small gargotes, each one more delicious than the other, light up the dark night with their paper lantern hanging from their front. For fans of Netflix’s Chef’s Table series, it is in this neighborhood that we find Toyo’s, to whom an entire episode of the series is dedicated.

When to come to Osaka?

All year round! But if you have the opportunity to be in Japan during the cherry blossom season, Osaka Castle and its park are a must. In July, Osaka hosts one of the three biggest festivals in Japan: Tenjin matsuri.

Some 3,000 people tour the city dressed in period costumes before joining boats illuminated with lights that sail up the Dojima River. The festival is also punctuated by a gigantic fireworks display that crowns these two days of festivities, celebrated for more than 1000 years.