Mizu no miyako — the water city

Osaka, patiently mapped: rivers, kitchens and a thousand-year merchant streak.

Every guide here is walked before it is written, dated when it is checked, and rewritten when the city changes. No sponsored placements, no rankings we were paid for.

The twin towers of the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka seen from below
Plate 01

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The busy interior concourse of Osaka Station in the Umeda transit hub

Travel Tips

Osaka Travel Tips: Practical Advice for Every Traveller

Money, connectivity, transport, etiquette and the 2026 rule changes that catch visitors out — the practical reference for an Osaka trip, plus the mistakes we see most often.

16 min read · Verified 6 Sep 2026

Den Den Town Osaka: a neon-lit Japanese arcade packed with games

Anime & Pop Culture

Osaka Anime, Games and Pop Culture Guide

Den Den Town and Ota Road, the official character stores above Osaka Station, arcades, retro games, gachapon and maid cafes — what is worth the money and what is not.

16 min read · Verified 6 Sep 2026