Job Discussion Forums

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

The wife and I are thinking about a taking a trip to Osaka in GW. No sightseeing, more of a shopping/eating/drinking/dirty weekend. So I was after some specific suggestions on the following:
1. shopping precincts for the younger/trendier crowd not big label stuff
2. eating districts esp. seafood and favoured sake houses
3. capsule/love hotels
4. favourite nightspots not gaijin orientated, more lounge atmosphere or interesting live venues
5. We plan on going in the middle of GW definitely not on Wed or Sun, now I'm willing to risk the possibility of a standing trip by getting a unreserved SKS ticket (it's only an hour) the wife insists that I'll even have trouble getting on the platform or that there won't be unreserved carriages and insists on getting reserved seating. Anyone familiar with the SKS in Osaka in GW (not Wed and Sun)
6. Any other not-to-miss Osaka experience

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Namba, Umeda and Shinsaibashi. Anything around these stations, all the on the Midosuji line will have everything you want. Since Kobe, Nara and Kyoto are very close too, you might want to spend some time in these places too.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

OK That's a start. Anything a bit more specific? Place names would be good.
Reminder this is not a tourist trip.

harlemknight · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 24

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

[quote="markle"]T1. shopping precincts for the younger/trendier crowd not big label stuff

Amerikamura. The shopping street between Namba and Shinsaibashi. Underground mall in Umeda is the biggest one in japan.

2. eating districts esp. seafood and favoured sake houses

Lots of sushi restaurants around. I think there are restaurants on the 51st floor of the World Trade Center if you are into night views. Maybe Ganko for sushi.

3. capsule/love hotels

Namba has a few love hotels in the back streets. Most capsules dont allow couples.

4. favourite nightspots not gaijin orientated, more lounge atmosphere or interesting live venues

Blue Note in Umeda for jazz.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

As it turned out we ended up going last weekend in the hope of avoiding the GW crowds and prices. The main drag was since we planned on staying at a love hotel we had to carry our bags with us, not much but after carrying it around all day..., we should have stuck them in a coin locker but we were worried that we'd have to come back across town to get them. My suggestions for anyone heading to Osaka for a bit of shopping etc.
Hep 5 area near Osaka station for shopping
Amerikamura for bar hopping
The narrow streets off and parallel Dotombori (sp?) are worth investigating for small eateries
On the whole love hotel thing, shop around don't be afraid to go in and check out a few different places, just be aware that once you get a room you don't get out again unless you pay and pay a pretty penny at that.