8 Essential Travel Tips For Visitors To Osaka

Research Tickets and Passes

Getting hold of passes can save a lot of money and stress. As well as the widely known Japan Rail Pass used for unlimited travel on JR lines and most bullet trains (recommended for those travelling around the country within a week or so), Osaka also has its own city passes that are great if you plan to go around the city to different places. You can find out all about each individual pass on the Osaka Info website. 

Getting Around

Getting around Osaka is cheapest and easiest by metro. Buses are also convenient but are slightly more difficult to navigate. Taxis are the most convenient, and in Japan completely reliable, but are also much more expensive and it can be difficult to communicate with the driver if you don’t have the Japanese address of where you’re going. Consider your options and choose according to your Japanese language ability and budget.

Follow Local Rules

Adhering to local habits is a fine way to be a good visitor and to not annoy the locals. For example, when you are standing on an escalator, be sure to stand on the right-hand side, leaving space on the left for people in a hurry to pass. Keep in mind that the rest of Japan usually lines up on the left. Other local customs that also apply to the rest of the country include not blowing your nose in public (wiping a runny nose is perfectly OK but avoid the noisy clearing of sinuses when you’re around other people), don’t try to tip, keep quiet and avoid phone calls on the train, and always follow the queuing system.

When Chatting to Local People

You might find that Osaka people are friendlier than their Tokyo cousins – it is one of the things they are proud of! Locals in this city will be happy to hear you say that you prefer Osaka to Tokyo (even if it isn’t true)! There is a lot of competitiveness between the cities, partly because of their rivalling baseball teams. If you plan to go out drinking, don’t be afraid to say “kanpai!” (cheers!) to the person sitting next to you when everybody’s had a few. Learning a few local phrases can’t hurt either; try saying “ookini” (the local word for “thank you”) in a shop or restaurant; you just might make someone’s day.

Roads and Streets

Unlike many western countries, where streets tend to have names, Japan often sticks to numbers. One thing Osaka does, though, is call their roads “suji” if they go north or south, and “tori” if they go east or west. This can help you remember which direction you’re heading.

Try the Local Food

Remember to try as much food as you can while you’re in Osaka! Takoyaki (octopus in fried dough) and okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake packed with different ingredients) are local delicacies, but bear in mind that culinary delights also change with the season. For example, you should try crab (kani) and blowfish (fugu) in winter. However, keep in mind these can get pricey. In spring, you can explore a huge amount of cherry-blossom themed food such as sakura mochi (pink rice cakes) and sakura taiyaki (a fried cake with sweet “cherry blossom flavoured” filling). In summer, you can get delicious shaved ice nationwide, and autumn brings mushrooms, pumpkin, and chestnuts.

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