Osaka, neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Osaka's centre is a chain of districts on the Midosuji subway line, so you can stay in one and reach most of the others in about 15 minutes. 13 of them are covered here, each with hand-picked places, how to get there, and where to stay.
Umeda
19 placesOsaka's station district, with a shrine and a covered street between the towers
Namba
16 placesCurry, pork buns and a comedy theatre around the big station
Tenma
15 placesA shrine, a rakugo hall and Japan's longest shopping arcade
Dotonbori
13 placesThe canal strip with the crab sign, the runner and a lot of takoyaki
Amerikamura
13 placesVintage shops, live houses and takoyaki around a triangle of grass
Tennoji
13 placesA 300 m tower, a head temple and small shrines on the old pilgrimage road
Nakanoshima and Kitahama
12 placesBrick halls, stone libraries and bridges across the river in the middle of town
Osaka Castle
12 placesA 105.6-hectare park, a rebuilt keep and a boat on the moat
Shinsaibashi
11 placesA 600 m arcade, department stores and basement food streets
Shinsekai
11 placesFried skewers under Tsutenkaku and a bath open all night
Tsuruhashi
9 placesCharcoal smoke, kimchi shops and a market that began as a black market
Osaka Bay
8 placesAn aquarium, a Ferris wheel and a replica sailing ship
Nipponbashi
7 placesElectronics, retro games and a covered market east of Namba