Osaka

Tenugui

Tenugui are long cotton cloths that can be used as a scarf, a placemat, or a hand towel. I use it as both a scarf and to dry my hands when out and about in the city. The material the tenugui is made of dries quickly. While traveling I like to pick up a tenugui…

Osaka Dotonbori

Dotonbori area in Osaka is a great part of the city to visit. It’s along a river and at night the city lights up. Jyuu en pan is a hot pancake like bread that is filled with cheese. It is shaped like a ten yen coin, hence the name jyuu en (ten yen) pan (bread)….

Osaka Kushikatsu

Kushi katsu 串かつ is a popular local dish in Osaka. Vegetables, meat, and seafood are skewered, breaded, and deep-fried. Kushi means skewer and katsu comes from the word cutlets for anything breaded and deep-fried. Kushi katsu is traditionally served with a sauce that is sweet and salty. Rampuya is a charming kushikatsu shop near the…

Osaka Tenjinbashi

I have family in Osaka and love visiting for seeing my loved ones, but also for the fun food culture. Osaka has many shōtengai shopping arcades, many of them covered, so even if it’s raining a visit won’t be dampened. Many of these arcades have street food. Tip – don’t eat and walk. Purchase your…

Osaka Onyado Nono

I am a big fan of the Onyado Nono hotel chain for it’s simple Japanese-style rooms, hot springs including an outdoor rotenburo, and free bowl of ramen at night. This branch is between Kitahama and Yodoyabashi stations in Ōsaka. Onyado Nono is part of the Dormy Inn chain. Members of their app can get free…

Osaka is a city for great eats and should be on your radar if you love Japanese food. I have family in Osaka and have always enjoyed visiting, but have forgotten how good the food is here since I have been spending more time in Kyoto. Now I am kicking myself. Osaka is easily accessible…

Michelin Guide Kansai 2014

The Michelin Guide Kansai 2014 has given two more restaurants the prestigious three stars ranking in its most recent edition. From the press release, Michael ELLIS, International Director of the MICHELIN guides comments, “We are very pleased to award two new three stars restaurants, Mizai and Kichisen, both located in Kyoto. They serve Japanese cuisine…