We've visited and photographed Osaka's diverse spots,
and we're excited to introduce you to the places that caught our attention
Interview
It was refreshing to see a different side of Osaka. People often associate Osaka with bustling food and shopping areas like Dotonbori and Nanba but it was great to explore a lesser-known part of the city. Everyone I met was so welcoming and friendly. Particular highlights of the day were trying local specialty sweet ‘Mochi Pie,’ getting Daikichi or ‘Great Blessing,’ the highest blessing on an omikuji fortune paper, and chatting with the owner of a local tea shop!
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Niki is a half-Japanese, half-British content creator born and raised in the UK, now based in Tokyo. With a background in travel, hospitality, and media, she uses her social media to uncover hidden gems, share unique experiences, and offer Japan travel tips, with a special focus on food.
T’s Star Diner
This old-school American-style diner serves up amazing
burgers using carefully sourced local ingredients!
T’s Star Diner Takatsuki perfectly blends authentic American diner decor with a menu showcasing local ingredients that reflect the owner's pride and passion for his hometown. They have a great selection of burgers and customisable options - I got the Takatsuki Cheese Burger - the balance between the bun, patty and veg was perfect and the patty was super juicy!
I also visited the Takatsuki Shiroato Museum which provided a fascinating insight into the lives of locals from long ago. Make sure you collect a Akutagawa-san Castle stamp!
Naritasan Fudoson’s temple
One of the highlights was getting a Daikichi ‘Great Blessing’ omikuji fortune paper with a cute maneki-neko cat charm!
I always love visiting local temples and shrines when I travel as each one has a unique history, architectural features, and omamori (amulets). I was surprised by how large and grand Osaka Naritasan Fudoson’s temple grounds are. I imagine it must be fun to visit at special times of the year like New Year!
Kougetsu
One thing I always do when visiting somewhere new is to try a local specialty food or sweet, like this Mochi Pie!
Traditional Japanese sweet shop Kougetsu, right next to Osaka Naritasan Fudoson, has been in business for over 50 years! They serve favourites such as daifuku mochi and dorayaki, but their famous specialty is their Mochi Pie! A freshly baked crispy pastry filled with chewy mochi and red bean paste! Definitely a must-try!
Ocha No Kaori-en
The tea leaves for this gyokuro tea gelato are made from the owner’s own tea farm!
Chatting with locals is a great way to find out about an area! The owner of tea shop Ocha No Kaori-en was super friendly and told us about the local produce of Katano and the process for making their famous gyokuro tea gelato. It was my first time trying gyokuro tea gelato - it was refreshing and subtle - a lot more complex than matcha!
Townscape of Kisaichi
Remnants of an era long gone, it was fun to imagine what life might have been like while exploring this historic village.
I had no idea before visiting Kisaichi that Osaka had old townscapes like this. Nestled amongst picturesque rice paddies and farmland, Kisaichi has many historic buildings and small waterways that provide a glimpse into what life was like over a century ago. Many of the buildings are still residential properties and some have been partially modernised to create a unique blend of old and new.
