Discover Osaka's Secrets: Top 10 Fun Facts You Never Knew About the City of Cuisine!

1. Underground Shopping Wonderland

In a city where "shop 'til you drop" might actually mean taking a literal plunge into a sprawling underground shopping wonderland: Osaka houses the largest subterranean shopping center in Japan, Namba City, boasting five floors packed with stores and eateries galore.
Source => itsyourjapan.com

2. Street Food Smorgasbord

Feeling peckish in the Land of the Rising Sun? Fret not, for Osaka has a smorgasbord of street food that'll have you saying "arigato gozaimasu" to your taste buds: Home to culinary delights like takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), this energetic city boasts the famous Kuromon Ichiba Market and numerous other food markets, where locals and tourists alike can indulge in these mouth-watering flavors from inventive street vendors.
Source => freetousesounds.bandcamp.com

Did you know Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing is the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, featured in famous movies and neighbored by one of the busiest Starbucks? Discover its connection to a heartwarming tale of canine loyalty! 🐾

=> Fun Facts about Tokyo

3. Nation's Kitchen

Osaka – where food lovers venture to have their stomachs premiere a never-ending blockbuster of flavors: Known as the "Nation's Kitchen," this culinary haven hosts over 100,000 restaurants offering not only the delicious okonomiyaki but an eclectic assortment of global gastronomical delights.
Source => gradfood.com

4. CUPNOODLES MUSEUM

Instant souperstar: Osaka boasts the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM, where one can channel their inner Willy Wonka of the noodle world, concocting personalized cups of instant ramen while learning the ropes - or shall we say, noodles - of ramen-making under Covid-19 preventive measures; admission is free, with a sprinkle of fees for the noodleicious workshops and attractions.
Source => cupnoodles-museum.jp

5. Kuidaore Taro: Drummer Mascot

Move over Rudolph, there's a new iconic mascot in town who neither flies nor has a red nose—but boy can he rock the drums: Say hello to Kuidaore Taro, the mechanical drum-playing figure who's been turning heads and taking hearts in Osaka's Dotonbori district since 1950, donning red-and-white striped garb and pumping rhythms that make you swoon. Yamahallelujah! The musical maestro has even inked an exclusive deal to play Yamaha drums for product releases and special events since 2017, catering to non-mechanical audiences nowadays after his original restaurant gig came to a close in 2008 and he moved into the Nakaza Cui-daore Building a year later.
Source => japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

6. Highway Through a Building

You might call it the ultimate "hole-in-the-wall" business: in Osaka, there's a building that has an actual expressway passing through it! The Gate Tower Building was the result of a negotiation between the Japanese government and local property owners, and despite its unique design, the highway has minimal impact on the businesses within, thanks to noise-proofing technology. The building's elevator skips floors 5-7, labeling them "Hanshin Expressway," while the rest of the floors continue operating as normal.
Source => atlasobscura.com

7. Gastro-tastic Dotonbori

If gluttons built cities, then Dotonbori is their crowning glory: a neon-lit paradise nestled within Osaka's Namba district, this haven of mouthwatering delights boasts a smorgasbord of local delicacies from soul-satisfying okonomiyaki and tantalizing takoyaki to dangerously addictive kushikatsu, all at frugal foodie-approved prices. Originally conceived in 1612 as a savvy entrepreneur's watery venture for boosting trade, Dotonbori today enchants visitors with its picturesque canal-side walks and vibrant nightlife – a scene-stealing backdrop for the silver screen as seen in Hollywood's "Black Rain" and an unforgettable tourist experience that's both a feast for the senses and a balm for the belly.
Source => blog.gaijinpot.com

8. Sumiyoshi-taisha: Beach-inspired Shrine

Osaka's Sumiyoshi-taisha shrine must have inspired the ultimate beachside resort, as it was once the epitome of "hakushaseishou" with its delicate white sand and dashing green pines: The shrine, which attracts throngs on New Year's Day, is the main Sumiyoshi shrine in Japan, boasting the oldest example of Sumiyoshi-zukuri architecture and strong ties to the ancient Yamato royalty's diplomacy and sailing expeditions.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Skyscraper Showdown: Abeno Harukas

Step aside, Tokyo: there's a new skyscraper sheriff in town, and it ain't just a one-trick pony! Osaka's got the Abeno Harukas, a whopping 300-meter marvel that's part art-filled fortress, part shopaholic's paradise, and quite literally the "height" of Japanese hospitality: It's not just the tallest building in Japan, but it's also home to a department store, art museum, hotel, and a dizzying observation deck called "Harukas 300" – with floor-to-ceiling panoramic views to put Mount Fuji to shame! And if you're craving convenience, look no further than its location by Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station and JR Tennoji Station, blending the best of old and new Nippon.
Source => japan-guide.com

10. Pocky's Birthplace: Osaka

From Glico to Tsutenkaku Tower, pay tribute to the city that claims they're not Jackie's favorite candy: Osaka, the birthplace of the famed Pocky! But don't go seeking a mouth-watering Glico museum within the tower's walls: The Tsutenkaku Tower offers a nostalgic mini museum showcasing Osaka's history and a gift shop packed with retro merchandise and an astounding array of Pocky flavors, but a Glico-dedicated museum is, alas, not to be found.
Source => tripadvisor.com