Owl Family Cafe

You may have heard of the cat cafe (here and here), a trend that started in Japan and that has now taken the world by storm. But, have you heard of the Owl Cafe? In this latest plot twist to the "cute animal + coffee shop" formula, visitors..

By Fiona Yoshitake

Japanese

Where to Eat Wagashi in Osaka

Wagashi are traditional Japanese confectioneries, which evolved into an art form in Japan's ancient Imperial capital of Kyoto. Beautiful to the touch, sight, and smell, they are a feast for all the senses. The Japanese appreciation of the seaso..

By Fiona Yoshitake

Dining Tabi

Dining Tabi is an elegant addition to the chic Hiranomachi culinary scene, having opened its doors in 2014. It has a large selection of Sake which is perfectly matched with its superb Japanese inspired French dishes, masterminded by chef Tanaka since..

By Tad Ichimiya

Budget

HOTEL MYSTAYS Shin-Osaka

Hotel Mystays is a Japanese hotel group with an extensive network covering major cities all over Japan. On my visit to Osaka, I stayed at their Shin-Osaka property (there are another two Hotel Mystays situated downtown in Shinsaibashi). For its conve..

By Fiona Yoshitake

Hotel Inter-Continental Osaka

Do you remember when you first fell in love? What can you remember? The voice? The scent? Scent can be such an evocative sense, and at the Hotel Inter-continental Osaka, they really want you to fall in love with this five star hotel. Stepping into t..

By Bonson Lam

HOTEL MYSTAYS Sakaisuji-Honmachi

Osaka is not a small city. It requires detailed planning to see its highlights in a limited time. At the same time, a convenient and comfortable place is needed to make the most of exploring the city. The answer to this is HOTEL MYSTAYS Sakaisuji-Hon..

By Vicky Amin

Shopping

Standard Bookstore Chayamachi

Everyone loves a good read, and at Standard Bookstore Chayamachi they get this too. The bookstore, which is divided into three sections - books, cafe, and gifts - and features one of the best collections of books on special interest topics that you&#..

By Saskia Gilmour

Transportation

Kansai Airport to Shin Osaka

There are no bullet trains from Kansai Airport to Shin Osaka. While I can hear your disappointment as I write this, there are other options that are just as comfortable. If money is not an issue, the fastest and most relaxing way is to use Japan Rail..

By Bonson Lam

Nightlife

Nambar 10 Sports Bar

It is Saturday night and you are looking for somewhere to have some fun. Somewhere you can have a few laughs, a beer and a game or two between jokes or reminiscing over the big day or week you had. Why not come to Nambar 10, inside the Swissotel comp..

By Bonson Lam