A town where you can feel the daily life of Japanese people. 7 recommended cafes in Nakazaki-cho, next to Umeda, Osaka

What kind of town is Nakazaki-cho?   Nakazaki-cho, Osaka is an area located right next to Umeda. Cafes, restaurants, and general merchandise stores have opened in renovated old private homes in the residential area. Just walking through the maze of narrow alleys and lanes, you can feel the life and breath of the Japanese people who have lived here for centuries, and make new discoveries. Recently, new cafes have been opening one after another in this nostalgic town, making it a hot area that is attracting the attention of young Japanese people. Here are seven such cafes in Nakazaki-cho that we recommend!   -INDEX- １．Retro Sweets Cafe　Cafe Taiyou-no-tou main store ２．Back alley restaurant Machunaga ３．Cafe with cats　Pipinera Kitchen ４．A must see for bread lovers!　Bakery Cafe Iseya ５．New York Diner　Dining PLUG ６．Rainbow lattes are novel!　PATHFINDER XNOBU ７．A popular patisserie cafe　hannoc Nakazaki-cho “Café Taiyou-no-tou Main store” is a pioneer of the retro café boom. Renovated from an old house in Nakazaki-cho, the café is popular among young people for its retro pop interior. One thing you must photograph at the café is the cream soda! Cream soda is a drink made of sweetened carbonated water topped with vanilla ice cream. The bright green “melon soda” is a staple of Japanese coffee shop menus, but Café Taiyou-no-tou offers seven different colors. Be sure to try the pudding with its cute form. Run by a cheerful owner on his own, “Back alley restaurant Machunaga” is a diner with many regular customers, including workers in nearby offices and students. Entering the restaurant through the entrance with its unique paintings, you will find a comfortable space with a retro Showa-era atmosphere and a relaxed atmosphere. The lunch menu includes pasta and roast beef bowls, in addition to the chef’s whimsical menu items such as fried chicken and stir-fried chicken with sweet and spicy sauce. Among them, the “Taco Rice,” which is the number one item on the repeat list, is a must-try!   Alcohol is also served and the restaurant is open until 22:00. Recommended for evening drinks, this restaurant is easy to use. “Pipinera Kitchen” is a unique space that blends an old Japanese house with a classic European atmosphere. The cats that live in the store roam around at will during business hours, and the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere of this café is soothing. Japanese-style rice with plenty of vegetables is available for lunch. It comes with a main meat dish, a small bowl of cooked rice, side dishes such as boiled egg and okara, cereal rice, and soup. The theme is based on dishes that are usually served in Japanese homes, so you can experience the Japanese way of life.   *Children under 15 years old are not allowed to enter the restaurant. A bakery run by a former French chef, the café space is located on the second floor, where you take off your shoes and walk up the stairs. The warm atmosphere, as if you are visiting a friend’s house, will make you lose track of time and relax.   Among a wide variety of breads fragrant with domestic wheat, the most recommended menu item is the “Egg Sandwich” with a thickly baked egg sandwiched between two pieces of bread. This hearty sandwich combines lightly toasted bread with a fluffy egg, crisp raw vegetables, and a sauce made with French techniques. There is also “Yakisoba bread,” which has long been popular in Japan. Sweets such as “An Butter” and “Mont Blanc Toast” are also available. “Diner PLUG” is a casual, stylish diner with a New York diner image. The menu offers a wide variety of gutsy dishes such as tacos, pasta, and meat dishes, in addition to the popular New York street food chicken over rice. There are also many alcoholic beverages on the menu, including craft beer, wine, and cocktails. At night, the restaurant has a slightly more mature atmosphere with gentle lights. We recommend using it as a café after dinner and ending the day with a cup of hand-drip brewed coffee. This is the first store in Japan, produced by world latte art champion Nobumasa Shimoyama, who was involved in the establishment of about 10 cafes in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, the holy land of cafes. The restaurant’s interior is stylish and cozy with sophisticated simplicity! The specialty coffees offered are Melbourne style and can be customized to your preference, including the type of beans and milk, espresso beans, amount of foam, and coffee temperature. Rainbow-colored latte. A cup of latte art that stands out for its beauty! The sweets are also of a high level, so please enjoy them with coffee. “hannoc Nakazakicho” is a group of young talented patissiers who have trained at top hotels and famous patisseries. It is a patisserie café that is currently attracting the most attention. At hannoc, patissiers freely express their sensibilities and create a series of new sweets that are like works of art. Don’t miss the seasonally changing cakes, baked goods, and chocolates, as well as the elaborate drink menu that looks like a sweet treat. Be prepared to wait in line to eat in, but you will still want to go to this cafe.

Stay Time is also fulfilled! Recommended hotels to enjoy Osaka more!

Osaka is full of fun things to do, such as sightseeing spots and famous gourmet foods. To fully enjoy Osaka’s many attractions, such as the hottest activities and eating out, it is important to choose the right hotel! Here are some of the most talked-about hotels that offer not only great locations and facilities, but also a variety of ways to enjoy your stay.   -INDEX- １．Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA ２．Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka ３．OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts ４．Hen na Hotel Kansai Airport Conveniently located near JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station, the hotel is an ideal base for sightseeing not only in Osaka, but also in Kobe and Kyoto. The hotel is located on the upper floors of Yodobashi Umeda Tower, which also houses Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Umeda and LINKS UMEDA, a commercial facility, providing a one-stop shopping and dining experience.   The name “RESPIRE” has two meanings: “rest” to heal the body and mind, and “inspire” to stimulate the senses and bring vitality. The word “RESPIRE” also means “to breathe,” and the restaurant aims to be a place of healing where visitors can take a breath of fresh air, and a place where they can find the energy to take a big breath and start their journey to tomorrow. Although the hotel is located in the middle of the metropolis, it is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city. The stress-free hospitality will give you a restful time. The front lobby on the 9th floor is lined with comfortable sofas, and outside the window is a lush green garden, a comfortable and relaxing space where the hospitality of the “City of Water, Osaka” is expressed. We recommend taking a stroll while enjoying the scenery that changes with the seasons. The lobby is equipped with a diorama AR guide “MUSUBI” that introduces recommended sightseeing spots along the Hankyu and Hanshin lines using AR in a fun way. When you hold your tablet over the large disk diorama, information on sightseeing spots in the Keihanshin area will be displayed on the screen. The searched sightseeing information can be downloaded, so please make use of it. The theme of the 1030 guest rooms is “OSAKA Japanese Style”. The design is based on three color schemes that express Japanese textures and the atmosphere typical of Osaka: plum blossoms, Rural, and Osaka Castle. Based on a subdued color scheme, red is used for “Ume,” the flower of Osaka Prefecture, green for “Rural,” reminiscent of the tranquil rural scenery along the Hankyu and Hanshin lines, and gold for “Osaka Castle,” evoking the elegant Osaka and the stonewalls of the castle.   Room types range from double rooms for one person to force rooms, and there are also connecting rooms for five people, so you can choose according to the number of guests. Rooms are located on the 12th floor or higher, offering excellent views of the city. All rooms are non-smoking, and all bathrooms and toilets are separate. Forth room are equipped with two washstands, so you don’t have to worry about the hectic morning getting ready time.   Other amenities include the “Universal Triple,” which features a shower stall for wheelchair users to spend a comfortable stay. The hotel also provides a number of children’s amenities, such as strollers that can be rented, diaper pots, bed-wetting sheets, and picture books. This is a child-friendly hotel for families with children. The concept of the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Grigliato Cuocca, is “Go, eat, enjoy.” Enjoy your meal in an open space overlooking the garden while admiring the garden as it changes from season to season. The restaurant’s signature grilled dishes are prepared in an authentic wood-fired oven in the open kitchen. For breakfast, you can enjoy a Japanese/Western buffet including Italian deli dishes, and for lunch and dinner, you can enjoy Italian courses and a la carte dishes with a wide selection of wines.   There is a fitness room that guests can use free of charge and a coin-operated laundry that is great for long-term stays. You can spend a moment of quiet healing in the middle of the city. *The fitness room and laundromat are currently closed. Fukushima, where the hotel is located, is only one train stop from Umeda, the center of Osaka, and about 15 minutes on foot, yet it is an attractive area with an atmosphere that is hard to believe it is right in the city. It is a popular gourmet spot with many restaurants that are popular for their delicious and cost-effective food, and there are also unique restaurants and hidden gems under elevated railway tracks and in back alleys. It is also close to the Nakanoshima area, which is dotted with museums and other cultural facilities, and offers riverside scenery. Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka” is located in such a place, and is recommended for those who want to learn more about Osaka and have a different kind of trip. The best part is that the entire hotel is filled with “Japanese” design! In the lobby, there is an object of a sunken hearth used in a traditional Japanese house, which adds to the atmosphere. In addition, traditional Japanese colors and patterns are used throughout the hotel and in the guest rooms, allowing you to experience the chic and glamorous Japanese style throughout your stay at the hotel. At the back of the lobby, there is a photo spot with “revolving Tourou” illuminated by fantastic Tourou lights. It is hard to believe that you are in a hotel near the city of Osaka, but a photo taken in this fantastic space is truly photogenic! There is also a store with Japanese patterned accessories, so you can enjoy picking out souvenirs. There are two room designs: “Sakura,” which is neat and chic, and “Akane,” which is beautiful and glamorous. In addition to interior decorations that match the image of each flower, kimono obi fabrics are used for design art and cushions, creating an elegant and modern atmosphere that evokes a sense of harmony. About 70% of the total 254 rooms are compact 15-square-meter rooms with space for suitcases under the bed and a separate washbasin. It is nice to have a spacious bed space. In addition, there are many easy-to-understand and lean innovations, such as the use of pictograms for signage in the guest rooms. This is the perfect hotel for a stay during a trip where you want to greedily enjoy this or that place in Osaka. Laundry is available 24 hours a day, free of charge. You can check the usage status from the TV in your room, so you don’t have to go to the laundry to check if it is available or if you have finished your laundry! This “Ironing Room” is also available free of charge for 24 hours. This room is exclusively equipped with an iron and ironing board to clean the folds of packed clothes and laundered shirts. (An iron and ironing board are provided in all rooms over 22 square meters) Soba Shubou Fukumaru, a Japanese restaurant on the first floor, is famous for its 100% domestic buckwheat buckwheat noodles without any additives. In addition to soba, the restaurant offers a wide variety of attractive menus, from single dishes to courses, including seasonal tempura and hot pot.   Take a break from the city, enjoy the slightly different atmosphere of the city, and spend some unique time here at the hotel where you can fully immerse yourself in the Japanese atmosphere! “OMO7 Osaka” stands right in front of Shin-Imamiya Station, near Shinsekai, Osaka’s symbolic area, and the symbolic Tsutenkaku Tower. The concept is “I’ll fall in love with Naniwa”. This hotel is the perfect place to experience “This is Osaka!”   This is the first hotel in Osaka under the “OMO by Hoshino Resort,” which operates 11 facilities nationwide, and is a new hotel where you can experience “Naniwa Luxury” from the perspective of “enjoying the city. The number 7 after “OMO” indicates the range of services. Seven services are available here: Special Facility, Restaurant, Café, Buffet-Style Breakfast, Local Guide Activities, GO-KINJO MAP, and Traveler’s Fun Lounge. “Miyagurin” is a vast lawn square of about 7,600 square meters located in front of the station. With a deck terrace and promenade, it is a place where visitors can spend their free time surrounded by greenery while still being in the city. There are also pavilions dotted around the area where visitors can watch the trains come and go, providing a rare opportunity to relax while feeling the vibrancy of the city. “Miyagurin” has a bathhouse available only to guests. The ceiling has an open skylight that leads outside, allowing visitors to feel the air and smells of the outside even when they are inside the bathroom. The bathroom, gently reflecting the light coming in from outside, looks like a white different space. Relax in the spacious bath while experiencing Osaka’s bathhouse culture. There are a total of 436 rooms of 8 types. The 60-square-meter “Idobata Suite” can accommodate up to six people, so families and groups can stay in one room! The living room is decorated with an “OSAKA Board” depicting Osaka’s tourist spots. You can sit on the sofa and enjoy chatting as if you were at a well-wishers’ meeting. “Corner Twin Room” with two large windows spreading 90 degrees. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Tsutenkaku Tower and the city of Osaka. The second floor public space “OMO Base” is an open space approximately 85 meters long and 5 meters high. In addition to a “neighborhood map” filled with information about the city, the “library lounge” has bench seating and tables equipped with electrical outlets ideal for working on a PC, allowing visitors to spend time in various ways during their trip. With a selection of Osaka-themed books, it is also a great place to plan tomorrow’s sightseeing. Dining is one of the most important elements of a trip. Under the theme of “expressing the essence of Osaka’s food, “OMO Dining” offers two types of dinner courses, each with a unique twist on the culinary culture of Osaka, a city of gourmets. The first is a gorgeous presentation of Osaka’s local delicacies such as box sushi and Senba-jiru, adding a new twist to the classic authentic taste, while the second course features kushikatsu, a classic Osaka delicacy that has been transformed into an innovative dish in both taste and appearance. If you can’t decide, stay two nights to taste both! Breakfast is a buffet of Japanese and Western-style dishes. The menu features a variety of “konamon” (flour-based foods) such as negiyaki and udon noodles, which are essential to Osaka’s culinary culture, as well as “dashi” (soup stock), the key to umami (savory) taste. It is also nice to be able to taste freshly prepared food right in front of your eyes!   “OMO Cafe & Bar,” which can be easily used throughout the day from breakfast to bar time, is also popular. The menu is a must-have, offering a unique twist on classic gourmet items such as mixed juice soft-serve ice cream and takoyaki, Osaka’s soul food, both of which were developed in Osaka’s coffee shop culture! For those who want to learn more about Osaka, we recommend the “Neighborhood Activity” guided tour. The “Neighborhood Guide OMO Rangers,” who know the city inside out, will guide you through the city’s attractions in depth. “PIKAPIKA NIGHT” is held exclusively for guests at Miyagurin*. You can lie on the lawn and listen to music, taste takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and craft beer, or spend a blissful time after a hot bath in the pavilion decorated with neon artwork of tigers, blowfish, and other Osaka icons. Don’t miss the unique fireworks display using the hotel’s exterior curtains at the end of the event. *Offered for a limited time around April to June. Please check the website for details.   OMO7 Osaka is the perfect place to enjoy the whole new Osaka, whether it is your first time in Osaka or you have been here many times. If you are planning a trip to Osaka, why not consider it as one of your hotel candidates? The “Hen na Hotel” was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s first hotel where robots work, and is famous for its various advanced technologies that support a comfortable hotel stay. Hen na Hotel Kansai Airport is a 15-minute drive from Kansai International Airport. It is conveniently located for a stay before or after using the airport, and from the hotel you can see airplanes taking off and landing. Two dinosaur robots welcome you in the deep sea-inspired lobby! The excitement begins the moment you enter the hotel. The hotel has a natural hot spring, Aqua Ignis Kansai Airport Senshu Onsen, which springs from 800 meters underground. The open-air and indoor baths overlook Osaka Bay, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the hot spring while watching airplanes take off and land at Kansai International Airport. The mildly alkaline simple hot spring is called “Bijin-no-yu,” or “hot water of beauty,” and it will soothe your travel fatigue while leaving your skin smooth and refreshed! There is also a detoxifying mineral mist sauna. A full range of dining options is also available. At “Seian” kyomachibori rikyu, a Japanese restaurant supervised by a Michelin-starred restaurant, you can enjoy a variety of Japanese cuisine that incorporates fresh seafood caught at nearby fishing ports and other local Osaka ingredients. Window-side tables offer a spectacular ocean view. A diverse lineup of rooms filled with excitement and comfort. The wide variety of guest rooms is also an attraction. The Robohon Room welcomes you with Robohon, a concierge robot that combines a humanoid robot and a smartphone. Robohon will entertain you by talking, singing, and dancing, making your stay even more exciting. He can even answer your questions about the hotel! The “Theater Room” is equipped with an approximately 80-inch monitor and high-quality speakers. You can enjoy TV and movies while relaxing in bed. “Phiten Room” is a collaboration with Phiten, a company that develops special materials containing aqua titanium. “Phiten” is used in the furniture, bedding, wall and floor materials, etc. to support the body’s natural state of relaxation, making this room the perfect place to relax after a tiring flight or trip. There’s even a gold down comforter and a foot massager! The museum has a bookshelf with approximately 1,700 comic books, which can be browsed freely. There is also an extensive souvenir corner.   “Hen na Hotel” supports your comfortable time with various latest technologies. Not only lodging and meals, but also a variety of additional ways to enjoy yourself! This is a recommended hotel where you can fully enjoy the hotel life, where you can take your time and enjoy the time spent here itself rather than a hotel stay.

Japanese love it! 7 Breads to try when you visit Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe

Rice is the staple food in Japan, but bread is also popular! The Kansai region in particular consumes a large amount of bread and is home to many famous bakeries. From breads developed uniquely in Japan to hard breads made in France, we introduce you to our recommended bakeries in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or a snack on your trip, please taste the bread that Japanese people love too!   【Hyogo Ashiya】BIGOT Ashiya Main Store 【Kobe-Sannomiya】Comme Chinois 【Kobe-Sannomiya】TOOTH TOOTH FISH IN THE FOREST 【Osaka-Umeda】Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store Breads Terrace 【Osaka-Umeda】THE CITY BAKERY GRAND FRONT OSAKA 【Osaka-Umeda】Andante 【Kyoto Omiya】Maruki Bakery 【Kyoto Karasuma】fiveran 【Kyoto Arashiyama】Miffy sakura Bakery Arashiyama Store Philippe Vigo, known as the “God of French bread,” founded VIGOT in 1972. It is a popular store in Ashiya, a hot bread battleground, where customers never stop coming on weekday mornings. Currently, the second generation has taken over the store. The most popular item on the menu is the baguette! Mentaiko France,” a baguette filled with mentaiko butter, is also popular among the Japanese. There is also a wide variety of croissants, danishes, and other items. The largest selection is available from 12:00 to 13:00. A boulangerie by a French chef. We continue to bake honest bread with an emphasis on natural flavors. From breads to sandwiches, sweet breads, and creative breads that cannot be found anywhere else, 40 to 50 varieties of breads are available every day. There is also a café where you can taste bread and French cuisine. A selection of items such as dressings, sauces, and other souvenirs are available only from a French chef. TOOTH TOOTH FISH IN THE FOREST, located near Meriken Park, a famous sightseeing spot in Kobe, is a bakery cafe recommended for lunch during sightseeing. For lunch, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat bread baked in the store every morning! The breads include a wide variety of elaborate and creative breads such as melon bread, a traditional Japanese bread, croissants, and other breads that can be found in bakeries. Seasonal breads are also available. The spacious restaurant is open and easy to use with children. Hanshin Umeda Main Store is so strong in gourmet food that it is called the “Hanshin of food.” The “Breads Terrace” on the first floor is a place where you can go every day and never get bored, with two bakeries and a croissant and Danish specialty store, as well as popular bakeries opening stores for a limited time and events changing weekly. Be sure to check out the unique Japanese breads that are sometimes featured at the event, such as anpan, curry pan, okazu pan, cream pan, and more. Also, Tommy’s “Anshoku,” which appears in the store every Wednesday, is a popular menu item with grains of sweet bean paste kneaded into the bread. If you come across it, be sure to buy some and taste it for yourself. The first overseas branch of THE CITY BAKERY, a bakery from New York, is located in Umeda, Osaka, and is very popular among Japanese. The signature item on the menu that you must try is the pretzel croissant. It is larger than the croissants found in other bakeries in Japan. The crispy texture of the croissant, the salty taste of the pretzel, and the savory sesame flavor all come together to create an addictive menu item. The restaurant is open early in the morning in the center of Umeda, and you can eat in at the stylish restaurant. A visit to the store for breakfast during your trip is also recommended. Located on the first floor of the Osaka Shin Hankyu Hotel, a popular destination for travelers, Andante opened in 2022 and sells 13 types of bread, including hard bread, baguettes, croissants, and loaves of bread, in a face-to-face setting. Croissants made with 100% French folded butter are a particularly good choice. The surface is covered with French bread dough and baked to achieve a crispy texture. It has an elegant aftertaste with no buttery residue. Coppepan is a long, thin, fluffy bread often eaten at school lunches, and is said to have developed uniquely in Japan. It is a simple and nostalgic bread for Japanese people. Founded in 1947, Maruki Bakery’s bread with various ingredients sandwiched between cobbler buns is so popular that it attracts not only locals but also people from far and wide. Ingredients include homemade side dishes such as croquettes, fish fries, omelets, and shrimp cutlets, as well as red bean butter and peanut cream. The number one seller is the ham roll, filled with ham and crispy cabbage! Every morning, the staff greets customers with smiles and cheerful voices. “fiveran” is a boulangerie located near tourist attractions such as the Kyoto International Manga Museum and Nijo Castle. Bread made with carefully selected domestic ingredients focuses on bringing out the full flavor of the wheat. From the moment you pick up a loaf of bread, you can smell the rich aroma of wheat! Hard breads with a distinctive wheat aroma are a must-try menu item. There are also many breads that incorporate seasonal and Kyoto-style ingredients. The shell-shaped bread “patissière” is a popular item filled with slow-cooked custard. Inside is a generous amount of vanilla-scented melt-in-your-mouth cream! In the cafe corner in the back, you can enjoy the bread you purchased. Here’s a cute bread available in Arashiyama, a sightseeing spot in Kyoto! Freshly baked bread featuring Miffy is very popular at this store. In addition to “Miffy Anpan,” the shop offers a variety of breads in the shape of Miffy, including dashimaki tamago sandwiches, danishes, fried anpan, and more! If you want to take out and enjoy eating and walking around, you can have a coffee, green tea latte, or other drinks with cute Miffy decorations. For souvenirs, we recommend the “Can Danish”, which is a Danish bread in a can.

5 Best Ramen in Osaka Umeda! How to Order, The Side Menu and More!

Osaka’s Umeda area is home to many ramen restaurants. Among them, we picked up the “super” famous and popular ramen restaurants that you should definitely try here! Don’t miss the special side dishes that are the perfect accompaniment to ramen.   1.Fukuryu Ramen WADACHI LINKS UMEDA 2.Donbori KAMUKURA HANKYU SANBANGAI 3.ICHIRAN Umeda Shibata 4.Kyoto Menya TAKEI Hankyu Umeda 5.KADOYASYOKUDO Hanshin Umeda https://wadachi-hukuryu.com/   Fukuryu Ramen WADACHI, Osaka’s famous bubble ramen store, opened its first store in Honmachi, Osaka, in 2014. The restaurant, which quickly gained attention and was selected as a Bib Gourmand in the “Michelin Guide” and one of the “100 Best Ramen Restaurants,” is now also located in Umeda. Fukuryu Ramen WADACHI LINKS UMEDA is located on the first floor of LINKS UMEDA, a commercial facility area in the Yodobashi Umeda Tower, one of the landmarks of Umeda. White ramen with bubbles covering the noodles, this is “Fukuryu Ramen,” the signature dish that bears the restaurant’s name. The identity of these white bubbles can be found at ……. They are two kinds of espumas made from the chicken shiranyu latte soup, from which the smell has been removed and the umami extracted thoroughly in a custom-made pressure cooker, as well as Kigashira yuzu and special kombu dashi broth. The round, gentle taste of the soy sauce sauce sauce combined with the dashi broth and the fluffy mouthfeel, and the elegant yuzu that gives off a slight aroma. The flavor changes over time as the bubbles dissolve, making this one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The crispiness of the white onion, mizuna, and onion, and the pork shoulder loin char siew, which is cooked at a low temperature to slowly lock in the umami, create an exquisite harmony. The photo shows “Ajitama Fukuryu Ramen” topped with Ajitama. Also available is the “Special Fukuryu Ramen” topped with chicken chashu pork. You can also double the amount of yuzu espuma as an option! Another popular menu item is the “Niboshi Ramen,” a superb soup stock made from two kinds of sardines and kelp that have been carefully simmered in a broth made from two kinds of sardines and kelp, plus saury and sea bream. The tamari soy sauce and sweet back fat are entwined with thick noodles. The thickly cut green onions, crispy onions, and mouth-watering chashu pork add a refreshing touch to the rich simmered dried fish broth. The lineup also includes “Ajitama Niboshi Ramen” topped with Ajitama, and “Special Niboshi Ramen” with chicken meat chashu. The unique appearance of the “Mazesoba Junkie” is intriguing and noteworthy. This mazesoba is made with rich niboshi dashi broth, secret soy sauce sauce, and back fat. As the name suggests, it is an addictive dish! The “Mazesoba Junkie SP” shown in the photo is topped with thick noodles tossed with soy sauce sauce and broth, green onions stir-fried in back fat, two thickly sliced cubes of chashu pork, chopped onions, and a generous amount of niboshi powder.   Niboshi powder all over well, but make sure to leave a little juice in the bowl. When you finish the noodles, leave about a piece of chashu pork and order a small bowl of rice. Then mix the sauce and rice together and have it with the chashu! You can enjoy the luxurious taste of this dish as if it were a separate menu item. Not only ramen, but also the side dishes are bursting with originality. The “chashu-don”, a bowl of rice topped with so much diced low-temperature cooked chashu that it almost obscures the rice, is a must-have dish to go with ramen. The special sweet sauce, which is lightly brûléed with espuma, is mixed well with the rare and satisfying chashu. Now that’s something I just can’t stop eating!   It’s a one-stop commercial facility where you can enjoy a variety of shopping, including electronics, household goods, and fashion items, as well as some of Osaka’s, or even Japan’s, most famous ramen! If you plan to spend a day in Umeda, you may want to make dining at this restaurant your main focus. https://kamukura.co.jp/shop/29/   Founded in 1986 in Dotonbori, Osaka, “Dotonbori KAMUKURA” has about 70 branches in Japan and abroad, mainly in the Kansai region. The restaurant is popular for its one-of-a-kind ramen with a unique soup. Dotonbori KAMUKURA HANKYU SANBANGAI is located a short walk from Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station. You look at the menu in the store and order from the ticket machine, but you will definitely have a hard time deciding what to order because of the attractive and varied menu. In such a case, you will be thankful for the line. Yes, while you’re standing in line, it’s thinking time!   The “Characteristics of KAMUKURA Ramen” posted inside the restaurant states that the first time you try it, you will “taste something you have never tasted before,” the second time you will “appreciate its depth and deliciousness,” and the third time you will “understand the true flavor of KAMUKURA. The second time, you will discover its depth and deliciousness, and by the third time, you will understand the true taste of KAMUKURA. The fact that there are many fans who come back repeatedly over the years is the best proof of this. In order to protect and consistently provide this unparalleled taste, the restaurant has introduced its own “soup sommelier system. Only sommeliers who have passed a rigorous screening process are allowed to cook the restaurant’s ramen! “Oishii Ramen” is the restaurant’s standard and signature dish. The founder, who originally worked as the owner-chef of a French restaurant, spent a year and a half perfecting this completely original dish in order to create a healthful soup that can be eaten every day. He carefully selects vegetables that are safe and secure, full of nutritional value and umami, and the producer’s face is visible. The noodles, which were developed to match the ramen, are smooth and straight, and are gently mixed with the soup. The light yet rich flavor of the ingredients is so concentrated that you will never get tired of it no matter how many times you try it, and it continues to be a favorite among our fans. The most popular item, the “Small Chashu Boiled Egg Ramen,” is a perfect combination of an egg cooked in a secret sauce and slow-aged chashu pork. “Negi-Kimuchi Ramen” adds a change of taste and texture with crunchy green onions and spicy kimuchi.   Toppings include boiled egg, green onion, kimchi, bean sprouts, vegetables, and chashu pork. Choose your favorite toppings and enjoy your own personal arrangement.   For those who want to fully enjoy the tender chashu pork, choose the “Premium Chashu Ramen,” while health-conscious customers can choose the “Full Vegetable Ramen” or the “Konnyaku Ramen” with zero sugar content. The gyoza, which are full of umami, should be ordered with ramen. They are crispy and juicy. The “Kara-Age” with its exquisite secret seasoning is also a recommended menu item that cannot be missed. Crispy and hearty, it is very satisfying. “Soboro-don” is a bowl of rice topped with sweet and gently seasoned Soboro with accents of green onion and Nori. Serve with an on-tama (soft-boiled egg).   A special menu that includes these sides as part of the “Oishii Ramen” set is also available. The gyoza and karaage set comes with white rice and is very satisfying. Come in for your first bowl of noodles and be captivated by the flavors. https://en.ichiran.com/shop/kinki/umeda-shibata/   Ichiran, a famous tonkotsu ramen restaurant, was established in Fukuoka in 1960 and currently has 86 restaurants in Japan and abroad. Ichiran is a tonkotsu ramen specialty restaurant that does not diversify its menu, but instead focuses on a single item of “natural tonkotsu ramen” in its pursuit of deliciousness. The Umeda Shibata branch is located near Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station. The red sign is a landmark! Ichiran is famous for its “Taste Concentration Counter” where you can enjoy your ramen without worrying about being seen. The counter is separated by a partition one seat at a time, allowing you to concentrate on the flavor of the ramen and making it easy for a woman to enter alone. Once seated, fill out an order form to order ramen to your liking, indicating the intensity of flavor, noodle consistency, amount of garlic, type of green onions, and so on. The order form is available in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese. Ichiran’s tonkotsu ramen soup is rich, thick, and full of flavor, removing any extra peculiarities such as odor and maximizing the taste of tonkotsu. The noodles are made of special fresh noodles that are designed to be the best match for the tonkotsu soup. The original “red secret sauce” is the symbol of Ichiran’s ramen, made by mixing and aging more than 30 ingredients based on chili peppers. Not only is it spicy, but when the umami-rich sauce is mixed with the soup, it gives it an even deeper flavor! It is recommended to taste the noodles and soup gently from the corner first, and then dissolve the “red secret sauce” little by little as you eat. If you mix the noodles with the pork bone broth thoroughly, you can enjoy the exquisite harmony as much as you like. Why not try kaedama, a unique Hakata food culture? Kaedama means to refill only the noodles, leaving the soup. From the first bowl, you can change the hardness of the noodles and add toppings to enjoy the different flavors. To order kaedama, simply place the kaedama tag on the button at the back of the table. You can order without speaking, so you can order another bowl without worrying about those around you. If you order it when you are halfway through your first bowl of noodles, it will be brought to you just as you run out of your first bowl. A must order along with ramen is the “Stewed Roast Pork Platter”. This exquisite dish is made from carefully selected, high-quality pork loin that has been slow-cooked. The sweet and spicy soy sauce-based sauce combined with smoked seasoning is a perfect match with the grilled pork. Goes great with rice or beer! Last but not least, we must not forget the closing dessert. Refresh your palate with “Matcha Annin Tofu” topped with matcha sauce made from Fukuoka Prefecture’s Yamecha green tea.   At Ichiran, enjoy not only the natural tonkotsu ramen, but also the popular grilled pork and the closing dessert, just like a course! https://menya-takei.com/   Kyoto Menya TAKEI is located inside the 2nd floor central ticket gate of Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station. The main store is located in Kyoto, and since its opening in 2016 as the third store, the first in Osaka and the first in a train station, it has been extremely popular with a long line of customers. Menya TAKEI is the first name that comes to mind when talking about tsukemen in the Umeda area, and many people come from far and wide to visit this restaurant. Even if they do not take the train, there are even people who visit Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station just to try the signature tsukemen! There is often a long line of people waiting in line. *If you do not use the train, an admission ticket is required. Purchase a meal ticket from the ticket machine in front of the restaurant and enter the restaurant. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with counter seats lined up in a row. The extra-thick noodles, made using only carefully selected wheat and a proprietary process, are firm, elastic, and chewy! The soup is made by simmering pork bones and seafood for a long time to concentrate the umami flavor. The more the noodles are chewed, the sweeter they become, and they are firmly entwined in the rich, thick soup, making them addictive once you try them. The fish meal topping enhances the slight sweetness of the pork bones, and the yuzu peel adds a refreshing accent. The “special tsukemen” is topped with three kinds of chashu pork (chicken thigh, pork belly, and pork loin) and a seasoned egg, which covers the noodles.   After finishing the noodles, you can add the warm seafood broth in a pot on the table to the soup and enjoy every last drop. Another popular topping is “Mito straw natto,” which is wrapped in traditional straw. When added to the dipping sauce and tossed with the noodles, the natto’s gooey flavor is mildly blended into the sauce, making it thick and smooth. It has a unique flavor that is sure to make people become addicted to it. Try it for yourself! The restaurant is famous for its tsukemen, but its limited edition “special ramen” is also excellent. The clear pork bone broth with floating back fat is paired with thin, straight noodles. This Kyoto-style ramen is topped with rare chashu pork, thick-sliced chicken chashu pork with skin, flavored eggs, and plenty of green onions. Another recommended dish is the reasonably priced and satisfying “pork spicy rice bowl”. It is a bowl of thick slices of pork topped with green onions, nori (seaweed), and egg yolk. The sweet and spicy pork with the egg yolk will keep your chopsticks going even after eating tsukemen or ramen noodles.   The moment you are immersed in the deliciousness of tsukemen noodles, you will forget that you are in a train station. If you visit Umeda, this is a must-visit restaurant. https://catalog.hankyu-hanshin-dept.co.jp/hankyu/brand/?bd=hsb_kadoya&btm=0&cp=snack15   Kadoya Shokudo, with its main branch in Nishinagahori, Osaka, was founded in 1957 as a popular diner and was renovated in 2001 as a Chinese noodle specialty restaurant. It is one of Osaka’s representative ramen restaurants, having won a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide. The Umeda branch is located on the basement floor of the Hanshin Umeda Main Store in the “Snack Park,” an all-standing-style food court based on the concept of “fast, cheap, and delicious! The secret of its popularity is, without a doubt, its very reasonable prices for ramen noodles. Here you can enjoy the restaurant’s unique Chinese noodles, arranged based on the flavors of the main restaurant.   The custom-made noodles, made exclusively for ramen noodles using 100% domestic “rakuraku” wheat, are chewy yet crisp, with a rich flavor. The thin noodles are well mixed with the light broth that contains the umami of chicken and pork bones, giving the noodles a smooth texture. The chashu pork made from Satsuma Chami pork is tender and melts in your mouth. The only toppings for ” Chinese noodle ” are chashu pork, nori, and menma (pickled bamboo shoots). The simplicity of the toppings allows you to directly feel the umami of the noodles and soup. “Wonton noodle” is a combination of “Chinese noodle” and chewy and slippery wontons. Each wonton is carefully wrapped by hand in the restaurant. This is “Deluxe chinese noodle”, which is “Chinese noodle” with an added flavored egg.   Other items on the lineup include “Chashu-noodle” with a generous portion of chashu pork, “Deluxe chinese noodle” with an additional flavored egg, and “Special chinese noodle” with an even more generous portion of chashu pork. The “Panda noodle” with sweet and spicy juicy fried tofu curd on top is a hidden menu item from the days of the popular diner, which was introduced on the 20th anniversary in 2021, and has many fans. A side menu item to be enjoyed with ramen is the bowl of rice topped with mayonnaise. We recommend the “Cha Mayo-don ,” a bowl of rice topped with a generous amount of mayonnaise on top of the savory chopped chashu pork used in Chinese noodles. If you want to enjoy the meaty flavor, choose the “Chashu-don” which is a perfect match between the sweet and spicy flavor of the tender char siu pork and the rice. For those who want to taste the full flavor of the meat, try the “Pork-don,” a sumptuous bowl of rice topped with Satsuma Chami Pork slowly simmered in a special white wine-based sauce.   Of course, the rice bowls are also very reasonable. It is nice to know that even if you order a set of Chinese noodles and a bowl of rice, the damage to your wallet will not be too great.   Only at this restaurant located in “Snack Park” can you easily order authentic Chinese noodles and rice bowls as if you were at a food stall, and enjoy them right away. There is also Sakunomi set that allows you to enjoy chashu pork and pickled bamboo shoots with beer. This is the place to end a day spent in Umeda! How was it? There are many ramen shops in Umeda, Osaka. Enjoy the signature dishes of famous stores, and be sure to check out the side dishes unique to each store.

Recommended! Cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka

Spring in Japan means “cherry blossoms”. Here are some cherry blossom spots scattered throughout Osaka.     -INDEX- Japan Mint Osaka Castle Park Osaka Sakura Cruise Ikeda Satsukiyama Green Space Nose Myoken-no-Mori Japan Mint Bureau is a regular spot that is often voted No. 1 in the ranking of Osaka’s cherry blossom viewing spots. Although the grounds are not accessible during the day, they are open for a limited time only during the “Cherry Blossom Passage,” which is held when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. *Pre-registration online is required for 2023 (first-come, first-served).   Cherry blossoms at Japan Mint are mainly late-blooming yaezakura, and many types of cherry trees can be enjoyed while walking along the 560-meter promenade. Each cherry tree is planted with a different variety of cherry blossom, so find the one you like best! This lush green park stretches around Osaka Castle and offers a spectacular view of cherry blossoms with the castle tower in the background. The Nishinomaru Garden, surrounded by important cultural properties, is famous for its approximately 300 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino. The “Naniwa Tanken Cruise with Rakugo Storytellers,” which offers sightseeing in Osaka City with the entertaining guidance of Rakugo storytellers, will be operated as the “Cherry Blossom Special Cruise” for a limited time in spring. This is a very popular cruise every year, where you can enjoy the rows of cherry blossom trees that are slightly tinted with spring colors from the surface of the river. The cruise takes about 120 minutes and you can see the cherry blossoms along the Okawa River. Satsukiyama Ryokuchi, located in Ikeda, Osaka, is a popular spot where you can enjoy a free zoo, hiking, barbecues, and playground equipment all day long. On weekends during the holiday season, the park is crowded with families with children and hikers. From the entrance of the park to the Hinomaru Observatory at the top of the mountain, Someiyoshino and Yamazakura cherry trees are in full bloom everywhere. Myoken-no-Mori is a play area where you can get in touch with nature, only about an hour away from Osaka Umeda. It is 666 meters long, with a height difference of 223 meters, and can be reached by cable car in five minutes. While enjoying the cherry blossoms spilling out at eye level, take a walk in the air by cable car or lift. The distant view of the mountain in spring is also a sight to behold. You can also enjoy barbecues and footbaths on the mountain, making it a great place to go in spring. In the Osaka area, there are many spots where you can enjoy cherry blossoms along with large parks and natural spots such as mountains and rivers. Please enjoy the spring time with your family and friends.

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