After visiting Osaka a few times, I can now say that I love this vibrant, lively city. At first, I had my doubts because the first three times I visited, strange and unusual incidents happened to me, but these days I enjoy Osaka so much that I've visited it more than any other place.
One place I would recommend is Dohtonbori. There are a lot of shops and places to eat here. It gets very crowded at night, as the lights come on and the people come out to enjoy eating some of Osaka's most famous foods, such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and horumon.
This is one of the best views of Dohtonbori. On the right, the lighted Buddha figure on the building might have you scratching your head, but this is actually Don Quijote, a cheap department store with all sorts of goods. If you plan on buying souvenirs, this is a great place to get them from...
Also, if you want to see the area by boat, there's one that takes you right down the river. I wanted to ride the boat, but I missed out due to a number of "unusual" incidents.
It's made of balls of dough stuffed with pieces of octopus. It's usually topped with onion, bonito flakes, and some mayo, while it's covered in a sauce. It's really good and has a light, simple flavor.
Just watch out though. It can be very hot, so don't burn yourself. It's a challenge to eat takoyaki since you are given a toothpick, but it's worth every bite.
While walking, you may see a ton of other restaurants with interesting decorations and displays. It's fun to take pictures around the area because there are so many eye-catching displays.
This crab's claws actually move...
The side streets of Dohtonbori also have a lot to offer. If you find the Turkish ice cream shop, you'll love the antics they play before you get your ice cream. It's hilarious to watch.
Osaka is a city you won't want to miss. It's known for cheap, delicious food.
