If you've never been to Osaka you're missing out. It's different than Tokyo. It has a "life is short party vibe", but not in a bad way. I've been to Osaka many times, but I mostly would stay, hang out around an area called Dotonburi. The area that a river flows through and the famous running Glico Man sign is located. However, Osaka is a big city with many districts. So when I was there recently I decided to take a walk around Osaka station and the area known as Umeda. It's comporabale to Tokyo's Shinjuku. So take a walk with me around Umeda.
Umeda has a big underground area that leads to several trains, department stores, etc.
Once you exit up into the city though, everything changes.
I'd only been to Umeda once, last year, and it was during the day, so I wasn't sure where exactly to go. That's the great thing about Osaka & Tokyo though, you can just walk for days exploring the city. So I just walked.
Soon I ended up on Ohatsu Tenjin St. which is s shouten gai, a covered walking street full of shops and eateries.
II must have entered towards the end because, well the street ended so I had to head back towards the station.
Back at the station this was the street level. I started out here in the basement level.
Across the street was the JR Osaka station, a different train line than the subway.
Then I came upon this really cool display of Japanese "cool" words you can learn.
It's interesting because they are slightly different than how we talk in Tokyo. Or maybe it's just youth slang versions of the words.
Moving on across the street and into the JR Station complex. There are escalators that will take you up to the 7th flr. and higher where there are outdoor sitting areas and views of the city below.
Back inside there is another area to hang out and eat.
Exiting the station, but staying on the second floor I continued my walk.
The moon made an appearance.
The Expo character no one liked. An odd bit was added to this design...
One look back at the station.
Then it was back to the subway to catch the train to my hotel.
Umeda is somewhere I definitely have to go back to next time I am in Osaka. There is still so much to see that I didn't get to because I arrived a bit late at night. When I do I'll go walk in a different directions and be back for another Osaka Night Walk. Until then, thanks for reading.
