Osaka Suggestions

My husband and I are heading to Japan in late August/early September for a long overdue honeymoon. We're an adventurous couple, we love all varieties of food(of course willing to try anything), love physical activity, and new experiences.

We're looking for suggestions for best touristy and NON-touristy of the following
-restaurants/street eats
-streets/alleys to shop/sight see
-activities
-nightlife
-etc

So far the only things we have planned are to go to a Hanshin Tigers game and Osaka castle. We just want to experience Osaka in the most, so any and all suggestions are welcome. Just an FYI, I can speak a little bit of Japanese so I'm not too worried about a language barrier with any of your suggestions.

Thanks!

There are many food and sounds in Osaka. But it is a commercial city. If you go to every attraction listed on JG, it wouldn't take you longer than 5 days to see them all.

For places to eat
Try Gurunavi
Japanese site with list of restaurants. It sometimes has vouchers too

You could also Google Osaka eateries

For Takoyaki head to the most famous one in Domtombori
For Okonomiyaki head to Mizuno also at Domtombori
For ramen, Ichiran

I would head to Kyoto though. The attractions are amazing. And many are hard to find. The exhilarating feeling of finding a wonderful corner of Kyoto not listed in a guidebook

Agreed! I've been to Kyoto before, and didn't get to spend more than a day there by myself, so I'm excited to go back for 3 days. Can't wait to get lost!

We're spending just a day in Osaka which is why I'm asking for the best of the best. It's definitely too commercial for my taste. I think we will probably be focusing on the restaurant/foodie aspect the most. Thanks for the suggestions. If you can think of others , I appreciate it.

I always like to explore regional cuisines when I travel, so here are a few specialties of the Osaka/Kansai area: http://bento.com/kansai/kc-regional-os.html

And you might be interested in checking out Japan's longest-running cat cafe, Neko no Jikan (Time for Cats): http://animalcafes.com/v/25471.html

Ah
I was under the impression you would be going to and only to osaka

If only for a day, it makes things simple
Morning to osaka castle and garden, east Osaka
Afternoon in umeda sky building, osaka main station etc for shopping, north Osaka
Rei zero for ice cream or perhaps that 3D art cafe that is making waves for tea break, both in central Osaka
Night out at domtombori, shinsekai for snacking and food , south osaka
If you are into architecture the sumiyoshi taisha is one of the few unique prebuddhism Shinto shrine
If you are into seeing the pre war old town, tennoji is great to walkabout. Especially just before the sunsets. So perhaps evening?

Osaka like any place has some good sights, but the best is in nearby Kyoto and Nara.
After the temples of Kyoto close down around 5 PM, you can zip over to Osaka for the evening. At night the city comes alive and has some great places to see, such as Dotonbori
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJ_MeXbeow
plus the night views from the Umeda Sky Bldg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1wuyAGgyQ
and Abeno Harukas Bldg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AyUZmGbW8g
are magnificent.

Hi!
I spend a week or two every year in Osaka from more than 20 years, so this town is quite mine today.
I suggest you look at my map of the city which I have included all the places I have visited.
You will find restaurant suggestions, shopping streets, traditional neighborhoods ...

http://www.soleilrouge.org/osaka-carte-des-lieux-visites

By clicking on the dots, you will get details on each location.

I wish you a good stay in Osaka!