Osaka Cuisine and Hidden Gems: A Family Guide to Local Food & Secret Spots

Ohatsu Tenjin: The Shrine of Love Ohatsu Tenjin is renowned as a shrine dedicated to love, and one of the reasons for its fame is its connection to Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s famous play, "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki." "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki" was inspired by a real-life double suicide that took place in the "Tenjin Forest" of this shrine. Chikamatsu Monzaemon adapted this tragic event into a puppet play, which became hugely popular at the time, drawing many visitors to the shrine. In July 1972, a stone monument titled "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki: The Sacred Site of Ohatsu and Tokubei" was erected to commemorate the lovers who died for their love. Since then, the shrine has seen a steady stream of visitors paying their respects. Named after the play's heroine, Ohatsu, the shrine is affectionately known as Ohatsu Tenjin. In 2013, it was officially designated as a "Lover’s Sanctuary....

**Miso Soup: A Staple of Japanese Breakfast, Now Available from Vending Machines!** Miso soup is a quintessential part of Japanese breakfast. It is a fixture on the breakfast table in almost every household. Known as a "mother's taste," miso soup varies in flavor and ingredients from family to family, making it a soulful dish for the Japanese. Now, you can buy this beloved miso soup from vending machines! This is quite a rarity. The vending machine version includes tofu and fried tofu, ensuring an authentic taste. It's incredibly convenient to grab a cup of miso soup during busy mornings. Moreover, clam miso soup is known to be effective for hangovers. Why not try a cup to kickstart your day? ※For inquiries and bookings for the tour, please DM us!!! ・Cycling tour ・Fruits picking ・Helping shopping ・Fishing tour ・Osaka countryside  tour ・Osaka day trip…etc Booking : https://youapp.at/osaka-1-day-tour Airbnb : https://www.airb...

Experience the Traditional Nara Dish: Chagayu When visiting Nara, be sure to try the local traditional dish, "chagayu." As the name suggests, chagayu is rice porridge cooked with tea. The type of tea used varies by region and restaurant, with bancha and hojicha being popular choices, particularly hojicha. While this dish can be found in regions west of the Tokai area, it has been a staple in Nara for over 1,200 years. Its origins trace back to the monks in temples, who first consumed it. Over time, it became popular among the general populace, to the point where the saying "Yamato no asa wa chagayu de akeru" ("Mornings in Nara start with chagayu") became common, highlighting its role as a traditional Nara breakfast. What sets Nara's chagayu apart is its smooth, non-sticky texture. Hojicha is placed in a cotton tea bag, and the rice is cooked in the brewed tea. After boiling on high heat for about 10-15 minutes, the rice reaches ...

**Enjoy History and Nature at Haniwa Park!** When we think of kofun (ancient burial mounds), most of the enormous keyhole-shaped ones are designated as imperial tombs, making them off-limits to the public. However, there's an exception in Osaka—a keyhole-shaped tomb that you can actually visit! This kofun is now a lush park spanning 9 hectares. The inner embankment surrounding the mound offers a 1 km loop, perfect for walking or running. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, and on sunny weekends, you'll often see families enjoying picnics. One of the park's highlights is the reenactment of the "Great King's Haniwa Festival" on the inner embankment. This is the only place in Japan where a haniwa ritual site is recreated, featuring about 190 haniwa figures, including houses, people, and animals. The sight is truly spectacular! Some of these haniwa can even be touched, allowing visitors to feel a direct connection to history. Why not refresh yourself in ...

Cocoa Specialty Shop While tea, coffee, and chocolate specialty shops are abundant, have you ever heard of a cocoa specialty shop? These rare gems, dedicated entirely to cocoa, offer an enchanting experience that feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The whimsical and charming atmosphere is sure to delight, especially for those who love cute and cozy spaces. Every beverage and dish in this shop features cocoa, showcasing an impressive variety that will surprise and delight cocoa enthusiasts. Bird Nest Cake When you order the "Bird Nest Cake," you’ll be treated to an adorable sight: a cocoa roll cake with a bird-shaped cookie, presented in a charming little birdcage. It’s almost too cute to eat! Spicy Cocoa with Red Chili Powder For something unique, try the "Spicy Cocoa with Red Chili Powder." This drink offers a delightful balance of spicy kick and sweet cocoa, providing a new and exciting taste experience. The shop’...

Tsubura Mochi Japanese traditional sweet At first glance, you might mistake these treats for takoyaki, but don't be fooled—these are the exquisite Japanese sweets known as "Tsubura Mochi." While their appearance may be similar to the famous savory snack, their taste is entirely different, offering a delightful sweetness. Tsubura Mochi are crafted with care using finely pounded glutinous rice, enveloping a luscious filling of moist, cooked adzuki bean paste. The result is a beautifully grilled mochi with a slightly toasted aroma. The exterior boasts a crispy texture, while the inside remains soft and fluffy, creating a perfect harmony of textures. The subtle sweetness of the bean paste filling spreads gently in your mouth, providing a moment of pure bliss. What makes these treats even more special is that they are made to order. Each Tsubura Mochi is carefully grilled one by one, ensuring you get to enjoy them fresh and piping hot. If yo...

The Local Delight: The Charm of Shirasu Don Shirasu don, a beloved local dish, features a generous serving of fresh "kama-age shirasu" (boiled whitebait) atop a bowl of rice. This simple yet exquisite meal is typically enjoyed with soy sauce and condiments like egg yolk, green onions, perilla leaves, and shredded seaweed, which further enrich the flavor. Sometimes, tuna is mixed in for an added twist. There is also a variation called "nama shirasu don" made with fresh, raw shirasu. However, because raw shirasu spoils quickly and is difficult to manage in terms of quality, it is not widely available. To savor a bowl of nama shirasu don, one must visit regions near fishing ports where fresh shirasu can be obtained directly. Unfortunately, the catch of shirasu has been declining year by year. While frozen shirasu is commonly available in regions with high catches, its flavor and texture are inferior to those of kama-age shirasu. For the best experience, it...