A Superb Collection of Must-Do Food, Drinks & Fun Spots in Kansai This Summer!

Food:

?Meat Ichiban Shinsekai Branch

An officially certified shop by the Kobe Meat Distribution Promotion Association. Meat Ichiban is located in Shinsaibashi and very easy to find. Once inside, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an upscale cocktail bar — there’s not even a hint of greasy cooking smells anywhere in the shop. Each piece of meat displays the beautiful marbling of Japanese black wagyu, and the luxurious melt-in-your-mouth experience of Kobe beef is truly unforgettable. Even the side dishes are five-star quality. Highly recommended~

Address: ?542-0085 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashisuji 1-chome, 4-31

Phone: 06-6253-7729     Business Hours: 11:30–14:30, 17:00–24:00

"When food is delicious, fortune comes your way"

Beloved endlessly by locals.Just a three-minute walk from Tenma Station. The broth, carefully simmered with red snapper, fills the air with its aroma even from afar. The ordering machine conveniently offers a Chinese menu option. The soup is never greasy and has a refreshing taste, and the pork belly is incredibly fragrant. The Mini Uwajima Red Snapper Set B is also highly recommended — mixing egg and snapper into the rice makes for a truly satisfying and happy meal!

Address:?530-0041 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Kita-ku, Tenjinbashi 5-chome, 7-8, Yamada Building 1F

Octopus Ya

Already featured as an annual highly-rated merchant on Dianping (Chinese Yelp)! Aside from takeaway takoyaki, be sure to try their freshly made specialties: green onion okonomiyaki that even non-onion lovers will enjoy, cheese potato deluxe okonomiyaki with stretchy cheese rivaling that of a rich pizza, Dotonbori deluxe okonomiyaki hiding big shrimp and squid, and the brand-new surprise delight of Akashi-yaki. There’s also super chewy Dotonbori-style yakisoba — so filling you’ll be full to the point of legs turning to jelly, but still craving one more bite!

Address:?542-0071 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Chuo-ku, Dotonbori 1-chome, 5-10

LUKE`S LOBSTER

The lobster burger that’s been creating buzz in Tokyo and beyond — now you can taste its deliciousness in Shinsaibashi too~ Just a 3-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station, the menu kindly includes both Chinese text and images~ The new gold leaf and caviar lobster burger is highly recommended. The staff generously stuff in three generous scoops of lobster meat!! Then they sprinkle on ultra-luxurious gold leaf and premium caviar. There’s so much lobster meat it’s almost falling out — you won’t be able to wait to take a big bite. Pure happiness!

Address: ?542-0085 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashisuji 1-chome, 5-20

Fun Activities:

Hirakata Park

What’s an essential part of summer? The answer definitely includes water. That’s right, this time we’re recommending Hirakata Park in Hirakata City. From July 6 to September 1, four different pools with depths ranging from 50 cm to 120 cm cater to all ages and preferences for the perfect summer dream. With a wide variety of pool types and complete safety assurance, it’s perfect for family outings. Another reason why Tokimeki (our travel writer) fell in love here is the animal park — get up close with small animals, feed penguins (during specific times), capybaras, and even foxes by hand, and enjoy plenty of dog and cat cuddles. From June 8 to September 15, there’s also a Cardcaptor Sakura special exhibition — totally recommended~~ (Note: Please do not feed the cats or dogs. Please check park closure dates.)

Address:?573-0054 Osaka Prefecture, Hirakata City, Hirakata Parkcho 1-1

Experiences:

Happy Owl Café Chouette

As Japan’s largest owl café, there are even new adorable owlets to meet. Sip on an iced coffee and start bonding with the baby owls. Highly recommend trying the experience of letting an owl perch on your hand — you’ll capture some truly precious moments. If you’re lucky, you might even see one taking a bath, all wet and looking tiny, helpless, and unbearably cute. It’s a popular photo spot for visitors from all over the world.

Address:?542-0083 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-chome, 9-21, 1921 Building

VR Zone Umeda

When it comes to super cool and fun places to escape the summer heat, we wholeheartedly recommend this VR ZONE in Umeda. There are so many attractions your eyes will pop — and all come with Chinese instructions, so nothing gets lost in translation. First up, try the rafting adventure VR — you’ll go plunging down rapids, and you won’t even remember how many times you got splashed (you might even give up paddling...). Next, the horror room escape “Escape from Ward Ω” is basically a death challenge. You play as a wheelchair-bound patient escaping a haunted hospital — I gave up in under two minutes. For thrill-seekers, there’s the flying bicycle with jaw-dropping scenery that feels like stepping into a fantasy blockbuster. There’s also skiing, Evangelion VR, the super-scary Godzilla, Dragon Ball, and more. Come here for a cool and thrilling day out~

Address:?530-0017 5-15, Kadoma-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0017, HEP FIVE 8F

Sightseeing:

First Cabin Open-Air Café

Did you know there’s a hidden gem of a coffee shop right at Arashiyama Station? Originally only open to guests staying at the First Cabin Lodge Arashiyama, it’s now open to the public too. Step out onto the terrace and take in views of the Randen tram line, and enjoy a signature dessert from Kyoto’s famous cotton candy brand while waiting for the sunset. It's pure luxury. Grab some souvenirs from the first-floor shop and treat yourself to a gold leaf ice cream for the perfect experience. The First Cabin Lodge itself exudes premium vibes, and guests even get a 10% discount at the open-air café. Highly recommended for those wanting to stay near Arashiyama and soak in the scenery firsthand.

Address:?616-8384 20-2, Zao-Teramachi-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8384

Accommodation:

Taketori-tei

Want to soak in an onsen even in summer? No problem—Kobe’s Arima Onsen has you covered. Taketori-tei, a fantastic hot spring ryokan nestled halfway up the mountain, offers cool breezes on summer evenings, making it the perfect summer onsen retreat in Japan. Contact the ryokan through the tourist information center near the station, and they’ll arrange a pick-up. Choose a package to reserve a private onsen, enjoy a premium kaiseki course, and stay in a cozy Japanese-style room.

Address: ?651-1401 1364-1, Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 651-1401

Imperial Hotel Osaka

Besides the adorable Snoopy-themed rooms, the service and views here are absolutely worth it. There's also a super convenient shuttle bus from JR Osaka Station—every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 10 minutes on weekends. Pull back the curtains for amazing views of the Okawa River, and in summer, you might even catch the Tenjin Festival fireworks right outside your window. On the 24th floor, book a luxurious teppanyaki meal and enjoy incredible food with a view.

Address: ?530-0042 8-50, Tenma 1-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0042

Shopping:

Kyono-yuki

Certified by The Wonder500, this well-known natural skincare brand from Nijo Castle in Kyoto selects 27 types of traditional herbal ingredients from across Japan, soaking them in Kyoto’s natural water to maximize plant essence extraction—and it’s totally safe for sensitive skin. The effects can be seen almost instantly. The store offers Chinese instructions clearly explaining usage steps. Can’t visit in person? You can also shop via overseas direct purchase.

Address: 331-1, Nishiogura-cho, Nishidori, Nakanochō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Aiden King Namba Store

Looking to get all your electronics and must-have gadgets in one place? Aiden King is the value king. Located right next to the very visible Namba Station. It carries everything from Longines and Rolex watches to hot-topic items like razors, Luna facial cleansing devices, various LED face masks, rice cookers, and pressurized showerheads. Bonus for otakus—Gundam figures too, plus a wide range of cosmetics and baby products.

Address: ?542-0076 2-18-3, Namba 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0076

Sabaemegane (Sabaemegane Glasses)

More and more people are coming to Japan to buy glasses, and the nationally renowned Sabaemegane is now available in Kyoto’s Shijo area. Located in the Teramachi-Kyogoku shopping street, it’s an official glasses shop under the Fukui Prefecture Eyewear Association, a true paradise for eyewear crafted by skilled artisans. You can get new glasses in as fast as 9 minutes. Most frames come from Fukui’s Sabae, known as the mecca of eyewear in Japan. Lens options include blue light protection and more. Accepts Alipay, UnionPay, and even offers international shipping.

Address: ?604-8042 548-5, Nakanochō, Naka-chō, Teramachi-Kyogoku Shopping Street, Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8042