journals City Report

Culture Vultures

SLEEP For a high-end traditional experience, The Ritz Carlton, Osaka’s (ritzcarlton.com) Japanese Foodies Suites are fitted with woven tatami mats, futon Sleep InterContinental mattresses, a stone bath, Osaka (ihg.com) boasts and Shoji screens. sleek interiors and a farm- to-table restaurant, Noka, Quirk Seekers BUY Head to one of which offers a made-to- Japan’s most exquisite order buffet (above). Sleep The Japanese art department stores, of onsen is raised to mind- Takashimaya (takashimaya. BUY Sharpen your boggling heights at Spa co.jp). Get fitted for a culinary skills by yukata (summer kimono) World (spaworld.co.jp), purchasing some of the a hot spring theme park with the help of in-store finest, hammer-forged featuring European and translators. kitchen blades from Tower Asian-themed baths, as Knives Osaka (towerknives. well as cosy guest rooms. NOSH Dine on seafood com). They’re crafted in among the locals at Geppa Osaka the famous sword-making BUY Get your fix of (1−4−25 Dojima, Tel: 81 6 district of Sakai. character-themed This affluent 6346 4234) in old geisha products – like Japanese city district, Kitashinchi. In EAT Try the unusual kitchenware with motifs serves up a kappo style, sit at counters delicacy of chicken sashimi of the cat Totoro – from cornucopia facing the chefs. in the safe culinary hands of Donguri Republic (Namba of exquisite Osaka’s only Michelin-star Experience Osaka is the Walk 5-4, Tel: 81 6 6213 traditions and yakitori (grilled skewers birthplace of bunraku, so 8508), a store dedicated to cuisines, with of meats and vegetables) Studio Ghibli’s animated pockets of there’s no better place to restaurant, Ayamuya (5- films. kookiness which take in this traditional form 17-39 Fukushima, Tel: 81 6 show that it does of puppetry than at the 6455 7270). EAT Slurp up instant not take itself National Bunraku Theatre ( ; below). noodles you’ve made at too seriously. www.ntj.jac.go.jp Experience Watch The Momofuku Ando by carla avolio takoyaki (octopus-filled Instant Ramen Museum balls) being made, pair (instantramen-museum.jp; them with champagne, or above). make plastic replicas at the Dotombori Konamon Experience Play modern Museum (Chuwa Daiichi and retro games in a neon- Bldg, 1-6-12 Dotombori, lit room while sipping on Tel: 81 6 6214 6678). a beer at futuristic video game bar Space Station (2-13-3 Nishishinsaibashi, Tel: 81 80 4151 6336). For more on this story, log on to SilverKris.com

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