If Pinocchio took place in Japan instead of Italy...

Posted on June 25, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

If memory serves correctly, I believe that Pinocchio's first stop, after trading in his oaken husk for that of a 'real boys', was a little place called Pleasure Island. It was here that Pinocchio got to indulge in all of the most appetizing of vices, those of which that had been previously denied to our wooden hero.

Osaka, as it were, would have made a more than suitable substitution, if the story had been but set a few thousand miles east.

Osaka is universally renowned for it's salt of the earth citizens, almost as much as it is for its Tako Yaki. Osaka is the working class soul of the Kansai region. The city's people are friendly to an almost uncanny degree. The citizens are an almost consummate paradox to the denizens of Tokyo. Most of whom wouldn't waste the spit to put you out if you were on fire. Osakans are the kind of people that go out of their way to make sure a good time is had by all.

Osaka is the kind of city that warrants return trips. It beckons to the late night reveler. Given enough time, resources, and money one would still have plenty to discover in this neon lit burg.

The city itself was almost flattened during WWII, this lends to the industrial vibe given off from Osaka during the daylight hours. Thankfully all of your time in Osaka, hopefully, will be spent by the light of a billion watts of artificial light. The city is easy enough to naviagte. Get off at either the JR Namba or th JR Nankai Namba station to enter directly into the city's night life areas, Namba and Shinsaibashi respectively.

Eventually you will wash up in Dotombori. This is the Japanese equivalent of the Vegas strip. This central drag is where the city truly shines. There are countless restaurants and bars in this area. It's hard to narrow down a personal favorite. One comes to mind though. A little hole in the wall bar called 'Tako Tako King' or 'Ebe's Bar'. It was inhabited by some of the nicest people I've ever run into, Japanese or otherwise. The cozy interior was the domain of Ebe, an Osaka native who opened up a small bar that served as a calm port in an otherwise tumultuous neon storm. We were treated to homemade blues mix tapes and awomaroi. Ebe shared his tales of traveling to Memphis and Graceland while we rested our feet and slaked our thirst. It was one of the most poignant Japan moments thus far.

Dotombori was pretty sweet, as long as you avoid the most obvious of tourist traps.

Osaka rules. Partying aside, the pride that Osakans take in preparing food is worth the trip alone. Enjoy