Osaka Originals

Kappo, which became an established style of Japanese cuisine in the late 1910s, is said to have originated in Osaka. It arose as the high-end Japanese restaurants that previously flourished began to disappear, and people wanted a more casual style of dining. The chef stands in front of the chopping board, encircled by the counter. Meanwhile, customers delight in watching the deft action of the knife as the fish is prepared, taking in the scents and sounds of the simmering vegetables. Prior to that, food had been prepared prior to customers' arrival, but this meant that the meal was past it's best by the time those customers came. With kappō cuisine, orders were cooked before the customer’s eyes, allowing food to be consumed when freshly prepared.

Sakai, a satellite city of Osaka that is located to its south, has been promoted as a city of beginnings due to the numerous technologies and cultural achievements it has produced. The city flourished as a center of trade and commerce and as a leading cultural region during the medieval era, at which time it also served as the birthplace of incense within Japan. Among the numerous additional products that originated in Sakai are the shamisen (three-stringed traditional instrument), umbrella, yōkyoku (traditional Noh music), silver coin foundries, traditional cotton textile dyeing, bicycles, and wooden lighthouses.

This facility showcases the allure of Sakai blades, featuring a permanent installation that outlines the production process and the different blade types (iron instruments and construction tools in addition to knives), as well as an area featuring the sales of instruments in numerous styles, including knives for industrial and home use. On the weekends, seasoned professionals offer presentations in the first-floor demonstration area showcasing the process of finalizing a knife (sharpening its edge). Those interested in attending are asked to call in advance. The museum also has a special service called the “blade clinic”, which takes queries on matters such as caring for one’s knives or scissors, and also offers repair services.

Tea expert Sen no Rikyū, who perfected the wabi-cha style in the late 1500s—earning him the moniker “tea saint”—was born into a merchant family in the marine warehousing business along the Sakai harbor. He began studying under Takeno Jōō at age 19, and spent the next 51 years following the way of tea until his dramatic death at age 70.

This facility showcases the life history, character, and achievements of two enormously famous figures from Sakai: Sen no Rikyū, who saw great success with the tea ceremony, and poet Yosano Akiko, a leading figure who helped shape modern Japanese literature. In addition, the plaza serves as a spot where tourists can learn about the history and culture of Sakai, while also engaging in various hands-on experiences.

Food in the category of “Western cuisine” refers interestingly to dishes that are Western-derived but that have been developed in uniquely Japanese ways. In the mid-1800s, shortly after Japan ended its period of historical isolation, dishes served at Western-style restaurants included deep-fried shrimp, deep-fried pork cutlets, curry and rice, and deep-fried croquettes. One item on Western-style menus was omu-rice (rice omelettes)—a dish that became well-known in Japan for its golden yellow egg wrap and bright red ketchup or tomato sauce. According to one story, omu-rice was a dish born in Osaka in 1925.

Opened in 1999, this Nissin Foods museum introduces stories ranging from the invention of instant ramen to the history of the development that followed.

Subtle and yet powerful, Japanese whisky has received numerous awards both domestically and internationally, achieving great popularity worldwide. The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Oyamazaki, Osaka, is the first malt whisky distillery in all of Japan, dating back to 1923, when it was started by Suntory Holdings founder Torii Shinjiro. Yamazaki became famous for its spring water as early as the time period when tea master Sen no Rikyū was building his tea houses. This unique region, where the Uji, Kizu and Katsura Rivers converge, produces a climate with a perfect amount of moisture—a factor that combines with the superior quality of water to create ideal conditions for whisky production.

Along with the season of bright sunshine comes the appearance of colorful beach parasols lining places such as department store rooftops and hotel rooftop gardens—a perfect opportunity to relax underneath while engaging in the beloved Japanese summertime tradition of gulping down an ice-cold beer at a rooftop beer garden.Japan’s first beer garden opened in Yokohama in 1875, targeting foreign residents and sailors on foreign ships—but the country’s first rooftop beer garden was in nowhere other than Osaka.