Osaka
November 2023
A city of neons, flavors and contrasts
After the intense experiences in Tokyo, I headed to Osaka – a place that immediately captivated me with its unique character. Osaka
is different from Tokyo – it's less formal, more open, and above all, full of colors that light up the streets, evoking a vibe straight out
of cyberpunk stories. This city is a hub of street art, neon lights and delicious food, which lies at the heart of Western Japan.
A city of neons, flavors and contrasts
After the intense experiences in Tokyo, I headed to Osaka – a place that immediately captivated me with its unique character. Osaka is different from Tokyo – it's less formal, more open,
and above all, full of colors that light up the streets, evoking a vibe straight out of cyberpunk stories. This city is a hub of street art, neon lights
and delicious food, which lies at the heart
of Western Japan.
The colorful mosaic of Osaka
The first thing that struck me was the abundance of colors. Osaka is a city that literally lives in light. Neon signs and vibrant lighting are everywhere, creating an unforgettable spectacle. In the Dotonbori area, the city’s most popular entertainment district, you feel like you're in a futuristic world. The city is also full of murals and street art, which add to its charm – interestingly, you can see more of it here than
in Tokyo. The colors and shapes make Osaka look like a giant mosaic, giving the city a unique atmosphere and energy.
A colorful mosaic of Osaka
The first thing that struck me was the abundance of colors. Osaka is a city that literally lives in light. Neon signs and vibrant lighting are everywhere, creating an unforgettable spectacle. In the Dotonbori area, the city’s most popular entertainment district, you feel like you're in a futuristic world. The city is also full
of murals and street art, which add to its charm – interestingly, you can see more of it here than in Tokyo. The colors and shapes make Osaka look like a giant mosaic, giving the city a unique atmosphere and energy.
The flavors of Osaka - a food lovers paradise
Osaka is known as the “kitchen of Japan” and it’s not hard to see why. One of the local delicacies I had the chance to try was okonomiyaki – a dish somewhere between pizza and an omelet, made from batter, eggs, and cabbage, with toppings like seafood, meat, or vegetables. The taste of this dish is truly unique and absolutely unmissable. Of course, I couldn’t skip the famous wagyu beef – tender, literally melting in your mouth, a true heaven for your taste buds. If you love food, Osaka is a place you absolutely must visit.
The flavors of Osaka - a food lovers paradise
Osaka is known as the “kitchen of Japan”
and it’s not hard to see why. One of the local delicacies I had the chance to try was okonomiyaki – a dish somewhere between pizza and an omelet, made from batter, eggs, and cabbage, with toppings like seafood, meat
or vegetables. The taste of this dish is truly unique and absolutely unmissable. Of course,
I couldn’t skip the famous wagyu beef – tender, literally melting in your mouth, a true heaven
for your taste buds. If you love food, Osaka
is a place you absolutely must visit.
History and tradition - Osaka Castle and Nambayasaka Shrine
Of course, Osaka is not just about neon lights and modernity, but also a place rich in history. Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most impressive landmarks, evoking a sense of grandeur from ancient times. Carefully restored, it stands as a reminder of the power
and culture of the Japanese shoguns. Another exceptional site was the Nambayasaka Shrine – a temple with unique architecture, featuring a giant lion’s head as part of the building. The sight of this temple is one of those experiences that stays in your memory forever.
History and tradition - Osaka Castle and Nambayasaka Shrine
Of course, Osaka is not just about neon lights and modernity, but also a place rich in history. Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most impressive landmarks, evoking a sense of grandeur from ancient times. Carefully restored, it stands
as a reminder of the power and culture of
the Japanese shoguns. Another exceptional site was the Nambayasaka Shrine – a temple with unique architecture, featuring a giant lion’s head as part of the building. The sight of this temple
is one of those experiences that stays in your memory forever.
Embracing diversity and balance
Osaka taught me how important it is to find harmony in diversity. The city balances between modernity and tradition, colors
and tranquility – and that inspires me. In UX work, it's crucial to create experiences that combine different elements into a cohesive whole, giving users a sense of discovery and harmony. Osaka reminded me that sometimes it's worth approaching a project in a more colorful and open way, experimenting with forms and not being afraid to mix different styles and solutions – just like this incredible city does.
Embracing diversity
and balance
Osaka taught me how important it is to find harmony in diversity. The city balances between modernity and tradition, colors and tranquility – and that inspires me. In UX work, it's crucial
to create experiences that combine different elements into a cohesive whole, giving users
a sense of discovery and harmony. Osaka reminded me that sometimes it's worth approaching a project in a more colorful
and open way, experimenting with forms
and not being afraid to mix different styles
and solutions – just like this incredible city does.