SPLENDID EXPERIENCES

Chapter 2: Osaka

^{‘The vibrant culinary capital of Japan – The nation’s kitchen – bright, loud, appetite-first.’}

Osaka is globally celebrated for its relaxed vibe, vibrant nightlife, and immersive street food culture centered around the philosophy of kuidaore (‘eat until you drop’)

What we did

Where we ate

I can officially conclude that I had the best vegetarian dining experience in Osaka. It makes perfect sense why Osaka is known as the ‘Kitchen of the Nation’. Every restaurants we ate at made an extra effort to accommodate me and they didn’t disappoint. 

1. La Veduta  

I low key think my family were Italians in their past lives. Gosh do we love a good Italian meal and this restaurant didn’t disappoint. The food ethos is rooted in Italian tradition with Japanese seasonality. It truly was a memorable dining experience. 

La Veduta is located at the St Regis Hotel in Osaka. 

2. Jiang Nan Chun 

Jiang Nan Chun is a signature Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine. The  restaurant on the 37th floor of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka.  The food was great.

3. Teppanyaki WAJO

Teppanyaki WAJO offers innovative and distinctive teppanyaki cuisine. The Chef blends high-end French culinary techniques with premium Japanese ingredients. 

The dining experience centres on high-end curated set menus where seasonal ingredients from the Kansai region are prepared directly on an iron griddle. 

This was splendid and the vegetarian menu was flavoursome. 

4. Splendido

Splendido is an Italian restaurant located at the Ritz Carlton in Osaka. It offers traditional regional dishes with a modern twist – they have pastas, charcuterie, and wood-fired pizzas. Dinner was a splendid experience. 

Where we stayed 

Four Seasons Osaka

I loved this hotel. Its modern understated elegance with a dedicated modern ryokan experience featuring traditional tatami mats and shoji screens within a contemporary layout.

What sold this hotel for me was the coffee shop in the lobby, convenience is everything when you are travelling. 

Key Hotel Highlights

Location: 

• Located in the historic Dojima neighborhood near the scenic river, a few minutes from Umeda Station, it provides easy access to premier commercial, shopping, dining and entertainment places, as well as nearby cities like Kyoto and Nara.

Dining: 

• Jiang Nan Chun, a signature Chinese restaurant that served Cantonese cuisine. 
• Sushi L’Abysse, a contemporary sushi restaurant blending French and Japanese techniques. 
• Jardin, a French bistro that has all day dining.
• Farine, the coffee shop in the lobby that has serves fresh baked goods. 
• Bar Bota a cocktail bar on the 37th floor with beautiful city views. 

Wellness & Gym: 

• A dedicated spa floor with a 16-metre indoor pool,

traditional Japanese ofuro baths, saunas, and a 24-hour fitness center.

The overall verdict

Osaka was a city that surprised me in the best possible way. It felt more relaxed and playful than Tokyo, but still had that unmistakable energy that makes Japan so captivating.

And then there was the food. Osaka certainly lived up to its reputation as ‘Japan’s Kitchen.’ As a vegetarian, I had some of my best dining experiences here. Restaurants went out of their way to accommodate me, and unlike some destinations where vegetarian options can feel like an afterthought, the meals were memorable in their own right.

Beyond the food, Osaka had a warmth and vibrancy that I loved.