Osaka is home to many venues for travelers interested in its exciting nightlife, but finding the right one may prove quite difficult in the vast city, for many can be dubbed best. Fear not! Here are some of the best clubs to be in the heart of Kansai.
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Osaka Nightlife
What Makes Osaka Nightlife Different?
Compared to other prefectures, Osaka has a greater advantage due to its accessibility, proximity, and local atmosphere. Although activities and entertainment similar to other places are present in the city, such as clubs, pubs, restaurants, and bars, visiting a great number of diverse places can be more realized due to its geographical contiguity. Going sightseeing, shopping, and testing reasonable hearty street food while hopping from attraction sites to another will also make your nightlife more congenial, carefree, and relaxed. The overall vibe gives you much more freedom to express yourself however you want to.
The Nightlife District
Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, is divided into 2 major districts -- Kita and Minami with a central area in between. With 24 wards, Osaka’s distinct areas and neighborhoods take pride in their own unique exciting characters.
※ Statistics Bureau of Japan, "Statistical Handbook of Japan 2019," p.20; p.196
Around Namba Station is Minami, the southern downtown district popular for partygoers and shoppers. Stretching from diverse night clubs, pubs, and host & hostess clubs to abundant budget-friendly places to eat and mall choices, this is Osaka’s well-known shopping and entertainment nightlife district you must long to visit. Opposite to Minami is Kita, the central business area located in the north. While Minami claims to conquer the nightlife, Kita is proclaimed as a sightseeing and shopping day trip destination in Osaka. Nevertheless, despite the tagged claims for these two districts, both still share the reputation for Osaka’s night recreation.
A large number of bars in Osaka offer you a bounty of both cheap and expensive nightlife, with both thriving to maintain keen quality of distinctiveness. If you are the go-with-the-flow type of person looking for a wholesome experience without spending too much, taking a stroll in the crazy alive streets while admiring Osaka's popular neon lights along with cheap but high-quality booze and beer is the best option.
Alternatively, you can also check out bars found in the alleys such as by Hozenji Temple or along the east side of Namba Station. However, if you are unto the upmarket and are willing to spend lavishly to get most out of your night adventure, the smartest way you need to do first is to look up nightclubs that proffer the right entertainment, accommodations and arrangements that best suit your taste.
If you want a chill and unique bar to check out, we recommend:
PC and Retro Bar Space Station
With countless games to play from classic to new, PC and Retro Bar Space Station is befitting for gamers out there! Just a quick walk from Namba Station and the only video game bar in Osaka offering free gaming among players, this game bar is popular for the locals as well as foreigners in pursuit of playing virtually while socializing and boozing up in reality. With drinks named after video characters, what more to ask for in such a cozy place to relieve your stresses from the day? And you can stay up to 2 am if you wish!
See more of the PC and Retro Bar Station on their official Facebook page.
Writer's Pick
Recommended Osaka Clubs to Visit
Owl Osaka
One of local Osakans' most recommended places that you need to visit is Owl Osaka, a top-class sophisticated night club in Japan visited by more than 400,000-night goers annually. Situated within reach from Umeda, Owl Osaka is easy to go to for adults looking for the best. Open all night with a modern vibe worth a peek, the club brags about its trendy music, interior decoration, and service quality, including a ladies’ floor. Having said that, take note that this club has its restrictions - people under 21 are not allowed in, casual clothing is not allowed, and tattoos should be covered.
You can read more of their details at Owl Osaka’s website.
Sam and Dave ONE
Sam and Dave ONE is an international, social night club near Namba and Shinsaibashi Station where many foreigners love to have a good time. If you are looking for an international crowd with English-speaking staff, this would be an outstanding choice. Though it may be a bit wild sometimes, this night club plays a wide range of genres of songs, so you can enjoy all kinds of music. The club also offers various food and alcohol choices, which makes it a perfect all-nighter place for you and an ideal place for your private events like weddings and birthdays.
Check out the Sam and Dave ONE website for the latest updates.
Giraffe Osaka
Just a 2-minute walk away from the Dotonbori Canal, Giraffe Osaka is one of Osaka's largest clubs and easily accessible in the Namba area. With four differently-themed floors to choose from as well as affordable VIP Plans, Giraffe Osaka is the place to start your night adventure. Furthermore, this nightclub prides in their hospitality with the partnership with different nightclubs worldwide, namely Korea, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, aiming to share culture through music. Don't miss out on Giraffe Osaka's popular in-house DJs' warm welcome providing the best beats for you.
To keep posted, visit their official website.
Club Joule
This club has been around for 20 years, a notable feat and a venue worth checking out. With a massive complex and the ability to accommodate up to 800 people, what makes this club unique is you can rent the whole club floors for your wedding parties and other celebrations exclusively for you. Sometimes Club Joule provides good deals for foreign guests, so make sure you visit the website for more info about their VIP seats and their special events! Club Joule is located in Nishishinsaibashi.
For more info on rentals, events, and tickets, visit Club Joule’s website.
Osaka Nightlife: Tips to Remember
There is no turning back when you are chasing cloud nine so it is considered a must to remember and take these important tips as precautionary measures before you have the time of your life:
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Bring ID - It is very essential for you to bring your ID as night clubs and bars make it a necessary requirement upon entry. Your ID will also affirm your age as some protocols might not allow minors or anyone under the age of 20 (the legal drinking age in Japan).
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Some only Accept Cash Payment - In a technology-driven world, you might expect that everyone is doing credit/debit card transactions; however, some night clubs and bars still prefer to do this in the traditional way. Just in case, you better fill your pocket with enough cash to avoid inconveniences.
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A lot of clubs in Osaka do not allow the taking of pictures - For privacy and safety purposes as well as to add mystery and thrill to the whole atmosphere, this protocol is a silent creed for party-goers and night adventurers.
Summary
When talking about nightlife, Osaka is the talk of the town! Venerated by the locals of Japan, tourists and travelers who long for fun and thrill are invited to the vibrant adventure the city has to offer during the night. If you are a foreign, nocturnal adventurer who loves to explore the best of Japan’s nighttime diversions, come now and enjoy Osaka’s nightlife!
And if you need some ideas about what to do during the day in Osaka, check out our article about various points of interest along the Osaka Loop Line!
