OSAKA WITH SARAH CUMMINGS

NAME: Sarah Cummings

WHAT DO YOU DO: Fashion Publicist

SOCIALS: @sarah.cummings

STAR SIGN: Gemini (on the cusp of Taurus with an identity problem)

LIVING: Sydney, Australia

SLEEP

Onyado Nono Namba Hot Springs

It’s an adorable little inn, a stones throw away from Dotonbori. Complete with full tatami flooring, the spa has amazing set of traditional hotsprings on the top floor to help you unwind after a long day of walking. The beds are to die for and there is free ramen in the dining hall after 10pm! Perfect after a night out!

Another plus is the underground walkway that goes directly from the main drag to your hotel with heaps of cute cafes for a pit stop!

EAT

Biotop: Okay so it isn’t strictly Japanese food but if you are craving a pizza fix it is delicious! We went for a drink on the picturesque rooftop on our last night, had a wine and watched the sunset over the city skyline. Perfect!

Biotop’s added bonus is that is an amazing clothing store too! They stock brands such as ACNE Studios, R/DONE, Stella McCartney, KHAITE, Maison Margelia and The Row. They also stock some great beauty and lifestyle bits and pieces (such as plants and Byredo perfumes), heaven!

DO

Shinsaibashi: Just walk around and take in all the sights, shops, food and lights! You could easily spend an entire day just wandering around and discovering all of the things to eat and buy!

You can make a few day trips from Osaka we did one to Nara and one to Hiroshima. Nara is amazing and great if you want some time out of the hustle and bustle to walk around the big park. If you have never seen deer in the wild it is an absolute must! But beware they do bite!

Hiroshima was also an incredible experience, but quite an exhausting day all up. I’m a history nerd so I really took my time around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to read all of the tesomonies which were incredibly eye opening. It is a piece of history you must see, but is heart breaking.

We then caught the Hiroshima World Heritage Sea Route to Miyajima which was a lighter way to end the day, the island is home to the very famous Itsukushima Shrine and lots more wild deer!

SHOP

Orange Street: A really cool area that is particularly good for men’s and streetwear. Wander around and check out all the hype-beast kids in the latest Supreme and Balenciaga wares. X-girl is located here along with an A.P.C Surplus.

United Arrows Beauty & Youth: I could have spent so much money in here! Great selection of cool brands, sneakers, cute sandals and basket bags.

Saturdays NYC: I have a love hate relationship with the coffee in Japan, I found myself hanging out for an Aussie-style flat white. Got a great coffee here, was tempted on one of their Lamingtons but resisted!

Tokyu Hands: I am obsessed with Tokyu Hands! Went back twice! They have everything you can imagine from tech accessories, beauty, stationary, homewares and things that you just never knew you needed! Imagine a stylish but super kitsch K-Mart cross Lincraft cross Bunnings cross IKEA, I can’t even explain it – just go!

PACK

I went in June and it was heating up! The crowds are quite intense in Osaka (much less organised chaos than Tokyo) so make sure you have comfy sneakers, a great backpack, an umbrella and a light jacket for when night falls. Streetwear is king in Japan, so don’t be afraid to make bold sneaker choices. I also noticed lots of matching couples (sneakers, bag, sunglasses – literally everything matching!) so if you are game you could give that a go?