Deep Osaka Experience Part 2: Overnight in Fuse, Inside Osaka’s Local Culture

● Deep Osaka Experience Continues...

안녕하세요! I’m Do-Gyeong from South Korea.
In Part 1, we enjoyed a food tour of the Fuse shotengai and snapped tons of cool photos of the retro streets♪
We thought we were stuffed, but as we strolled through our “hotel”—the lively shotengai—a savory, irresistible aroma lured us deeper into the streets for more delicious adventures!

Part 2 kicks off with the star of this trip—okonomiyaki, Osaka’s iconic teppanyaki!

●Okonomiyaki Dinner at Yoshihiro, A Local Favorite

As evening falls, the savory aroma of sizzling sauce drifts through the streets of Fuse. Tonight, we’re dining at Yoshihiro, an iconic okonomiyaki shop founded in 1949. In Fuse, three generations of families have been coming here—it’s truly the neighborhood kitchen for local residents!

With a free drink in hand—courtesy of our SEKAI PASS—Aoi and I clinked our glasses and took a moment to unwind after a long day of exploring.

Yoshihiro’s extensive menu includes okonomiyaki, yakisoba noodles, teppanyaki, the omu-soba roll (yakisoba omelette roll)… and even curry rice and Nasi Goreng, Indonesian-style fried rice! “What shall we eat??” It was a tough choice. In the end, we ordered yakisoba and two types of okonomiyaki: Yoshihiro-yaki and All-mix-yaki.

Within five minutes, the yakisoba was sizzling right in front of us! Of course, we snapped pictures first★

And then the okonomiyaki arrived. At Yoshihiro, they start cooking it in the kitchen and bring it out to finish right on the teppan grill at your table. I love this live “dinner show”☆彡
It’s always impressive to watch the veterans expertly flipping the okonomiyaki, the clattering of the grill and savory aroma filling the air. The true spirit of Osaka’s gourmet scene isn’t just in the flavors—it’s in the friendly interactions and warm, lively atmosphere.

Of all our orders, our favorite was Yoshihiro-yaki, named after the restaurant itself!
Loaded with the best of surf and turf—from beef loin and shrimp to squid, oysters, scallops, and pork— it was a feast in every bite. We were thrilled when it was brought to our table.

Hot steam curled up from the center as we cut into it with our kote (okonomiyaki spatula). The okonomiyaki was crispy on the outside yet perfectly fluffy on the inside. The gentle sweetness of cabbage and the richness of the secret-recipe sauce filled our mouths, while each bite delivered generous umami from the seafood and meat. It was so good, we couldn’t put our chopsticks down.

“I love it!” we kept saying to each other, smiling with every mouthful. It was more than just dinner—it was a true taste of Fuse’s local flavors.

●A Classic Sento Bathhouse

After the satisfying meal, we headed back to our room to get ready for the sento, the public bathhouse. Our hotel package included a free visit, so we were provided with a Sento Set—towels, shampoo, and body soap—which was super convenient.

We were soon off to Ebisuyu, the public bathhouse founded in 1958, to close our day with a relaxing soak.

This long-established retro sento is essentially SEKAI HOTEL’s bath. Guests can enjoy it just like a traditional Japanese communal bath. You can’t miss it—the vintage sign and the large noren curtain at the entrance stand out on the street.
From inside, you can hear the chatter and laughter of locals— the bathhouse has long been a hub for the community.

The cute noren curtain at the entrance reflects the warmth of Fuse!
The little illustrations are adorable—Aoi and I couldn’t resist snapping a photo☆

As you step into Ebisuyu, you’re greeted by rows of small wooden shoe lockers. The history of the place is visible in the large wooden keys. We took a quick photo with our travel companion, the SEKAI PASS, to capture its charm📸

When we flashed our SEKAI PASS at the bandai (reception counter), we felt like a regular local.

As I sank into the large hot tub, everything loosened—the tired legs, the stress of travel, all gently wrapped in the warmth of the bath. The large blue mural on the wall made the experience feel truly Japanese, giving a glimpse into Japan’s bath culture. We absolutely recommend the package that includes the public bath—it’s a soothing way to end a day of exploring Fuse.

After the bath, we joined the locals in enjoying chilled bottles of fruit au lait and coffee milk— the classic way to experience a sento!

If you’re not familiar with Japan’s sento culture or are unsure about the manners around the public bath, no worries! Just talk to the front staff at SEKAI HOTEL FUSE, and they will give you a handy guide with instructions on how to enjoy the sento◎

On the way back to our room, the evening breeze felt refreshing on our warm bodies—a small luxury of experiencing the everyday life that you can’t get at a regular hotel.

It was getting dark. We stopped by a convenience store to grab ice cream and other snacks—our girls night was just beginning♡

●Morning at Fuse Ebisu Shrine

Morning in Fuse starts with the gentle clatter of shutters opening in the shotengai. We woke up refreshed on the second day and began our morning early, heading to the nearby shrine, known as the guardian of the town.

Just a short walk away from our room, Fuse Ebisu Shrine—affectionately called Fuse’s Ebessan by locals—
offers a quiet, calm atmosphere, a peaceful contrast to the lively energy of the nearby shotengai.

One of the highlights of this shrine is Japan’s largest cast-bronze statue of the deity Ebisu.
The deity’s warm, friendly smile has a way of making you smile too, leaving you feel energized for the day.

We bowed at the torii gate and cleansed our hands at the chozuya before entering the shrine grounds. At the main hall, we followed the traditional routine of two bows, two claps, and one final bow, praying in the crisp morning air that our trip would stay full of fun right to the very end. Experiencing these rituals up close was such a refreshing way to connect with Japanese culture.

Fuse’s Ebessan is known as the deity of commerce, but I couldn’t help feeling that he was quietly watching over us with a comforting presence as we continued our journey.

If you’re in Osaka in January, don’t miss your chance to visit during Toka Ebisu! The normally peaceful shrine grounds come alive with people celebrating this lively festival and praying for prosperity in the year ahead.

And, be sure to flash a big smile for a photo, just like Ebessan— his cheerful presence is contagious, and you’ll leave feeling and energized☆彡

After recharging at the shrine, we returned to our room to pack, and, following a quick check out, left our luggage at the hotel to enjoy a leisurely brunch♪

●Onigiri Brunch at Shiki Nagomi

Shiki Nagomi is a cute little shop specializing in Japan’s beloved comfort food, onigiri rice balls—serving them fresh every single day (closed on Wednesdays).
Onigiri may look simply, but the world of onigiri runs deep—there’s no way to cut corners here. I love onigiri, and I couldn’t wait to taste and enjoy this this brunch♪

The menu at Shiki Nagomi features the classic onigiri favorites, like flaky salmon and tangy plum, along with creative daily specials: egg yolk & soboro (seasoned ground meat), plum & shirasu (tiny whitebait), sansho chirimen (fragrant Japanese pepper with dried whitebait), and pork with garlic miso.

I chose salmon onigiri. The fluffy white rice was carefully shaped into a perfect triangle, made with domestic rice that gleamed with a beautiful shine. The nori seaweed was toasty and crisp, while the rice gently fell apart in my mouth with each bite.

The balance between the natural sweetness of rice and the savory filling was perfect. Japan’s onigiri is gentle yet powerful—a simple bite that leaves an impression.

●Traveling On: Easy Access to Osaka and Nara

Wishing we could stay longer, we set off from Fuse with light steps, eager for the adventure ahead. Fuse is perfectly located for exploring other areas:

Osaka city center: 15–20 minutes to Namba and Shinsaibashi from Osaka Metro Shoji Station
Nara: About 30 minutes on the express from Kintetsu Fuse Station

Today, Aoi and I are off to Namba for some shopping♪

●Fuse: Live Like a Local

Living in a town like a local is a far more comfortable way to travel than simply being a tourist. In Fuse, there are no famous landmarks or must-see attractions, but there are freshly fried croquettes from the neighborhood butcher, a relaxing bathhouse that has long served as a hub for the community, and warm greetings from friendly locals. SEKAI HOTEL Deep Osaka Experience was our window into discovering Osaka unfiltered.

Osaka beyond the usual tourist stops.
Our stay in Fuse was exactly that.

If you’re searching for something beyond the typical tourist experience—something genuine—come to Fuse.
Here, your own slice of local life is waiting.

※Please note the information provided in the article is current as of February 2026. Schedules, hours, and pricing may differ from what is listed here.

▼Take advantage of various ticket deals for sightseeing in Osaka▼
Osaka Metro Tickets and Passes

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