The Experience
This experience will take you deep into the quirky bars with unique music styles!
Nanba and Shinsaibashi areas of Osaka are teeming with unique and alluring bars. Most of them are tucked away, hidden in places like the Mizono Building that only locals know about. Which is also why Mizono will be our main stage for the night.
Deep into the backstreets of Nanba - where only the ones in the know go
Tucked away in the backstreets of “Ura Nanba” lies the Mizono Building. This inconspicuous, slightly Showa Period-esque building is home to over 20 quirky bars and often referred to as the birthplace of Osaka subcultures. Only a handful of locals know about it, so it does not get any deeper than this!
▼As we exit the subway station “Nipponbashi” we take a quick turn at the Kuromon Market and venture deep into the area.
Grilled offal, Yakitori grilled chicken, Okonomiyaki and more local cuisine await
At our first stop we will try the local delicacies and fill up with energy for the rest of our trip.
▼The grilled offal at the “Sakagami” restaurant is so delicious that even those who don’t like offal say it is delicious!
▼Yakitori restaurant「Enya」and the richly flavored chicken skewers with egg
▼Pork style Okonomiyaki at “Fukutaro” that people form long lines for
▼After the meal we will head out to Mizono and guide you to a unique bar that matches you perfectly.
More than 20 unique, quirky bars at Misono!
Misono Building, also referred to as the birthplace of Osaka subcultures, was built in the golden days of Showa as a commercial building. However as times went by more and more unique bars popped up into existence at Misono. Today it is one of the most underground places that even few locals know about and visit.
▼With its retro Showa Period style, Misono simply screams “unique”
▼The underground vibe starts with the spiral staircase
Popular among the subculture fans - rock pub “Hakugei”
Our first stop will be the rock bar Hakugai, well equipped with its own stage for live performances. Owned and ran by an actual celebrity, Hakugai is quite popular among fans of subcultures. Most of the music played here are songs performed by friends and acquaintances of the owner, making for a great conversation starter!
▼Laid out on the counter are candies beloved for decades. Pure nostalgia!
▼Can’t miss the broad selection of LP’s adorning the walls
Chillout Fruit bar “No.B” - where delicious fresh fruit meets funky jazz
Next we visit the “No.B”, renowned for its drinks and cocktails from fresh fruits. With its unique interior design combined with soothing jazz the bar creates a very relaxing atmosphere - almost like an oasis in a concrete jungle.
▼Forest-like interior design combined with soothing jazz
▼Hidden in the back a chic LP player
▼With a bit of luck we might get a complementary bowl of fresh fruit to enjoy
Anime song bar “Digital Cafe Script”
Our final stop will be the bar “Digital Cafe Script” known for playing mostly popular songs from Anime. Even though it styles itself as a cafe, the wide choice or tasty sweet cocktails make it also a bar - and a very popular one with the ladies at that.
▼Laid-back Ladies Night on the floor
▼With different Anime songs in the background
▼A lot of sweet drinks to choose from make this bar very popular with the ladies.
▼If he feels like it, the owner will do a bit of DJ-ing
From beginner friendly to ultra-quirky bars, one evening is not enough to visit them all!
There are simply too many unique and quirky bars to visit in one go, so let’s explore some more next time too!
▼”Benizuru” with its own in-house stage
▼All-you-can-play Super Nintendo Bar “Dendo”
▼In-house craft beer bar ”ROYAL CROWN”
▼Come and experience a whole new world, satisfaction guaranteed!
Escape reality at Misono, where the “different” grows on you
Misono might be difficult to visit on your own, but it’s a magical place where you can discover a lot and meet fascinating local people. It does not get any more authentic or deeper than this!