Living in Osaka Blog

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If you’re in Osaka and want to grab some free (and legit) net access, you can see if you are close to one of […]

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I hope everyone is enjoying their Golden Week holidays.
There’s going to be an Information Service Day on Sunday 13th May 2007 held at the Osaka International House from 11am to 5pm
Free counseling and advice will be offered on the following subjects: legal issues, human rights, immigration, employment, careers, health insurance, national pension, everyday […]

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The central library is one of the greatest resources for people living in Osaka. Most books are of course Japanese but there is a sizable collection of English books, and smaller collections of French, Spanish and other language books. In addition, they also have newspapers and magazines. There are books for children […]

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I was walking down the Midosuji when I noticed on the lamp-posts some QR Codes. QR codes are 2D barcodes which most recent Japanese mobile phones can read. They can contain various info such as telephone numbers, email addresses or links to web sites.

The ones on the lamp-posts linked to a web site […]

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OK if you are going to the Immigration Office on or after the 25th Dec 2007, click to read this post instead.  The office is moving to the Nanko area.   
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I had to renew my visa recently so I decided to take a video of how to get to the Immigration Office in Osaka. […]

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If you’re new to Osaka and are planning to meet a friend in Osaka, where are the best places to arrange to meet up? Here are a couple of recommendations, if you have others feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll update the post.
In Umeda
Big Man (Kinokuniya Bookstore)
This is a big big […]

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Even though I live in Osaka, I can’t possibly catch all the news and events happening around. So I need your help, if you are in Osaka and know of any news and events in or about Osaka and would like me to post it here, use this form just send me the details […]

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By far the biggest bargain to travel on Osaka’s subway is the No-My-Car-Day Ticket (ノーマイカーフリーチケット).  Available every Friday and the 20th of the month, it is an initiative to help reduce cars on the road and increase usage of public transport.
For 600 Yen you can travel all day on the subway and bus system.  But […]

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I’m sure that a quick search will find you this link but just in case, here is the English site of Osaka’s Public Transportation Bureau. Also available in Korean and Chinese too.
Lot’s of useful information including a pdf map of the subway system [UPDATE: I don’t know since when but the pdf now does have […]

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Before the Spring cherry blossom season there is the less famous plum blossoms. They are attractive in their own right and one of the best places to see them is at Osaka Castle. From now until the next couple of weeks is the best time to see them so if you have time, […]

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