Juso is the crossroads of Osaka. Passed by millions of people each day from Osaka to Itami Airport, or from Kyoto to Kobe on the Hankyu railway line, they rarely get a glimpse of the underbelly of Osaka. From the dated kitchenware shops to the Sakaemachi red light district, this town has grunge and mystique in equal quantities. Stroll the streets for fantastic okonomiyaki at Yamamoto’s without the glitz of Dotonbori or Namba. Lose yourself in the back lanes where Black Rain was filmed, starring Andy García, Ken Takakura, Michael Douglas and the Osaka Yakuza. Its edginess also attracted Steven Stegall into opening his dojo. Nearby is Fandango, a graffiti covered abandoned warehouse blasting out the raw energy of local hard rock bands.
Bonson Lam @bonson.lam
I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century. I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...
