Osaka Nightlife

One of the three great Japanese performing arts, and a World Heritage craft, johruri uses highly expressive puppets directed by rigorously trained, consummately skilled puppeteers.

State-of-the-art sound in a snazzy, multi-tiered (and yes, pricey) club serving dinner and drinks. Expect everything from Bossa Nova and JPop (Japanese pop) to Babyface and Sean Lennon.

Swanky retreat with Japanese staples like tempura, sushi, and kaiseki cuisine arranged to perfection on exquisite tableware and overlooking a Japanese garden.

Wallpapered with business cards, this Irish pub entices Japanese and foreign customers who dine on shepherd’s pie and drink on-tap Kilkenny and Guinness while listening to live Irish music.

Rusty Coulson’s fashionable red oval bar is conducive to meeting other gaijin (foreigners), here until early morning for cheap drinks, homemade pizza, and other Western fare by Chef Brian.

This sleek interior, with gigantic flower arrangements, indirect lighting, and a long bar featured in a Japanese TV detective drama is presided over by a mama-san (bar owner who chats with guests). Edibles served at a low counter upstairs.