From leafy avenues like Midosuji to numerous bustling arcades and countless tiny alleys you practically have to squeeze through, Osaka has an abundance of vibey streets where locals go out, hang out and have fun.
But what’s the one street in the city worth a stroll right now? One answer comes courtesy of Time Out’s annual World’s Coolest Streets list – a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet – whose 2025 edition just dropped.
The list is chosen with the help of our global network of experts and contributors, who each made a case for their city’s most happening street. And in Osaka’s case, that’s Orange Street just off the buzz of Shinsaibashi, which surged to second place in the worldwide ranking.
Orange Street (aka Tachibana-dori) was originally an antiques hub but spent the 2010s as a destination for international hype culture with global streetwear brands setting up shop. In 2025, it has come full circle – reclaimed by Japanese labels and with vintage furniture and clothes shops still a big part of the mix, walking its length feels like flipping through different chapters of Osaka’s history.
You’ll pass old shops converted into boutiques like Noah, retro kissaten like Oh! Oui Oui where you can choose from Hermes or Gucci mugs, Osakan street food at Tarvo Takoyaki, and forward-looking brands beside carefully curated vintage.
When hunger strikes, hit up Bo-no Bakery for bagel doughnuts made in small batches throughout the day. Time it right and you’ll snag one warm from the oven – perfect with the coffee from local roaster Granknot served in-house.
Fashion fiends will want try their luck at Apollo Keikaku, a shop specialising in samples and B-grade items from well-known brands at bargain prices. Most pieces are one off, unlabelled but otherwise identical to regular stock. It’s a proper treasure hunt for quality finds.
To cap off your day in style, seek out neo-izakaya Saiko People and order one of their theatrical cocktails. The apple and earl grey cocktail arrives under a bubble for a welcome touch of whimsy to contrast with the sleek concrete interior.
Conveniently central yet quieter than its neighbouring streets, Orange Street is a snapshot of everything Osaka has been and is becoming.
Meanwhile, Tokyo’s Nishihara Shotengai ranked no 12 on the World’s Coolest Streets list. Check out our favourite things to do along this charming neighbourhood shopping street here.
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