\nhttps:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/2025\/12\/01\/osaka-e-pass-osaka-castle-area\/<\/a><\/p>\n
I wonder if there is somewhere in Minami where I can use my Osaka e-Pass?
\nAfter lunch, I met up with Sam, from the US, and we set off together. <\/p>\n
Our first destination was Ota Road in Nipponbashi. It’s a mecca for Japanese pop culture fans across the world. Apparently there is an establishment here where you can use the Osaka e-Pass.<\/p>\n Here it is! Maid Cafe merimero!<\/p>\n Here, you can enjoy the \u201cFirst-Time Maid Caf\u00e9 Experience Course\u201d (\u00a55,500\/person for one, \u00a54,400\/person for groups of two or more) with a 10% discount when you use the Osaka Enjoy Pass \u2605 The theme at merimero is a fairy-tale world, set inside a candy house. The concept is that the doll maids are brought to life through the love of their Masters and Princesses, creating a whimsical and magical atmosphere.<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s head inside the caf\u00e9\u2026 but before we do! Once we were inside, it was like stepping straight into a dream world. The fairytale atmosphere is absolutely delightful! Next, it was time to order drinks. After looking over the menu, Sam and I decided on these\u2026<\/p>\n Ta-da! Here they are! Rainbow-after-the-rain sodas. We ordered strawberry and blue hawaii. They were so cute!<\/p>\n Then our food with illustrations came out of the kitchen.<\/p>\n The caf\u00e9\u2019s charming setting, combined with the adorable maid dolls Sora-chan and Moko-chan, was wonderful. Because this was our first time visiting a maid caf\u00e9, we felt a little nervous at first, but we quickly started feeling completely at home. It seems our affection brought the doll maids to life, just like the cafe story said it would.<\/p>\n As our pleasant time with the doll maids continued, Sora-chan invited us with a smile, saying, \u201cShall we try the key-making experience to open the door to the secret room?\u201d<\/p>\n To make your one-of-a-kind key, you have to combine different pieces together. It\u2019s surprisingly fun and definitely a test of your sense of style!<\/p>\n Sam was completely absorbed in making his key too (lol). Personally, I chose my parts with advice from the doll maids along the way.<\/p>\n Once our keys were finished, it was time to use them to travel to another world\u2014and then take a commemorative photo!<\/p>\n We ended up with some really fun photos!<\/p>\n When I asked Sam what he thought, he said, \u201cJapanese pop culture is hugely popular in the U.S. from YouTube and Instagram, so a lot of people already know about maid caf\u00e9s. Getting to actually experience an authentic maid caf\u00e9 in Japan was amazing\u2014I can\u2019t wait to brag about it to my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Personally, I always thought maid caf\u00e9s were mainly places for men, so I was surprised to see so many women customers as well. It definitely changed my impression. And honestly, the maid outfits are incredibly cute\u2026 maybe next time I\u2019ll visit in maid cosplay too!<\/p>\n Hours: 12:00 p.m. \u2013 10:00 p.m. (Weekends & holidays)\/ 5:00 p.m. \u2013 10:00 p.m. (Weekdays) After exploring Nipponbashi, we made our way to Dotonbori, the vibrant heart of Osaka\u2019s Minami district. Even among the city\u2019s busiest spots for international visitors, this area stands out for attracting large crowds of tourists from around the world.<\/p>\n The billboards in Dotonbori are so much fun! They almost jump out of the buildings and it gives you a sense of being in a theme park. It almost absorbs you as you walk through the streets here, but I started to get tired. <\/p>\n Sam and I looked on our phones and found the Dotonbori Traveler’s Lounge, a cafe & bar. So we decided to give it a try!<\/p>\n Dotonbori Traveler’s Lounge is located on the 5th floor of the Nakaza Kuidaore Building. On the first floor, we were greeted by Osaka\u2019s very famous Kuidaore Taro figure, a beloved local icon.<\/p>\n Of course, we couldn\u2019t resist taking a commemorative photo!<\/p>\n Next, we headed up to the 5th floor. Dotonbori Traveler\u2019s Lounge feels like a completely different world from the busy first floor. The lounge is such a calm, relaxing space. The fresh breeze was so pleasant too. It truly felt like an oasis in the middle of Dotonbori!<\/p>\n Also, you can use the Osaka e-Pass at Dotonbori Traveler’s Lounge to get 100 yen off the soft drink plan, which includes one soft drink and a snack.<\/p>\n A much-needed drink after all that walking! I have nothing to say but thank you.<\/p>\n From the rooftop terrace, you can see the Dotonbori Ferris wheel. The wheel’s unique shape is really fun to look at!<\/p>\n I think traveling is great, but there are always moments when your feet get tired and you just want to rest. So it\u2019s such a relief to have a place like this to recharge. Once I get my energy back I’ll be ready to get back out there!<\/p>\n By the way, Dotonbori Traveler\u2019s Lounge also offers a selection of carefully chosen sake from all over Japan. So if Japanese sake is your thing, be sure to give check it out!<\/p>\n As evening approached, we started planning our next destination. What was meant to be a quick break turned into the perfect spot to figure out our next move.<\/p>\n And we decided\u2014our final activity will be a cruise on the Dotonbori!<\/p>\n Hours: 11:00 a.m. \u2013 6:00 p.m. We took a walk along the Dotonbori River and arrived at the ticket counter for the hugely popular Tombori River Cruise.<\/p>\n The cruise departs from near the Don Quijote Dotonbori store, right under the Ferris wheel, so it’s super easy to find!<\/p>\n The Tombori River Cruise is one of the attractions that is completely free with the Osaka e-Pass. By this point, we\u2019ve gotten completely used to showing our pass at ticket counters.<\/p>\n I visit Namba often, so I knew about the Tombori River Cruise. But this was my first time riding it and I was really excited to get onboard.<\/p>\n Just as night was falling, the Dotonbori lights started to come on. And we set off!<\/p>\n People along the riverside walkway waved at us so enthusiastically, I thought they worked for the cruise. <\/p>\n Sam and I waved back with the same energy. Dotonbori really does feel like a theme park! (lol)<\/p>\n The guide at the front of the boat was lively too! His live commentary was filled with fun facts about Osaka and humorous stories. He had us all laughing nonstop.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a photo taken of us from outside the boat.<\/p>\n If you look closely, everyone is holding up their smartphones, right? Can you guess what they\u2019re taking photos of?<\/p>\n The answer is\u2026 <\/p>\n \u2026the Glico sign!!<\/p>\n The boat even stopped at an ideal spot for photos, so we could take our time capturing the moment. Little touches like this really show the thoughtfulness of the crew!<\/p>\n And just like that, our roughly 20-minute Dotonbori River Cruise came to an end. Viewing the city from the river was incredible, especially at night when all the neon lights were shining. It was remarkable!<\/p>\n Hours: 11:00 a.m. \u2013 9:00 p.m., departures at every 0 and 30 minutes So that’s it for our adventure through Osaka’s Minami using the Osaka e-Pass!<\/p>\n It\u2019s not only a great value, but it’s also super easy to use! The pass pass is a must-have for your trip to Osaka. Definitely put it in your travel plans! <\/p>\n Maido! I’m Cherin from Korea. I took a few boat cruises at Osaka Castle Park this morning. In the afternoon, I’m heading to Osaka’s Minami district. My Osaka Castle cruise report is here. Have a look! https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/2025\/12\/01\/osaka-e-pass-osaka-castle-area\/ I wonder if there is somewhere in Minami where I can use my Osaka e-Pass? After lunch, I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186,"featured_media":23094,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[137,200],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"author_id":"","author_name":"","author_image":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23070"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/186"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23070"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23312,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23070\/revisions\/23312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/10\/osaka-e-pass-1day-en-banner.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n(Contents)<\/h2>\n
\n
A First for Me at Ota Road, a Mecca for Japanese Pop Culture\u2014Maid Cafe merimero<\/h2>\n
![\"Maid](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img01.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nPlease note that the first-time maid caf\u00e9 experience includes\u2026
\n\u30fbOne drink
\n\u30fbFood with an illustration
\n\u30fbKey-making
\n\u30fbInstant (cheki) photo
\n\u30fb1-hour fee<\/strong>
\nAll of that is included so I was so excited for this experience. What would it be like?<\/p>\n
\nSora-chan, a doll maid \u201cborn in the heavens and raised in Merimero,\u201d cast a spell on us as a part of the entry ritual. <\/p>\n![\"Maid](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nAfter a brief explanation of the house, Sam, who loves Japanese pop culture, quickly struck up an lively conversation about anime with Moko-chan, another doll maid who accompanied Sora-chan. A classic conversation topic, perfect for discussion at the heart of Ota Road!<\/p>\n![\"merimero's](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img03.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"merimero\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"having](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img05.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSecret Keys, Doll Maids, and Instant Photography!<\/h2>\n
![\"merimero](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img06.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"making](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img07.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img08.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u25cfMaid Cafe merimero<\/h3>\n
\nClosed: Irregular holidays
\nAdmission: \u00a55,500 (solo visitors) \/ \u00a54,400 per person (groups of 2 or more)
\nAccess: About a 9-minute walk from Namba Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji, Yotsubashi, Sennichimae lines, and Nankai Railway)
\nAbout an 8-minute walk from Ebisucho Station (Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line)
\nAbout a 9-minute walk from Nippombashi Station and Kintetsu-Nihombashi Station.
\nOfficial website:https:\/\/maidcafemerimero.com\/<\/a>
\nUse your Osaka e-Pass to get 10%OFF the first-time course\uff01<\/strong>
\nPurchase your Osaka e-Pass\u3000\u2192<\/b><\/a>\n<\/div>\nBring Your Travel Plans and Take a Rest at Dotonbori Traveler’s Lounge<\/h2>\n
![\"flashy](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img09.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img10.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Nakaza](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img11.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Dotonbori](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img12.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"ordering](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img13.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img14.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Dotonbori](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img15.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u25cfDotonbori Traveler’s Lounge<\/h3>\n
\nClosed: Irregular holidays
\nAccess: About a 4-minute walk from Namba Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji, Yotsubashi, and Sennichimae lines)
\nAbout a 6-minute walk from Osaka Namba Station (Kintetsu)
\nAbout a 7-minute walk from Namba Station (Nankai)
\nAbout a 9-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji and Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi lines)
\nOfficial website:https:\/\/j-lppf2.jp\/welcome-osaka\/travelerslounge\/<\/a>
\nWith the Osaka e-Pass, you can get discounted drinks like the soft drink plan (one soft drink + a snack) for 500 yen instead of the regular 600 yen, and the sake tasting set for 1,000 yen instead of the usual 1,500 yen.<\/strong>
\nPurchase your Osaka e-Pass\u3000\u2192<\/b><\/a>\n<\/div>\nEnjoy the View from the Dotonbori Canal<\/h2>\n
![\"tombori](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img16.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"showing](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img17.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"people](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img18.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img19.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img20.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\u5ddd\u6cbf\u3044\u306e\u898b\u3069\u3053\u308d\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb\u3059\u308b\u3068\u3093\u307c\u308a\u30ea\u30d0\u30fc\u30af\u30eb\u30fc\u30ba\u306e\u30ac\u30a4\u30c9\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img21.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Glico](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img22.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u25cfTombori River Cruise<\/h3>\n
\nClosed: July 13, 24, 25 (plus occasional temporary closures)
\nAdmission: \u00a52,000
\nAccess: About a 5\u201310 minute walk from Namba Station (Osaka Metro, Nankai), Osaka Namba Station (Hanshin, Kintetsu), or JR Namba Station
\nOfficial website:https:\/\/www.ipponmatsu.co.jp\/cruise\/tombori.html<\/a>
\nPurchase your Osaka e-Pass\u3000\u2192<\/b><\/a>\n<\/div>\n![\"posing](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/12\/osaka-e-pass-minami-area-img23.jpg\")
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"