Best Wagyu in Osaka: Top 12 Must-Try Restaurants

Kansai is one of Japan’s cultural and spiritual hubs, with the heart (or stomach) of the region being the bright and boisterous Osaka.

Osakans do things a little differently than people in Tokyo. One thing you’ll pick up on quickly is the difference in dialects. Osaka people use Kansai dialect, stand on the right of the escalator (Tokyoites stand on the left), and are often thought of as warm and talkative people.  

Many tourists go to Osaka for Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios Osaka, but Osaka is also a hotspot for street food and culinary innovation. With its own preferences and style when it comes to food, Osaka's specialties include takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen and kushikatsu grilled skewers. 

With its close proximity to Kobe, famous for Kobe beef, a type of wagyu, Osaka has its fair share of delicious wagyu beef restaurants and experiences.

Wagyu beef literally means "Japanese beef." It’s considered Japan's most premium meat, known for its rich, fatty texture, thanks to its distinctive fat-to-meat ratio. 

Originating in Kobe, wagyu beef comes from well-loved cattle that are meticulously cared for and fed special diets to produce top-quality meat. The finest grade, A5 wagyu, is renowned for its melt-in-the-mouth quality. 

Osaka, with its love of unique culinary experiences, is one of the best cities to try yakiniku spots and steakhouses offering exceptionally crafted wagyu dishes.

Exclusive to ZIPAIR passengers flying from Narita airport to US or Singapore destinations, you can order hand-selected A5-grade wagyu beef from Japan without any of the usual paperwork and declarations.

ZIPAIR will make sure your chosen wagyu beef is waiting for you at Narita airport when you arrive, ready to present your gourmet parcel at check-in so you can confirm its quality and freshness firsthand before boarding your flight.

When you arrive at your destination, simply collect your tantalizing souvenir alongside your luggage.

Order your A5-grade wagyu beef.

At Yakiniku Toraji inside the Hilton Plaza Osaka, quality and quantity go hand in hand. This renowned restaurant serves thick, flavorful slices of meat, from skirt steak to A5-grade wagyu, ensuring a memorable dining experience in the heart of Osaka. 

Its commitment to quality extends to the freshest seasonal vegetables, offering a balanced meal. Yakiniku Toraji offers a luxurious dining experience with 19 private rooms, each uniquely designed, accommodating up to 20 guests. 

Here, every visit promises a unique ambiance and the finest grilled wagyu beef.

Book a luxury yakiniku dinner at Yakiniku Toraji Hilton Plaza Osaka.

Wagyu Kappo Toraichi, found parkside in Osaka, is a unique dining experience complete with dark raw stone tiling and natural elements. The enchanting interior is complemented by delicate flower garnishes, steel accents and expertly crafted dishes. 

Guests can enjoy a membership-free experience through byFood — normally coming at a cost of ¥30,000 — offering access to Toraichi's exclusive courses, including top-tier wagyu, a famed katsu sandwich and locally sourced mushrooms. 

The Domestic Wagyu Beef Omakase Course showcases seasonal flavors, culminating in a premium wagyu centerpiece. If you can’t stay, try the wagyu vending machine and take-away bento options at the front of the restaurant.

Reserve a table for wagyu beef at Wagyu Kappo Toraichi.

Just a few blocks from Dotonbori is a yakiniku spot set in an intimate space, perfect for an upscale dinner or date night. Yakiniku Wagyu Horumon Isshin is a chic yakiniku restaurant that offers a private dining experience, perfect for melting away stress and tiredness from walking all day. 

Known for offering exceptional Japanese black beef, including the highly recommended Chateaubriand, known for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The "Chateaubritongue," cut from the tender center of the tongue, is another must-try here. 

The restaurant's luxury-casual concept ensures a relaxed atmosphere, with private and semi-private seating for a more intimate dining experience. For a special treat, ask the sommelier on staff to recommend the perfect wine pairing for your meal.

Osaka's love for food is often captured by the expression "kuidaore," known as "eat till you drop," something you can definitely do at this yakiniku restaurant! 

Offering A4-grade kuroge wagyu or higher Matsunaga wagyu from Shimane Prefecture, they make sure to use every part of the animal for a unique dining experience. The Matsunaga Bokujo Assortment platter features popular cuts, paired with condiments like Andean rock salt and French marine salt for a gourmet touch. 

Matsunaga Bokujo Kitashinichi has a wooden interior and private rooms that create a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy a 14-dish wagyu course, including legendary sirloin yukke and tender kalbi, with an optional all-you-can-drink add-on for 2,500 yen. 

Located just a 10-minute walk from Osaka Station, it's a must-visit for wagyu yakiniku lovers.

This elegant yakiniku restaurant features A5 kuroge wagyu beef, known for its exquisite quality and taste thanks to the use of matured cows. The menu changes with the season, combining the rich flavors of yakiniku with traditional Japanese cuisine. 

The star of Kitashinchi Sugahara’s menu is the “shintan,” a thick cut from the base of the tongue, cooked to perfection over a high-quality Bincho charcoal grill. The crispy exterior and tender interior, enhanced by delicate scoring, highlight the meat's umami and aroma. 

The stylish Japanese interior creates a calm and luxurious dining experience, perfect for savoring the various flavors of the quality beef.

Gururi, a Kobe beef specialty restaurant in Osaka, offers a range of exquisite dishes, including marbled wagyu beef and popular hamburg steaks made from 100% Kobe beef. 

The elegant restaurant features both counter and table seating, making it perfect for casual meals or special dates. Gururi's course and a la carte menus showcase creative Japanese wagyu dishes, seared sushi and its famous hamburg steak cementing its reputation as a must-visit wagyu spot.

Kitashinchi Fukutatei takes fine dining to the next level. Offering an unforgettable dining experience in Osaka's bustling Kitashinchi district, specializing in the finest wagyu beef. chef Ukai selects the best beef of the season, creating courses that showcase out-of-this-world tastes. 

Guests can enjoy a front-row view of the chef's artistry from counter seats or opt for private rooms. The attentive service ensures an elevated dining experience for wagyu and wine lovers alike.

Want to enjoy the delicious taste of wagyu wherever you go? Try a wagyu cooking class.

This Osaka-based class begins with a tranquil Japanese tea ceremony, followed by guests learning how to make sushi and grill exquisite wagyu beef. Afterwards, enjoy your delectable meal altogether.

The class is intimate, taking place in your local host’s home, conveniently located less than 15 minutes from Osaka Station. As a special memento, guests also receive a custom calligraphy art piece crafted by the host.

Book a sushi and wagyu cooking class in Osaka!   

Head to Kobe for the exquisite flavors of Kobe beef, one of the most premium types of wagyu beef in the entire world.

Aragawa Hyogo, founded in 1956 by chef Yamada Jiro and now run by his son, is one of the world's most exclusive steakhouses, renowned for its premium Kobe beef. 

Specializing in sirloin steaks, this Kobe beef specialty restaurant sources its beef from local ranches. The steaks are meticulously prepared and cooked in a brick oven over white charcoal to maximize flavor. 

With its unparalleled reputation and demand, Aragawa offers an unforgettable dining experience, though reservations are highly coveted. 

Reserve a spot at the exclusive Aragawa Hyogo.

Royal Mouriya in Kobe offers a refined teppanyaki dining experience, showcasing A5-grade wagyu beef with exquisite marbling that melts in the mouth. 

Conveniently located near Kobe-Sannomiya Station, this elegant steak restaurant cooks its premium Kobe beef and seared vegetables right in front of guests on an iron griddle. 

The course includes soup, salad and dessert, alongside a selection of sake, wines and whiskies. With its dignified ambiance and top-tier beef, Royal Mouriya is a prime spot to savor Kobe's most famous cuisine.

Book a wagyu teppanyaki experience at Royal Mouriya.

Misono, the legendary restaurant in Kobe, is the birthplace of teppanyaki cuisine, created in 1945. Misono sources its beef from regions like Hokkaido and Kagoshima, offering beautifully marbled wagyu cuts. 

The restaurant honors Japanese dining traditions but also accommodates dietary preferences with halal Kobe beef, making it a must-visit for a taste of history and exquisite teppanyaki.

Reserve a table at Misono!

A long-standing Kobe beef steakhouse since 1963, Tor Road Steak Aoyama offers A5-grade marbled wagyu beef at an excellent price. Located in Kobe, the restaurant's red awning and European-style ambiance stand out. 

The menu features set options and a la carte dishes, including appetizers, soup, steak, bread, rice, dessert and tea or coffee. For an unforgettable experience, try their prime Kobe beef steak or wagyu beef burger. 

Try premium wagyu at affordable prices at Tor Road Steak Aoyama!

Visiting Osaka is a real treat. From the famous sites to the locals' friendly demeanor, and delicious eats, this historic port city is a popular destination.

First time in Osaka? Read this 3-day itinerary to find the best spots to visit, explore a food market and discover must-eat Osaka dishes while in Japan's culinary center. 

If you want to visit Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Osaka, select one of the recognized spots from this list.

Beef marked as officially recognized wagyu beef by The Japanese Meat Grading Association (JMGA) guarantees you are eating the best wagyu beef. While you can order it in restaurants across Japan, the closer you are to the source, the better the taste.

Kobe is the birthplace of wagyu and Kobe beef (a type of wagyu), so the surrounding cities like Osaka and Kyoto, are popular destinations to try the buttery-rich meat.

Generally, wagyu beef ranges between ¥3,000-¥15,000. Prices depend on the grade and cut of wagyu, the quality of the restaurant and the type of dish. 

A 10-course A5 wagyu beef omakase experience will be generally more expensive than a sukiyaki wagyu lunch. Some prices can go as high as ¥30,000.

Wagyu beef is the highest quality Japanese beef on the market. There are a few different factors that make the meat pricier than other types of beef, including the grade of meat, the cut, the type of cuisine and location.

Wagyu beef commands a higher price due to the exceptional care the cattle receive, their longer maturity and meticulous rearing processes, leading to superior marbling and a melt-in-your-mouth bite that’s unlike any other beef you have had. 

The most expensive, highest quality beef on the wagyu scale is A5 wagyu beef. While it may be pricier, the unforgettable flavor is worth it. Your dining choice also affects the price — whether you prefer a Michelin-starred experience or a relaxed teppanyaki-style dinner, there are wagyu restaurants to suit your budget. 

Traveling to Kobe from Osaka? The best way to travel is via a convenient local line or JR West line.

From Osaka Station, take the blue Tokaido-Sanyo Line to arrive in about 35 minutes to Sannomiya Station for ¥420. Alternatively, take the Local Kobe line from Osaka-Umeda Station for a 50-minute ride to Sannomiya Station for ¥330.

If you're in a hurry, you can take the shinkansen bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station in just 13 minutes. An unreserved ticket costs ¥1,500.

Wagyu beef translates to “Japanese beef.” Kobe is the birthplace of the wagyu beef we know today, but it's bred and sold across the country.

However, when it comes down to the specific lineage of cows, wagyu refers to four breeds: Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Polled.