Is it rude to eat while walking?

Yes, generally. In Japan, it is considered polite to stand near the stall where you purchased your food, finish it, and discard your trash in the bin provided by the vendor before walking away.

How do I deal with trash?

Carry a small plastic bag in your pocket. Street trash cans are rare in Japan; you will often need to carry your wrappers until you find a convenience store or return to your hotel.

How to plan an Osaka street food crawl

To master an Osaka food crawl, focus your efforts on the Dotonbori and Shinsekai districts. Start your crawl by 5:00 PM to beat the longest lines and plan to limit yourself to one small signature item per stall to maximize the variety of what you can eat.

Map your districts. Divide your crawl into two distinct zones. Dotonbori is for the high-energy, neon-lit classics like takoyaki. Shinsekai is for the gritty, old-school atmosphere and deep-fried kushikatsu.
Master the 'one-item' rule. Do not order full meals. Walk up to a stall, order one portion of the signature item, and share it with your travel partner. If you are solo, order half-portions where available.
Use cash only. Keep at least 5,000 JPY in small bills and coins. Most street food stalls in Osaka do not accept credit cards or digital payments.
Follow the lines. If a stall has a queue of locals waiting, get in it. Street food in Osaka is highly competitive, and long lines are the most reliable indicator of quality and freshness.

Is it rude to eat while walking?: Yes, generally. In Japan, it is considered polite to stand near the stall where you purchased your food, finish it, and discard your trash in the bin provided by the vendor before walking away.
How do I deal with trash?: Carry a small plastic bag in your pocket. Street trash cans are rare in Japan; you will often need to carry your wrappers until you find a convenience store or return to your hotel.