photo: Shimpei Hanawa Obachaaan are what truly make Osaka unique. The word obachan in Japanese means aunt and can be used for your literal aunt or a term of affection for a middle aged woman. But, Osaka Obachan are different. They use this meaning and like everything in Osaka - take it ten steps beyond. The stereotype for the Osaka Obachan is a well loved figure. She is a middle aged auntie or grandmother who is loud, friendly, loves animal print clothing, always has candy to give to strangers and loves to talk to anybody. So basically, me. She also shares my obsession with the very bright grocery store, Super Tamade. The loud clothing is the first tell tale sign you are in the company of an Osaka obachan (if you don't hear her first) and while many wear it un-ironically, there is a group of obachans looking to overtake the teenage J-pop idols. Enter Obachaaan , a comedic pop group that consists of about 47 women. Their median age is 60-something, and they all own the stereotypes