Osaka

Centrally positioned on Japan’s Honshu island and fronting Osaka Bay, Osaka boasts over 1,400 years of history. Once the imperial capital of Japan, Osaka thrived as a bustling merchant port hub welcoming traders and travellers from across Asia. While centuries-old history and traditions lives on, Osaka today ranks as the nation’s second largest metropolitan area and economic powerhouse after Tokyo. Having flown under-the-radar as a tourist destination for years, Osaka has finally emerged from Tokyo and Kyoto’s long shadow – both a short Shinkansen ride away – evolving not only as an alluring city in its own right, but one of Asia’s top ‘must-see’ cities.

This vibrant metropolis offers visitors world-class experiences and both modern and historic attractions, imbued with a palpable energy that’s hard to find elsewhere. Revealing a very different personality from its illustrious neighbours, Osakans are notorious for their easy going, straight-talking and friendly manner, with a taste for the good things in life. Eternally known as ‘the nation’s kitchen,’ food is arguably Osaka’s number one drawcard and biggest passion. The Osakan ‘kuidaore’ expression – ‘eat until you drop’ or ‘eat-yourself-broke’ – describes the city’s legendary food culture and literally means, ’to pour money into eating delicious food until one is bankrupt!’ There is little chance of this however, as aside from the 90-plus Michelin-starred restaurants, this buzzing city offers countless inexpensive and authentic eateries. 

Gateway to the Kansai region, Osaka is conveniently located near to Japan’s ancient capitals, Kyoto and Nara, as well as Sakai, home to the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Osaka’s first World Heritage Site.