Eat your way along Dotonbori
Neon signs, canal-side grill smoke and takoyaki stands make this Osaka’s liveliest night walk. It is the opposite of Kyoto’s temple hush, and only a short train ride away.
Visit Osaka, Japan
Osaka is Tokyo’s fun-loving younger brother (although it’s now Japan’s third-largest city after Yokohama), with a taste for hearty street food and an easy-going swagger. In the 7th century, it served as Japan’s capital, its port trading heavily with Korea and China. Now a city of neon-signed tower blocks, it has kept its commercial edge. Decades of supporting a hungry workforce have nurtured Japan’s biggest food scene. Here, according to the locals, it’s possible to kuidaore — eat yourself bankrupt.
Things to see and do in Osaka
Osaka Castle
The reconstructed keep sits in parkland that fills with blossom in spring. Inside, exhibits cover the city’s role in Japan’s unification under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Kuromon Market
A covered market of fruit, grilled seafood and prepared dishes — an easy lunch stop and a window onto how Osakans actually eat.
Best time to visit Osaka
Due to Osaka’s coastal location, its weather is relatively temperate year-round. The best times to go tend to be from October to November and March through to May, when the skies are generally clear.
Suggested itineraries featuring Osaka
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Osaka, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created around you.
Places near Osaka
Photos of Osaka
Our expert guides to exploring Osaka
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Osaka, these guides will help you make the most of your time there.
Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond
Each Japanese season brings a raft of distinct experiences, from spring’s cherry blossom to winter’s snow crab delicacies. Japan specialist Laura shares the highlights of each time of year to help you decide when to visit Japan.
What to eat in Japan: sushi and beyond
You might know your sushi, but it’s just the tip of a cuisine that’s garnered UNESCO heritage status. Our Japan specialists delve into some of the culinary experiences Japan has to offer, from kaiseki multi-course dinners to convenience-store specialties.
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