Overview
Long a merchant city and Japan’s commercial hub, Osaka wears its wealth lightly and prides itself on good food and blunt good humour. The centre splits into the older southern district of Minami, around the canals and eating streets, and the business north around the main station. It has fewer famous sights than Kyoto or Tokyo, and it makes up for it with energy, nightlife and some of the best casual eating in the country.
Highlights
Dotonbori is the neon-lit canal and eating street at the city’s heart, the place for takoyaki, okonomiyaki and the giant Glico sign. Osaka Castle stands in its park as the city’s great landmark, rebuilt over the stronghold of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Kuromon market, the Shinsekai district and easy day trips to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe round out a stay in the region.