Osaka is the third-largest city in Japan and in many ways, it represents the soul of Japan. While Tokyo is polished and pricey, Osaka is relaxed and down-to-earth. It’s a great place to experience a big modern Japanese city in all its glory, but on a more human scale than Tokyo and for considerably less money. The city is centered around delicious food (and lots of it) and shopping, especially for bargains. Best of all, Osaka is known for its friendly and easy-going citizens who are comfortable with foreign visitors. Indeed, it’s probably easier to have a good time in Osaka than any other city in Japan. So if you’re going to Japan, you owe it to yourself to spend some time in Osaka. It’s always a pleasant surprise!

You can easily spend a week in Osaka without getting bored. However, for most people with limited time, a few days in Osaka would be good. For example, if you’re coming to Japan for 10 days, it would be wise to spend a night and parts of two days in Osaka (and spend the rest of the time in Kyoto and Tokyo).

If you have the time, it’s definitely worth visiting both Osaka and Tokyo to experience two great examples of a large modern Japanese city. However, if you’re looking to do a Kansai trip only, it’s perfectly possible to visit only Kyoto and Osaka (and possibly Nara). This would allow you to see both sides of Japanese life: the modern and the traditional. Osaka is large and modern enough to give you a glimpse of Japan’s futuristic and high-tech face, while Kyoto is all about Japan’s ancient traditions. One advantage of doing a Kansai trip is that it involves less travel and can save you a lot of money (especially if you were to fly via Kansai International Airport).

Osaka is not really about specific attractions. Instead, it’s a place to be experienced as a whole. You just have to wander aimlessly and go to a coffee shop if you feel like it and let the experience of the city wash over you. That being said, every visitor to the city should visit the Kita and Minami districts, as well as the Osaka Castle area. For more ideas on things to see and do in Osaka, click here.

If you’re traveling with children, a must-see destination might be the Universal Studios Japan theme park in the Osaka Bay Area. There are also Legoland Japan and the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park.

Japan is one of the most affordable developed countries in the world. The only comparable countries are Portugal and Taiwan. And the best part is that Osaka is considerably cheaper than Tokyo. Prices for hotels and restaurants in Osaka are generally at least 30% cheaper than those in Tokyo, sometimes even more.