Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Osaka, the third most populous city in Japan. It is also the largest urban center and economic hub of the western region of Japan.  Formerly known as Naniwa, it served as Japan’s capital city before the Nara Period. It is a vibrant city that offers a variety of attractions from historical landmarks to modern entertainment. Osaka also has many cultural and artistic venues, such as the Bunraku Theater and the National Art Museum.

Osaka has a population of nearly 9 million. It boasts an economy surpassing that of Hong Kong and Thailand, wielding considerable influence. This confident and forward-thinking city is a paradise for shopping. At the same time, it offers top-notch restaurants and colorful nightlife. Serving as an ideal base to explore the Kansai region, it takes just a 90-minute train ride to reach the numerous World Heritage sites in Kyoto, the shrines of Nara and the mysterious gravesites of Mount Koya. Key attractions within Osaka include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan as well as the futuristic Umeda Sky Building observation deck.

Osaka is known for its food. Regional cuisine includes okonomiyaki, takoyaki, udon as well as the traditional oshizushi. Besides, sake from Osaka is also renowned due to using fresh water from the mountains as an ingredient. Osaka’s culinary prevalence is the result of a location that has provided access to high-quality ingredients.  In recent years, Osaka has started to garner more attention from foreigners with the increased popularity of cooking and dining in popular culture.

Here are some places of interest that Visit Japan Web recommends.