Osaka

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Crowded Shinsekai District and Tsutenkaku Tower at night.

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Why visit Osaka

If Kyoto was the city of the courtly nobility and Tokyo the city of the samurai, then Osaka (大阪) was the city of the merchant class. Osakans take pride in shedding the conservatism found elsewhere in Japan, and this spirited city – Japan's third-largest – is a place where people are a bit brasher, and interactions are peppered with playful jabs.

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Hokkaido's Winter Wonderland: Ski, Snow, and Serenity in Japan

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  2. 2 Experiencing local life in the serene, snow-covered countryside towns of Asahikawa and Biei
  3. 3 Skiing or snowboarding for three days on Hokkaido's world-class mountains
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Top places to visit in Osaka

Discover the best attractions in Osaka from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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Osaka travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Osaka's unique vibes are causing a buzz on Japan's travel map. Here are the city's best experiences.

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Best Neighborhoods

Tokyo and Osaka are two world-class cities with famous sights and hidden corners that offer something for every traveler

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Traveling with Kids

To help you make the most of this friendly Japanese city as a family, here are our top recommendations for both big and little kids exploring Osaka. 

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