Osaka

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Crowded Shinsekai District and Tsutenkaku Tower at night.

Crowded Shinsekai District and Tsutenkaku Tower at night.

Overview

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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Japan’s Golden Route: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Fuji in 14 Days

14 days / 13 nights

highlights

  1. 1Savor Uji matcha from the source during a traditional tea ceremony
  2. 2Meander among peaceful bamboo groves and orange-hued torrii shrines in Kyoto
  3. 3Cross the famous Shibuya Crossing on a four-day tour of Tokyo, past and present
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Planning Tools

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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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Things to Know

No places better represent the gamut of Japanese culture than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and there's no better way to visit them than via Shinkansen

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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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5 Shops

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

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