Tours & Things to Do in Osaka, Japan

Osaka is Japan's food capital and its loudest city — a night in Dotonbori eating takoyaki, a dawn stroll through Kuromon Ichiba market, a day trip to Universal Studios or Himeji Castle. Small-group food tours here genuinely outperform DIY because so much of the scene is hidden behind noren curtains and un-signed menus. Osaka also works well as a base: Kyoto is 15 minutes on the rapid train, Nara 45, Kobe 30. If your Japan trip is under a week, basing in Osaka and day-tripping saves hotel change-over time.