Osaka

Japan · cities · culture

Massive modern city. Osaka is home to almost 2.8 million people, making it the third-most populous city in all of Japan. When you count the whole area around it, over 19 million people live there, making it one of the biggest cities in the entire world.

Food lover's paradise. Osaka is famous throughout Japan for incredible street food and local dishes. People come from all over to taste takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) that are made just right in Osaka.

Gateway port city. Osaka sits on the Inland Sea and has been a major trading port for hundreds of years. Ships and boats connect this city to the rest of Japan and the world beyond.

Part of Kansai region. Osaka is in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan's largest island. It's the heart of the Keihanshin area, which is the second-largest group of cities in Japan.

Crowded and energetic. With about 12,500 people packed into each square kilometer, Osaka buzzes with energy. The streets are full of shops, restaurants, and people going about their busy days.