Japan’s “second city” is finally taking the top spot.

For years, the spotlight on Japanese travel has been firmly fixed on the imperial beauty of Kyoto and the neon-lit energy of Tokyo. In 2025, however, the buzz has shifted to a new destination: the vibrant, unapologetically fun city of Osaka. This energetic port city, long known as Japan’s kitchen, is finally having its moment in the sun, drawing travelers with its incredible food, lively nightlife, and down-to-earth charm.
Osaka is a city with a unique and infectious energy that is capturing the imagination of the world.