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.
1. It is the undisputed street food capital of Japan.
The single biggest reason to visit Osaka is the food. The city’s unofficial slogan is “kuidaore,” which roughly translates to “eat until you drop,” and it is a motto that the city takes very seriously. The Dotonbori district is a dazzling, neon-lit paradise of street food stalls, where you can sample the city’s most famous dishes, like “takoyaki” (octopus balls) and “okonomiyaki” (savory pancakes).
The food here is cheap, delicious, and deeply ingrained in the city’s fun-loving culture. It is a city that is best explored through your stomach, a true paradise for any food lover, as shared in Drift Travel Magazine.
2. The city is hosting the 2025 World Expo.
The eyes of the world will be on Osaka in 2025 as it hosts the World Expo, a massive international event that will showcase cutting-edge technology and culture from countries all over the globe. This huge event is bringing a new wave of investment, energy, and international attention to the city, with new hotels, restaurants, and infrastructure being built to accommodate the influx of visitors, as mentioned in UME Travel.
The Expo itself will be a major attraction, a chance to see a vision of the future in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. This is the year that Osaka will be the center of the universe.
3. The people are famously friendly and outgoing.
While Japanese people are known for their politeness, the people of Osaka, or “Osakans,” have a reputation for being particularly friendly, warm, and outgoing, with a great sense of humor. They are much more boisterous and approachable than their counterparts in the more formal city of Tokyo. This gives the city a very welcoming and down-to-earth vibe, according to EnVOls.
It is a place where it is easy to strike up a conversation with a local at a standing-bar or to share a laugh with a street food vendor. This friendly and unpretentious atmosphere is a huge part of the city’s appeal.
4. The nightlife and music scene are legendary.
When the sun goes down, Osaka comes alive. The city is famous for its incredible nightlife, which is much more concentrated and accessible than in Tokyo. The districts of Namba and Shinsaibashi are a maze of lively bars, underground music venues, and quirky, themed izakayas (Japanese pubs). There is something for every taste and budget, from tiny, smoke-filled rock bars to chic cocktail lounges.
The city has a thriving independent music scene and a raw, creative energy that is incredibly infectious. It is a city that loves to have a good time, and its energy is hard to resist.
5. It’s a perfect, affordable base for exploring the Kansai region.
Osaka is the perfect strategic base for exploring the wider Kansai region, which is home to some of Japan’s most famous sights. The historic cities of Kyoto and Nara are just a short and cheap train ride away, making for easy and incredible day trips. You can spend the day exploring the serene temples of Kyoto and then return to the vibrant energy of Osaka for dinner.
Hotels and food in Osaka are generally much more affordable than in neighboring Kyoto, so you can save a significant amount of money by staying in Osaka and using it as your hub.
6. It has a unique and gritty retro-futuristic vibe.
Osaka has a visual aesthetic that is completely its own. The city has a fascinating blend of old and new, with gritty, Showa-era shopping arcades and neon-lit streets that feel like they were pulled straight from the movie “Blade Runner.” The Shinsekai district, with its iconic Tsutenkaku Tower, is a perfect example of this retro-futuristic charm.
It is a city that is less polished and perfect than Tokyo, but it has a much more soulful and cinematic character. It is a photographer’s dream, a city of endless visual texture and personality.
7. It offers a more “real” and unpretentious side of Japan.
While Tokyo can sometimes feel overwhelmingly large and formal, and Kyoto can feel like a perfectly preserved museum, Osaka feels like a real, living, breathing city. It is a place of commerce, of industry, and of people who work hard and play hard. The city is less concerned with refined aesthetics and more concerned with having a good time.
This gives it a gritty, down-to-earth authenticity that many travelers find incredibly refreshing. It’s a chance to see a side of Japan that is a bit louder, a bit messier, and a lot of fun.