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If you thought Osaka’s time in the global spotlight ended with the conclusion of last year’s World Expo, think again. The city is thriving right now, with a constant stream of exciting openings and events, not to mention Time Out Market Osaka’s anniversary celebrations, setting the stage for what’s sure to be a historic sakura season.
The Expo’s considerable momentum is being kept alive too, with beloved mascot Myaku-Myaku embarking on a prefecture-wide tour and the grand Expo fireworks set to be restaged in April. Selected installations from the Expo site will also be showcased at venues across the region.
The buzz is reflected in Time Out’s annual Best Cities survey, which has just ranked Osaka as the No 39 city in the world for 2026, ahead of the likes of Chicago, Vienna and Lisbon. It’s an achievement worth highlighting, as Osaka has never made the top 50 before.
Now in its tenth anniversary year, the worldwide Best Cities list is compiled based on the insights of more than 24,000 people across 150 cities around the globe, combined with the votes of more than 100 Time Out city experts.
The survey it’s based on asks not only what people love about their cities – the food scene and nightlife, the shops and museums, the parks and people – but also how it feels to live there, with questions touching on everything from happiness and quality of life to romance and community feel. The result is a comprehensive rundown of the most exciting places to live in and to explore in 2026.
While Osaka stakes a strong claim to the title of Japan’s culinary capital, the city offers more than just a full stomach. The beating heart of Kansai boasts world-class shopping in districts like Shinsaibashi and Umeda, an island (Nakanoshima) dedicated to museums and culture, and lush nature just a short train ride away – not to mention buzzing indie music and record store scenes. So it’s no surprise that 70 percent of Osaka respondents said they feel happier in the city than anywhere else.
Plus, with its enviable location at the heart of a diverse region, Osaka also serves as the ideal base for exploring nearby destinations including Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Wakayama. Getting around and out of town is a breeze with the city’s public transport system, which 82 percent of locals praised as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’.
Elsewhere on the Best Cities list, Tokyo ranked a respectable No 10, while the world’s top 5 cities for 2026 are Melbourne (No 1), Shanghai (2), Edinburgh (3), London (4) and New York (5). See the full top 50 here.
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