Known within Japan as the home of many a comedian, this city is louder, brasher and often more merry than Tokyo—making the best things to do in Osaka some of the top activities in Japan, period. The locals here also like to eat, so much so that they have a word for it: kuidaore, or “to eat yourself broke” in the local Osakan dialect. Leaving this city hungry (or with a full wallet) is a no-go.
The centre is relatively compact, but don’t let that deceive you: to really get underneath Osaka’s skin, you’ll need at least a couple of days of walking, eating and drinking. That includes highlights such as pretty Osaka castle and feisty Dotonbori, to more far-flung corners such as Sakai and, of course, many, many eats in between. If you're deciding where to stay in Osaka, find the very best things to do in the city so the top activities are just a short distance away.
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