Osaka is Japan’s most outgoing big city, famous for its food, humour, lively neighbourhoods and easy-going atmosphere. It feels more relaxed than Tokyo and less formal than Kyoto, with a strong local identity and a long tradition as a merchant city where eating well has always been taken seriously.

The best place to feel Osaka’s energy is Dotonbori, the neon-lit canal district packed with restaurants, street food stalls and huge animated shop signs. This is the place to try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu and other Osaka favourites. It’s busy, bright and unashamedly fun, especially in the evening when the lights reflect across the canal.

Nearby, Shinsaibashi and Namba are excellent for shopping, casual dining and people-watching. Covered arcades, department stores, underground malls and small backstreet eateries make this one of the easiest areas to explore on foot. For a more retro atmosphere, Shinsekai offers old-school restaurants, bright signage and views of Tsutenkaku Tower.

Osaka also has a strong historic side. Osaka Castle is the city’s best-known landmark, set within a broad park and surrounded by impressive moats and stone walls. The current castle keep is a reconstruction, but the grounds are well worth visiting, especially during cherry blossom season.

For a more modern perspective, head to Umeda in the north of the city, where skyscrapers, department stores and transport hubs create a very different feel from Namba. The Umeda Sky Building offers wide city views, especially at sunset or after dark.

Osaka works very well at the end of a Japan itinerary, especially with easy access to Kansai Airport and excellent rail connections to Kyoto, Nara, Himeji and Hiroshima. It’s also a good place to finish because it’s sociable, delicious and easy to enjoy without over-planning.

Expert Tip: Save Osaka for the evening if your itinerary is tight. The city is at its best after dark, when Dotonbori, Namba and the small restaurant lanes come alive.