Osaka is Japan's third largest city, home to around two and a half million people. Widely derided as a city of the night, its stark ugliness best appreciated under the flattering glow of neon, Osaka is nonetheless an exciting city to experience, and one well worth visiting if you are looking for a slice of fast paced excitement, great shopping and nightlife, and more than a little bit of typical Japanese eccentricity.

Osaka is predominantly an industrial town, but as with many Japanese cities, the leisure needs of the local population have created an infrastructure that makes most European tourist resorts look a bit poor in terms of attractions to keep you entertained. With several theme parks, a vast nightlife district around the Dotombori area of the city, and plenty of things to keep tourists occupied during the day, Osaka is a great place to spend a few days, and the pace of life will leave you almost breathless.

ID：107679-03908 Osaka City, Japan 　　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Jingaiping

Like Tokyo, Osaka is a massive commercial centre, playing a leading role in the world economy. In terms of attractions for the casual tourist there are all the usual suspects such as museums, temples and galleries, however much of the reason for visiting Osaka is to integrate into the Japanese way of city life. Morning strolls through the park broken by visits to one of the numerous coffee houses to watch life and people pass on by in a world of their own, city workers at a frantic pace, others at a leisurely stroll. Perhaps a spot of shopping before lunch and onto Osaka-jo castle. Then for a bird’s eye view of the city, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. If you’re still up for more, then a cruise around Osaka Bay should satisfy the sightseer in you and give you a different perspective of the city.

ID：107679-02960 Osaka Dotonbori 　　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Jingaiping

The modern skyline of the city seems to change daily, the people seem to sprint from one place to another, cars seldom stop moving, and all the time, noise surrounds you to such an extent that you soon forget it is even there. Osaka is all about pace of life, and as long as you can keep up, you will be blown away by this fascinating city. (CCNPIC Nestor)