Osaka, Japan | World’s Best Cities

Osaka, Japan

Japan’s third-largest city and an economic engine, Osaka has a long history of feeding its millions of inhabitants well, earning the city its motto: kuidaore, or “eat till you drop.” Affectionately known as tenka no daidokoro—the country’s kitchen—Osaka is Japan’s street food capital, home of takoyaki and okonomiyaki (as well as the birthplace of the infamous sushi conveyor belt). But the city also tickles many a funny bone with an abundance of comedy clubs specializing in manzai, a sillier take on the “straight man and wacky guy” comedy routine. A direct result of that beloved foodie culture and those must-see experiences is a decent showing in our Livability and Lovability indices, at #7 and #13 respectively—numbers that are poised to rise in the coming years. And, recently, the government cemented Osaka’s place as a hub of entertainment by approving a controversial plan for the country’s first casino. To be built on the city’s artificial island of Yumeshima, it will be part of a US$12.8-billion resort due to be completed in 2029. The annual Tourism EXPO Japan Osaka Kansai, which attracts 150,000 visitors annually, lets the city stay top of mind while captivating the imagination of travelers through a kaleidoscope of sensory and savory experiences.