Osaka is widely considered the best city in Japan for food, earning the title "Kitchen of Japan" for its, vibrant street food scene, especially in Dotonbori. Known for the motto kuidaore (eat until you drop), it excels in casual, affordable dishes like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu.
Osaka is known as Japan's kitchen and it really is a foodies paradise, so many great restaurants and interesting dishes. Namba in the south of the city is our pick of places to stay and eat and it is here that you'll find Kuramon Market.
Kansai, also known as Kinki, is where we find major destinations such as Kobe, Kyoto, and Osaka, often referred to as “the kitchen of Japan.” In this area, the term kuidaore, or “eat until you drop,” was coined.
Considered by some as the “culinary capital of Japan” (the city's motto is “kuidaore,” literally meaning “to eat oneself into financial ruin”), Osaka should be on every foodie's itinerary.
TOKYO Food Guide | 40 Places to Eat & Drink (With Prices!)
What is the prettiest area of Japan?
Japan's most beautiful places include iconic Mount Fuji, historic Kyoto (Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji), the floating Torii gate at Miyajima Island, stunning autumn foliage in Oirase Gorge, and traditional villages like Shirakawa-go, with beauty varying from natural wonders to cultural sites like Kenroku-en Garden and Himeji Castle.
The "Rule of 5" in Japanese food, known as Gomi Goshiki Goho (五味五色五法), is a traditional principle of washoku emphasizing balance through five flavors, five colors, and five cooking methods to create harmonious, nutritious, and aesthetically pleasing meals. It also extends to five senses (gokan) and even five attitudes for a holistic dining experience.
We typically find that we encounter fewer lines, less squooshed trains, and an overall easier time finding accommodation or going to attractions in Osaka. The city's got plenty going on and plenty of people having an amazing city, but Osaka manages to feel less crowded than Tokyo.
Kyoto, considered by many as Japan's most beautiful city, was the Japanese capital until the government was moved to Tokyo in 1868. However, the city is still Japan's religious center with over 1000 Buddhist temples.
Hiroshima. There's plenty to do in Hiroshima including visiting art museums and wandering the city's lush, greenery-filled parks but it's Hiroshima's peace memorials that captivate travellers the most. ...
In general, Tokyo cuisine is richer, bolder and saltier, whereas Osaka food is milder and sweeter. You'll find more seafood dishes in Tokyo but a wider variety of vegetables in Osaka. Whether it's okonomiyaki vs monjayaki or triangular vs round onigiri, the inter-city rivalry is very pronounced in the kitchen.
Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone each offer something completely different—Kyoto's refined tradition, Osaka's bold street food culture, and Hakone's serene luxury. Together they make up the ultimate food itinerary, packed with unforgettable flavors and experiences.
Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you. If you've got 4 or more days in Japan, you should see both.
The cheapest months to fly to Japan are typically January, February, and early March, especially after the New Year's rush, due to winter being the low season, with potential deals in the shoulder seasons like late May/early June and late November/early December, avoiding peak cherry blossom (late March/early April) and summer (July/August) times.
While holding hands is generally fine in Japan, kissing in public is strongly frowned upon and considered awkward or inappropriate, making it best to save passionate displays for private settings like hotels or homes, as it goes against traditional Japanese modesty and personal space norms, even if younger people are slightly more tolerant.
Mount Fuji, Honshu (Chubu Region) Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Mount Fuji stands as Japan's most iconic natural landmark, featuring perfect symmetrical beauty often crowned with snow.
