#1. Osaka
If Kyoto was the city of the courtly nobility and Tokyo the city of the samurai, then Osaka was the city of the merchant class. Japan's third-largest city is a place where things have always moved a bit faster, where people are a bit brasher and interactions are peppered with playful jabs – and locals take pride in this.
Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It's known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It's surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.
Neon-lit Dōtonbori is Osaka’s popular dining and entertainment district, where huge signs in the shape of sea creatures hang above eateries serving local specialties like takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). Nearby Shinsaibashi is a covered shopping arcade with trendy fashion boutiques. Other big draws include Universal Studios Japan, the movie-themed amusement park, as well as the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, which re-creates Pacific Ocean habitats. The top of the Umeda Sky Building, which has glass elevators and an open-air observatory, has views over the whole city.