Osaka
大阪府
Where is Osaka?
Osaka Prefecture is one of the regions of the Kinki (Kansai) area, located on the western side of the Japanese archipelago.
In the past, it was the smallest prefecture in Japan in terms of area, but in 1988 it traded places with Kagawa Prefecture. Today, it is the second smallest region in Japan by area after Kagawa Prefecture. Its population is approximately 8.77 million as of 2025, ranking third in the country, and in the 2019 "Most Livable Cities Ranking," it was selected as fourth in the world after Vienna, Melbourne, and Sydney, earning high praise for its livability.
Looking at the surrounding areas, it is bordered by four prefectures in the Kinki region: Hyogo Prefecture to the west, Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Nara Prefecture to the east, and Wakayama Prefecture to the south. The climate is relatively stable throughout the year, and rainfall is comparatively low on a national scale. On the other hand, in the city center, nighttime temperatures in summer do not easily drop, and tropical nights are not uncommon.
In addition, there are many rivers and moats within Osaka Prefecture, and in the past, water transportation-based logistics flourished. Because of this history, Osaka is also known as the "City of Water."
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Specialty Products of Osaka
Osaka Prefecture once flourished as the main hub of logistics and was widely known as the “Kitchen of the Nation.”
It is also famous as the “City of Kuidaore,” a place where people are so passionate about eating delicious local specialties and signature dishes that they end up spending too much money on food. When it comes to Osaka’s iconic foods, takoyaki and okonomiyaki are especially well known, but the appeal does not end there.
In addition, Osaka boasts many other exquisite dishes, as well as a variety of traditional crafts that embody its long history and refined techniques.
Food
Takoyaki
In Osaka, takoyaki is characterized by a crispy exterior and a soft, gooey interior. In addition to the classic sauce and mayonnaise, many shops let you freely choose toppings such as salt, ponzu with mayonnaise, or soy sauce with mayonnaise. At some places, you can even cook the takoyaki yourself, allowing you to enjoy both the fun of making it and the delicious taste.
Kushikatsu
Kushikatsu is a famous specialty of Osaka made by skewering meat, seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients on bamboo sticks and deep-frying them until crispy. Its appeal lies in the piping-hot, juicy flavor, and the ingredients and menu items offered vary greatly from one restaurant to another. When eating, you dip them in the sauce or sprinkle them with salt provided on the table. However, in Osaka style, double-dipping in the sauce is strictly forbidden. Follow the rules and enjoy this delicious dish properly.
Butaman
Although they are generally called “nikuman” (meat buns), a distinctive feature in Osaka is that they are more often referred to as “butaman” (pork buns). Inside the chewy dough is a generous filling made from a mixture of pork and onions, and the combination of the juicy meat that bursts out with the first bite and the dough is outstanding.
Kasu-udon
Kasu udon is an Osaka specialty consisting of “gyu-kasu” (deep-fried beef small intestine) served on top of udon noodles. Because the small intestines are fried until they become crispy, the dish is not overly greasy, and the more you chew, the more the rich flavor of the beef katsu spreads in your mouth. That savory richness blends into the udon and the broth, creating a taste so delicious it makes you want to look up to the heavens. Today, it enjoys great popularity as a classic Osaka dish.
Crafts & Others
Naniwa Suzuki
Naniwa tinware is a type of metalwork that has been actively manufactured and sold in Osaka since the Edo period. Because tin, the raw material, is soft in nature, each piece is processed by hand by artisans. As a result, no two items are exactly the same, and every piece is one of a kind. In addition, tin is highly durable and is believed to have a purifying effect on water through its ionic properties, so many products suitable for everyday use—such as canteens, sake ware, and tumblers—are made from it.
Osaka Ranma
English: --- Osaka ranma are decorative architectural components installed between the ceiling and the lintel in traditional Japanese houses, and are said to have originated in the early 17th century. They serve to improve ventilation and allow light to enter the interior, combining practicality with beauty. The carvings often depict landscapes, flowers, and plants and animals, with the artisans’ advanced skills expressed in every detail. End English ---
Sakaiuchi-Hamono
These are traditional blades that have been handed down for generations in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. They are made by combining soft iron with hard steel, achieving both ease of use and excellent sharpness. From around the 15th century, forging techniques developed, and their razor-sharp cutting ability and high hardness became major characteristics. Today, it is said that many of the knives used by professional chefs are Sakai forged blades, and, influenced by the global boom in Japanese cuisine, they are attracting great attention from chefs around the world.
Osaka Hariko
The papier-mâché technique was introduced to Japan from China in the 1600s, and by the early Edo period it was mainly produced in Osaka and Kyoto. Today, it has been passed down primarily in Kashiwara City, Osaka Prefecture. Motifs such as tigers and daruma are created by layering washi paper over wooden molds, and these works are cherished as lucky charms, including those that pray for children’s healthy growth and those that serve as talismans to ward off misfortune.
Areas
Discover the unique areas within this prefecture
Access to Osaka
The main air gateways to Osaka Prefecture are Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport). Both airports offer excellent access from domestic and international destinations.
Limousine buses run daily from Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport to Osaka Station, which is located in the center of Osaka. The travel time is approximately 1 hour from Kansai International Airport to Osaka Station, and about 30 minutes from Osaka International Airport to Osaka Station.
Within Osaka Prefecture, transportation options such as trains, buses, taxis, and rental bicycles are well developed, making it easy to visit various sightseeing spots. In particular, by using trains and buses, you can smoothly access almost all tourist attractions within the prefecture.
History of Osaka
Osaka Prefecture developed around the port of Naniwazu, which opened around the 5th century. Naniwazu was located in what is now the Chuo Ward of Osaka City and functioned as an important gateway for receiving ships from Asian countries, including Korea and China.
Although the current capital is Tokyo, if we trace history back, there was also a period when Osaka flourished as the capital. As a remnant of that era, many kofun (ancient burial mounds for members of the imperial family) still remain, and in 2019 the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
In addition, Osaka Prefecture was written as "大坂" (Ōsaka) until the Edo period, but after the beginning of the Meiji era, the character 坂 (saka) was thought to carry an inauspicious meaning of "returning to the earth" (i.e., to the soil), so the notation was changed to the current "大阪" (Ōsaka).
About Osaka
The City of Comedy and Its Sacred Place
Osaka Prefecture is known throughout Japan as “the city of comedy.”
Behind this reputation lies a deeply rooted comedy culture not only among professional comedians but also among ordinary people. As you walk through the city, you will find humor woven into everyday conversations, and many people naturally develop a good sense of comedy.
Namba Grand Kagetsu / Photo AC
Osaka is also home to Namba Grand Kagetsu, regarded as a sacred place for comedy, where various performances such as manzai (comic duos), rakugo (comic storytelling), and Yoshimoto Shinkigeki (a style of comic theater) are held every day.
These performances are very popular among tourists from overseas as well and continue to captivate many fans.
The City of Kuidaore (Eating Until You Drop)
Okonomiyaki / Photo AC
Osaka Prefecture is widely known as “the city of kuidaore”, offering an abundance of delicious gourmet food. The word “kuidaore” carries the nuance of being so absorbed in eating and drinking that you end up spending too much money and even losing your fortune.
Osaka has long been blessed with both seafood and mountain produce, and thanks to this environment, its food culture has developed to be exceptionally rich compared with other regions. Furthermore, during the Edo period, Osaka was called “the nation’s kitchen,” and high-quality ingredients from all over Japan were gathered there. As a result, the city of Osaka at that time bustled with delicious food.
This food culture has been passed down to the present day, and even now Osaka is loved as a city where you can enjoy a wide variety of attractive dishes.
Universal Studios Japan, Also Very Popular with Overseas Tourists
Universal Studios Japan / Photo AC
Osaka Prefecture is home to Universal Studios Japan (USJ), a theme park that enjoys great popularity among overseas tourists.
At Universal Studios Japan, you can experience attractions based on Hollywood movies such as “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park,” and stroll through areas that recreate cityscapes like Hollywood Boulevard and 1930s New York. In recent years, the park has also focused on content beyond Hollywood films, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park, and Super Nintendo World, evolving into a theme park that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
There are also limited-time collaboration attractions with anime works, as well as exclusive merchandise and food items, making it an unmissable spot for anime fans as well.