Until 1868, Kyoto was the capital of Japan since the end of the 8th century, it is one of the most popular destinations amongst overseas tourists to Japan. With a variety of historically valuable structures such as temples, shrines and Japanese gardens the city draws over 50 million visitors annually from all over the world.
Osaka is an exciting city for visitors and the town becomes more vibrant after sunset. Large neon billboards along the Dotonbori River in the Minami (southern) area is the most iconic landscape of the town. There are dizzying arrays of restaurants, food stalls, and shops in Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho and Shinsekai. The traditional atmosphere in the busy quarters of the town have not changed for decades.
Japan’s capital Tokyo is a huge metropolis that is continuously reinventing itself. It is the main hub for Japan travel and offers seemingly endless options for eating out and shopping. Tokyo is also rich in culture, from traditional to kawaii, pop, and futuristic. The city combines new and old. From its iconic landmarks Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree you can see how modern architecture and historic structures sit next to each other in the sprawling cityscape. The forested grounds of Meiji Shrine for example are surrounded with some of the busiest districts.
Osaka is the economic center of the Kansai region and a main hub for Japan travel. Go up to the observatory of the Umeda Sky Building for great city views. In the center stands Osaka Castle with great views over the city. Compared to Tokyo, Osaka has a different atmosphere and its citizens speak the Kansai-ben dialect. Osaka also has its own flavors and is known for good eating. Try local favorites like savoury okonomiyaki pancakes, takoyaki dumplings, and kushiage skewers in the Shinsekai and Dotonbori districts. Lively Dotonbori is famous for its restaurants with their flashy signage and neon billboards.