The bustling metropolis of Osaka in the heart of Japan’s Kansai region is a lively neon combination of ultra-modern skyscrapers, traditional merchant quarters, outgoing locals and culinary delights. A historic port city and center of commerce, Osaka is the gateway to western Japan and offers a compact slice of what life is like in a true Asian megacity. With its key transport connections and close proximity to Kyoto and other top tourist spots, Osaka makes for a great base from which to explore the region while offering first class shopping, food and nightlife, too.