Japan is having a cultural moment. Once an exotic and unusual destination, now it’s a must-visit hot spot for American travelers.
Modern and ancient cultures blend together seamlessly here.
The food is so good it’s been exported around the world. And forget New York, because Tokyo is really the city that never sleeps!
Airbnb has unveiled its winter travel report. This winter, the two most searched-for international destinations for American travelers were both in Japan.
Osaka came in second place and unsurprisingly, the mega city of Tokyo took the first place crown.
Visiting Osaka
Osaka is Japan’s kitchen as well as its party capital. The nightlife here is raucous, and the people seem much more friendly because they’re out to have a good time.
I have spoken to more local people in Osaka than I ever have in Tokyo!
Perhaps the most well-known attraction in Osaka is Dotonbori. This is an area full of neon lights and is where you can see Osaka’s famous running man. It’s also home to Osaka’s iconic food street, which is the place to be when the sun goes down.
But there’s so much more to see and do in Osaka than its Vegas-style entertainment.
For a taste of ancient Japan, visit the historic Ikutama Shrine. This shrine has red tori gates like the more famous shrines of Kyoto, but without the crowds. It is a bastion of calm in a crazy city! Entry is free.
Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of the oldest shrines in Japan, is also located in the heart of Osaka.
For the best views in town, go to the top of the Umeda Sky Building. With its floating garden, this observatory is best visited at the beginning of your trip to really help you understand the scale of the city.
Entry costs 2,000 yen ($13) per person.
I was surprised by just how much I liked Osaka; we visited for its theme parks (that’s what happens when you travel with kids) and proximity to ancient Kyoto but fell in love with its vibrancy and laid-back vibe.
Getting To Osaka
Both Osaka and Tokyo are both well connected to the U.S. You can fly nonstop to Osaka from 3 American airports; Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Fransisco.
Honolulu is both the cheapest and closest access point to get to Osaka, but it’s more likely you’ll need the convenience of a mainland American hub.
The next cheapest option is to fly from Los Angeles. Flying on December 2 and returning a week later on December 9 will cost $693. This flight is operated by Japan Airlines.
If you choose this route you’ll have an outbound flight time of 12 h 40 and an inbound flight time of 10 h 05.
Visiting Tokyo
If you only visit one city in Japan then it really should be Tokyo. In reality, the city is so big and diverse that it needs to be tackled like you’re visiting a small country!
Tokyo is the one city I always want to go back to, and you can discover a different side to it every single time.
Of course, you can visit the city’s iconic tall buildings like the Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree. Entrance to the Tokyo Skytree costs 3,100 yen ($20) to visit both decks. As in Osaka, do this early in your trip to really appreciate the scale of the city.
Tokyo is also cram packed full of ancient attractions. The Senso-ji temple is perhaps the most famous (sadly it’s also the most crowded, so get there as early as possible) and the Imperial Palace is well worth exploring, particularly its gardens which are a stunning oasis of calm.
If you want to get off the beaten path then try Ebisu Yokocho. A maze-like area of tiny streets with hidden bars and restaurants where you can sit shoulder to to shoulder with locals and get a real taste of Japanese nightlife.
And although it’s not a lesser-known attraction, everyone should visit Akihabara Electric Town at least once. The land of neon and gaming is a mecca for nerds and a true visual delight.
So many people make the mistake of trying to cram the whole of Japan into a 10-day vacation, but all they’re really seeing is a highlights reel.
Much better to pick one city and really get to know it instead. And mine’s a vote for that first city being Tokyo!
Getting To Tokyo
As the larger and more well-known city, it should come as no surprise that Tokyo is significantly better connected to the U.S. than Osaka. You can fly nonstop to Tokyo from 16 U.S. cities.
Deep breath to read this list! Those options are: Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Fransicso, San Jose, New York, Detroit, San Diego, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Washington DC, Dallas and Boston.
At the time of writing the cheapest departure airport is Los Angeles. Flying on December 2 and returning on December 9 will cost $526. This flight is operated by United Airlines.
You’ll have an outbound flight time of 11 h 45 and an inbound flight time of 9 h 55.
There are 2 large international airports in Tokyo; Haneda and Narita. Both are equally well connected to central Tokyo, so I tend to fly into whichever is cheapest! But if transfer time is important to you, then Haneda airport is much closer to the city.
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