Osaka is nicknamed "Japan's kitchen" and is known amongst the Japanese people as the city of gastronomy. So, how is the food of Osaka different to that of Kyoto or Tokyo? For example, neither Osaka's famous takoyaki nor okonomiyaki are haute cuisine made with luxury ingredients. It's actually the appreciative palates of the Osakans that enhance the flavor. The cheapness of the food is also viewed as its aesthetic. Expensive foods are expected to be delicious, but it is the cheap delicious foods that are most appreciated in Osaka.

This thought clearly demonstrates the trading spirit of Osaka. Osaka flourished as a town of merchants from several hundred years ago, and Osakans remain assertive. Osaka is also the city of comedy. Laughing and eating are what makes a vibrant life. If you travel to Osaka, it's best to eat well and interact with the locals. The intonation of the local Osaka-ben dialect may seem a little rough at first, but everyone should speak to you in a friendly manner.

Osaka is the second biggest city in Japan after Tokyo. It is a passionate, vibrant city with warm, friendly people, where you can easily experience the differences between Eastern and Western Japan.