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Japan is experiencing a cultural moment. Once an exotic and unusual destination, now a must-visit hotspot for American travelers.
Modern and ancient cultures blend seamlessly here.
The food is so good that it is exported all over the world. And forget New York, because Tokyo really is the city that never sleeps!
Airbnb has unveiled its winter travelogue. This winter, the two most searched international destinations for American travelers were both in Japan.
Osaka came in second place and unsurprisingly the megacity Tokyo took first place.
Visit Osaka
Osaka is both Japanese cuisine and party capital. The nightlife here is raucous and the people seem much friendlier because they are out to have a good time.
I’ve talked to more local people in Osaka than I ever did in Tokyo!
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Osaka is Dotonbori. This is an area full of neon lights and here 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 Vegas-style entertainment.
Visit the historic Ikutama Shrine for a taste of ancient Japan. This shrine has red tori gates like Kyoto’s better known shrines, but without the crowds. It’s a bastion of peace in a crazy city! Entrance is free.
Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of the oldest shrines in Japan, is also located in the heart of Osaka.
For the best views in the city, go to the top of the Umeda Sky Building. With its floating garden, this observatory is best visited at the start of your trip so you can really appreciate the scale of the city.
Entry costs 2,000 yen ($13) per person.
I was surprised by how much I liked Osaka; we visited for the theme parks (that’s what happens when you travel with kids) and the proximity to old Kyoto, but fell in love with the vibrancy and laid-back atmosphere.
Travel to Osaka
Both Osaka and Tokyo are both well connected to the US. You can fly non-stop to Osaka from 3 American airports; Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Honolulu is both the cheapest and closest access point to reach Osaka, but you’re more likely to need the convenience of a mainland US hub.
The next cheapest option is to fly from Los Angeles. Flying on December 2nd and returning a week later on December 9th costs $693. This flight is operated by Japan Airlines.
If you choose this route, you have an outbound flight time of 12h40 and a return flight time of 10h05.
A visit to Tokyo
If you only visit one city in Japan, it should really be Tokyo. In reality, the city is so big and diverse that you should approach it as if you were visiting a small country!
Tokyo is the one city I always want to go back to, and you can discover a different side of it every time.
Of course, you can visit the city’s iconic tall buildings, such as 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 packed with ancient sights. Senso-ji Temple is perhaps the most famous (unfortunately it is also the busiest, so get there as early as possible) and the Imperial Palace is well worth exploring, especially the gardens which provide a beautiful oasis of tranquility.
If you want to get off the beaten path, try Ebisu Yokocho. A maze-like area with small streets lined with hidden bars and restaurants where you can sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals and get a taste of real Japanese nightlife.
And while it’s not a lesser-known attraction, everyone should visit Akihabara Electric Town at least once. The land of neon and gaming is a paradise for nerds and a true visual delight.
So many people make the mistake of cramming the whole of Japan into a ten day vacation, but all they actually see is a highlight film.
It is much better to choose one city and really get to know it. And mine is a vote for that first city, Tokyo!
Traveling to Tokyo
As a larger and better-known city, it should come as no surprise that Tokyo is significantly better connected to the US than Osaka. You can fly nonstop to Tokyo from 16 American cities.
Take a deep breath to read this list! Those options are: Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco, San Jose, New York, Detroit, San Diego, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Washington DC, Dallas and Boston.
At the time of writing, Los Angeles is the cheapest departure airport. Flying on December 2 and returning on December 9 costs $526. This flight is operated by United Airlines.
You have an outbound flight time of 11:45 am and a return flight time of 9:55 am.
There are 2 major international airports in Tokyo; Haneda and Narita. Both are equally well connected to central Tokyo, so I usually fly to the cheapest one! But if transfer time is important to you, Haneda Airport is much closer to the city.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
