A fun and colourful guidebook to Osaka that delves into the many facets of the city.
Osaka is the rowdy, messy and always hungry cousin of Tokyo, a city that knows how to laugh, to eat well and definitely knows how to throw a party.
Long in Tokyo and Kyoto's shadow, Osaka is a city that somehow still manages to embody Japan’s spirit, while redefining it for a new era. Osaka Story captures that identity – from temple to takoyaki stall – giving readers a multifaceted and immersive experience of the city.
Osaka is the wild one – pure streetwise swagger in its technicolour swirl of neon lights and sizzling food stalls. Here, the refined Japan of tradition and manners gives way to back-alley izakayas (pubs), pop-culture shrines, and an unfiltered love for all things bold and brash. Loud, hungry, and endlessly curious, this is a place that knows how to have a laugh, eat spectacularly well and throw a party that spills onto the streets. The city is the birthplace of Love Hotels and has turned American street fashion into a Japanese art form.
This book explores Osaka not just as a destination, but as a living narrative of Japan’s history, humour, and a centre of innovation. Each themed chapter of this guide tells the tale of Osaka's rich history, culture and flavour to give you the full travel experience. Through storytelling, a curated list of must-visit places and stunning imagery, Osaka Story will act as both travel inspiration and a practical guide to the city that welcomes you like a local.
