Osaka
When military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi built his castle in Osaka in the late 16th century, the local economy boomed. Though less so now, Osaka has been known as a bustling city of merchants. In the same way the imperial court in Kyoto nurtured a certain culture in the city, so too did the merchants create one. Perhaps due to the nature of the business, the merchants were gregarious, approachable and less reserved than people in Kyoto and Tokyo. (Osaka is the birthplace and home of manzai, Japanese stand up comedy.) Osakans even now are thought to be especially practical. And finally, the merchant culture produced great restaurants. An Osaka resident will likely boast that you will not eat better anywhere else in Japan. After a couple of nights out in Dotonbori, Osaka's restaurant district, you may develop strong opinions about this!
Lodging & Neighborhood:
 Nankai South Tower Hotel Osaka |
Namba District |
Dotonbori District 
|  Namba Walk & Namba City |
 Shin Kabuki-za Theater | 
Umeda District |
Some Attractions:
National Bunraku Theater |
National Museum of Ethnology |
Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses |
Osaka Castle |
Osaka Municipal Central Wholesale Market |
Tenpozan Harbar Village |
Universal Studio Japan |
Additional Resources:
Osaka Prefecture
Japan Travel Updates-Osaka (by Japan National Tourist Organization)
Osaka City
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