Why Osaka should be on your travel list in 2026

Osaka, a culturally rich city also attracts with its street food, gourmet dining, plethora of shops and most importantly, its vibe

Unpopular opinion: Osaka > Tokyo.

Admittedly, Tokyo is fantastic, futuristic, sweeping you up with its quick pace, skyscrapers, neighbourhoods with quirky fashion, pop culture, neon lights, trendy districts like Ginza, Michelin-star restaurants, immersive art exhibitions, bustling nightlife and food scene. The vibe, I thought, was unmatched, till I reached Osaka.

This port city, on the Japanese island of Honshu, has me wrapped around its little finger. I do not know if it is the laid-back charm, the geniality of the locals, their interesting fashion choices (I saw a lot of pinks, from candy floss and neon to raspberry and fuchsia), the perfect weather, the food scene, the shopping, or the fact that I managed to snag a pair of golden Onitsuka Tiger sneakers in my size (which Tokyo failed to source for me). The gamut of experiences here range from traditional tea ceremonies, peaceful shrine visits, and sumo experiences to Mario kart tours, pub crawls, and bar hopping to izakayas. Sensing its potential, luxury hotel chains and bars are investing in real estate in Osaka. The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened its first outpost here in 2024. Gucci unveiled its Gucci Giardino bar last year in the Umeda district, said to be the second-ever after Florence. 

At Four Seasons Osaka, an entire floor is dedicated to the traditional Japanese style of living | Photo Credit: Four Seasons Osaka

But my first stop is a dungeon: one that lets me swipe my credit card. Tucked below six interconnected Umeda stations in the area, is a world I never knew or expected. I feel like Harry Potter entering Diagon Alley. I follow the steps that lead to the cavernous belly and enter a bustling underground world commonly known as Umeda Dungeon — a network of shopping malls, stores, and diners. There are alleys that lead to more alleys. Yes, you will get lost and find yourself emerging out of one of the five other stations but wherever you are you will always be ensconced in the comfort of retail therapy. I highly recommend the Lucua complex that houses two buildings brimming with boutiques showcasing local designers and international brands.

Post this, driven by greed to buy more, I find myself entering Don Quijote, the store where chaos meets consumerism. Popularly known as Donki, this is a discount store chain with multiple floors — I gave up counting after three — brimming with cosmetics, skin care, electronics, snacks, costumes, pre-loved bags and no clear instructions on where to find an escalator or steps to move up to the next floor. The long queue from the billing counter spills between the aisles but the staff at the counters are efficient and the queue moves fast. I spend two hours at Donki but in hindsight, I would have liked to spend that time at the Umeda Dungeon.