The travel comparison website Skyscanner recently released their Travel Trends report for 2024, and two Japanese cities made the top 10 for the most-searched destinations around the globe. Osaka came in at third place on the list with a 210% year-on-year increase in searches, and Tokyo was hot on its heels in fourth place with a 201% year-on-year increase.
The Skyscanner report noted that the main factors driving travel trends were the food, attractions, and weather of a destination, and Osaka in particular is known as one of the country's top foodie hotspots – it often gets nicknamed the kitchen of Japan. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau's food expert Mr. Tetsuya Nakamura was asked why the city is such a great gastronomic spot in the report, and the reasons given were:
- Quality food comes in a range of price points, so you don't need to spend a small fortune enjoying some delicious cuisine – obviously you can splurge, though, if you'd like!
- Osaka ranks fourth in the world on the list of cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants. There are 3 three-star restaurants, 10 two-star restaurants, and around 80 one-star restaurants, plus a host of Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants which are known for their top quality food at cost-effective prices.
- The city has a number of great food-related events coming up on the calendar, including the World Food Expo which is held once every four years.
Tokyo is no slouch in the food department, either – it's the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.
Getting there
Tokyo and Osaka are connected by the Tokaido shinkansen line, with the travel time taking approximately two and a half hours. Tokyo reached by air via Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT), with Osaka served by Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Itami Airport (ITM).