Osaka

I spent two months exploring as much as possible with my partner, and we left feeling like we hadn’t even scratched the surface.

With vast, dramatic landscapes and dramatically fewer tourists than the rest of the country—some places are all but deserted—Japan’s south is in some ways its most authentic region, and certainly …

After 8 years based here, I can say that Japan rivals many nations with its budget friendliness. Here are my favorite travel hacks for sightseeing and eating out.

Osaka’s most famous dishes are okonomiyaki (cabbage pancake) and takoyaki (octopus balls), but the Japanese city has so much more to offer. Here’s exactly where to go and what to …