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First Time in Osaka? | 4 Things to Add to your Travel Itinerary for the Japanese City

Mar 18 (Japan by Food) - We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Osaka – Japan’s 2nd largest city by area after Tokyo – is a foodie paradise. And this year, with the arrival of the Osaka Kansai EXPO 2025 and Japan's current tourism boom, more of you may be planning a stop to Osaka or the greater Kansai region.

So, in this guide, Shizuka takes learnings from her past travels to Osaka, to show you the must-try foods, how to find the hidden gems you won’t want to miss, and of course the slew of past Japan by Food videos that’ll teach you all you need to know.

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The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

A man found wandering naked in Saitama Prefecture has been arrested after a string of violent incidents, including a fatal hit-and-run and an attempted abduction, unfolded within roughly 90 minutes on April 21st.

The total number of visitors to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai surpassed one million on April 23rd, just 11 days after the event began. Despite being a weekday, the venue remained crowded, with long lines forming at popular pavilions such as the one from the United States.

At the Shanghai Motor Show, which opened to the press on April 23rd ahead of its public run from April 27th to May 2nd, Toyota Motor Corporation revealed a series of new models, including a new electric vehicle, as it works to regain ground in the increasingly competitive Chinese market.

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MORE Food NEWS

Sushi is a Japanese cultural staple that's become famous ALL over the globe. But, when you finally arrive in Japan, where can you get the best and most fresh sushi? (Japan by Food)

We visit a hidden gem in Osaka that specializes in Yakiniku featuring the exquisite Omi Beef, recognized as one of Japan’s top three Wagyu varieties. (TabiEats)

This is behind the counter at Taruya, a Japanese father and daughter run Traditional style Teppan Okonomiyaki izakaya aka drinking restaurant, that’s been around for almost 100 years. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

We visited ZETTERIA, a Japanese fast-food chain known for its “Zeppin” (絶品 = ultimate) burgers — and tried seven of them to find out if they truly live up to the hype. (TabiEats)

For many visitors, Japan’s convenience stores—affectionately known as konbini—are a wonderland of unfamiliar snacks, perfectly packed bento boxes, and an air of almost surreal cleanliness. But while travelers often marvel at the variety and efficiency, the konbini holds a much deeper significance for locals.

Sales of Miyazaki Prefecture’s signature fully ripe mangoes, branded as "Taiyo no Tamago" or "Egg of the Sun," officially began on April 17th, with auctions taking place in Fukuoka City.

Once a familiar and comforting presence on urban streets, Japan's cherished ramen stalls are quietly fading away as stricter regulations, an aging workforce, and evolving consumer preferences make their survival increasingly difficult.

Today, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the farm-to-table journey of premium wagyu beef in Hyogo and Osaka in the Kansai Region, the heartland of Japan’s wagyu and Yakiniku culture. (Japan by Food)