Osaka holidays

Bold, lively, and much more relaxed than Tokyo or Kyoto, Osaka is the merchant city of Japan, with a thriving economy and an easy-going attitude. It’s welcoming and friendly, with lots to see and do all year round. The unique layout of the centre, with its river practically cutting the city in two, makes it an explorer’s destination, where amazing cafés and noodle bars can be discovered down narrow alleyways. If you’re a food lover then this is the place to come, as its gourmet scene is regarded as the best in Japan.

Book a package holiday to Osaka with Qatar Airways Holidays and you’ll uncover a very different Japan from the one you see on TV. Osaka in the spring is ablaze with cherry blossom, while the neon signs brighten up the streets all year round. From serene gardens to lively clubs, elegant shopping malls or traditional family-run restaurants, a holiday to Osaka is one you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

• Osaka Castle may be a relatively modern reconstruction, but it gives you an accurate insight into the city’s early life. During the cherry blossom season, it’s a social hub for the locals, who flock here to picnic and enjoy themselves.
• Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a visit to Naniwa Palace Site Park, a simple, quiet spot of tranquillity next to the castle.
• Visit one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines at Sumiyoshi, which dates back over 1,800 years and is surrounded by breath-taking gardens in the traditional Japanese style.
• Visit the city between mid-March and early April and not only will you see the thousands of cherry trees in full bloom, but you may also get a ringside seat at the city’s annual Sumo tournament – a great way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
• Watch an enchanting performance of Bunraku, a unique form of puppet theatre that dates all the way back to the Edo period. The National Bunraku Theatre is one of the last places in the world where you can see this traditional form of entertainment.