Osaka

Ships berth at Tempozan Pier in the centre of Osaka's continually developing waterfront, beside a large shopping centre and impressive Ferris wheel.

A complete refurbishment of the port's cruise terminal was finished in May 2024.

Home to more than five million people, Osaka is Japan's second-largest city. For centuries it served as the country's cultural and commercial entrance to Asia, receiving not just traded goods but, more importantly, cultural influences that helped shape Japan. Modern Osaka is a lively cultural centre recognised for excellent cuisine and shopping.

Osaka's convenient subway is easy for non-Japanese speakers to navigate and includes a stop at Tempozan Harbor Village. A taxi from the pier to the Sony Building in Shinsaibashi, a central downtown shopping and dining district, costs 3,000 yen, about $20.

Universal Studios Japan is a 10-minute journey from the port.

Osaka's position makes it an ideal base for one-day visits to Kyoto (30 minutes), Kobe (20 minutes), Nara (40 minutes) or Himeji (1 hour). These typical journey times use JR Trains from Osaka Station without additional express charges.

Shinsaibashi is Osaka's best-known retail district, combining vast department stores, high-end Western designer shops and independent boutiques at prices ranging from very inexpensive to very costly.

Japan uses the yen. Banknotes come in ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 denominations, with coins of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1.

ATMs in Japan are increasingly useful, and most permit withdrawals from overseas accounts; post offices also provide ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted by most restaurants and shops in large cities, but visitors spending time in rural areas should carry enough cash. Japan remains strongly cash-oriented, and some hotels, restaurants and shops refuse cards regardless of location.

Avoid tipping because it is regarded as rude.

Osaka Free Wi-Fi operates at stations and other major locations, while Osaka Free Wi-Fi Lite is offered by individual shops.