Itâs taken a while, but Osaka has now truly emerged from Tokyoâs shadow to shine in a light of its own. More than 11 million people visited Japanâs third-biggest city last year. Thatâs five times as many as had done so in 2012, and makes it the countryâs fastest-growing tourist destination. Itâs not hard to see why. Tokyo may be more important and Kyoto more cultured, but Osaka scores highly for its cosmopolitan feel, its cheerful allure and its phenomenal foodie appeal.