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Osaka is the third-largest city in Japan, but its sprawling maze of traditional wooden architecture was largely destroyed in the massive fire-bombings that concluded World War II. But like many other cities obliterated in that war, Osaka rebuilt with a vengeance, meaning it is now one of the most modern and futuristic-looking cities on the planet. Check out the unique, horseshoe-shaped Umeda Sky Building, which is capped by a “Floating Garden Observatory.” Osaka is also known as a center of kabuki theater and the puppet art-form known as bunraku. An hour’s train ride away is Kyoto, the traditional capital of Japanese culture, famous for its cherry blossoms.

Language: Japanese     Currency: Yen (JPY)