Osaka
Best time to be there
Spring (late March to April) for cherry blossom, early summer (May to early June) for warm sunshine, autumn (October to November) for sunny weather and spectacular colours.
Fly to
Osaka/ Tokyo Narita and Haneda (Japan Airlines, British Airways)
flying time
12 hours 30 minutes from London
time difference
GMT +9 hours
Visas
Not required for UK passport holders
Health Requirements
No vaccinations required
Itineraries
In the footsteps of the Samurai - September 2012
This group tour offers a unique opportunity to travel with expert guide Michael Jay who will bring to life traditional Japan in the days of the samurai. Read more ...
Classic Japan
Classic Japan highlights * Hiroshima Peace Park * Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps * Spectular Kyoto and Tokyo Read more ...
to speak to a consultant
Osaka's prominence as a merchant city dates from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's building of Osaka Castle in 1586. He also encouraged traders from other parts of Japan to settle in the city. In the 1920s and '30s it became an industrial powerhouse. Nowadays, though, the nondescript skyline is being replaced with galleries, international hotels, futuristic living spaces and exciting postmodernist architecture. The city's extravagant nightlife and culinary predilections are famous. A Japanese saying, "Kyoto kidaore; Osaka kuidaore" suggests that Kyoto-ites are apt to go bankrupt from buying kimonos, and Osakans from eating out too much.
Suggested Osaka Accommodation
Westin Osaka
Situated at the heart of the Shin Umeda City, the Westin Osaka is ideally placed to explore. The hotel is decorated in classic European style with unusually large rooms and excellent facilities such...
to speak to a consultant
Guest Testimonial
First experience with A&K. Intended to ask various travel companies for quotes but Vicky (Agnew) was so good with her suggestions that we did not seek alternative quotations the suggested itinerary was excellent and helped us decide on a balanced and interesting holiday.
- GD, Windermere
World Travel Awards
World Travel Awards
World's Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2011
A&K Philanthropy
Elephant Family
Is a UK-based charity working to save the endangered Asian elephant from extinction and abuse, able to live unthreatened within its own habitat.
Latest from @AKTravel_UK: Buzzfeed rounds up 50 of the best eclipse photos from the weekend: http://t.co/BMQ0BGvV 22 May