Osaka is Japan's second largest metropolitan area. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. It is close to Kyoto, Nara and the heartland of Japan, and it offers fascinating glimpses of Japanese urban life: four-story office buildings under 12-lane expressways; multistory buildings with Ferris wheels and amusement parks on the roof; and subterranean shopping malls that pumped their sewage up and are so large you have occasionally go above ground to see where you are. Osaka has a reputation for having the best food in Japan. Osaka has a long association with business and economic activity. Its GNP is greater than that of Mexico and Canada and all but eight countries in the world. In the Osaka City is the Osaka Castle with a five-layer donjon as its core, on a lawn park that stretches for about 60,000 square meters. During the cherry blossom season in the spring, this park is especially crowded with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) crowd. Osaka also has an excellent reputation for food. As the nucleus of economic activities, Osaka has a variety of foods from all over Japan. And it is known as the “nation’s kitchen.” Visitors are guaranteed outstanding food and exciting activities in Osaka and throughout the Kansai region.