Last week, I mentioned the Japanese city of Kyoto. It's neighbor, Osaka is much larger, though perhaps not as easy to visit.

There is a bit of a rivalry between upstart Osaka and Tokyo. There are plenty of differences between the two cities and people from Osaka are not shy about pointing the uniquenesses out. From the twangy Japanese heard in Osaka (you don't have to understand Japanese to hear it) to the differences in cuisine (try the seafood dumplings), Osaka wears its individuality on its sleeve.

Aside from its world class eateries, Osaka boasts a Nightlife to rival Tokyo's neon splashed entertainment spots.

Many visitors find Osaka to be a bit more laid back than Tokyo. It is crowded, but decidedly less crowed that it's larger sister.

Osaka is home to one of the most impressive aquariums in the world. Kaiyukan Aquarium is home to numerous species of aquatic life. Though it does take a bit of leg-work to see everything, the aquarium leaves few species unaccounted for.

Other Osaka oddities include a Nintendo Museum, and one of the last remaining theaters dedicated to Bunraku, Japanese puppet theater. I have never seen it live, but, even on TV, the puppets are eerily lifelike and impressively manipulated by their puppet masters (a puppet can have as many as three operators working simultaneously). Don't forget Spa World, with floors worth of themed spas from all over the world. There is also a family-friendly water park.

Osaka might not be Japan's largest city, but it is surely one of its most unique.