2 for 1 Japan: Tokyo tunes meet temple trails

Your adventure begins – let's go! You're strapped in your seat, headphones in, vibes on point, and your night flight to Japan is about to take off. You shut your eyes and turn on your playlist... and when you open them again, the rising sun is already painting the horizon red. Coincidence? Nope. You're flying straight into the colours of the Japanese flag, and it's proper gorgeous – the perfect start to your trip in the land of cherry blossoms, sushi and Shinkansen vibes.

The flight was long, your neck is stiff, but you're here – Japan, finally! You get off the plane, breathe in the Osaka air for the first time, and can hardly believe it. Neon lights, foreign words and an overload of vibes engulf you! You quickly grab your bags and hop on the metro, and then find yourself right in the middle of it all.  Toss your bags in your hotel room, take a quick breather and get to exploring! Want to dive right in? Then head to Den Den Town, Osaka's answer to Tokyo's Akihabara. Between all the anime characters, flashing consoles and cosplay overload, you'll quickly forget which way is up. The shops? Huge. The selection? Mad. If you feel like it, you can even pop into a maid café (optional, payable on site). Cringe or cult? You decide! And when your stomach starts to rumble, grab some iconic takoyaki and tuck in. These golden-brown dough balls filled with octopus are beautifully crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and 100% pure Osaka. First bite = hooked! 

It's time to experience the city's traditional side. First stop: the Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine! It's the main and most famous of over 2,000 Sumiyoshi shrines scattered throughout Japan. Fun fact: the Shinto gods worshipped at these shrines are believed to protect travellers at sea, such as fishermen or sailors. Cross the red Taiko Bridge and feel the evil spirits flee from you, then head to the next highlight: Nishinomaru Garden (optional, payable on site). Not only does this garden house the impressive Osaka Castle, but it's also home to 600 cherry trees. No wonder it's the most popular picnic spot during the cherry blossom season in early April.

If you're hunting for souvenirs, then be sure to check out the Shinsaibashi district. It's the perfect place to find them. Or how about a trip to the top of the Umeda Sky Building, where you'll find a small urban jungle in the sky (optional, payable on site)? The building's Floating Garden Observatory, which seemingly floats between two skyscrapers, truly lives up to its name. Is checking out the nightlife something you can't do without when exploring a city? Then head to the vibrant Dotonbori district, where the motto is 'bigger, brighter and quirkier'! The neon signs and restaurant ads here are absolutely cracking and sure to stop you in your tracks. Snapping pics of everything is impossible, but you've got to grab a quick shot of Spiderman on a scallop shell. And if you'd rather spend your evening surrounded by music and all things vintage, you'll find exactly what you're looking for in Amerika-mura. Treat yourself to a drink in a hip bar and wave to the Statue of Liberty that towers over the rooftops as you make your way back to your stay.