Top Things To Do In Osaka

Above, Osaka's foodie paradise, Dotonbori. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This coming weekend, the focus of attention will be on Osaka, Japan when the city hosts 20 world leaders for the G20 summit.

This, naturally, will give people ideas on visiting Osaka (and nearby Kyoto).

CNN Travel has posted an article on top things to do in Osaka.

They begin with:

CNN) — It's taken some time but Osaka, gateway to Japan's Kansai region, has moved well out of Tokyo's long shadow. 

Today, Japan's third largest city is one of Asia's top urban travel destinations and rightfully so -- it's a vibrant city filled with unique culinary, cultural and eye-opening experiences you won't find anywhere else in Japan. 

Osaka will appear under the global spotlight this weekend, with the city hosting the G20 summit from June 28-29. According to officials, the event is expected to draw more than 30,000 people to the city. 

In honor of the diplomatic action, we've put together a quick list of some of the top things to do in Osaka if you're a first-time visitor. (Bear in mind, many of Osaka's attractions will close or adjust their hours during the summit.)

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pictured in this blog post are two of the top things to do. To see more, go here. 

Osaka Castle Searched For Suspicious Objects Ahead of G20 Summit

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following in the footsteps of Godzilla and Anguirus, the G20 leaders will be in Osaka later this week for the semi-annual summit.

Kyodo News reported:

Osaka - Osaka police searched for suspicious objects around the inner moat of Osaka Castle on Monday, as part of security preparations for the Group of 20 summit to be held in the city later this week. 

Around 30 local police officers swept the park area, which is scheduled to host events related to the summit, for explosives or other suspicious objects, diving into moat waters and checking the stone wall and bridge from boats.

To read more, go here.