Tokyo Named Best Big City for 3rd Year in U.S. Travel Magazine

October 10, 2018

New York- Tokyo was picked as the most favorite travel destination for the third consecutive year, annual rankings released by U.S. travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler showed on Tuesday.

According to the 2018 Readers' Choice Awards for the best big cities, the western Japan city of Kyoto, which was placed third in last year's poll, ranked second. Osaka, also in western Japan, which did not make it in the previous year's list, was 12th.

Based on the readers' votes, the magazine put together a list of the top 20 big cities around the world, excluding U.S. cities.

"Topping our list of world cities yet again, Tokyo continues to thrill with its contradictions: ultramodern, neon-lit skyscrapers and tranquil temples, unmatchable street style and centuries-old etiquette," the magazine said, adding that the Japanese capital is also "one of the world's best food destinations."

On Osaka, the magazine said, "Japan's second-largest city is often overshadowed by Tokyo and Kyoto, but there are plenty of reasons it's become a destination in its own right."

It continued to say that Osaka is "one of the best food cities in all of Japan," with its must-eat regional dishes including "takoyaki" fried octopus balls and "okonomiyaki" savory pancakes with cabbage and other ingredients.

Melbourne, Australia, came in third, Vienna, Austria, in fourth and Hamburg, Germany, in fifth.

Naohito Ise, head of the Japan National Tourism Organization's New York office, said, "U.S. travelers continue to have strong interest in Japan." Jiji Press