Osaka Travel Guide: Exploring Japan’s Vibrant Culture Capital at Chicago’s Anime Central 2026

On behalf of the Chicago Sister Cities International Osaka Committee, Michael William Foster and Rosemary Skeen spoke about the vibrant city of Osaka and its rich connection to Chicago. Michael highlighted the many striking cultural similarities between the two dynamic cities, while Rosemary walked the audience through the history of their sister city relationship. Together, they shared essential facts, historical milestones, and Osaka’s massive influence on manga and anime, along with a treasure trove of practical travel tips for anyone planning a trip to Japan.

A huge thank you to the Japanese Culture Center for providing this wonderful opportunity to connect with everyone. Sharing these insights was an absolute pleasure, and we hope the audience walked away with a deeper appreciation for Osaka’s incredible culture and history. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Chairman Kimiyo Naka of the CSCI Osaka Committee for trusting us to represent the committee. Finally, a special shout-out goes to World Business Chicago for their phenomenal support, and to Anime Central for putting on such a fantastic festival.