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Osaka's Chuo Ward tops Airbnb's list of popular places to visit this year

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Osaka's Chuo Ward has topped the list of Airbnb's top 16 neighborhoods to travel to in 2016, based on growth over 2015, as well as inside tips from hosts who live in those neighborhoods.

In 2015, over 40 million people traveled and stayed in homes on Airbnb in 150 countries around the globe. Wherever they went, these travelers had a chance to have a unique, local travel experience in communities around the world. They visited local coffee shops and small businesses that haven’t benefited from tourism in the past, and they met community members they never would have encountered if they stayed in traditional accommodations.

Airbnb took a look at the numbers and analyzed the travel to some of the lesser-known local communities that took place over the past year. It examined not only which countries and cities were becoming increasingly popular for travelers, but also which local neighborhoods were surging in popularity. It looked at which neighborhoods in some of the most popular cities around the globe, were growing particularly fast in bookings and give people a chance to not just visit a neighborhood but feel like they live in a neighborhood.

74% of Airbnb properties are located outside of traditional downtown districts. Guests who stay in these properties are looking to become immersed in residential neighborhoods and live like a local. When guests stay in a home on Airbnb, they have local hosts that can showcase inside knowledge about a neighborhood and its go-to locations for the best cup of joe or local cuisine, where to take a jog, where to find local art, artisans, and more. Many hosts share these insights in their listings and in the Guidebooks product on Airbnb.

Some patterns emerged:

Art: Creativity is alive across the globe and modern interpretations vary. While museums remain popular, people are seeking neighborhoods known for street murals, like those found in Melbourne’s Richmond area, or interesting mixed galleries/performance spaces/shopping experiences like Vertigo Galleria in Roma Sur, Mexico City.

Food: Interest in food from around the world is growing both for upscale restaurants and for street vendors. From hawker market in Asia to food trucks in the US and street stalls in Latin America, everyone is clamoring for fast, cheap, and local food. On the flip side, travelers still love dining at the finest restaurants despite the hefty price tag and are flocking to Molecular Gastronomy-inspired restaurants in Constitución, Buenos Aires, or splurging on decadent French food in Capucins in Bordeaux. But no matter the neighborhood, one thing most people agree on is the need for coffee, and each Airbnb host has their own favorite cafe they encourage guests to go to.

Outdoor Experiences: People are travelling on foot to soak in the local culture, whether it’s to leisurely stroll down a secret alleyway or escape for a long hike. From jogging through Katy Trail in Oak Lawn in Dallas, Texas, to meandering through the alleyways of Chuo Ward in Osaka, Japan, or around the Waterfront of Calle Bettis in Traina, Seville, Spain, people are looking for the best routes to undiscovered gems in cities.

Shopping: While traditional malls attract visitors, more and more people are seeking out neighborhoods where local artisans congregate and sell their unique wares, such as District VII in Budapest, Hungary, or Poncey Highland in Atlanta, Georgia.

16 Neighborhoods to Visit in 2016

  1. Chuo Ward in Osaka, Japan - 7,000% Growth
  2. Banglampoo in Bangkok, Thailand - 1,230% Growth
  3. Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 1,200% Growth
  4. Capucins in Bordeaux, France - 950% Growth
  5. Koukaki in Athens, Greece - 800% growth
  6. Triana in Seville, Spain - 750% growth
  7. Hammerbrook in Hamburg, Germany - 400% growth
  8. Kaneohe on Oahu, US - 320% Growth
  9. Meireles in Fortaleza, Brazil - 285% Growth
  10. Roma Sur in Mexico City, Mexico - 275% Growth
  11. Oak Lawn in Dallas, US - 260% Growth
  12. Poncey-Highland in Atlanta, GA - 240% Growth
  13. District VII in Budapest, Hungary - 145% Growth
  14. The Bukit Peninsula, Bali - 130% growth
  15. Richmond in Melbourne, Australia - 126% Growth
  16. Constitución in Buenos Aires, Argentina - 125% growth

Top of the list is Osaka's Chuo Ward, which is home to trendy shopping, nightlife, and the arts. Worth a stop is Osaka Castle, which was built in the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a well-known warlord who brought Japan under his rule in the late 16th century. With over 300 stores, the shopping in the area can’t be beat. In particular Kuromon Market is a very popular area known by locals as "Gastronome" and "Osaka's Kitchen,” travelers can find a bevy of fresh food items to satisfy their hunger.

Outside of the major attractions, a small stretch of alleyways called Ura-Namba, is quickly growing in renown with locals. Delicious eateries and bars have multiplied in the area in recent years. It is known as a bit mysterious and the intrigue builds as you search the alleyways for the entrance to this epicurean haven. The alley to the right off of Doguyasuji shotengai is host to a ton of izakaya (taverns specializing in skewered meats), including Sumiyakishaten. To the left is Sennichijizosondori which is home to yakitori at Enya and fantastic shrimp at....Shrimp Shrimp Namba Ebi Bar. For refreshments, DandeLion is a fantastic bar serving up whiskeys and wine in an “old west” atmosphere.

© Japan Today

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Cue every airbnb property in Osaka going up by 25%!! Especially when i was planning on booking for August since the hotels have become astronomically expensive in Osaka! :-(

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Osaka Castle, which was built in the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi,

Ummm and completely destroyed in the second world war only to be rebuilt as a concrete block

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