Osaka is a must-visit destination in Japan — upload a short post to win a free stay at a Michelin-starred hotel!

As Japan’s second-largest city after Tokyo, Osaka is a charming water city. Its popular attractions are concentrated around the JR Loop Line and the Midosuji subway line, offering a perfect blend of shopping, gourmet food, and scenic views. To showcase Osaka’s tourist appeal, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau is hosting an online event for the first time, enthusiastically inviting bloggers to support Osaka. Just upload a short post of 30 characters or less, and you could get a chance to explore Osaka for free and stay at a Michelin-starred hotel!

The “Bloggers’ Carnival: Explore Osaka for Free” runs from December 28, 2009 to January 19, 2010. Simply visit the event website and submit a short post of no more than 30 characters explaining why Osaka is a must-visit destination. Whether it's attractions, shops, food, festivals, or any other highlights of Osaka tourism, all are welcome. Fifteen winning bloggers will be selected to showcase their Osaka experiences, winning a 4-day, 3-night trip to Osaka, including a stay at one of the newly announced Michelin-recognized hotels.

Osaka is the most vibrant metropolis in western Japan — known for great food, fun, and fantastic shopping. From everyday dishes like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, udon, kushikatsu, and Western-style meals, to shopping paradises such as Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura, Umeda, and the Osaka Bay waterfront area, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau is calling on bloggers to share their ultimate reasons for visiting Osaka and help showcase the charm of this dynamic city!

After the submission deadline on January 19, 2010, the organizers will spend three days reviewing entries and selecting winners based on the freshness of the recommended reasons and the richness of the bloggers’ websites. Winners will be announced on January 23. The top five prizes include a 4-day, 3-night free trip to Osaka, including stays at Michelin-starred hotels, as part of the “Discover New Osaka Experience Tour” — one winner can bring a friend. Ten second-prize winners will receive a solo 4-day, 3-night free trip to Osaka under the same tour. In addition, 50 participants will receive travel books and exclusive gifts from Osaka.

Selected bloggers will travel to Osaka for a free trip between February 5 and 8, 2010, staying at hotels featured in the “2010 Michelin Guide Kyoto & Osaka.” By experiencing Osaka’s charm firsthand, bloggers are invited to write and publish their travel experiences on their blogs, uncovering stories encountered during their stay in Osaka. By submitting their posts, they can reapply for the event and even qualify for future opportunities.

Further reading: Tokyo Michelin product specialty stores (provided by Tripass Attractions)