Osaka vs Tokyo: Choosing The Best City For You In 2025
Last Updated on December 18, 2024 by Kay
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From the culture to the food, Osaka and Tokyo are very different cities and historically have been “rivals”. Tokyo, located in the Kanto region of Japan, is one of the largest cities in the world and never has any shortage of things to do. Osaka, meanwhile, is in Kansai, a region known for food and its many historical gems.
Whether you’re traveling in Japan or thinking of moving here, you might be wondering about the similarities and differences between the two.
I lived in Tokyo for seven years and now reside in Osaka, so I thought I would share my thoughts on both cities. Hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have an idea of which is best for you.
Table of Contents
Osaka vs Tokyo: Which City Is Better?
Osaka and Tokyo both have their own unique draws, and I think when it comes to deciding which city is better, it depends on your needs.
Personally, I prefer Osaka to Tokyo for both living and traveling.
Tokyo was great when I first moved there in my twenties. There are plenty of job opportunities, there’s always something to do, and it was so exciting to be living in one of the biggest cities in the world!
But soon I found the city exhausting and overwhelming. Commuting was a nightmare due to the sheer volume of people, hardly anyone sitting in the priority area of a train when I was pregnant offered me a seat, and in general, I found people to be cold. On weekends there was always a line for restaurants and I found the food wasn’t that great in comparison to Osaka.
If I ever wanted to escape the city on weekends, almost everywhere worth visiting would be packed, and due to the traffic, getting anywhere was a hassle.
Imagine my surprise when I moved to Osaka. People are incredibly friendly and offer my daughter seats on trains, the food is amazing, there are large shopping malls and department stores just like Tokyo so I can easily find anything I need, and it is so easy to travel from Osaka to other cities. Osaka is also more affordable than Tokyo (although salaries tend to be lower) and in 2024, it was ranked as the 9th most livable city in the world.
However, this isn’t to say that Tokyo isn’t a good city. In some ways, Tokyo is even better than Osaka! So let’s do an in-depth comparison of these two major cities in Japan to help you determine which city to travel to or live in.
Is It Better to Visit Osaka or Tokyo?
When it comes to deciding which city is better to visit, it’s a matter of personal taste.
If you like big cities, shopping, museums, attending big events and concerts, and dining at many Michelin restaurants, Tokyo is for you. Tokyo is also home to many tourist attractions such as two teamLab museums, Tokyo Disney, and world-famous (albeit a little overrated) spots such as Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku.
If you prefer somewhere more low-key yet still offers big-city creature comforts, Osaka is best. The transportation system is just as good as Tokyo and you can easily do day trips by train or car to places like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Wakayama, which all have UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Osaka is also known for having some of the best food in Japan, which is why it is known as “Japan’s Kitchen”, as well as attractions like Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Castle, and Dotonbori. And although small, I have a soft spot for Namba Yasaka Shrine, which is shaped like a lion’s head. It’s one of the most unique shrines I’ve ever seen in Japan!
Notably, Osaka will be hosting World Expo 2025, which will run for six months from April 13th to October 13th, 2025. Various pavilions and showcases will share how we can live more sustainably and address other global issues.
Keep in mind that both Tokyo and Osaka can be quite crowded depending on where you go. For instance, Harajuku in Tokyo has a sea of people walking along Takeshita Street, especially on weekends, and the crowds along Dotonbori in Osaka on any evening are almost just as bad.
But overall, as mentioned earlier, I prefer Osaka and think it’s the better city to visit if you can only choose one.
Osaka vs Tokyo Key Differences
It’s easy for me to share my personal insights on each city, so let’s take a look at some of the key differences between Osaka and Tokyo from a more objective perspective.
Cost & Prices
Public transport in Osaka is slightly more expensive than in Tokyo. For example, a 14-minute train ride from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku costs around 208 yen one way. On the other hand, in Osaka, a 7-minute train ride from Umeda Station to Shinsaibashi Station costs 240 yen one way.
When it comes to taxi fares, taxis in Tokyo charge 500 yen for 1096 meters and then 100 yen for every 255 meters. Osaka taxis have a base rate of 600 yen up to 1300 meters and then 100 yen for every 260 meters after that, so taxis in Osaka are cheaper for short distances.
Tokyo is the most expensive city in Japan when it comes to housing.
For instance, renting a one-room apartment that is 20-25 square meters in size costs an average of 67,878 yen per month in Tokyo, the highest in the country, with the national average at 50,800 yen in 2023. Osaka had the third highest rent per month at 56,739 yen.
If you want to buy a house, Tokyo is the most expensive at an average price of almost 50,000,000 yen while Osaka is 5th place, tied with Chiba Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture at 30,800,000 yen.
In terms of daily items and groceries, Tokyo is a fraction more expensive than Osaka.
Weather
When it comes to weather, Tokyo tends to be slightly milder than Osaka but overall, the temperatures are not too different.
Tokyo’s average temperature hovers at around 15.8 C while Osaka’s is 17.1 C (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency). Summers in Osaka are hotter than in Tokyo, so if you’re visiting in the summer, I suggest going to Tokyo instead of Osaka.
However, Osaka has less rainfall than Tokyo, particularly in autumn.
Food
In terms of food, you can find almost anything you’d like to eat in Tokyo. The city is especially great for expats who want a taste of home. For instance, as a Canadian, I was delighted to find a few restaurants selling poutine (although it lacked cheese curds, but it was better than nothing!).
Tokyo is also home to a whopping 507 MICHELIN-recommended restaurants!
Prefectures in Japan are known for each having their own unique regional dishes, but since Tokyo is somewhat of a melting pot when it comes to food, there isn’t a particular dish that the city is famous for. (Although Tokyo Banana is a popular souvenir for visitors!)
Although you won’t find nearly as many MICHELIN restaurants in Osaka, the city is still referred to as “Japan’s kitchen” and has mouthwatering regional specialties. I’ve traveled extensively throughout Japan and think that Osaka has some of the best food in the country. In particular, Osaka is known for the following dishes:
Okonomiyaki
This is a savory cabbage-based pancake that is topped with a special sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes.
Kushikatshu
These are skewered pieces of battered and fried meat or vegetables that are dipped in a savory sauce. (Make sure not to double dip!)
Takoyaki
These are small balls of fried dough containing a piece of octopus that are traditionally topped with a savory sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes, but you can get various different toppings depending on the store.
If you head to Dotonbori, you can taste all of Osaka’s food specialties in one place, not to mention the area itself is vibrant and very photogenic.
Restaurants in Osaka also tend to be cheaper than in Tokyo.
The only downside of food in Osaka, though, is that there aren’t as many restaurants specializing in food from other countries. I’ve been living in Osaka for a few years now and still haven’t found a decent restaurant that serves poutine or buffalo wings!
Culture
Since it’s the capital of Japan, many people from different parts of Japan, as well as the world, move to Tokyo for post-secondary education and work. This has caused Tokyo to lack a particular uniqueness that other prefectures have. It can also be more difficult to connect with people in Tokyo since people work long hours and keep to themselves, resulting in Tokyoites having a reputation for being “cold”.
However, the higher population in Tokyo means more opportunities to meet people through events and hobbies.
In contrast, not many large companies are based in Osaka, meaning that significantly fewer people move to this city in comparison to Tokyo. There are also very few international companies and fewer universities in Osaka, so the number of foreign residents pales in comparison to Tokyo. About 19% of Japan’s foreign population lives in Tokyo whereas Osaka is home to around 9%.
Unlike Tokyo, people in Osaka are known for being more laid back, friendly, funny, and warm. This was more noticeable to me when I moved to Osaka and people readily offered my daughter, who was a toddler at the time, seats on trains or randomly struck up conversations with me. This never happened in Tokyo!
Osakans can also be quite straightforward and frank, which is great for those unfamiliar with having to read between the lines, a difficult hurdle for foreigners new to Japan.
People in Osaka are also known nationwide for their dialect, known as Osaka-ben, which is a sub-dialect of Kansai-ben.
For instance, when agreeing with someone or answering “yes”, Japanese people typically say “sou”. However, in Osaka dialect, people say “seya”. Similarly, “dame” (meaning bad or that you shouldn’t do something) is “akan” in Osaka-ben. You might also hear people say “ookini” in Osaka, which means “thank you”, although I’ve found young people are more likely to simply say “arigatou”.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of differences between the standard Japanese dialect, which is spoken in Tokyo, and Osaka-ben.
Osaka-ben is often featured in Japanese television shows and anime, and it is sometimes used in a humorous way since Osaka is known for its comedians. In fact, Osaka is considered Japan’s comedy capital!
Other interesting differences are that people in Tokyo stand on the left side of the escalator while Osakans stand on the right and people in Tokyo tend to walk faster than those in Osaka.
Size & Geography
Tokyo is massive, its 23 wards spanning a whopping 622 km², and is home to over 14 million people as of 2024. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes six prefectures surrounding Tokyo (Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Tochigi, and Gunma), has a population of 41 million people.
Meanwhile, Osaka city consists of 24 wards and is about a third of the size of Tokyo at only 223 km². Its population in 2024 was 2.7 million people, making it far less crowded than Tokyo. Osaka Prefecture, which is 1,905 km² in size, has a population of almost 8.8 million people.
In terms of geography, Tokyo is relatively flat in comparison to Osaka, which is surrounded by beautiful green mountains.
The Tokyo skyline also has considerably more tall buildings, in particular Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, and in clear weather (especially in winter), you can see Mount Fuji in the distance.
Safety
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world and this applies to its major cities as well. Tokyo was even listed as one of the safest cities to travel to in the world in 2024.
However, that doesn’t mean Tokyo, and the rest of Japan, are immune to crime. In fact, both Tokyo and Osaka have train cars for only women due to the number of sexual assaults that happen on rush hour trains.
When looking at statistics, Osaka had the most crime per capita in Japan in 2023 with Tokyo in third place.
In terms of the types of crime, Osaka and Tokyo are both known for having high rates of bicycle thefts. Osaka also has among the highest car theft rates in Japan.
If you want to avoid dangerous areas in Osaka, it’s best to keep away from Nishinari Ward while in Tokyo, you should be careful while in Shinjuku, particularly Kabukicho. Notably, many foreigners have reported being scammed by bars in Shinjuku and Roppongi so stay vigilant in these areas.
In regard to natural disasters, Japan is known for having earthquakes and tsunamis. You’re safe from tsunamis while in Osaka and Tokyo, but earthquakes are another story.
When I lived in Tokyo, I experienced small earthquakes almost every month but find they’re far less frequent in Osaka. Tokyo was also directly affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, leading to disruptions in train service, damages to buildings, and food shortages. The Greater Tokyo Area also had the most earthquakes in Japan from 2010 to 2020. Most of these were minor earthquakes, though, and didn’t pose a risk to tourists or disrupt everyday life.
However, Osaka is due to have a large earthquake called the Nankai Trough megaquake. Since scientists can’t predict when this earthquake will happen, it’s not a cause for tourists to avoid the city.
Osaka: Best Things To Do
As a local in Osaka, here are my favorite things to do in the city, which I recommend to anyone visiting!
✔️Visit Universal Studios Japan
I love theme parks and Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is one of my favorites. It’s not as large as Tokyo Disney but I enjoy the rides, its various anime collaborations, the food, and that it’s not nearly as crowded. In fact, I enjoy USJ so much that I have a yearly pass!
If you want to experience what a Japanese theme park is like, this is the place to go.
Keep in mind that it can be challenging to get into Super Nintendo World but if you purchase an Express Pass or if you line up at least an hour before USJ opens, you’re likely to be able to enter the area right away or at least get an entry ticket.
➡️ Purchase Tickets for Universal Studios Japan
✔️Visit Osaka Castle and Eat Everything at Dotonbori
Osaka Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Japan since it was constructed by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, one of the most famous samurai and feudal lords in Japan. Here you can learn about the castle’s history and see cultural relics that are hundreds of years old. Keep in mind that the original castle was burned down and the current one was built in 1931.
Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance if you don’t want to wait in line, or use the Osaka Amazing Pass, which covers several popular attractions in Osaka as well as public transportation.
After you see all that Osaka Castle has to offer, I suggest checking out Shinsaibashi before heading to Dotonbori. This area has lots of places to shop, particularly the PARCO and DAIMARU department stores. If you’re a Pokemon fan, you’ll enjoy the Pokemon Center here, and make sure to try to get a reservation for the Pokemon Cafe well in advance!
If you want to stuff yourself with famous Osaka food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, you should visit Dotonbori, which is located right next to Shinsaibashi. This is one of the liveliest areas in the city with plenty of food stalls, restaurants, and bars. I’ve written a guide all about where to eat in Dotonbori so make sure to check it out!
Dotonbori is best experienced at night so it can be quite busy if you want to escape the crowds, I recommend taking a leisurely boat ride along the canal to see famous sights like the Glico Running Man sign.
Again, to save big on transportation costs in Osaka and entry to popular tourist spots in Osaka, including Osaka Castle and a boat ride along Dotonbori, I highly recommend getting a 2-Day Osaka Amazing Pass. I’ve used this and was pleasantly surprised at how much money I saved! It’s truly a great deal.
✔️ Visit Minoh and Katsuoji Temple
Located in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture about a 30-minute train ride from Osaka-Umeda Station, Minoh is a lovely little city with beautiful nature. I had the honor of living in Minoh for two years and it was one of the happiest times in my life.
I suggest visiting Minoh Falls, especially in autumn when you can see the stunning fall foliage. Another great place to visit in Minoh is Katsuoji Temple, which is one of the most unique temples I’ve ever seen in Japan. The temple grounds are covered in Daruma, which are small Japanese dolls symbolizing good luck and fortune.
Tokyo: Best Things To Do
As a former local in Tokyo, here are my recommendations for what every visitor to the city should do.
✔️Spend a Day at Tokyo DisneySea
Unsurprisingly, I’m recommending another theme park. I know what you might be thinking — why go to Tokyo and waste your day at a theme park? Well, there is only one DisneySea in the world, and it happens to be in Tokyo. Here you can enjoy a Japanese spin on the Disney experience.
Keep in mind, though, that DisneySea can be quite crowded, and wait times for popular rides can be over an hour (or even two hours!) long. However, just eating the food, watching the greetings and shows, and enjoying the atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit in my humble opinion.
✔️Enjoy Tokyo’s Skyline From Shibuya Sky
I’ve seen Tokyo’s skyline from many places over the years but I’ve found that Shibuya Sky’s is the best. It not only offers a spectacular view of Shibuya Scramble but you can see Tokyo from a 360-degree perspective! I also love that you can enjoy the views from both outside and inside the building.
For the best experience, visit during sunset and enjoy a beverage from the cafe while taking in the sight of Tokyo’s skyline transforming from day to night.
During the day, you can explore Harajuku, which is about a twenty-minute walk from Shibuya, and Meiji Jingu Shrine.
➡️ Purchase a ticket for Shibuya Sky here!
✔️ Explore Tokyo’s Neighborhoods
Tokyo has some of the most famous neighborhoods in the world, such as Akihabara, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno. Each has its own unique charm and is worth visiting.
For instance, if you’re a fan of anime and games, check out Akihabara or Ikebukuro. If you like history, go to Asakusa and take in Sensoji or head to the Imperial Palace in Otemachi. For shopping and nightlife, visit Shinjuku and Shibuya.
➡️ Book popular Tokyo neighborhood tours here!
FAQs
Here are my answers to some commonly asked questions about Osaka and Tokyo.
Is food better in Osaka or Tokyo?
Osaka is known nationwide for its food, so it’s no surprise that it’s considered better than Tokyo’s. Many people from across Japan visit Osaka just for the food!
However, Tokyo has more Michelin-star restaurants than Osaka and has more diversity when it comes to cuisine, especially from around the world. There is truly something for everyone in Tokyo. Tokyo also has many restaurants with excellent views.
Is Osaka friendlier than Tokyo?
People in Osaka are known to be friendlier than Tokyo, and I’ve experienced this first-hand.
If you live in Japan, you might find it easier to make friends in Osaka compared to Tokyo and if you’re traveling, Osakans may be more likely to help you than Tokyoites. In fact, some of my neighbors want to learn English so they can help tourists!
(And after writing that, I realized I had never really interacted with any of my neighbors in Tokyo despite having lived there for seven years. And now I have dinner parties with my neighbors in Osaka!)
This isn’t to say that people in Tokyo are mean. They’re polite but I found this was quite surface-level. The city is just too large and people are too busy and work long hours, so it can be difficult (though not impossible) to make close friends.
Now I have far more friends in Osaka than I did in Tokyo, although one of my closest friends was born and raised in Tokyo. (Interestingly, all of her siblings have moved to Kansai and we’re trying to convince her to move here, too!)
Where to stay longer, Osaka or Tokyo?
Both cities offer plenty to do but if you have to choose, I think Tokyo requires more time since there are far more things to do and places to explore. After all, it’s three times the size of Osaka!
Remember that Japanese friend I’m trying to convince to move to Kansai? She thinks Kansai is boring in comparison to Tokyo, and I hate to admit it but the nightlife in Osaka pales in comparison to Tokyo.
You can also do easy day trips from Tokyo to see Yokohama, Mount Fuji, Hakone, and Kamakura.
Keep in mind, though, that accommodation in Tokyo can be more expensive than in Osaka, so you’ll need a larger budget.
Osaka can easily be explored in about four days but if you want to see nearby cities like Kyoto, you’ll need to stay longer. I’ve heard of people doing day trips or two-day trips to Osaka, and I suppose that’s okay if you really don’t have the time and want a quick look at the city. But I didn’t realize how wonderful Osaka is until I stayed here for longer.
Is it cheaper to stay in Osaka or Tokyo?
It’s more affordable to stay in Osaka than Tokyo.
According to metro engines, the average cost for a hotel in Tokyo was 69,281 yen per night in 2023, whereas Osaka was less than half at 35,662 yen. Keep in mind, though, that Tokyo is home to many luxury hotels, which will drive up the average cost.
Which is better for kids, Osaka or Tokyo?
As a mother whose daughter was born in Tokyo and lived there for the first two years of her life before moving to Osaka, I will say that if you’re traveling, Osaka is better for younger kids and Tokyo for older children (think late elementary to high school).
Tokyo is huge and it’s hard to navigate the city with a young child. I visited Tokyo again with my daughter when she was five years old and although she enjoyed many of the places I took her, she was overwhelmed by all the people. Transferring trains could sometimes be a mission as well since some lines are quite far from one another.
I think Osaka is just the right size for younger children with plenty of fun (and not overly crowded) places to take them.
In terms of raising a child, Osaka is more affordable than Tokyo and as mentioned earlier, was ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world in 2024, which looks at factors such as education, healthcare, environment, and infrastructure. People are also kinder here and I was surprised by how easily my daughter made friends (and I made mom friends, too!).
However, if you’re an international family, it’s important to recognize that Osaka doesn’t have as large of an international community compared to Tokyo. This means fewer international schools.
This also might result in you and/or your child standing out. When my daughter started preschool, some of the kids were curious about me because they were only familiar with Caucasian foreigners. Thankfully, this hasn’t negatively impacted my daughter and she’s quite popular at school.
Lastly, several wards in Tokyo were ranked as among the best in Japan for supporting dual-income families in terms of postnatal support, assisting with childcare costs, and having more childcare available. For example, Itabashi Ward, Toshima Ward, and Fussa City have all made daycare free for the second child to encourage families to have more kids. Furthermore, from September 2025, daycare will be free for all children in Tokyo.
The Wrap-Up
When it comes to deciding which city is better, Osaka and Tokyo each have their own merits and demerits.
Although it’s more expensive, Tokyo is significantly larger than Osaka, meaning more opportunities in terms of work and education, more high-caliber restaurants, and events that don’t happen anywhere else. The city view is also stunning, especially when you can see Mount Fuji in the distance.
However, I think Osaka is better for a more laid-back experience where you can enjoy fantastic local cuisine and easily explore other historical cities in Japan.
Since everyone has their preferences, I think that both are worth visiting so you can see for yourself which city appeals to you. After all, the cities are less than three hours away from one another by Shinkansen (bullet train) and 1.5 hours by plane.