Tokyo vs. Osaka - Vote for which city you like better!
April 23rd, 2009
Tokyo and Osaka are both awesome Japanese cities to visit but they are also very different. Some differences between the two cities are obvious when you visit, like the spoken dialect. But others are more subtle, like escalator manners!
In this episode, we talk about these differences as well as some fun facts about Tokyo and Osaka! Plus, you’ll find out which of these two cities we like more. But we don’t want it to stop there - we want to know what you think too! Vote in the comments below and tell us which city you like better!
oh wow another video. Aaron, your japanese sound great. How long did it take you to learn and speak the language so fluent. Would it be wrong if I was to say the japanese language sound sexy. Okay most people would think I’m weird for saying that.
Ok. I haven’t been to either but… from pics i’ve seen and articles i’ve read i gotta go with Osaka.
I like Tokyo better between those two choices, but I like Osaka better than Kyoto! I could understand most of what aaron was saying, but not really Kevin. I watch anime and have japanese character songs and stuff on my ipod, so I’m used to the sound of Japanese and have learned alot of slang like ‘Majide’ and ‘betsu ni’, ect.
For those of you that didn’t see the whole video, I vote Tokyo! Thanks for the great comments so far! Also, if you didn’t catch it, Kevin was speaking Kansai-ben (Osaka dialect) in the intro to show the difference between the two.
I lived in Yokohama/Tokyo for 3 years, and Osaka for 3 years. I like Osaka much much more! I think anyone who has really lived in both, and also taken time to familarize themselves with Japan and Japanese culture, will pick Osaka over Tokyo any day of the week.
Tokyo is fun for a visit once a year… But as for a great place to live with great food, great people, a wide variety of places to go (Kobe, Nara, Kyoto right next door!)… Osaka rules.
My wife is from Osaka so I’m totally biased. But still. I think many will agree.
- Harvey
I’ve been living in Kobe for close to a year, and I confess I’ve never been to Tokyo (or outside of the Kansai area), but I’m still going to say Osaka, just to uphold the Osaka prejudices towards Tokyo! The dialect, the food, the manners, even the skyline, from everything I’ve heard about Tokyo, Osaka’s been much better. So Osaka FTW!
大阪はまけへんでぇ
Yeah, I love Osaka. I suppose I’m biased because I’ve been living in Kansai so long but I’ve been to Tokyo a number of times and found the only real benefit is it has more of the stuff I miss from back home in the UK than Osaka does. The people, places, food are all better in downtown Osaka IMHO
I hate Osaka. In my experience very unfriendly, rude , unsafe, rough, easy to get into a fight when you are not looking for one, un-organized. travelling around, the most “un-Japanese” place/city in Japan; it feels like you have stepped into another country. Would recommend not visiting it basically if you were in Japan for your first time or a short time.
There are other places in Japan that are more Japanese and better.. therefore Tokyo for me. Having said what I have said I understand though why some foreigners would prefer Osaka.
Just wanted to comment to say thank you for the videos! I’m fiding them very useful =)
Have not yet been to Japan to comment on this discussion, but would like to visit both places when I finally make my way there!
Looks like Osaka’s taking it 7-3 so far (counting a couple of votes from youtube). I gotta say I’m a little surprised!
If you’re a die-hard Tokyo fan, let your voice be heard–it’s not too late for an upset!
Thanks for voting everyone!
@kevin
Die hard Tokyo fan? Hrm… Not many. No one is really -from- Tokyo. Just a bunch of immigrants who wish they could go back to their hometowns and get a job, but all the work is in Tokyo. Those who have a choice move to Kansai!
@Harvey
Good point. It’s true that a large percentage of the population in Tokyo aren’t originally from there. It’s always interesting to be in Tokyo during Obon and New Year’s when a lot of people go back to their hometowns since it gets pretty quiet (relatively speaking, that is!)
Osaka all the way! For one, the food is much better, and the vibe is more fun.
Also, it’s closer to more interesting destinations, IMO. I personally love rural Western Honshu, which are a day trip from Osaka…The coastal villages and towns in Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi prefectures are amazing. For a great hidden gem go to the water city of Matsue on the Japan sea. Secluded enough, but with city amenities, the best food I’ve ever had anywhere, and an amazing historical and walkable cityscape (with a very cool Castle and shrines everywhere).
Overall, I find Osaka to be way more fun than Tokyo, and it’s closer more interesting places…
OSAKA! Easy choice. The people are more down-to-earth, friendlier, better sense of humor. The food is much better too. The Tokyo train system is a nightmare. Yeah, the people are kind of in their own bubbles, like you said.
Also, I don’t think that Tokyo-ben is necessarily “standard Japanese”. They have their own particularly irritating way of speaking (just watch a few dramas and you’ll know what I mean). The intonation makes you want to do a slow-motion head bob, and after hearing “sa” at the end of a phrase or sentence over and over I get tired of listening.
Go to Hokkaido if you have time!
@Gary
Great recommendations Gary! I agree, the western parts of Honshu are definitely worth a visit. But if you decide to go, I would highly recommend renting a car.
I especially enjoyed the Tottori Sakyuu (aka “Tottori Sand Dunes”) and the great selection of Onsen up around that area. Totally awesome.
@Alan
I couldn’t agree with you more. And good point about Tokyo-ben–they certainly do have a bit of their own regional twist.
Do you have any particular spots in Hokkaido that you could recommend to everyone? I’ve been to Hokkaido but only once and I pretty much stayed around the Sapporo area. But I can say they have great seafood and ramen!
haven’t been to either yet so can’t vote but looking forward to visiting in the future
I have only been through Tokyo three times but I have been to Osaka numerous times. I guess I have to go with Osaka. If the voted was expanded Kobe would be number one then Osaka then Tokyo. All are great cities but I have more experience running around Osaka.
It’s another vote for Osaka here! I’ve been to both and genuinely found that the people in both cities were very helpful and volunteered assistance anytime we looked a little confused.
However, I fell in love with a small (really small) yakitori place in Osaka. Despite the lack of decent language skills we managed to communicate with the locals and owners and when I asked some crazy Yakuza dude to take a photo of us he thought that I was Bruce Willis.. brilliant!
I’m also due to spend a year in Okayama soon so have to offer my allegiance to the closer of the two cities.
P.S. just discovered this site this evening via JapanSoc, have spent a few hours already watching the videos and loving it, great job guys!
osaka all the way
the people are way nicer and will go out of their way to help you find where you need to go. i find that in tokyo, if you ask for directions people will just ignore you or walk away as if they didnt hear you. or stare at you because you are a “gaijin” except that im only half white. ahha and when they talk about you its funny to see their reaction when you respond back in japanese! haha they shouldnt think that all foreigners cant speak the language. imo they just seem more stuck up. osaka is way more down to earth, not to mention the food is amazing, the night lift is great and my mom’s family lives there! ^^
For women, I definitely prefer kansai-ben, but for guys it is about the same. I think comedy has to also go to Osaka.
Love your video on this topic Aaron and Kevin! All your other videos, as well! Very practical, funny, and informative! Being a nonJapanese living in Japan it is especially interesting exploring regional and local differences. Japanese seem to take pride in those differences. So true, stereotypes do not always apply.
I vote for Osaka!
Am an American living in Himeji many years and have visited major cities and beautiful rural towns in Kansai area more frequently than Kanto (Tokyo) area. Although, we do have very good-kind Japanese friends living in Tokyo we love to spend time with.
It has been my experience, as well, that Kansai folks are very easy to talk to, eager to assist foreigners, great sense of humor and enjoy sharing their culture with non Japanese.
For example, ridding in a cab, the Kansai driver will usually enjoy talking to the passengers; as you mentioned, comedy is also very different. Kansai slap stick humor may seem vulgar to Tokyo sophisticates; watching a Hanshin Tigers baseball game you will see rabid fans like that of no other Japanese team. Very different from the more subdued American baseball fans, for sure.
When the Tigers play the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants (long time rival) in Osaka, the Tigers fans are especially hysterical! Unbelievable team spirit! Love the underdog? Go Tigers!!
Love the people, the culture, the places in Kansai Region (Western Japan)!
I would vote for Kobe over Osaka, however. Osaka is so rush-rush, business oriented.
Osaka people walker faster than even the people in Tokyo! Get out of their way!
I find Kobe a much more soothing, beautiful and relaxing city than Osaka.
Viva la difference!
I vote for Osaka because it is central, airport is easy to get to, other large cities very close.. even Himeji..
Aaron and Kevin,
Found you guys by mistake but am loving every video I see. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to Japan yet. My daughter and son-in-law will be stationed in Sasebo in Dec. so I’m trying to learn as much as I can. There is no way I won’t see my 2 grandsons for 3 years! Thanks for all that you’ve shared.
I have to tell you that I lived on Okinawa, Japan for over 15 years and I can honestly say the “Okinawa” wins by a long shot.
I have spent 4 days in Tokyo ad like.. 1 hour in Osaka. So I can´t say so much about Osaka so I vote for Tokyo ^_____^ .
Of the 2 cities,I have lived in Tokyo for close to 2years.I have never been to Osaka,so I dont really know much about that city.So you see,the angel I know is better than the angel I dont know.I take Tokyo.Thanks guys for the videos.Its really something to look forward to.