Osaka is a large city in Japan with many years of history. With over 6 million residents, it is the second-largest city in Japan behind Tokyo.
Osaka was founded in 1873 as a trading center for Dutch and British merchants who founded companies to operate businesses in the open market. This continued until the late 20th century, when large Japanese conglomerate firms dominated the economy.
Today, Osaka is still a major trading and business center with many international companies operating their headquarters there.
Cultural differences
One significant cultural difference between Tokyo and Osaka is religion. While both cities have non-Japanese residents, worshipers in both cities are treated as fellow humans with a similar faith.
Parish churches in Tokyo and Osaka have services every week, and their beliefs are similar. There are even church groups that organize religious events together, such as the monthly dance party held in both cities’ clubs.
As a result, social interactions are stronger and more confident of themselves than in most Western countries. People also feel more comfortable asking questions and receiving answers from members of the opposite sex instead of just turning to a partner or leader for help.
In addition to differences in religion, styles of architecture, and cuisine, two other major cultural differences between Tokyo and Osaka are flora and fauna. The former is covered here separately, while the latter is covered here also separately.
Economic differences
One significant difference between Tokyo and Osaka is the size of the economy. While Tokyo has a vibrant financial sector, it is not only large but also highly centralized.
Osaka is not quite as developed, but it has a much more distributed economy and less reliance on the market. This makes traveling between both cities more complicated than in Tokyo, where many people commute to work or shopping habits are more non-standard.
Another economic difference is how big Tokyo is. There are over five million people living in Japan, which makes Tokyo the country’s largest city. However, Osaka stands out as one of the smallest Japanese cities with a population over one million.
This differences in size can have major affects when going on vacation or visiting different places in Japan.
Airport differences
When flying out of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, you must first go to the airport’s main terminal. Here, you will find several airports Alternative Terminal (AT), Nagoya Airport (NGY), and Osaka-Kansai International (KDD).
If you are flying in from a country with an active embassy or consulate such as the United States, Canada, or Mexico, then the embassy or consulate will manage your flight and airport pickup. If you need assistance, call their local authorities directly.
If you are traveling internationally, the main difference between these three airports is which one your flight will arrive at. Most countries use this alternative terminal for foreign flights because it is quicker and easier to get into the airplane than the main terminal.
Subway differences
In contrast to Tokyo, where most people use the subway system for getting around, in most cases in Osaka people go to great lengths to plan their trips using public transportation.
Many users of the subway system are actively involved in ensuring that stations and routes are marked well, and that new users are aware of how to use the system.
This includes providing directions via the subway system, teaching new users how to board a train correctly, and even providing help when initially trying to use the subway.
New users often get help from trusted friends or family members, making it a very social process.
Osaka is bigger than Tokyo
With a metropolitan area of over one million people, Osaka is bigger than most major cities.
Osaka was once the capital of Japan, and remains a vibrant city with large populations in the suburbs. This is demonstrated by four large urban areas: Osaka City, Namba City, Shonan City, and Kita City.
These areas are connected by expansive public transportation systems and coexist peacefully. This quality of life attribute is what makes Osaka such a desirable place to live.
Osaka has been growing at a moderate pace for the past few decades which has helped to create quality jobs. Coupled with rising home prices, steady migration from Tokyo has continued to push housing prices down.
This has had an impact on average household budgets and property values which affects how you choose to live your money. It is also driving more spending into businesses and infrastructure to support it.
Cultural similarities
There are many similarities between the cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Both are huge urban centers with a high population, large business district, and unique features.
These include controversial proposals such as expanding Haneda Airport to become a metro station, rebuilding Nippomba Square in downtown Osaka as a public space hub, and redeveloping Nihombashi in Tokyo’s historic downtown as an arts hub.
However, despite similar cultural hubs, there are significant differences between the two cities that shouldn’t be ignored. For example, in 2011, one person was killed while looking at art at Nihombashi!
There are also days when nothing grabs your attention except for how different one city is from the other. For example, while I was walking around Komyo National Museum in Tokyo on a beautiful sunny day, I felt like I was in another place.
Economic similarities
Both are large, highly urbanised cities with a diverse range of cultures and lifestyles. Both are known for their high skyscraper structures and heavy traffic.
There are also some notable differences between the two cities such as the amount of nature parks in Osaka and fewer shopping centres than Tokyo.
Both cities have very active nightlife and cultural scenes, making it an enjoyable place to visit. They’re both big European destinations so there is a chance you’ll be greeted with a visa interview at airport arrival!
In this article, we will discuss some economic similarities between the two cities so that you can decide whether to move or not on your own. We will also discuss some differences that may sway you towards Osaka or Tokyo depending on your needs.
Airport similarities
Both airports are huge, have a large international terminal, and have a connecting terminal for domestic flights. The differences lie in the size of the facility and how airport operations function.
In order to run an efficient airport operation, there must be a clear division of responsibilities between management, employees, and customers. At both airports, there are check-in counters, security lanes, departure boards, boarding passes kiosks, and other customer service outlets.
The differences in how each campus functions make all the difference in what services are offered. At Narita Airport (Tokyo-Xagawa), for example, you can book your hotel or flight online or through a mobile app; at Tokyo International Airport (TikTok), you can only do that at the desk.
As with any service-based culture, there is an emphasis on “best-of-class” products and services. Because of this difference in cultures, each has unique features that make up their complete set of services.
