Which is better, Osaka vs Kyoto? Guide for First Time Visitors

Something first time visitors always go through is try to figure out which city they should prioritize, Osaka or Kyoto? Despite all my pre-trip research, I could not exactly understand their differences and which one I should pick to stay and spend more time in. Now that I’ve visited, I’m ready to share with you everything I learned, the differences between Kyoto vs Osaka, and my brutally honest opinions.

In this post you’ll learn about the many differences between Osaka and Kyoto. You’ll learn about the best things to do, overall vibe and atmosphere, food scene, and more. Overall, both cities are worth visiting – but the city you choose to stay in, will depend on your preferences below.

Without further ado, get ready to discover which of these cities, Kyoto or Osaka, is the perfect base for your Japan trip!

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Table of Contents

Kyoto vs Osaka | Here’s the Best One for You

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✨ Itinerary: 2 Days in Kyoto Itinerary

Things to Do and See in Kyoto vs Osaka

As an overall answer, most of the best things to do and see in Kyoto are temples and shrines. Osaka, on the other hand, is more similar to Tokyo. The best things to do in Osaka include indulging in street food, the nightlife in Dotonbori, shopping, and more.

Best Things to Do in Kyoto

A traditional Japanese temple with ornate wooden rooftops is adorned with white paper lanterns featuring black and red kanji. Pink cherry blossom trees are visible in the foreground, and a cloudy sky is seen in the background, reminiscent of the scenic beauty found in both Osaka and Kyoto. Yasaka Shrine.

A traditional Japanese wooden gate, ornate with gold accents and intricate designs, stands as an entryway. Several people, including tourists comparing Osaka vs Kyoto experiences, are gathered near the gate, some taking photos. Trees and greenery are visible around the area. Ninomaru Palace

Kyoto is home to over 1600 Temples and 400 Shrines, making it the perfect destination for history and culture lovers. Some of the most important temples and shrines of Kyoto are the Kiyomizu Temple, Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Toji Temple, and the Yasaka Shrine.

Being surrounded by breathtaking nature, some of the best things to do in Kyoto are not city activities. Two of the most famous things to do in Kyoto are visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. These are the perfect activities to enjoy the Japanese nature and surround yourself in a more tranquil atmosphere.

Another of the best things to do in Kyoto is visiting Gion, the Geisha District of Kyoto. Here you will find the beautiful Yasaka Pagoda, which dates back to the 6th century and was part of the Hōkan-ji Temple complex. As you view the Yasaka Pagoda, you’ll walk on the beautiful Sannenzaka street, which is filled with local businesses and residences.

Long story short, based on these best things to do – Kyoto is perfect for nature and history lovers!

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Best Things to Do in Osaka

A bustling nighttime street scene in Dotonbori, Osaka. Neon signs and lights illuminate the area with a prominent red and blue sign reading "Dotonbori" overhead. Cars, bicycles, and pedestrians fill the street, with buildings and shops lining both sides. A perfect end to one of the best day trips from Kyoto.

A large whale shark swims gracefully in a blue-lit aquarium tank surrounded by various smaller fish. Coral and sand cover the tank's floor, and the backdrop shows the glass of the aquarium wall. This serene scene, reminiscent of one of the best day trips from Kyoto, captures the underwater environment perfectly.

Osaka, when compared to Kyoto, is a futuristic, and more, modern city with the best night life. Not only that, but Osaka has the nickname “Kitchen of Japan” because of it’s incredible culinary scene!

One of the best, and most iconic, things to do in Osaka is visit Dotonbori. Located in the Namba district, this street is famous for it’s endless neon lights, animatronic restaurant fronts, shopping scene, and food!

If you’re claustrophobic you might feel differently, but the chaos of Dotonbori is something incredible. You are surrounded by large crowds of locals and tourists going to restaurants, or from street food stall to the next, just enjoying their time. If you go to the Namba Mall, you’ll even get to discover many amazing stores and brands, and even more food.

If you love aquariums, or encounter a rainy day, you simply must visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan! This is one of the largest aquariums in both Japan and the world, and you’ll see over 30,000 creatures and 620 different species. You will even see whale sharks!🤯

As a bonus activity, there is the Tempozan Ferris Wheel right next to the aquarium – which allows you to see all over Osaka.😍

Finally, another of the best things to do in Osaka is the one and only… Super Nintendo World!! The Super Nintendo World is a part of the Osaka Universal Studio, and is a great place to spend the day immersing yourself.

Kyoto vs Osaka Vibe and Atmosphere

Kyoto and Osaka could not be more different when it comes to their overall vibe and atmosphere.

Kyoto is a historic and traditional city with a serene atmosphere. This is where you stroll through tranquil gardens and forests, as you visit temples, shrines, and beautiful neighborhoods.

Osaka, on the other hand, is a modern city with a vibrant atmosphere and incredible nightlife. Here you experience the iconic, modern side of Japan and indulge yourself in some of the best street food. The nightlife is nothing short of captivating, and you will not want to go to sleep.

Kyoto vs Osaka Food

In a way, the vibe and atmosphere of the cities reflects the food scene.

With it’s tranquil and traditional atmosphere, Kyoto focuses more on a more refined dining experience – specifically the Kaiseki course dinners. When in Kyoto, you simply must try Yudofu and yuba, Nishin soba, and the Uji Matcha.

To match it’s vibrant city atmosphere, Osaka is famous for it’s incredible street food scene and the Osaka-style ramen. When in Osaka, you must try Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Osaka-style Ramen and Udon.

Day Trips and Nearby Destinations

Being only 30 minutes from each other, Osaka and Kyoto are close to many similar destinations and both offer great trips. For example, Nara is the most popular day trip from Kyoto and Osaka, but is much closer to Osaka.

Which is more Budget Friendly, Osaka vs Kyoto?

Despite being an incredibly popular destination, Lyoto continues to receive more visits than Osaka. Due to this, Osaka tends to be a more budget friendly destination to stay in.

Pros and Cons of Osaka vs Kyoto

Kyoto and Osaka are the opposite of one another, and so are their pros and cons.

Kyoto is a very historic city that allows you to dive deeper into Japan’s past and it’s more traditional side. You will find endless temples and shrines, palaces, historic neighborhoods, and beautiful ryokans to stay in.

The cons of Kyoto, though, is that it overflows with tourists – more than Osaka. Because of this, you’ll find very large crowds in tight spaces, and prices tend to be higher than in Osaka.

Osaka, on the other hand, is a modern city that allows you to appreciate the iconic and futuristic side of Japan – along with its incredible technologies. Osaka, known as the “Kitchen of Japan”, is the ultimate heaven for foodies and those who love a vibrant city and nightlife. From the Super Nintendo Mario World to the Kaiyukan Aquarium, and Osaka Castle, Osaka is home to endless things to do and see.

The con of staying in Osaka can be pros for others – for example, if you want to rest in a calming environment, you should go to Kyoto. Another con, if you plan to visit certain Kyoto attractions at the crack of dawn – you will have a longer commute.

Which is better to stay in, Osaka or Kyoto?

This depends on your personal preferences. If you are someone who wants to be surrounded by temples and shrines, be in a more tranquil atmosphere and/or immerse yourself in nature – Kyoto is the city for you!

Stay in the Best Ryokan of Kyoto

If you are eager to experience the futuristic and modern side of Japan, and you love cities and experiencing a vibrant nightlife – Osaka is perfect for you!

Stay in the Best Hotel of Osaka, in the Namba District

I booked my stay in Kyoto and quickly regretted it once I stepped into Osaka. While Kyoto is wonderful, Osaka is much more my vibe. Osaka’s nightlife was nothing short of incredible, and I personally thought the city had more to offer than Kyoto.

Is it better to go to Osaka or Kyoto first?

When trying to figure out if you should visit Osaka or Kyoto first, as yourself this questions – “Do I want to end on a relaxing, or fun/chaotic, note”?

If these are your last destinations in your Japan trip, think of what you want the last few days to be like. Do you want to dive into historic sites, Japanese nature, and a more relaxed ambiance? Then save Kyoto for last.

If you want to finish your Japan travels on a strong and beautifully chaotic note, then Osaka is best for last. In a way, go big before “going home”.

Overall, both are great cities to visit in whichever order!

I can only pick one… Is it better to visit Kyoto or Osaka?

The answer to this question depends on your personal preferences. If you can only pick one of the two, you can always take a day trip to the city you don’t stay in. For example, if you decide to visit Kyoto, you can take a day trip to Osaka – that way you experience them both.

The thing is that Kyoto and Osaka are complete opposites and both worth visiting. If you don’t have time for a day trip, then you need to decide whether you want a historic and traditional Japanese destination, or a modern city with a vibrant nightlife.

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Which is better, Osaka vs Kyoto? Guide for First Time Visitors