Tokyo or Osaka
 

Which do you prefer and why? I've never been to Japan so I can't say. Although it may be harder to communicate in Osaka due to dialect, I hear Osakan people are generally friendlier?

I think it'd be like comparing London to Birmingham. There's pros and cons of everywhere.

After a long thought process^^ I will head for Tokyo next year :)

Why one or the other?

I wouldn`t, and haven`t, chosen to live in either of them.

If I`m going to travel to one, Osaka as it`s closer. But they`re both crowded and really quite similar.

Since I've started to follow the J-League I've fell in love with Gamba Osaka...so even though I've never been to either, I prefer Osaka because of their football team.

I visited Osaka during New Years 2011 and had a very enjoyable time.

Some benefits of Osaka versus Tokyo, I feel, are the fact people are friendly and maybe a little kinder because it isn't a huge haven for foreigners (as Tokyo seems to be.) I haven't made it to Tokyo but I am basing the previous sentence on rumors and allegations ! lol

Also, Osaka has great food and night life. It also served as a nice central hub for me when I traveled to Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Nara.

Some benefits for Tokyo versus Osaka, I feel, is that Osaka is not the most alluring of cities and some of my Japanese customers I deal with consider Osaka as "the country people." Similar to how people might view people from West Virginia or Kentucky. As I live in Ohio, I'm downright comfortable with these country folks and ya'll can keep that city vibe. lol (just playing a little but not a "huge" fan of the city but Tokyo is the bright lights and is the New York of Japan or maybe New York is the Tokyo of Japan...point is it should be interesting either way!)

I've live in both cities already, Osaka - 4.5 years then Tokyo for 2 years and now am back in Osaka again.

When I moved to Tokyo, I wanted to get back to Osaka immediately. I did not like the fast-paced life. My consolation was that I lived near my cousin already, my only family here in Japan.

One thing about Tokyo is that there is always something new to do. I am not saying that Osaka does not have it, but I guess being the capital and center of all new things, it will happen first in Tokyo.

Osaka's life is a bit mellow compared to Tokyo and food is definitely much better :) .

Though I worked in Central Tokyo I live in Kanagawa area, so it was nice :vsign:

Osaka if I had to choose between those two just because the people are actually more fun and playful

but I prefer a satellite town like Kobe or Yokohama much more

I lived just about 20 minutes outside of Osaka about 15 years ago, but in recent years have developed an appreciation for Tokyo.

Personally, I like the Kansai lifestyle better, but it is pretty OK up in Tokyo, too.

Capitals are normally full of prats and in 99% of countries I'd go with the second city.
In Japan though....things are different. Osaka has quite a capitally feel and Tokyo is really nice despite its size...
I would have to go with Tokyo.

Though Nagoya over both.