Impact-Site-Verification: e97618de-a52b-470d-b945-7e81282bcff0

OsakavsTokyo

Both Osaka and Tokyo are incredible destinations. Osaka excels in street food and takoyaki, while Tokyo stands out for technology and sushi.

Best for:nightlife · Osakafamilies · Osaka

At a glance

OsakaTokyo
Daily budget (mid-range)€145€167
Hotel per night (mid-range)€95€110
Best monthsMay, Oct, NovMay, Jun, Oct
Summer / winter32°C / 7°C30°C / 8°C
LanguageJapaneseJapanese
CurrencyJapanese Yen (¥)Japanese Yen (¥)

How they compare

  • Culture & History
    OsakaTokyo
  • Food & Dining
    OsakaTokyo
  • Nightlife
    OsakaTokyo

Top tours and experiences in Osaka

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Osaka Food Tour: 15 Delicious Dishes & 3 drinks at 5 Eateries

Osaka Food Tour: 15 Delicious Dishes & 3 drinks at 5 Eateries

4.93,968 reviews3h
Osaka Street Food Tour: 18 Foods & 3 Drinks at 4 Eateries

Osaka Street Food Tour: 18 Foods & 3 Drinks at 4 Eateries

4.93,616 reviews3h
Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour : 15 Tastings and 4 Drinks

Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour : 15 Tastings and 4 Drinks

5.03,602 reviews3h
Osaka Castle Walking Tour and Castle Tower Admission

Osaka Castle Walking Tour and Castle Tower Admission

5.02,464 reviews1h 30m
All things to do in Osaka →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Top tours and experiences in Tokyo

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

4.832,940 reviews11h
Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo

Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo

4.95,268 reviews1h 30m
All things to do in Tokyo →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Is Osaka or Tokyo cheaper?

For a mid-range traveller, Osaka is about 13% cheaper per day than Tokyo.

Mid-rangeOsakaTokyo
Accommodation (per night)€95€110
Food and drinks (per day)€30€35
Sightseeing and activities (per day)€20€22
Total per day€145€167

Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport.

Osaka or Tokyo: weather by month

Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall, from weather-station records.

MonthOsakaTokyo
January
10°C / 2°C42 mmCold
10°C / 2°C47 mmCold
February
11°C / 3°C66 mmCold
11°C / 2°C64 mmCold
March
15°C / 6°C115 mmFair
15°C / 6°C121 mmFair
April
20°C / 11°C124 mmFair
20°C / 10°C157 mmFair
May
25°C / 16°C149 mmGreat
24°C / 15°C149 mmGreat
June
28°C / 20°C188 mmFair
27°C / 19°C185 mmGood
July
32°C / 25°C197 mmHot
30°C / 24°C140 mmFair
August
34°C / 26°C141 mmHot
32°C / 25°C163 mmHot
September
30°C / 22°C145 mmFair
28°C / 21°C238 mmWet
October
24°C / 16°C132 mmGreat
23°C / 15°C217 mmGreat
November
18°C / 10°C74 mmGood
17°C / 10°C93 mmFair
December
12°C / 5°C60 mmFair
13°C / 4°C61 mmFair
GreatGoodHotColdWetFair
Osaka · Best months: May, October, and November
Tokyo · Best months: May, June, and October
Explorinder

Plan your Osaka or Tokyo trip

Create a personalized Osaka or Tokyo itinerary with AI. Just describe your travel style and we'll do the rest.

Start Planning

Top Attractions in Osaka

  • 1Osaka Castle
  • 2Dotonbori
  • 3Universal Studios Japan
  • 4Kuromon Market
  • 5Shinsekai
  • 6Nara Day Trip

Top Attractions in Tokyo

  • 1Senso-ji Temple
  • 2Shibuya Crossing
  • 3Meiji Shrine
  • 4Tokyo Skytree
  • 5Tsukiji Fish Market
  • 6Shinjuku District

Osaka is Popular With

foodies
families
theme park lovers
budget travelers

Tokyo is Popular With

tech enthusiasts
foodies
culture lovers
anime fans

Hidden Gems

Discover lesser-known attractions in each city

Hidden Gems in Osaka

  • 1

    Nakazakicho

    A quiet, bohemian neighborhood north of Umeda, filled with indie cafes, vintage clothing stores, and art galleries in traditional wooden row houses.

  • 2

    The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO)

    A stunning underground art museum located on Nakanoshima Island, focusing on contemporary art.

Hidden Gems in Tokyo

  • 1

    Yanaka Ginza

    A nostalgic, low-rise shopping street in the Yanaka district, one of the few areas that survived the 1923 earthquake and WWII bombing.

  • 2

    Kiyosumi Teien

    A stunning traditional Japanese stroll garden in the Fukagawa district, built by a Mitsubishi founder in the Meiji era.

Neighborhoods to Explore

Discover the best areas to visit in each city

Top Areas in Osaka

  • Minami (Namba/Dotonbori)

    The vibrant, neon-drenched heart of Osaka's entertainment and dining scene.

  • Kita (Umeda/Osaka Station)

    Osaka's modern northern hub, a sprawling maze of skyscrapers, department stores, and underground cities centered around the colossal Osaka Station City.

Top Areas in Tokyo

  • Shinjuku

    The ultimate expression of Tokyo's hyper-energy, Shinjuku is a district of stark contrasts.

  • Shibuya

    The pulsing heart of youth culture, fashion, and constant motion.

Budget Comparison

Compare the cost of traveling in each city

Budget in Osaka

Daily Budget¥15,000-25,000 ($100-170) for business hotels, restaurant meals, and paid attractions
Cost Level
budget

Budget in Tokyo

Daily Budget¥15,000-25,000 ($100-165) for business hotels, mid-range restaurants, and paid attractions
Cost Level
budget

Where to stay in Osaka

Hotels close to the centre of Osaka, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

Sotetsu Fresa Inn YodoyabashiMid-range

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yodoyabashi

0.2 km from the centre

€46 / night

Check availability
Hotel Keihan YodoyabashiMid-range

Hotel Keihan Yodoyabashi

0.4 km from the centre

€35 / night

Check availability
Onyado Nono Osaka YodoyabashiUpscale

Onyado Nono Osaka Yodoyabashi

0.3 km from the centre

€77 / night

Check availability
Candeo Hotels Osaka The TowerUpscale

Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

0.3 km from the centre

€119 / night

Check availability
Compare the best neighbourhoods to stay in Osaka

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Hotels close to the centre of Tokyo, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

Nakano5chome-203Mid-range

Nakano5chome-203

0 km from the centre

€137 / night

Check availability
Base Hanegi ApartmentMid-range

Base Hanegi Apartment

1.3 km from the centre

€82 / night

Check availability
Hyatt Regency TokyoUpscale

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

4 km from the centre

€208 / night

Check availability
Shinjuku Washington Hotel AnnexUpscale

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Annex

4 km from the centre

€73 / night

Check availability

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Getting There

Compare transport options to both destinations

Find cheap transport to Osaka

Compare prices for trains, buses, and flights to Osaka

Train
Bus
Flight

Enter your departure city to see prices

Powered byOmio

Find cheap transport to Tokyo

Compare prices for trains, buses, and flights to Tokyo

Train
Bus
Flight

Enter your departure city to see prices

Powered byOmio

Ready to plan your adventure?

Try now