Osaka FAQ
Q. I’ve never heard of it. What is it like?
You have never heard of Osaka?! orz <-- Japanese emoticon expressing dismay (a person on hands and knees)
Osaka is the central metropolis of Kansai. Osaka can mean the larger Osaka Prefecture (with a population of 8 million) or the City of Osaka (with a population of 2.5 million). Osaka City is the capital of Osaka Prefecture.
(The city and prefectural governments don't get along.)
While Tokyo is the capital of Japan, Osaka can be regarded the anti-capital.
(It's sort of like Texas. If Osaka could declare its independence from Japan, it would.)
Historically, Osaka was a merchant city, the economic capital of Japan. In modern Japan, it was an entrepreneurial hotbed, producing such global corporations as Matsushita(Panasonic), Sharp, Sanyo, Minolta (now Konica Minolta), Marubeni, Itochu, Sumitomo Corp, Zojirushi, Konami and "cup noodle" Nissin (but many moved their headquarters to Tokyo.)
BTW, the world's first instant ramen (chicken ramen) was invented by the founder of Nissin. There's an instant ramen museum in Osaka where you can make your own ramen!
In the feudal Edo period, Osaka served as the "Nation's Kitchen," the center of rice trading and food distribution throughout the country.
To learn more about Osaka, here's an Introduction to Osaka.
Q. Why should I visit there?
In general, people are very friendly! For example, people in Tokyo don't talk to strangers. In Osaka, they do. Especially if you look like a tourist, people will talk to you or help you.
Osaka is known for its food culture, with the kuidaore maxim, which means "ruin yourself over food." Typical Osakans have a passion for food--the food has to be good AND cheap. I'd say the food culture is similar to that of Hong Kong and Singapore.
This Guardian blogger said Osaka is the world's greatest food city! Yay!!
Let's see what Anthony Bourdain says about Osaka! (Does he smoke?!!)
In general, people are very friendly! For example, people in Tokyo don't talk to strangers. In Osaka, they do. Especially if you look like a tourist, people will talk to you or help you.
Osaka is known for its food culture, with the kuidaore maxim, which means "ruin yourself over food." Typical Osakans have a passion for food--the food has to be good AND cheap. I'd say the food culture is similar to that of Hong Kong and Singapore.
This Guardian blogger said Osaka is the world's greatest food city! Yay!!
Let's see what Anthony Bourdain says about Osaka! (Does he smoke?!!)
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Q. Is it different from Tokyo?
Culturally, it's quite different. To me, an Osaka native, interacting with a Tokyo person is an intercultural experience. The stereotype of the Japanese held overseas is a reflection of Tokyo people (middle-aged Tokyo men). For example, there are many jokes about how the Japanese always follow the rules. But that's not Osakans. For instance, they cross streets whenever and wherever they want to. Since Osakans are so irachi (= impatient, always in a rush), we can't wait! Also, time is money in Osaka :)
As these guys say in the video below, once you go to Osaka, the stereotype you may have for the Japanese will be shattered. Most of the non-Japanese people I've met say that I'm an atypical Japanese, but once they visit Osaka, they say, "I met a lot of people like you over there." One American guy said, "As the bullet train gets closer to Osaka, passengers get louder and more outspoken like you." ;p
You can read in the comment section what non-natives think of Tokyo vs. Osaka.
If you're looking for organization and orderliness, you may not like Osaka. Osaka is a pretty typical Asian city. When visiting Shanghai, many Osakans, including myself, think that our Osakan ancestors must have come from Shanghai!
Culturally, it's quite different. To me, an Osaka native, interacting with a Tokyo person is an intercultural experience. The stereotype of the Japanese held overseas is a reflection of Tokyo people (middle-aged Tokyo men). For example, there are many jokes about how the Japanese always follow the rules. But that's not Osakans. For instance, they cross streets whenever and wherever they want to. Since Osakans are so irachi (= impatient, always in a rush), we can't wait! Also, time is money in Osaka :)
As these guys say in the video below, once you go to Osaka, the stereotype you may have for the Japanese will be shattered. Most of the non-Japanese people I've met say that I'm an atypical Japanese, but once they visit Osaka, they say, "I met a lot of people like you over there." One American guy said, "As the bullet train gets closer to Osaka, passengers get louder and more outspoken like you." ;p
You can read in the comment section what non-natives think of Tokyo vs. Osaka.
If you're looking for organization and orderliness, you may not like Osaka. Osaka is a pretty typical Asian city. When visiting Shanghai, many Osakans, including myself, think that our Osakan ancestors must have come from Shanghai!
Also, a perspective by a long-time resident of Japan, originally from Swizerland:
"Are There Two Different Japans?"
"In business I perceive Kansai area more straight forward and direct, more demanding in price negotiation and generally less patient than business partners from Kanto area."
Yes, Osakans haggle and are "irachi" (impatient, always in a rush ^^;)) ← My tsukkomi
"Would you have expected a different preference in toilet paper? According to Nikkei Shimbun 70% of people living in Kanto area prefer double toilet paper, contrasting Kansai with 60% focus on single toilet paper."
Didn't know that. Maybe because Kansai people tend to be "kechi" (tight with money) or maybe more eco-friendly ;)
Q. Is Osaka Dialect different from Kansai Dialect?
A. There are some variations among dialects in Kansai (e.g. Osaka Dialect, Kyoto Dialect, Kobe Dialect, etc.), but if you understand any Kansai dialect, you'll understand other ones. For many non-Kansai people, Kansai dialect means Osaka Dialect and the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Osaka City offers interactive Osaka dialect lessons online. Some of the words are used only in Osaka while others are used in other areas of Kansai as well.
A. There are some variations among dialects in Kansai (e.g. Osaka Dialect, Kyoto Dialect, Kobe Dialect, etc.), but if you understand any Kansai dialect, you'll understand other ones. For many non-Kansai people, Kansai dialect means Osaka Dialect and the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Osaka City offers interactive Osaka dialect lessons online. Some of the words are used only in Osaka while others are used in other areas of Kansai as well.
This crazy couple teaches Osaka dialect via YouTube. For example, "Maido" is used only in Osaka, not in Kyoto or Kobe.