Osaka Vs Kyoto – The place Ought to You Keep?

Each Kyoto and Osaka are common locations to go to in Japan. However since they’re solely a brief prepare experience from one another, is one higher than the opposite? And if you wish to go to each, which one must you keep in?

I’ve visited and stayed in each Osaka and Kyoto fairly a couple of instances now, and whereas I really like each cities, they’re very totally different. If in case you have sufficient time to go to each, I’d accomplish that – however then there’s nonetheless the query of whether or not it’s higher to remain in Kyoto or Osaka and take day journeys from there.

Sadly, there’s no proper reply right here. It fully is determined by your finances, your preferences and the way a lot time you have got in Japan. Both method, I’ll examine the 2 cities beneath and advise on what to do in several conditions. Hopefully, you’ll be capable of make a extra knowledgeable determination about what metropolis to go to and the place to remain.

Kyoto vs Osaka – let’s discover out the place it is best to keep.

Kyoto vs Osaka – Overview

Although they’re situated close to one another, Kyoto and Osaka are very totally different cities. Because the prepare between these cities solely takes round half-hour, it’s potential to e-book a lodge in considered one of them and take day journeys to the opposite. That leaves the query of whether or not it is best to keep in Osaka or Kyoto.

Selecting between Kyoto and Osaka is a very private selection as a result of the cities are so totally different from one another. Additional down this text, I’ll go into extra element in regards to the variations and the professionals and cons, however here’s a fast overview that can assist you make a selection:

Due to the Osaka Expo (operating between 3 April – 13 October 2025), lodging in Osaka could also be costlier as demand will go up. Usually, Osaka lodging is quite a bit cheaper than in Kyoto, however this may increasingly differ this 12 months.

Ought to You Keep in Kyoto or Osaka?

Staying in a single day in a metropolis as an alternative of doing a day journey offers you the right alternative to discover a number of the most common sights early within the morning (earlier than the large crowds present up) and expertise the night environment.

As a result of each cities have so many various issues to supply, I’d advocate staying a few days in Osaka and some days in Kyoto. This manner, you get to expertise the most effective of each worlds – particularly since Osaka has such nice nightlife and also you’d need to present up early at a few of Kyoto’s most well-known sights.

Nonetheless, I’m conscious that that’s not all the time an choice. Particularly for those who’re on a decent schedule and need to see as a lot as potential throughout your time in Japan, it’s higher to select one metropolis over the opposite. That method, you received’t waste time between check-out and check-in between new motels, and also you received’t have to tug your suitcase to a brand new metropolis (utilizing a baggage supply service like Yamato might assist right here!).

Some folks aren’t the most important fan of Osaka as they assume it’s “simply one other huge metropolis”, however I personally adore it! I’ve spent fairly a couple of weeks in Osaka through the years, and the welcoming environment, the cheaper lodging and the quick access to different cities/cities/areas are an enormous plus of staying right here.

Nonetheless, if you’re visiting Japan for the primary money and time isn’t as a lot of a roadblock, Kyoto could also be a better option. The standard environment and the choice to keep in a single day in a standard ryokan can add numerous worth to your journey. It’s price mentioning that Kyoto has been scuffling with numerous over-tourism in recent times, so crowds are exhausting to keep away from in the principle areas, plus lodge costs have elevated quite a bit too.

In the event you’re planning on taking day journeys, Osaka might be a better option because it’s situated nearer to common spots like Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima and Koyasan. It’s nonetheless potential to go to these from Kyoto, after all, however some additional journey time should be accounted for. From Kyoto, it’s faster to get to another spots, like Uji. So once more, it’ll rely on the remainder of your itinerary.

Execs and Cons of Staying in Osaka

As I already shortly talked about above, I personally actually like staying in Osaka. It might really feel a bit like Tokyo, because it’s one other huge Japanese metropolis, but it surely’s a lot extra accessible and fewer overwhelming. The folks of Osaka are very pleasant and the road meals is superb! Plus, from Osaka, you possibly can simply make numerous superb day journeys, which might take longer than coming from Kyoto.

Listed here are the principle professionals and cons of staying in Osaka in comparison with Kyoto.

Execs of Staying in Osaka

1. General, lodging is less expensive in Osaka.
2. Osaka lights up at night time – the nightlife is superb. There are numerous bars and road meals distributors to go to at night time, providing you with an entire new expertise in Japan.
3. Also called the “nation’s kitchen”, Osaka is THE place for foodies in Japan. You’ll find the most effective meals and drinks right here – and it doesn’t need to be costly.
4. Individuals from Osaka are recognized to be very pleasant and far more approachable than in different cities in Japan.
5. Relying on what your plans are in Japan, many common day journeys within the Kansai Space are simpler to achieve from Osaka.
6. In the event you’re planning on visiting Common Studios Japan, staying in a single day in Osaka means that you can get to the park brilliant and early.

Cons of Staying in Osaka

1. There aren’t as many vacationer sights in Osaka – one or two days is sufficient to see all the principle sights. Kyoto has much more and in addition has a way more conventional environment, which is one thing many vacationers respect.
2. It’ll be powerful to keep away from crowds at common locations in Kyoto as you possibly can’t get there tremendous early. Although the prepare doesn’t take too lengthy, to keep away from crowds at locations corresponding to Fushimi Inari Taisha, you need to get there round 6-7 AM.
3. Most motels in Osaka are common trendy motels. If you wish to keep in a standard ryokan, you received’t be capable of discover many right here. Kyoto has tons extra accessible.

Finest Accommodations in Osaka

I’ve a full information on the place to remain in Osaka, which incorporates the most effective areas and motels for various budgets and journey kinds. For a fast overview, it’s finest to both keep within the Namba space (near Dotonbori, which is nice within the night!) or the Umeda/Kita space (near the prepare station, excellent for day-tripping).

My favorite lodge close to Namba is The Bridge Lodge. Because it’s just a few minutes from Dotonbori on foot, however nonetheless in a quiet space, the location is ideal. My favorite factor about staying right here was their free ramen occasion although. Each night, you may get a free bowl of ramen and revel in it with a beer or sake (additionally free!). The rooms are additionally a good measurement, which is all the time a plus in Japan.

If you wish to keep nearer to the prepare station so you possibly can take extra day journeys, I’ve had nice experiences staying within the Sonezaki Luxe Lodge in Umeda. Although it’s not near Dotonbori (it’s simple to get right here on the metro although!), there are many eating places and bars close to the lodge too.

Execs and Cons of Staying in Kyoto

Kyoto is likely one of the hottest locations to go to in Japan. The superbly preserved geisha district attracts tons of of 1000’s of vacationers to the town. I really like Kyoto, a lot in order that I even acquired married there – however seeing how crowded it has gotten in recent times is alarming. It’s exhausting to not advocate visiting Kyoto on a primary journey to Japan, it’s such a wonderful place, however over-tourism has turn out to be an issue right here.

Staying in Kyoto generally is a magical expertise although, particularly for those who select a conventional ryokan as your lodging. And since Kyoto has gotten so busy, it’s finest to present as much as sights as early as potential, which is far simpler whenever you keep in a single day.

Listed here are the principle professionals and cons of staying in Kyoto as an alternative of Osaka:

Execs of Staying in Kyoto

1. There’s a lot to do in Kyoto, so for those who’re planning to go to Kyoto for a few days (or extra), staying in Kyoto makes it a lot simpler so that you can go about your day. This manner, you don’t need to always journey to Kyoto for a number of day journeys. You may take a day journey to Osaka, the place the principle sights can simply be seen in sooner or later.
2. Kyoto is likely one of the finest locations to keep in a standard ryokan. Staying in a standard inn can add quite a bit to your time in Japan, and one thing I extremely advocate!
3. In the event you keep in Kyoto, you possibly can get to the most well-liked sights early to keep away from the crowds. Locations like Fushimi Inari and the Geisha Districts get very crowded throughout the day and it’s exhausting to go to early for those who’re staying in Osaka.

Cons of Staying in Kyoto

1. As a result of Kyoto is so common with vacationers, lodging is costlier than in Osaka. In the event you’re on a finances, staying in Osaka could also be a greater choice.
2. Kyoto has turn out to be extremely crowded in recent times. Over-tourism has brought about numerous struggles within the metropolis, which might impression your personal journey negatively too.
3. Although Kyoto will get busy throughout the day, the nightlife is fairly non-existent. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless some nice issues to do in Kyoto at night time.

Finest Accommodations in Kyoto

I’ve acquired a full information about the place to remain in Kyoto. In it, I’ve damaged down the most effective areas in Kyoto together with the most effective motels for various budgets.

As a fast overview on this information, Candeo Kyoto is considered one of my favorite motels within the metropolis. We stayed right here throughout our elopement, so it’s acquired a particular place in my coronary heart. The combination of conventional and trendy is ideal, and the general public baths are an enormous plus. A extra conventional ryokan choice is Yasaka Yutone Kyokoyado, which is situated within the outdated geisha district.

In the event you’re searching for one thing a bit cheaper, I actually loved my keep at En Lodge. Regardless of being a budget-friendly trendy lodge, the rooms are fairly massive and there’s a pretty frequent space the place you possibly can calm down and produce your personal snacks/drinks.

On our most up-to-date journey, we additionally tried Fujiya Ryokan as a finances choice for a extra conventional keep. It was excellent! Near the prepare station inside a wonderful conventional constructing. The loos are shared, however we didn’t have any points with it (particularly for the value we paid per night time, it was very low-cost for Kyoto requirements!). The futons have been already made up for us after we arrived, plus the home cat got here to say hello earlier than we went to sleep too!

Osaka or Kyoto – Conclusion

Deciding whether or not to remain in Osaka or Kyoto is a tricky determination and never one with a easy reply. It’s a really private selection, relying in your preferences, finances and plans. Each cities generally is a nice selection for various kinds of travellers.

If in case you have the choice to keep in Kyoto for a couple of days and keep in Osaka for a couple of days, I’d undoubtedly take that chance.

Nonetheless, if that’s not potential, Osaka is a less expensive, extra trendy choice with energetic nightlife, nevertheless, there isn’t quite a bit to do within the metropolis. Kyoto is far more conventional and atmospheric, but it surely comes with a price ticket, and the town quiets down at night time.

Whichever metropolis you select, you’ll make sure you have a good time! You may simply go to each as they’re solely a brief prepare experience away – joyful travelling!