Living in Osaka

Living in Osaka, the friendlier, livelier alternative to Tokyo. While Tokyo is the largest city in Japan and pretty much the “brand city” of Japan, Osaka on the other hand has its own attractions and specialties that you won’t find anywhere else in Japan.

With its calm atmosphere and a more friendly people, Osaka could be the best alternative place from Tokyo, which is far more dense and busy. So, in this article StuDrill will cover four reasons why you should pick Osaka to live in Japan that are believed to be beneficial for foreigners and the locals

1. Living in Osaka: Get the Perfect Size of a City

Living in Osaka means living in a big city, but not too big. Furthermore, it has a population of about 2.7 million people, which is much smaller than Tokyo’s 13.9 million. However, it is still a busy and lively city, but it is not as overwhelming as Tokyo. Additionally, it has a good quality of life, and it ranked 10th as most livable cities in the world on EIU. Also, the urban and suburban areas have a good balance and it is most seen in Sakai region.

There are two main areas in Osaka: Umeda, which is near Osaka station, and Namba, which is where the famous Dotonbori street is located. For your information, Dotonbori is one of the largest shopping centers in Osaka. Moreover, there are many other places to explore and enjoy aside from Namba & Umeda. So, you will never get bored in Osaka with just the perfect size of a ‘big’ city.

2. One of the Most Convenient Cities in Japan

There are several things that make Osaka convenient, such as the public transportation system. Moreover, you can get to anywhere in the city by using the subway, the train, or the bus. Even though Osaka is a large city, every Osaka’s main hub is connected with subway lines, making it easy to go anywhere. Also, you can use railway services to travel to other nearby cities, such as Kyoto and Kobe.

Another convenient thing is Osaka has its own unique eateries that you can only find here. For example, Takohachi in Tennoji, Kiji in Umeda, Jibundoki in central Osaka, and the affordable Kyochabana in Shin-Osaka.

Additionally, you can find many local food products in Osaka. For instance, you can buy a deluxe version of pocky products named Bâton d’or. These pocky products can only be found in Hankyu Glico Store and Osaka Takashimaya.

So, even though Osaka ranked third among big cities in Japan, its convenience with unique products and easy public transportation system make Osaka compete with other top big cities in Japan.

3. Get You Immerse in a Great Atmosphere

Osaka has a different vibe from Tokyo. It is more relaxed and outgoing. As for the people, Osaka is known for their friendliness and humor. Furthermore, people like to talk and joke with anyone, even foreigners. Also, people in Osaka have a distinct accent and dialect called Kansai-ben, which can be confusing if you are used to standard Japanese, but it is also charming and expressive.

Osaka also has a vibrant nightlife. For example, the city lights up at night with neon signs and sounds and there are many restaurants, bars, and clubs where you can have fun and meet new people. So, the mix between the friendly and outgoing people, plus vibrant nightlife will create a great atmosphere in Osaka.

4. Affordable Costs

Living in Osaka will save you more money because it’s cheaper than Tokyo when it comes to living expenses. For instance, the rent and utilities are lower, and you can even find more affordable places to live. However, there are also cheaper areas and more expensive areas, but you can find something that suits your budget easily.

As for the food, it’s also cheaper in Osaka, especially if you eat out. Surprisingly, Osaka is not renowned for its haute cuisine, but rather for its mouthwatering yet affordable street food. For example, some of the most popular dishes in Osaka are Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and Kushikatsu. So, Osaka has more affordable costs, not only for food, but also rent fees and living expenses in general.

Constraints on Living in Osaka?

There are very few drawbacks to choosing Osaka over Tokyo but the biggest one as an expat is that there are fewer job opportunities specifically for foreigners in Osaka than Tokyo.

Because of this, it can definitely take longer to find work. But, this is gradually starting to change and it still offers far more opportunities compared to other cities in more regional areas of Japan.

Another downside you might hear about living in Osaka is the crime rate. However, even though Osaka has the highest crime rate in Japan, it is still much safer than other big cities anywhere in the world, and violent crime is also very uncommon in the whole of Japan.

But these downsides are just the reported data, in the end it’s down to your personal experience or preferences whether these downsides are going to bother you or not.

Conclusion

For many people, living in Japan automatically means living in Tokyo but Osaka has so much to offer that isn’t found in the nation’s capital. For example, a rich food culture and affordable living, different atmosphere that you only find in Osaka, and an efficient transportation system.

Therefore, it’s approvable if anyone should put Osaka near the top of the list when choosing a place to live in Japan. So, have these reasons mentioned above made you want to live in Osaka yet?

Living in Osaka can be a much better experience if you know how to speak like a native. But, don’t worry because the new StuDrill app is coming soon! With StuDrill, you’ll have no trouble learning and speaking Japanese. So, it will surely make your life in Osaka or any other cities less difficult. Plus, its personalized AI can help you to give useful feedback to you regarding how you speak, all done by just using an app. Be ready this autumn!

Editor: Zakiah Machfir

Tags: Living in Japan living in Osaka Osaka Osaka better than Tokyo