I spent a few months living in Tokyo and Osaka. Both were great, but I definitely have a favorite city.

• I’ve lived in both Tokyo and Osaka since moving to Japan about six months ago.
• Tokyo had a fast-paced energy and iconic attractions, but Osaka really fit my day-to-day lifestyle.
• I found Osaka more affordable, more relaxed, and a better base for exploring the rest of Japan.

When I moved to Japan about six months ago, I had one big goal: to see as much of the country as possible by living in several places.

I’d visited Japan once before in 2024, but I knew that living here would feel completely different from traveling for under two weeks. I wanted to get a true sense of what day-to-day life in different Japanese cities would be like.

I knew I wanted to start off in Tokyo. I had spent the most time there during my first trip to Japan, so it already felt a bit familiar.

Plus, it was also easier and cheaper to fly into from Canada, and it felt like every time I opened social media, there was another viral food spot, neighborhood, or fun activity to check out.

I spent over two months in Tokyo before moving to Osaka three months ago. I really love both cities, but Osaka has quickly become my favorite place to live.

Tokyo felt exciting, energetic, and constantly busy

While living in Tokyo, I stayed in Asakusa — definitely my favorite part of the city.

It was incredibly walkable, close to major attractions like the Sensō-ji temple, and full of great restaurants and shops. Some of my most-visited spots in the area were Yokozuna Burger and Ramen Hayashida.

Staying in Tokyo was exactly how I imagined living in Japan’s biggest city would feel. Everywhere I looked, there were high-rise buildings, bright lights, and busy train stations; it felt like there was a constant sense of movement.

I also appreciated that there was no shortage of things to do. Whether I wanted to try a new restaurant, visit another neighborhood, or spend hours wandering around shops, I never ran out of options.

The high energy was exciting, but after a couple of months of squeezing through busy stations and crowded sidewalks, I started to crave a slightly slower pace.

As a Canadian, I was used to having a little more space, more nature, and quieter surroundings mixed in with city life. So, I decided to see if I could find that in Osaka.

Osaka feels more relaxed and practical for everyday life

Osaka is about a two-and-a-half-hour train ride southwest of Tokyo. Compared to Tokyo’s population of around 14 million, Osaka proper is home to fewer than 2 million.

One of the biggest differences I noticed after moving to Osaka was how much larger my apartment was for a lower price.

In Tokyo, I paid almost 1,900 Canadian dollars a month for a small one-bedroom Airbnb with a tiny kitchen. The apartment worked well for my needs — and utilities, WiFi, and laundry were all included — but it definitely felt compact.

Meanwhile, in Osaka, I’m paying slightly over CAD$1,600 a month for a much larger two-bedroom apartment with a spacious kitchen, a living and dining area, and a quieter residential feel. Compared to the rent prices I’m used to in Canada, it feels like a great deal.

Osaka still has the big-city energy people might expect from Japan, especially in areas like Namba and Umeda, but I also like that I can take a short train ride and quickly end up somewhere that feels calm and local.

I’ve also found daily life a little more affordable overall. Grocery prices for essentials like meat and produce feel lower to me in Osaka, and although Japan is already known for very reasonably priced food, I’ve noticed that casual meals like burgers and ramen — as well as some nicer dinners out — are a bit cheaper here than they were in Tokyo.

I also find it easier to connect with people in Osaka

Before moving to Japan, I often heard people describe Osaka as friendlier than Tokyo.

Now that I’ve lived in both cities, I understand what they meant. I never found people in Tokyo to be unfriendly by any means, but I’ve had far more spontaneous, casual conversations with locals in Osaka.

As an English speaker still learning Japanese, I always appreciate those interactions. I naturally enjoy talking to new people, so moments where locals make an effort to chat with me — even briefly — really stand out.

Here in Osaka, my husband and I regularly visit Heavenly Burger, where the owners are extremely kind and stop to chat with us whenever we come in. The burgers are genuinely some of the best I’ve ever had, but the friendliness keeps us coming back, too.

On my husband’s birthday, they even gave him a shirt as a gift, which was super thoughtful. Experiences like that made Osaka feel especially welcoming.

I still love Tokyo, but Osaka fits my lifestyle better

I completely understand why Tokyo is many travelers’ dream destination. For this stage of my life, though, Osaka has been a better fit.

I love how easy it is to take day trips to spots like Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, and then come back to a city that feels fun, lively, and well-connected. Seeing mountains in the distance on my daily walks makes me feel a little calmer and closer to nature, too.

I still plan to visit several more prefectures before my year here is over, so there’s always a chance another Japanese city could surprise me. For now, though, Osaka feels the most like home.