I’m in a Japan travel forum group and I see people asking this questions all the time. Should I stay in Osaka or Kyoto or both.
This is quite an easy decision once you’ve been there, which is not helpful when you’e planning. I made the mistake on my first trip of staying in both places, and I wouldn’t do it again. But, I know now what kind of experience I want. So, you just need to decide what you are looking for?
osaka
The food scene in Osaka is the best in Japan. It is renowned for its food culture, and so if this is one of your reasons for travelling, Osaka is a great choice. The nightlife is vibrant and the bars and yokocho (food and sake alleyways) are a lot of fun. Accommodation in Osaka is less expensive than in Kyoto, and Osaka is very central.
As Osaka was heavily bombed during WWII, it lacks the number and diversity of temples and other historical buildings that Kyoto has. Much of the rebuilding of Osaka happened in the late 1950s and early 1960s, so it’s a bit tired and worn out. However, this means Osaka has a very modern urban feel, and it gives you a better sense of what life in a Japanese city is like. It is also home to Universal Studios, Super Mario World, and DenDen Town, which is like a smaller scale Akihabara, full of pop culture, anime and manga.
kyoto
Kyoto is brimming with history and culture, including temples, palaces, tea ceremony experiences, gardens and more UNESCO heritage sites than you could visit in one trip. If traditional Japan is what you’re wanting, Kyoto is perfect.
There are many upscale restaurants in Kyoto, but they are very difficult to book. As is usual in Japanese culture, a lot of famous places require that you are introduced by a regular customer. For tourists, this makes these kinds of experiences difficult to access.
The other downside to Kyoto is the crowds. The over-tourism in the city can heavily impact your trip. Getting from place to place can be challenging. City buses are crowded, lines are long, and many locals are justifiably annoyed.
the good news
The good news is, Osaka and Kyoto are only around 45 minutes away from each other by express train, faster if you have a JR Pass and want to jump on a bullet train. It is easy to base yourself in one city and day trip to the other. Even if you want to visit several times. I have friends who live in Kyoto and work in Osaka. It’s very commutable.
My advice is to prioritise what is more important to you, and let that guide your decision. I don’t believe you can make a mistake, Japan is fun wherever you stay.
For more information, you can read about of my experiences in Osaka here and about Kyoto here.
My home away from home in Japan is Guesthouse Soi.