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If you’re trying to decide between Nagoya and Osaka, this is the guide for you. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know to help you weigh up the best city for you.
Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan is both exciting but can be overwhelming. We recommend that you take plenty of time to research your activities and itinerary early in the planning process. You will need to make a decision regarding which cities to visit. If you’re trying to choose between Nagoya and Osaka, hopefully, we can help you make this decision.
We have been lucky enough to visit Japan twice in the past few years, and we have been able to explore both Nagoya and Osaka extensively. This article is based on our own personal first-hand experience along with our knowledge as long-term full-time travellers.
CONSIDER BOTH – Did you know? You can travel from Nagoya to Osaka by Shinkansen (bullet train) in around 1 hour
THE BEST NAGOYA TOUR – Fun, flexible & engaging half day Nagoya Tour on KLOOK
THE BEST OSAKA TOUR – Explore with a local expert – one day walking tour of Osaka on KLOOK
Work Out Your Priorities
When you’re trying to decide which destination to visit, you need to work out your priorities. In some cases, the decision may be easy because you can find a cheap flight in or out of one of the cities (being flexible with where you fly into and out from is a fantastic way to save money on your overall trip budget).
Nagoya and Osaka are very unique cities, each of which has its own things to offer. Spend some time thinking about your priorities. For example, are you looking for somewhere with a good range of affordable accommodation? Are you looking for a family-friendly destination? Do you want to see certain attractions or do certain activities? Are you able to fit a visit into both cities in your itinerary? Taking some time to answer these kinds of questions will help you make your decision. Keep reading for more specific details on Nagoya and Osaka.
GET PREPARED – Nagoya – Things to Know Before You Go
1 Activities in Osaka and Nagoya
In our opinion, activities and attractions should be one of the most important considerations when you’re deciding which city to visit in Japan. Ultimately, your memories and experiences depend on what activities you do. Nagoya and Osaka both have a lot of different things to offer, so if there is a particular activity or experience that you have always dreamed of, we recommend that you prioritise this when you are making your decision.
Nagoya – top activities
Find out about some Amazing day trips from Nagoya and don’t miss this epic Free Self-Guided Walking tour of Nagoya
- Nagoya Castle and park (Cannot enter castle)
- Nagoya Science Museum and Planetarium
- Atsuta Jingu Temple
- Don’t miss LEGOLAND Japan for a great day out with kids – Book it on KLOOK
- Ghibli Park
- Nagoya Aquarium
- Tokoname Pottery Village
- Sakae TV Tower & Promenade
- Takayama & Shirakawa-go Praying Hands Village
Osaka – top activities
- Osaka Castle and Park
- Kuromon Market
- Namba Shopping District
- Dotonbori Riverside Walking Street
- Themed Cafes & animal cafes
- Tsutenkaku Tower
- Nara Deer Park
- Minoh Waterfalls
- Kids Plaza Osaka
- Hep Five Ferris Wheel
- Osaka Aquarium
- Universal Studios Japan
- Umeda Sky Building
- Kyoto Bamboo Forest and Iconic Torii Gates
2 Nagoya vs Osaka – which is cheaper?
Which is cheaper, Osaka or Nagoya? Prices are likely to be a big factor in your decision, especially given the high prices of travel and accommodation in Japan. The quick answer: Osaka is slightly cheaper than Nagoya (even though the average prices in Osaka are a little bit higher). This is mainly because Osaka has a larger range of accommodation options, so if you’re traveling on a low-end budget, you are more likely to find properties in Osaka in your price range.
- Average price in Nagoya: £80 per night, not much below £50 per night, cheapest options start at £30 per night.
- Average price in Osaka: £90, with a reasonable amount of options below £30 per night and a minimum price of £20 per night.
(Data from booking.com based on a short stay for 2 adults including all accommodation types, modal average.)
The price of food, drink, and transportation is similar in Osaka and Nagoya. Both cities have a very good range of lower-budget options, including convenience stores and cheap restaurant chains such as Kura Sushi. Both cities have a large international airport, and it is possible to find budget flights to Osaka and Nagoya.
3 Vibe of Osaka and Nagoya
Osaka and Nagoya have a subtly different vibe. Osaka has that “lights of Tokyo” big Japanese city feel, so if you are hoping for a Tokyo fix but you can’t fit Tokyo in your itinerary, Osaka is a good choice. We particularly recommend the Dotonbori walking street and canal if you’re looking for hustle and bustle and a good vibe. Osaka also has its fair share of beautiful Japanese temples and a very large impressive castle surrounded by a beautiful Japanese park (with plenty of green spaces and blossom trees). There are two main downsides of Osaka. Firstly, there is a lot of tourism which can make parts of the city less authentic and more expensive. Secondly, some areas of Osaka are quite dirty and polluted (which is very unusual for Japan). There is a rubbish problem in town, and in some places, you can see piles of rubbish discarded at the side of the street (again, this is also very unusual in Japan).
Nagoya is a smaller and slightly calmer city than Osaka (but don’t be misguided, Nagoya is only small relative to Osaka; it is actually quite a big city in its own right). Nagoya has a couple of cosmopolitan hubs (specifically the Sakae district and the Osu shopping district). These cosmopolitan areas have a much more chilled atmosphere than Osaka. Nagoya is also less touristy than Osaka, but some areas do still get very busy (for example, Nagoya Castle). Nagoya also has a cleaner feel than Osaka and it feels more authentically Japanese.
4 Eating and Drinking in Osaka and Nagoya
Food and drinks are a similar price in Nagoya and Osaka. In both cities, you can find plenty of low-budget food options, particularly shops like Family Mart and Lawson’s, where you can buy affordable ready meals and cheap snacks like sushi, breads, and sandwiches. As a larger city, Osaka has a slightly wider range of culinary options. This includes some unique dining experiences, such as a restaurant where you can fish your own dinner and plenty of themed cafes and pet cafes. So, if you are interested in experiencing some unique and quirky Japanese restaurants, Osaka is the best choice.
5 Getting Around in Osaka vs Nagoya
Public transport is affordable, intuitive, and reliable in both Osaka and Nagoya. Public transport is the cheapest way to get around, and both cities have extensive subway systems. Osaka also has an extensive underground shopping precinct. It is possible to walk from distances around the Osaka city centre without going outside into the elements. The public transport system in Osaka is slightly more complicated than Nagoya, purely based on the fact that Osaka is a larger city and therefore requires more subway stops and public transport connections.
6 Which city is best for family travel?
Both Nagoya and Osaka are excellent destinations for family travel. However, Osaka is slightly better when it comes to travelling with kids. Osaka has a greater range of family-friendly activities and kid-friendly spaces. As a larger city with a wider range of accommodation, it is slightly easier to find properties that meet your needs as a family (especially if you are looking for apartments on the low-budget end of things).
Osaka is also a more popular destination with families. In our opinion, this is another bonus because it makes it easier to meet other like-minded families when you are travelling. The main downside of Osaka is the lower level of hygiene and cleanliness around the city. The parks in Osaka can be pretty dirty and not nice (especially if you’re travelling with younger kids). Nagoya is also less popular with families – so if you want to break the mould and experience somewhere more unique, then Nagoya may be the best choice for you. FIND OUT MORE – The best area to stay in Nagoya with kids
