is Tokyo overrated? Osaka underrated?

[X Japan]

Having experienced Tokyo and Osaka from the outsider's perspective, I
am wondering why so much praise -- and attention -- is heaped upon
Tokyo by travel guide books, travel media, etc, while virtually no
attention is paid to Osaka?

I don't mean to diss Tokyo. It is the undisputed financial and
political and cultural (at least modern cultural and pop cultural)
center for Japan. But Osaka seems to resonate with a vibe that's
lacking from Tokyo. It is not a beautiful city, but neither is Tokyo.

With its endless shopping districts and countless restaurants and
bars, not to mention its more concentrated nature, does Osaka provide
a bigger bang for the buck than Tokyo?

Would more first-time visitors to Japan, who usually indulge in a
couple of weeks in Tokyo, be better served by staying in Kansai/Osaka?
I've met folks who were soured on their first trip to Japan because
they just didn't "get" Tokyo, in the same way that some folks don't
"get" a spread-out city like Los Angeles. But Osaka seems to have a
better interface for Japan rookies. And I suspect the food is a bit
better.

I could be completely off-base. Just thought I'd throw this one out
for discussion.

[John W.]

X Japan wrote:
> Having experienced Tokyo and Osaka from the outsider's perspective, I
> am wondering why so much praise -- and attention -- is heaped upon
> Tokyo by travel guide books, travel media, etc, while virtually no
> attention is paid to Osaka?
>

One reason I like Osaka over Tokyo is that it's much more compact. You
can live within spitting distance of some excellent shopping,
entertainment, work, etc., yet be very close to excellent hiking, rock
climbing, cycling, etc. To me that was the draw to Kansai in the first
place. I think that Tokyo's being the capital is why it gets more
attention; basically to me they're about equal in terms of culure (or
lack thereof).

John W.

[Douglas Litten]

The comparison of Tokyo to LA is a good one in terms of geographical
size, but not in terms of public transit and ease of getting around the
place. In that sense Tokyo is more like London - vast but easily
traversed.
My wife and I love Tokyo and think anyone who likes a super world
class metropolis like London or New York should feel at home there. On
the other hand, we agree that Osaka is also a wonderful town. It
reminded us of Chicago in some ways - the same sort of 2nd city lack of
pretensions and down to earth enjoyment of the pleasures of life (esp.
good food, entertainment, shopping). Its location is also great for day
trips to so many great sights. And its airport has it all over Narita
for easy access and user friendliness.
We think Tokyo (like New York City) is a must-see, but Osaka (like
Chigago) is well worth a visit if you can fit it in.