Osaka or Tokyo

[anrakushi]

i did a quick check on wiki for populations since i had forgotten:
tokyo metropolis - 12,790,000 with a density of 5796 /km²
Osaka city - 2,636,257 but 19,220,000 in metropolitan area with a density of 11,869/km²

so if that density is correct than osaka is actually more dense in population than tokyo.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by anrakushi

i did a quick check on wiki for populations since i had forgotten:
tokyo metropolis - 12,790,000 with a density of 5796 /km²
Osaka city - 2,636,257 but 19,220,000 in metropolitan area with a density of 11,869/km²

so if that density is correct than osaka is actually more dense in population than tokyo.

It depends on what is the "metro area".

I lived three or four stations west of Umeda in Amagasaki City. Amagasaki is one of the cities that lies directly (on the trains) between Osaka and Kobe.

On a local JR train there are probably 18 stops between Osaka station and the first station in Kobe (Sannomiya). It's probably a 35 minute trip on a local train, but you will pass through at least three other cities to get there. (Correct me if I am wrong), Amagasaki, Nishinomiya, Nada and there might be more. Kansai is sort of a triangle of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto being the three biggest cities, but if you ride the train between them, you really wouldn't be able to tell where one city ended and the next one began. The funny thing is when you get OFF the train and get to know each city, you find each has it's own personality very distinct from the others. For example, Amagasaki is a very industrial town, many factories and warehouses. Across the river to the west is Nishinomiya, which has a reputation as a high scale ritzier place than Amagasaki. Literally 2 minutes (and one river) apart on the train.

So Osaka metro area probably includes some of these cities, Sanda, Itami, etc...

That population density doesn't seem right to me...but a lot of Tokyo proper is businesses, not housing, so it's very possible.

[anrakushi]

there was one fact i left out, and that was area. the population density is based on the 大阪市 population and not that of the metropolitan area which mind you includes kobe and kyoto, nuts if you ask me but makes sense since as you said you can't even notice you leave one city and enter the next.

anyway Osaka city itself is:
2,636,257 people over an area of 222.11km² which gives a density of 11,869/km²

Tokyo-to which is the whole metropolitan area has to population of
12,790,000 but it is over a much larger area of 2,187.08km² giving a density of 5796 /km² (but i work it out at 5847.97/km² probably because they are using a more exact population figure rather than the rounded one)

so there we go... interesting i think anyway.

[samurai007]

Osaka didn't feel as crowded as Tokyo did to me... the trains were usually full, but not to the point of shoving more people on. The streets were busy, but not chaotic. And I found my way around in Osaka much easier, even my first few times there. A lot of things are within walking distance of each other.

[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by MMM

Then you probably wouldn't care for Osaka, either...

But I my only choices here are Osaka and Tokyo. Tokyo comes across as being "more busy" in comparison to Osaka which is why, for this poll, I chose Osaka.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

But I my only choices here are Osaka and Tokyo. Tokyo comes across as being "more busy" in comparison to Osaka which is why, for this poll, I chose Osaka.

I see.

In some ways Osaka seems more busy to me.

For example, on the "moving walks" (moving sidewalks) in some train stations and Osaka residents tend to walk on the moving walks where I noticed Tokyo residents tend to stand more.

[kunitokotachi]

Even though all of my family is in Tokyo I'd choose Osaka. Osaka just seems more laid back. My favorite "Stamina" Ramen is in Osaka. The train system is less confusing. Osaka is less international and I like that better. Nara is very close to Osaka and in Nara you can visit the Todaiji Buddhist Temple which is supposed to be the largest wooden structure in the world. There are also lots of reindeer running free in the park next to the temple and you can feed them rice crackers. You can also get to Kyoto easily from Osaka and see many of the old temples. There is also Kobe. Tenri city (the mecca of the Tenrikyo faith) is only about 45 minutes from Osaka. You can see the large connecting shinden (shrine) there. Iga city is also a lot closer to Osaka; you can see the ninja museum in Iga. What else... Oh Okayama prefecture is closer to Osaka and is claimed to be the birth place of the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. There are some sites there dedicated to him. If I think of anything else I'll post.

[MMM]

I agree with all that reasoning...especially about Todaiji.

[kunitokotachi]

Originally Posted by MMM

I agree with all that reasoning...especially about Todaiji.

Yeah, I really liked Todaiji. I even crawled through the hole that is in that one pillar. You know the one that the monks claimed that one would become instantly enlightened if they are able to pass through.

[EChan]

I chose Osaka, because Tokyo is bigger.