You knew it had to happen at some point. Sooner or later we were bound to ask you to choose which of Japan’s biggest and most famous cities is best. That’s right, folks, it’s Tokyo versus Osaka; Kanto versus Kansai; east versus west.
Click the link, make your choice, argue about it in the comments section. No biting, hair-pulling or bringing our mothers into it.
So, which is it to be? Tokyo or Osaka?
I mean, it has to be Tokyo, right? After all, that’s the capital of Japan and there’s so much going on. But wait – Osaka has its amazing castle, and okonomiyaki, and its people are infinitely more friendly and… Oh we can’t decide; you’ll have to do it for us!
Last week, we asked you to choose between miso-based ramen and soy sauce- (aka shouyu) based ramen. Here’s what you had to say:
As it happens, “the awkward few” turned out to be greater in number than the soy sauce-based ramen lovers, which we don’t know whether speaks more about your love for tonkotsu and shio ramen/being annoying or whether soy is simply the poor relation of the ramen family. Either way, miso-based ramen wins by a hair’s breadth, making it the king of soupy noodles. Everyone bow your heads and chant its name.
Super Mega Important Debate: Soy sauce-based ramen or miso-based ramen? 【Poll closed】
Super Mega Important Debate – Japanese squat toilets: Great or gross? 【Poll closed】
Super Mega Important Debate: Fried gyoza or boiled gyoza? 【Poll Closed】
Super Mega Important Debate – Natto: is it nom or vom? 【Poll closed】
Super Mega Important Debate: Do you shower before work or before bed? 【Poll closed】
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Self-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Six towering historical warrior floats will grace Fukui’s Mikuni Festival for three days
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Super Mega Important Debate: Capsule hotels – crazy cool or just too coffin-like? 【Poll】
Super Mega Important Debate – Japanese TV: is it just plain awful? 【Poll】
Super Mega Important Debate: Are Japan’s futons awesome or simply awful? 【Poll closed】
Kansai and Kanto prove again that they are each distinct regions when it comes to food