Osaka vs Tokyo - City Size Comparison

Is Osaka Bigger Than Tokyo?

In terms of area, Tokyo is 9.8x the size of Osaka. Tokyo spans 2,194 km² (847 mi²) while Osaka covers 225 km² (87 mi²) — a difference of 1,969 km². You could fit Osaka inside Tokyo approximately 9 times.

About Osaka

Japan's third-largest city and a culinary capital. Known as "The Kitchen of Japan", Osaka covers 225 km² with a population of 2.8 million. The city was established in 645. Osaka is known for Osaka Castle, Dotonbori district, Street food culture, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Osaka Metro.

Osaka residents spend more on food per capita than any other city in Japan

About Tokyo

Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolitan area. Also known as "The Big Mikan", Tokyo has an area of 2,194 km² and is home to 14.0 million people. Its history stretches back to 1457. Visitors come for Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji Market, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Tokyo Metro & JR East.

Greater Tokyo is the world's largest metropolitan economy, surpassing the GDP of most countries

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Tokyo metropolitan area covers 13,572 km², which is 1.0x larger than greater Osaka at 13,228 km². The Tokyo metro area is also more populous, with 37.4 million people compared to 19.3 million.

Population Density

Osaka has a population density of 12,222 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Tokyo, with 6,363 people per km², is a densely populated city. Osaka is noticeably denser, packing 1.9 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a humid subtropical climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.