In another article, I discussed how Tokyo is like a sponge because it’s constantly absorbing new information and ideas from the melting pot of cultures that exist together. On the other hand, Osaka is like a tawashi (scrubbing brush) that’s a little rough around the edges, perhaps more stubborn to change, but at the end of the day, gets tough jobs done.
Now, let’s look at how people in each city typically behave on station platforms to understand their distinct personalities even further.
In Tokyo, people are generally polite and considerate. International visitors are often impressed by how people stand in perfect lines and patiently wait their turn before getting on the train. You rarely hear loud conversations because people value collective harmony and order.
In contrast, Osaka locals tend to express their individualism and bold personalities more often. While people do form lines, they tend to break order once the train arrives. While waiting at a crosswalk, you might see some people getting irritated (a trait in Japanese called “irachi”, meaning impatient), to the point where they start crossing the street before the light turns green, justifying it with their own logic.
Despite being only about 2.5 hours by train, Tokyo and Osaka are worlds apart in many ways. During your visit to Japan, I urge you to visit both cities and observe the fascinatingly different ways in which people behave.
