Thinking of visiting Japan, but don’t know if Kyoto is part of Osaka or not? The answer is no!
Kyoto and Osaka are separate cities with their own rich histories. However, they are neighbors, and are situated a short distance from each other.
To find out more about Kyoto and Osaka, just keep reading.
Is Kyoto A Part Of Osaka?
No, Kyoto is not part of Osaka. These cities are independent, despite their close proximity to one another. Let’s get a better idea of where these cities are located in the sections below.
Where Is Kyoto?
Kyoto is located in the Kansai region. This is a large region in the south of Honshu, the main island of Japan.
As the ninth-largest city in Japan, this city is known as the cultural capital of Japan due to its rich history in Japanese politics.
Kyoto served as the country’s capital for over a thousand years, from 794 to 1868.
Where Is Osaka?
Osaka is also located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu. This is the third-largest city in Japan, and has a metro area population of just over 19 million people.
Osaka is the commercial center of Honshu, and is the second-largest metropolitan area, only after Tokyo.
Are Kyoto And Osaka In The Same Region?
Yes! Kyoto and Osaka are both in the Kansai Region, on the southern end of the island of Honshu.
How Close Are Kyoto And Osaka?
Incredibly, the distance between Kyoto and Osaka is just 27 miles! The road distance is a little more, however, with just over 35 miles.
Because of this short distance, travelling between the two cities is incredibly quick and easy. This is great as these cities have lots of different things to offer.
About The Kansai Region
The Kansai Region is 12,789 square miles, and has a total population of around 21.8 million people. Both Kyoto and Osaka are important historical sites within this region.
The region is known as Japan’s cultural and spiritual capital, thanks to the gardens, castles, and temples scattered throughout the region.
Within Kansai, there are a number of prefectures. These include the Mie, Nara Hyogo, Wakayama, and Shiga prefectures, as well as the urban prefectures of Kyoto and Osaka.
Which City Should You Visit?
Which City Is Better For Visiting Temples?
If you are visiting the Kansai Region to be in awe of the temples, Kyoto is the place to go.
Kyoto is home to a number of famous Buddhist temples, and many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
Most famous temples in Kyoto have options to book tours so that you can submerge yourself in the history and culture. There are also stunning rock gardens to visit in the city.
Tours for most of these locations are done in a number of languages to help tourists have the best experience possible. As such, you don’t have to worry about missing out when you visit.
It’s worth noting that you should only approach temples that advertise tours. There are a number of smaller temples within the city that are only used for worship.
These temples should not be approached by tourists as it would be deemed inappropriate.
Some of the best temples to visit in Kyoto include the following:
Osaka is the city to head to if you are interested in visiting castles. There are plenty of incredible castles scattered around the prefecture and inside the city itself.
The majority of the castles have undergone years of restoration to bring them to their former glory.
Because of this, they have become popular tourist attractions and also offer insight into the history of the country.
The two main castles in Osaka are the Osaka Castle, and the Kishiwada Castle Ruins. These castles have beautiful moats, thick stone walls, and interior gardens that can be toured.
There is also a beautiful castle that you can visit in Kyoto, if you’re heading there for the day. While this castle no longer has its castle tower, Nijo Castle is still an incredible sight.
The castle tower was replaced with the Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces – unique structures that you should definitely try to see.
Which City Should You Stay In If You Plan To Explore Kansai?
If you want to make travelling easier, staying in Osaka would be a good bet. There are travel routes in and out of the city, and it has its own airport.
However, the experience you will get in Osaka will be very different to that of Kyoto.
Despite the short distance between these two cities, Osaka is known for its great food and nightlife. Kyoto, on the other hand, is full of tradition and culture, making for a very different experience.
Even the dialect is different in Kyoto and Osaka! This can make it difficult to travel between the city if you aren’t fluent in Japanese or even a local.
However, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the culture and experiences that both of these cities have to offer.
You will quickly notice that Osaka is a lively city with modern architecture. So, if you are looking for something more laid back where you can simply enjoy the moment, Kyoto would be the right choice for you.
Final Thoughts
Kyoto is not part of Osaka. These cities have their own prefectures, and even their own dialects!
While Kyoto is the cultural and historical capital of Japan, Osaka’s contemporary buildings and vivid nightlife paint a different picture.
These two cities are both stunning in their own ways, and offer something different to anyone who might visit them.
From temples to castles, you can see everything your heart desires between these cities.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
