I LOVE Tokyo but HATE Osaka! This is Why…

[@norahb55]

Thank you for videos and showing us different places in the world! Love your perspective

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@norahb55 wow! Thank you so much, Norah! I appreciate your support very much 🤩

[@DonaldYoung-b7x]

Ben, it's very obvious that you absolutely love what you're doing and I hope you feel that way for a long time to come!❤

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@DonaldYoung-b7x wow! Thank you so much, Donald! Your continued support makes me very happy! 🤩 I hope I can continue what I’m doing for a long time too!

[@GoMustard1000]

My favorite thing to do when I travel is to just walk around, visit grocery stores, and check out where the locals live and eat. Tourist attractions are fine, but nothing tells you more about a country and it's culture than interacting with the people themselves. Thank you for sharing your adventures and love of travel. Can't wait to watch the Bangkok video!!!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@GoMustard1000 I totally agree with you! I feel the same way. I love seeing the real city and not just the tourist places! Thank you for watching!

[@popo2464z]

OPPOSITE OPINION OF ME ! Osaka Dotonbori

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@popo2464z cheers, Ali 👍 Life goes on 😁

[@stephenthompson8373]

It breaks my heart to hear your comments about Osaka. I visit there every March and I love it there. I will say, I agree the area you picked to stay is not the nicest part of Osaka. Osaka is very different in the spring time when the plum blossoms come out followed by the cherry blossoms. If you ever return to Osaka, I recommend it in early April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Osaka castle is one of the best places to see them for free! Most of the places you visited are much different in the spring and summer when are the gardens are in full bloom. I'm very glad you like walking and visiting the "non-tourist" areas. I do the same thing. My favorite thing to do is to visit the grocery stores to see what the local people are eating. I use Google translate to read all the signs and it makes it much easier to get around. I do laugh at their English translations on the signs and I think the same as you - why don't they get an English speaker to proof those signs before they print them and post them in public places? I laugh about it with my Japanese friends there. I am excited to see your travels in Thailand - I'll be going there in late March 2025 when I visit Osaka again. I will be visiting Bangkok and also the beach area called Pattaya. My Japanese friend likes Thailand very much. I'll wait and see what you have to say before I tell you of his experiences there.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@stephenthompson8373 I have to be honest, Stephen! I was very excited to see Osaka but it didn’t live up to my expectations. I still love Japan but Osaka is not for me. You’re right about visiting in spring instead of winter! Thailand videos coming very soon, very different from Japan!

[@pawsltd]

I feel the same! Went to Osaka 3 times cos so many people raved about it. The 1st two times, I hated it. For the 3rd time, I even stayed 2 weeks as I was determined to find out why people loved it. I can now confirm - I hate Osaka. Dirty, rough, old. So many areas just felt "coarse" and "unrefined". I actually realised it's cos on the triangle spectrum from Japan to Korea to China, Osaka is closer to the Korean/Chinese sides of the triangle. I enjoy Korea and China, but not as much as Tokyo/Kyoto.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@pawsltd I agree, if I don’t go back, it’s okay 😂

[@carolleiter6027]

Sorry Ben, I'm catching up on the videos, had an eventful week, and fell behind. There is nothing wrong with saying Japan is your favorite because of Tokyo. Ok, I'm going to watch the next one till I'm caught up. Thank you.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@carolleiter6027 thanks for watching up, Carol! No problem at all if you’re busy 😁 I think you’re right, I can say I love Japan because of Tokyo 🤣

[@X0MT0X]

Osaka is a good night out with a group of friends. It is a lot more gritty than many other parts of Japan, great for photos but I find the area avoidable. There are many different parts of Japan, Tokyo gives you a great city experience and it is hard to beat, due to the density of things to do. Fukuoka is up there with the great cities, but it's not somewhere you need a week to explore. You cound spend a month in Tokyo and not see everything.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@X0MT0X I totally agree 👍 Tokyo is superior.

[@jehfes]

I love Tokyo too. I'm actually moving there in 3 weeks. I think you were a little harsh on Osaka though. Most of the negative stuff you mention about Dotonbori you can find in Tokyo as well in neighborhoods like Kabukicho. I respect your opinion though and enjoyed the video.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@jehfes I was talking from my own experience, the truth is harsh sometimes 👍

[@HICARO]

I know a lot of people who love Osaka and I don’t get it. I did enjoy seeing cherry blossoms around Osaka castle. The one thing I really want to do in Osaka is see a baseball game, I remember Anthony Bourdain go to one in Osaka and that looked incredible.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@HICARO I agree with you, I don’t get the hype either!

[@sgalligan]

In my mind I subtitled this video “Ramen and Octopus”. There’s good and less than good everywhere. I think Japan can still be your favorite country but could London still be your favorite city? I love all the walks and that you leave it up to us to decide- thank you!!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@sgalligan HAHA ramen wins everytime, Sue! I think you got it right, London is my favorite city and Japan is my favorite country! I never make videos to persuade anyone to do anything or not do something, I’m just saying my opinion 😁

[@SherryAnnOfTheWest]

"Stay to the left" is hard for us Americans! LOL The current buildings at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka, Japan were constructed in 1810. The shrine was originally founded in the 3rd century, but the main buildings were periodically rebuilt until the civil war in the 16th century halted the practice.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@SherryAnnOfTheWest I actually didn’t notice many Americans in Japan, Sherry Ann! 1810 is still pretty old but the 3rd century is a long time ago!

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you for sharing your video

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@dwalker6868 thank you for watching!

[@manuela9342]

I like it too, being in a foreign city or in a foreign country and get an impression how people live there their normal life. I think that is a good way to know the way of live in that place. I am just not only a tourist, maybe a visitor :-) That is what I liked when I was in London, because my son is living there, I get to know London from different views. And surprisingly I fell in love with London. Like a wise man is saying: We are all a big human family. Will you put your Christmas videos in real time on you tube? That would be so nice. Thank you and by by

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@manuela9342 I like seeing people living their normal daily life 😁 you’re right, we’re all human beings! It’s not possible to upload my videos in real time because it takes a long time to film, edit and upload a video so it’s very rare that I upload a video in the same day I film it. I also had to film videos in advanced because I want to upload a video everyday in December so if I take a rest day, I can still upload a video! I hope you understand 😁 thanks for your support, Manuela!

[@rodlytton765]

Osaka is a bit rough around the edges but it has some great stuff especially food. I've been twice and I find it friendly but a bit less reserved. If you went there without visiting Tokyo you'd think it was amazing. I've seen some Osaka style stuff in Tokyo just not in the tourist areas like Shibuya or Ginza. A walk around Ueno Tokyo at 7am will open your eyes. Anyway if this video reduces the amount of western tourists in hiking gear to Osaka I'll be ok.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@rodlytton765 what’s wrong with western tourists in hiking gear, Rod? 😂

[@rodlytton765]

@TravelWithBen121 nothing if that's your bag Ben, but if you want to stand out like a sore thumb and attract the attention of scammers, kit yourself up at the camping store. Not many pickpockets in Tokyo not much hiking gear to be seen on the locals either. In my opinion hiking gear is for hiking but to each their own 🙂

[@juliajones2283]

From what I have seen in your videos I have to agree about the men harassing the women , it’s awful and the animal cruelty too. Thank you for these insights.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@juliajones2283 I saw it with my own eyes, Julia! It’s disgusting, it needs to be stopped.

[@Mandydailyblog]

Hahaha I'm from England living in Kochi. . I prefer Osaka 😊 though Tokyo is fun too !!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Mandydailyblog great 😊

[@betsyhertzog1454]

Ben, do you ever just talk with the people in residential areas ?

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@betsyhertzog1454 never, Betsy. Well, I say hello or good morning but I’d never say anymore than that!

[@SherryAnnOfTheWest]

@@TravelWithBen121 that is SO British. As a "loose cannon" or, an American, I talk to people and sometimes make a little joke to break the ice. I've had some pretty cool conversations with strangers I know I'll never see again. Sometimes I just like to "be" and explore things in my "bubble," but other times I like to be part of the larger human experience and interact. I just got back from Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and talked to some super interesting and friendly people. Kids especially love to try out their Eglish and talk to someone very different from the people they see every day. As a mom of 1 and a former teacher, I have a pretty easy time and it's a lot of fun talking to kids.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@ it’s difficult to find someone that’s speaks English in Japan, Sherry Ann 😂

[@betsyhertzog1454]

@TravelWithBen121 when I was in my late 20's my penpal came to visit , but she brought her son in his 20's along & he was the translator, so I'm thinking that in the 80's English was taught in Japanese schools. I remember laughing lots. Junko is a beautiful soul.

[@TBara-e5e]

You should have gone to Kyoto.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@TBara-e5e why?

[@tlowe9796]

Hey Ben, why no one asks if you are paid by the Tokyo mayor....😂😂😂 Now, that's hilarious....🤣🤣🤣

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@tlowe9796 HAHAHA because I’m not talking about China 😂

[@hollyecf]

I love to see the world through your eyes, Lucky. Not everyone is going to have the same opinions about the same places. I appreciate your honesty. I'm looking forward to your next videos in Thailand!!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@hollyecf thanks, Fredwina! Everyone sees things different and that’s how I saw it! Thank you for watching 😁

[@JustShelby888]

I did a quick Google search, 😝 that area of Osaka is the red light District of Japan. Most of those guys are approaching girls to go to love hotels or to pay them for dates. It’s the same as the male hostess clubs They take girls out for drinks and tell them the drinks are free, but charge them per hour. You should research it. It seems interesting but I see why the girls avoid them because they’re just basically male prostitutes - it’s definitely unique to Japan. Let’s just put it that way. I’m sure they spend the weekends with their parents because their parents probably work a lot during the week. Japan is very family oriented. You also have to remember that the population is declining so there’s a smaller percentage of children versus older people Also, on a sidenote, I’ve always heard that people go to Osaka to eat. I think the food scene is big there. And there’s a lot of Japanese food you missed out on. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I love Ramen and I’m impressed. You tried sushi but You should’ve tried. Okonomiyaki. In Osaka I just had it for the first time in years here at a Japanese festival in Florida a few weeks ago It’s so uniquely Japanese.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@JustShelby888 I don’t want to research it, Shelby 😮 it makes me cringe! Seeing it in person was just disgusting! Simply harassment. You’re right about food, I’m not a big foodie so I won’t go out and try a bunch of different stuff so maybe I can’t appreciate Osaka for what it is 😁

[@JustShelby888]

@ 🤪 I didn’t really wanna research it either but you kept mentioning it and I was curious. I knew about the male hostess clubs, but I didn’t know they stood in the street like that. Just kind of desperate to me, like used car salesman. But worse, 🤪 I hate people that try to sell me anything. If I want something, I’ll get it, you don’t have to talk to me into. And, at least now you know Osaka, is not your city.there’s a reason that Tokyo it’s the most popular.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@ I totally agree, if I want it then I’ll go and get it 😂 you don’t need to tell me on the street.

[@roykemp6502]

Osaka has its own character, interesting. Blue collar vs White collar?

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@roykemp6502 of course Osaka has its own character 😁 I never excepted the whole of Japan to be like Tokyo but Osaka is very different to what I expected!

[@lindasiu4965]

I kind of agree with you. But hate is a strong word. I just don’t care for Osaka. I do love Tokyo but I love Minato Mirai in Yokohama more. In Osaka, I heard a train announcement warning passengers about people who can’t keep their hands to themselves. Chikan (perverts) are a problem on public transit. That’s why they have women only train cars. We have become friends with 2 saleswomen who work in different stores in Yokohama. We also became friends with a woman in Hiroshima. Currently planning our 14th trip to Japan in May.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@lindasiu4965 I agree, Linda 👍 I also don’t care for Osaka either! I did see the women’s only train cars, you know there’s a problem if you need those! I can’t wait to go back to Japan!

[@daniellilienkamp5202]

Thanks for the shout out! It’s interesting to see how cities in the same country can be so different.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@daniellilienkamp5202 HAHA I still don’t know the answer to your question, Daniel 😂 I agree, always interesting to see very different cities not far from each other.

[@sheilaathay2034]

❤🎉

[@david1234lee]

Well, Ben ! This is a great film ! Few people have the composure to walk in Osaka and talk as you did, Ben. Fewer people have your endurance to walk such distance and it is good for your health and mental sharpness. Osaka is more like Chicago lacking the glamor of Beverley Hills or Hollywood or New York's Fifth Avenue but the city to me is a real city if you intend to see Lives in Japan. Be who you are; tell what you like and what you don't and keep talking, man. We love it !

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@david1234lee cheers, David! I’m just saying what I saw and how I feel 👍 if I never go to Osaka again, it’s okay 😁

[@david1234lee]

@@TravelWithBen121 Well you are a genuine observer offering honest opinions, Ben. This is why we follow you around ! I am interested in how you feel on Taipei !

[@TravelWithBen121]

@ I’ll be there in a few days 😁 what do you think I’ll say about Taipei? 😂

[@david1234lee]

@@TravelWithBen121 See if YMCA is still open. The International House in Shentien is on the hill but clean and cheaper. I used to stay there when I brought a USA basketball team to visit.. Years ago, though.

[@david1234lee]

@@TravelWithBen121 Never say never !

[@yenphung8809]

I don't like Osaka, too commercialized and loud for me. Kyoto is more my kind of place, quiet and serene. Thanks for taking us along Ben.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@yenphung8809 I agree, Yen! Maybe I’ll check out Kyoto next time 👍

[@karamgill1875]

Every city has its own set of problems. I feel like the stuff you highlighted happens everywhere, especially in larger Japanese cities where there are A LOT of single men and women. By 2040, it’s estimated nearly half of Japan’s population will be single. I feel like maybe social norms could be getting in the way, I don't know.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@karamgill1875 well this video is about Tokyo and Osaka, Karam 😁

[@dino8109]

@@TravelWithBen121 Try going Tokyo to Roppongi and Kabukicho in Shinjuku to see the seedy side of Tokyo. You'll see girls that are young standing out by themselves streetside prostituting themselves. Kabukicho has a reputation of people getting drugged with the promise of free drinks and then having their credit cards run for thousands of dollars. Every big city has it's seedy areas as does Osaka. But good for you that you "hate" Osaka. I'm sure the people don't want people like you there either. Get lost and never go back to Osaka again. Osaka is different, but it's not worse than Tokyo. If anything, Tokyo is probably worse if you want to judge it by morals. But you're a dimwit who makes a judgement when you haven't been to the worst parts of Tokyo.

[@PlumberryPuppet]

I very recently went to Japan for the first time, and while it's true that I noticed people in Osaka being more haphazard than other places in Japan (Osaka was also the only place in Japan where I saw several people walking and eating at the same time), specifically the walking up and down the stairs thing everywhere, even in Tokyo really confused me because sometimes it was on the right and sometimes it was on the left and everyone seemed to know but it was not consistent and I never knew.

[@PlumberryPuppet]

But in Osaka I stayed in Umeda, and I didn't see creepy men and felt safe.

[@jehfes]

I think everyone knew which direction to walk because it's almost always written right on the stairs. At least in all the train and metro stations.

[@PlumberryPuppet]

@@jehfes I wasn't confused at the places that had arrows or directions on the ground, only the places where there weren't any obvious markings.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@PlumberryPuppet people in Osaka act very differently to people in Tokyo. You’re right, walking and eating, walking and smoking, I never saw it in Tokyo. In my opinion, everyone in Tokyo knew which side to walk on, always left!

[@kimberlyoliver9189]

Ben, I couldn’t agree more with you. My husband and I just got back from a 3 week trip to Japan. We spent most of the time in Tokyo, which I loved. Osaka was dirty, smelly and trashed. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. We went there to wear kimonos and get pictures of us at all the sites. The local photographer told me several times to watch my items. That there were pickpockets around us in that area where you stayed. I told my husband I don’t feel safe. We’ll pass on Osaka the next trip. I wished I hadn’t scratched Kyoto off our list to see Osaka. Live & learn.

[@オヤジ牛ちゃん]

東京生まれで東京育ちのオッサンです 大阪には仕事で毎年二週間ほど滞在し、過去には一年住んでました 貴方の意見には強く賛同します よく国内ネットで大阪の「民度」が話題に上がります

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@kimberlyoliver9189 I have the same opinion as you, Kimberly! Maybe next time I’ll see Kyoto but if I never go to Osaka again, it’s okay with me. Totally different feel to Tokyo, I can’t wait to go back to Tokyo but Osaka is not what I expect from ‘Japan’. I hope you enjoyed your trip!

[@robertmathis4268]

Those post are lanterns. When in Osaka do the tourist thing during the day then get hammered at night. Osaka has great nightlife

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@robertmathis4268 sound boring to me, Robert 👍 but you enjoy.

[@gerardolramos]

In Tokyo, you stand on the left. In Osaka, stand on the right. There are Japanese words that people from Tokyo don't understand from people from Osaka use. People from Osaka shout at the top of their voice when toasting inside the bars or clubs. Different cities with different customs

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@gerardolramos great 👍 it’s not a big deal where people stand, it’s the other stuff I didn’t like!

[@88esplosione]

It has long been common knowledge that Fukuoka, Osaka, and especially Shinjuku in Tokyo have lower moral standards than other areas of Japan, but the recent inbound tourism boom is making people ignore this. However, no matter how much time passes, the reality remains the same. That's unfortunate.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@88esplosione I didn’t get the same feeling in Shinjuku and Osaka. This videos is about my opinion 👍

[@yh2979]

Japan is gradually becoming an immigrant nation. In major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, it's becoming increasingly common to be served by foreign workers in convenience stores and budget restaurants. Osaka, already home to a large Korean community, is also seeing a surge in tourists, particularly from South Korea and China. The landscape of Japan is undeniably shifting! But yes, I agree, Osaka is just meh compared to Tokyo... After traveling to many places around the world, Tokyo has become my favorite city. For my retirement though, I would definitely choose to move to Hokkaido!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@yh2979 I actually saw way more tourists in Osaka than in Tokyo, I was surprised by that! Tokyo is very superior to Osaka, in my opinion.

[@大野靖男]

あなたが動画で縦断した地域は日本でも最も混沌とした所です。今の道頓堀のあたりは外国人、特に他のアジアからの観光客ばかりだと思う

[@wcdirect9217]

There is a reason why Tokyo people discriminates ones from Osaka. Okinawa is worst.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@wcdirect9217 what’s the reason?

[@wcdirect9217]

@@TravelWithBen121 Tokyo is the center of power, international and sophisticated and for centuries see the Osaka people like country pumpkins. Okinawans are actually different people that was absorbed by Japan. You will find that Japan has a hierarchy system that consistently put certain people in lower regards. All Japanese knows where they fit in and yes it can be quite brutal like all class system. Once you know where you fit in, you will find that it is better to be a visitor and not a resident in Japan.