A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Osaka for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Bucharest or Osaka?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Osaka. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a historical, less touristy, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Osaka

Osaka is a vibrant, cultural, and high energy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Osaka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Osaka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Osaka than Bucharest, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Osaka is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its diverse street food, eclectic shopping and its economic roots as a port city. It is also home to Osaka Castle. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Osaka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Osaka and Bucharest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Osaka?

Osaka is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Osaka are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with impressive sights that are both old and new. A highlight is a visit to Osaka Castle, which dates back to the 1500s. The city's most well known temple is Shitennō-ji Temple and the Kobe Port Tower is another recognizable sight. Other highlights include the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, and the National Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Osaka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Osaka is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Osaka, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's one of the top culinary cities in Japan, and you'll find both local and regional dishes throughout. Street food is famous here, but there are also award winning restaurants and small traditional venues. Sushi and sashimi is a favorite, and it's focused simple and high quality ingredients. You'll find some great sushi restaurants around Kuromon Ichiba Market. Another unique experience is to visit a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Land lovers should try the Yakiniku and Horumon, which is Japanese barbecue. And, of course, there's the ramen. Don't miss the ramen!

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for Nightlife?

Osaka is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Osaka is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city really comes to life after the sun sets. The buildings light up and the energy is palpable. In addition to the many world class restaurants, there are countless bars, pubs and izakaya, which are Japanese-style bars. Beer is popular, with many internationally recognized brands available. The most popular nightlife area is Dotonbori, which is along the Dotonbori River.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for its Old Town?

Osaka is well known for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Osaka. If you want to step back in time, head to Shinsekai, which holds tight to its traditional street life scene. There are old-school arcades, traditional shops, and local street food to sample.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Osaka?

Osaka is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Osaka make it a world-class shopping destination. There is everything from grand shopping malls to specialty boutique shops that sell antiques or local trinkets. Umeda Shopping Arcade is a large mall that has everything. For international brands, head to America Mura, which is where many of the younger Japanese hang out. Shinsaibashi-Suji Street is a favorite shopping street in the city and also not-to-be-missed.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for Families?

Osaka is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Osaka is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the view from the observatory of the Umeda Sky Building or taking a ride on the HEP Five Ferris Wheel. There is also the Kids Plaza Osaka as well as arcades along Tenjinbashi suji Shopping Street. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Osaka Castle and museum lovers will also appreciate visiting the Osaka Science Museum or the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for Couples?

Osaka is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Osaka frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's atmosphere is filled with an energy that couples will enjoy. You can take a walk along the Tombori Riverwalk. For a touch of nature, head to Minoh Park and check out Minoh Falls, or for a relaxing experience, visit the hot springs at Solaniwa Onsen. Other fun activities include taking a ride on the Hep Five Ferris wheel or sampling the city's famous street food.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Osaka is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Osaka is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels around town and street food is an affordable and fun way to enjoy the city's culinary scene.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for Students?

Osaka is well known for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Many students visit Osaka. There's a colorful energy and a lively atmosphere that appeals to students. The city is also the second largest economic center in the country.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Osaka Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Osaka is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Osaka has a great public transit system. The best way to get around town is by subway or train. The main tourist areas are located along the Midosuji subway line, which runs north to south.

Bucharest offers a very effecient public transportation network. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Is Bucharest or Osaka a more walkable city?

Bucharest and Osaka both are good when exploring on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

Osaka is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Osaka Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Osaka or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Osaka?

It's fun to spend time in either Bucharest or Osaka. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Osaka due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 2-4 days is enough time in Osaka.

Families should spend more time in Osaka than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Osaka, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Osaka than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Osaka that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Osaka than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Osaka.

One day in Bucharest or Osaka?

In Bucharest, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

People visit Osaka because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Osaka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

People visit Osaka because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Osaka?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bucharest. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Osaka. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Osaka?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Osaka is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Osaka, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest is in Europe and Osaka is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Osaka.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Osaka?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Osaka, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Osaka?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Osaka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Osaka. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Osaka for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bucharest is cooler than Osaka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Osaka averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Osaka. Bucharest usually gets less rain in July than Osaka. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Osaka in the Autumn?

Both Osaka and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Osaka because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bucharest is generally much colder than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Osaka. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Osaka in the Winter?

Both Osaka and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.

The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. Bucharest is much colder than Osaka in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Osaka. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Osaka. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Osaka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Osaka. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Osaka for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bucharest is cooler than Osaka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Osaka averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Osaka during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Osaka receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Osaka. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Osaka and Bucharest