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

Should you visit Osaka or Dublin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Dublin, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

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.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Osaka and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Osaka or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Osaka than Dublin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Osaka is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Dublin is known for its music. Osaka is popular for its diverse street food, eclectic shopping and its economic roots as a port city. It is also home to Osaka Castle. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Osaka different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Osaka is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Osaka is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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!

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Both Osaka and Dublin have amazing vibes after the sun sets.

People head to Osaka just to party. 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.

The nightlife in Dublin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Osaka is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Dublin has diverse options. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Osaka is not a live music destination.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Osaka and Dublin both have superb historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Osaka to see the historical old town. 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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Osaka or Dublin?

Osaka is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for Families?

Osaka and Dublin are both superb destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Osaka. 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.

Dublin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for Couples?

Osaka and Dublin are both superb to visit as a couple.

Osaka makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Osaka and Dublin are both superb destinations for backpackers.

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Osaka or Dublin Better for Students?

Osaka is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Osaka is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Osaka can take you anywhere. 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.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Osaka or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Osaka is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Dublin. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Osaka?

How long in Osaka or Dublin?

In either Osaka or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Osaka because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Osaka, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Osaka than Dublin 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 Osaka or Dublin?

Osaka is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dublin, many people enjoy the live music and food that this welcoming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Osaka or Dublin?

Osaka is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dublin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Five days in Osaka or Dublin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Osaka. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dublin is a fun place to experience. In Dublin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Osaka or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Osaka. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Dublin, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia and Dublin is in Europe, 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Osaka Expensive? and Is Dublin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Osaka or Dublin?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Osaka and Dublin, 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 Osaka or Dublin?

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 Osaka or Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Osaka during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Osaka because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In July, Osaka is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Osaka often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. Osaka usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Dublin. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Osaka this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Osaka is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Osaka usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Osaka usually receives more rain than Dublin. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Osaka or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Dublin. Many travelers come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Osaka is around the same temperature as Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Osaka often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Osaka usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Osaka or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Osaka in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Osaka is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Osaka usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Osaka. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Dublin. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Osaka