Osaka

This Wikipedia article sums up the essence of Osaka for me, the great food, the obsession with punctuality, the slight inferiority complex... It may all seem glaring neon and block after block of ageing concrete, but get off the main stomping grounds of Umeda and Namba and it starts feeling comforting in its grittiness. Kind of like the working cities of Northern England, a little bit like home.

See my photos of Osaka here.

"Much can be said on the way the people of Osaka are perceived by people outside of Osaka, especially Tokyoites. The large bulk of these attributed features are in fact most of the time just exaggerated stereotypes, brought about by the portrayal of Osaka people by Tokyo television, and the almost extreme dominance of Osaka comedians in the manzai sphere. While the people of Osaka might embrace some of the stereotypes, and most feel a big divide between them and the Kanto Japanese, many will also be irritated how Tokyoites make fun of Osaka based only on what the Kanto produced TV programmes tell them about the city. A clear example of this was when Tokyo-based (but Shikoku-born) comedian Saibara Rieko made a remark on a variety show warning somebody going to Osaka that the tap water in Osaka prefecture is dirty and that they should make sure they didn't drink it. What was only a remark in passing became a big deal to the Osaka Waterworks which invited Saibara to Osaka to perform a blind test and see if she could distinguish local tap water from Tokyo tap water and mineral water. The blind test was televised, but to the disappointment of Osaka Waterworks, Saibara did recognize the Osaka water. Nevertheless, an apology was stated and Saibara said the Osaka water wasn't bad at all.

Some of the common features attributed to Osaka people are being good businessmen, bustling with energy, happy and outgoing.

Osaka is also known for its food, as supported by the saying "Dress (in kimonos) till you drop in Kyoto, eat till you drop in Osaka" (京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ). Osaka regional cuisine includes okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter cake), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), udon (a noodle dish), as well as regional sushi and other traditional Japanese foods. It is said that to succeed in the Osaka food service business, the food must taste above-average, have larger servings than normal, be inexpensive and fast.

Being a big, business-based city, Osakans are thought of as always being in a rush. People consider a waiting period of more than 5 minutes too long in most cases. They apparently also walk the fastest in Japan - at an average speed of 1.6 metres per second (surpassing even Tokyoites who also walk fast at 1.56 metres per second)."

Full article here.