HOME Kansai Osaka Osaka Suburbs 'Ha - That's Really a Thing?!' 5 Hilarious Osaka Cultural Quirks that Shocked Foreigners in Japan!

'Ha - That's Really a Thing?!' 5 Hilarious Osaka Cultural Quirks that Shocked Foreigners in Japan!

• Written by: WESTPLAN

Last updated: 15 December 2025

More and more overseas visitors from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa have been setting foot into the Kansai area in recent years, and it's really no wonder. The region is known for its cheap but delicious local food, historical shrines and temples, and rustic rural villages that are only a stone's throw away from city centers. The appeal of having plenty of tourist hotspots easily accessible from one central hub is doubtlessly a major reason behind Osaka's recent popularity surge.

For all of Kansai's charms, however, the region has its share of quirky habits as well, and many foreign friends have been hit with a bit of culture shock by some of them! What are some things that surprised foreign residents staying in Osaka, and why? We find out!

(*The following information contains personal opinions collected from a survey of willing participants.)

Different regions of Japan often have what is known as a local dialect, which is a localized and characteristic way of Japanese speech. The Kansai dialect, known locally as Kansai-ben, can be said to possess one of the most distinct and recognizable intonations among all of Japan’s regional dialects.

Compared to the standard Japanese used in Tokyo and the Kanto region, which has fewer inflections and emphasizes smooth, fluid speech, Kansai-ben is known for being more rhythmic and having tighter-sounding inflections.

Since standard Japanese is what is taught in Japanese schools today, one Indonesian man who began living in Kansai admitted with a laugh that when he first heard people speaking Kansai-ben, he thought they were scolding him. That must have been quite a shock indeed. “When a Kansai lady says things like, ‘Can you do this?!’ or ‘Hurry up and do it!’ in rapid-fire Kansai-ben, it can sound really scary to someone who’s never heard the dialect before. After I found out this was just the unique way people spoke in the Kansai region, it was a huge weight off my shoulders, that’s for sure!”

So if someone comes at you with what sounds like a strong or forceful tone of voice in Kansai, it does not necessarily mean they are angry with you. In many cases, they may even be trying to crack a friendly joke to put you at ease, so there is no need to worry. Just communicate with them as you normally would.

Arashiyama’s Monkey Park Iwatayama is one of Kyoto’s foremost tourist hotspots. Along the 20-minute hiking route, you can see about 120 wild Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, hanging out at their usual resting places. It is an excellent way to enjoy the seasonal scenery of Arashiyama while getting close to the region’s lovable wildlife.

An Indian man who visited Monkey Park Iwatayama shared his culture shock, saying, “Humans had to enter into a cage in order to see the monkeys…”

Here is the reason. At Arashiyama’s Monkey Park Iwatayama, for the safety of both humans and monkeys, visitors who want to feed the monkeys must do so from inside a protective cage.

“Because we have so many wild animals in India, many don’t feel anything in particular for them,” the man adds. That is why he found it hard to believe that people in Japan would willingly cage themselves just to come into contact with wild monkeys. Although this setup is mainly a safety measure, it is easy to understand why many foreign visitors react with surprise and think, “That’s a thing?”

Here is an observation from a Thai woman married to a Japanese man. At the time, she was quite slim and wore her hair short. One day, she took her child out for a walk at a local park. She had not put on much makeup, which made her look rather boyish.

A local Osaka woman noticed her walking with the child, patted her on the shoulder, and asked, “You’re not kidnapping this child, are you?”

The Osaka woman had mistaken her for a young man and genuinely thought “he” might be kidnapping the child.

“I corrected her in a fluster and told her I’m a woman, and this is my child!” the Thai woman recalls with a laugh. “This is one of the idiosyncrasies of people in Osaka. They are friendly and not afraid to approach strangers. No one has ever spoken to me like this in Tokyo before.”

After the situation was explained, the Osaka woman smiled and went on her way. This slightly forceful way of speaking can sometimes cause small misunderstandings, but it also shows how closely locals keep an eye on what is happening around them.

As a result, neighborhoods feel safer and more connected, with a warm sense of human presence. If you stay in Kansai, be prepared to build strong relationships with the kind and lively people around you. It may take a little more effort at times, but all things considered, it is not a bad thing at all.

Many foreigners have the impression of Japan as a spotless country where litter is nowhere to be found, and you may feel the same way. In large cities like Tokyo, especially in central areas, this image is largely accurate. The streets are carefully maintained, giving the city a sleek, cosmopolitan feel.

According to an Indonesian man, however, he was shocked to see litter scattered along the streets of Osaka. In major tourist areas such as Dōtonbori or Shinsekai, where many street stalls sell food, some visitors simply toss their trash aside as they move on to their next stop.

Places like Shinsaibashi and America Village, both popular hangout spots for young people, are packed with busy shops lining narrow alleyways. Here and there, you might also notice bits of graffiti peeking out. Altogether, this can feel far removed from the “super clean country” image of Japan that many people carry with them.

That said, a lively and bustling atmosphere is also one of Osaka’s defining traits. Sit back and let the city’s slightly rough-around-the-edges vibe lead you into new experiences. Embracing this attitude can add a whole new dimension to your Osaka trip.

Takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) are usually what come to mind when foreigners think of Osaka’s food scene. If you walk through the city, you will indeed see many international visitors happily enjoying takoyaki or okonomiyaki along the streets. Even so, an Indonesian man remarked, “I wish they had something more spicy as well.”

Southeast Asian cuisine, including food from Indonesia, relies heavily on spicy seasonings such as chili peppers. When it comes to adding heat to dishes like takoyaki or okonomiyaki, however, the spiciest option you are likely to find is pickled ginger. For someone raised on spice-rich Southeast Asian food, this is often not nearly enough.

“That’s why I always carry my own chili pepper,” the Indonesian man continues. “It’s not just in Osaka. Even when I go to an Indonesian restaurant in Japan, the food there isn’t spicy at all. When my relatives or friends visit me here, I always tell them to bring their own spices, just in case. If you grew up in Southeast Asia like me, you’d definitely understand why.”

Living in Japan for a long time can sometimes make people nostalgic for the flavors they grew up with. Bringing along familiar seasonings on a trip to Japan can therefore be just as valid a way to enjoy Japanese food as any other.

As you can see, Kansai is a region with strong mannerisms that may come across as overly forceful to those unfamiliar with them. At the heart of it, however, much of this behavior is rooted in a friendly and open nature. Befriend someone from Kansai, and you may well have a friend for life.

This unique and charming Kansai culture is best experienced firsthand, whether during a short visit or a longer stay. Be sure to include a Kansai town in your itinerary on your next trip to Japan.

Osaka City Guide: Destinations, Activities, Travel Advice, Shopping & More

Taking Mom and Dad on a Trip to Osaka: How to Have Fun, Tips, Must-See Spots, and a 5-Day Itinerary

‘Osakans Are So Flashy!’ 5 Things That Surprised Tourists About Osaka People

Written by:

WESTPLAN

Kiko Matsuda, Keiko Kimura, Risa Tsushi, and a team of female writers familiar with Kansai. We love eating, drinking and traveling! We share fun information based on our experiences.

Article List