Seoul vs. Tokyo — Which City Suits You?

Some regional characteristics…

TOKYO

• Tokyo is a port city centered around a vast plain adjacent to Tokyo Bay.
• The Tokyo Metropolis covers an area of 2,194 square kilometers, of which the 23 special wards account for 627.6 square kilometers, making up 29% of the total area.
• The population** of Tokyo is 14,065,000.

SEOUL

• Seoul is an inland city situated in a basin with many mountains.
• The area of Seoul is 605.2 square kilometers.
• The population* of Seoul is 9,420,000.

Both cities are situated along rivers…

TOKYO

• The Arakawa River of Tokyo flows from north to south and is situated towards the east of Tokyo.

SEOUL

• The Han River of Seoul flows from east to west and divides Seoul into two roughly equal parts.

Observations about the streets and public transportation…

TOKYO

• It’s difficult to hear people talking on the phone in public transportation or on the streets, and it’s quite quiet.

SEOUL

Differences between food culture and eating habits…

TOKYO

• The meal is simple, consisting of rice, miso soup, and tsukemono (pickled vegetables). It feels practical and is served in just the right amount to eat.

SEOUL

• It is common to set a table with a full spread to ensure nothing is lacking. Several side dishes, soup, and rice are served all at once.

Differences between food culture and eating habits…

TOKYO

• Cold foods like sushi and bento are well-developed.
• The cooking methods that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients and the emphasis on freshness are impressive.
• For this reason, some people feel that the taste of Korean gochujang (red chili paste) seasoning is too uniform, while they find the textures and flavors in Japanese cuisine to be more diverse.

SEOUL

• There is a large variety of warm soup dishes.
• Fermented foods and preservation methods are well-developed, leading to the extensive use of seasonings that blend various flavors. Complex but harmonious seasonings are used to emphasize sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy tastes.

First impressions or reputation of people…

TOKYO

• People are friendly, well-mannered, and polite. There may also be an impression that they are reserved or difficult to get close to.
• They often perceive and recognize others as thoroughly distinct from themselves.
• Traditional Japanese theater maintains a strict separation between the audience and the stage.

SEOUL

• There is a strong desire to express one’s thoughts and emotions. People often form relationships under the assumption that they can freely become close to others. Sometimes, they are also noted for being overly intrusive.
• There is less emphasis on clearly distinguishing between oneself and others. Even small secrets among friends can lead to feelings of hurt, with some people feeling that if you hide something, it means you don’t consider them a true friend.
• Even when watching traditional Korean theater, there is a characteristic where the audience and actors cross boundaries and collaboratively create the performance.

In terms of design, culture, and so on…

TOKYO

• There are many long-established shops and brands, with a significant amount of design heritage and originality.
• The depth and variety of cultural activities are more developed and profound compared to Seoul.

SEOUL

• Seoul is a city highly sensitive to trends, with a large number of rapidly emerging brands and, consequently, a high rate of business closures. As a result, its diversity and originality may be weaker than in Tokyo.
• There is an advantage to being able to dynamically and quickly identify global trends due to the pressure and tendency to keep up with them.

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