City Map Compare/Osaka vs Washington D.C.
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5 km
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Osaka

225 km²

Washington D.C.

177 km²

Osaka vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Osaka vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Osaka

Japan

Area225 km²
Population2.75M
Density12,222 /km²
Elevation3 m
Metro Pop.19.3M
Founded645
Climatehumid subtropical
Washington D.C.

USA

Area177 km²
Population0.69M
Density3,898 /km²
Elevation22 m
Metro Pop.6.3M
Founded1790
Climatehumid subtropical

Area Comparison

Osaka is 1.3x larger than Washington D.C.

Population Comparison

Osaka has 4.0x more people than Washington D.C.

Is Osaka Bigger Than Washington D.C.?

Osaka is significantly larger, covering 1.3 times the area of Washington D.C.. Osaka spans 225 km² (87 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 48 km².

To put Osaka's size in perspective, its area of 225 km² is roughly the same size as Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Washington D.C. at 177 km² is roughly the same size as Washington D.C..

In more relatable units, Osaka's 225 km² is about 32,000 American football fields, 110 times the area of Monaco, or 66 times the area of Central Park. For Washington D.C., that's about 25,000 American football fields, 88 times the area of Monaco, or 52 times the area of Central Park.

About Osaka

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third-most populous city in Japan, following the special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With an estimated population of 2,816,247 as of October 1, 2025 and a population density of about 12,505 people per square kilometer, it is the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and the 10th-largest urban…

Known as "Nation's Kitchen", Osaka covers 225 km² with a population of 2.8 million. The city was established in 645. Osaka is known for Osaka Castle, Dotonbori district, Universal Studios Japan, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Osaka Metro.

Osaka is the third-most populous city in Japan, following the special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama.

About Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as simply Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River across from Virginia and shares land borders with Maryland to its north and east. It was named after George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States.

Often called "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. The city dates back to 1790. Visitors come for White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.

Washington D.C. sits on the Potomac River across from Virginia and is bordered by Maryland to its north and east

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area covers 14,412 km², which is 1.1x larger than greater Osaka at 13,228 km². The Osaka metro area is also more populous, with 19.3 million people compared to 6.3 million.

Population Density

Osaka has a population density of 12,222 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Osaka is dramatically more crowded, with 3.1x the population density.

This comparison spans continents — Osaka in Asia versus Washington D.C. in North America. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a humid subtropical climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Osaka, it's midnight in Washington D.C. — a 14-hour time difference.

Key Differences at a Glance

Density Gap

Osaka is 3.1x more densely populated

Time Difference

14 hours apart

History

Osaka is ~1,145 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Osaka

Osaka covers 225 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Amsterdam (219 km²), Boston (232 km²), Helsinki (214 km²), Kuala Lumpur (243 km²), or Buenos Aires (203 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. covers 177 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Stockholm (188 km²), Brussels (161 km²), Buenos Aires (203 km²), Minneapolis (149 km²), or Helsinki (214 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Osaka bigger than Washington D.C.?
Osaka is 1.3 times larger than Washington D.C. by area. Osaka covers 225 km² while Washington D.C. spans 177 km², a difference of 48 km².
How many times does Washington D.C. fit inside Osaka?
Washington D.C. (177 km²) fits inside Osaka (225 km²) approximately 1 times. That means Osaka is 1.3x the area of Washington D.C..
What is the population difference between Osaka and Washington D.C.?
Osaka has approximately 2.8 million people, while Washington D.C. has about 0.7 million. Osaka has 2.1 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Osaka or Washington D.C.?
Osaka is more densely populated with 12,222 people per km², compared to 3,898 people per km².
What is the time difference between Osaka and Washington D.C.?
Osaka is in the UTC+9 timezone while Washington D.C. is UTC-5. There is a 14-hour time difference between the two cities.
Which city is older, Osaka or Washington D.C.?
Osaka is older, founded around 645, while Washington D.C. was established around 1790 — a difference of about 1145 years.
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between Osaka and Washington D.C.

The straight-line distance from Osaka to Washington D.C. is 11,173 km (6,942 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~13h 39m.

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