[kunitokotachi]

Even though all of my family is in Tokyo I'd choose Osaka. Osaka just seems more laid back. My favorite "Stamina" Ramen is in Osaka. The train system is less confusing. Osaka is less international and I like that better. Nara is very close to Osaka and in Nara you can visit the Todaiji Buddhist Temple which is supposed to be the largest wooden structure in the world. There are also lots of reindeer running free in the park next to the temple and you can feed them rice crackers. You can also get to Kyoto easily from Osaka and see many of the old temples. There is also Kobe. Tenri city (the mecca of the Tenrikyo faith) is only about 45 minutes from Osaka. You can see the large connecting shinden (shrine) there. Iga city is also a lot closer to Osaka; you can see the ninja museum in Iga. What else... Oh Okayama prefecture is closer to Osaka and is claimed to be the birth place of the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. There are some sites there dedicated to him. If I think of anything else I'll post.