X Japan wrote:
> Having experienced Tokyo and Osaka from the outsider's perspective, I
> am wondering why so much praise -- and attention -- is heaped upon
> Tokyo by travel guide books, travel media, etc, while virtually no
> attention is paid to Osaka?
> 
One reason I like Osaka over Tokyo is that it's much more compact. You 
can live within spitting distance of some excellent shopping, 
entertainment, work, etc., yet be very close to excellent hiking, rock 
climbing, cycling, etc. To me that was the draw to Kansai in the first 
place. I think that Tokyo's being the capital is why it gets more 
attention; basically to me they're about equal in terms of culure (or 
lack thereof).

John W.