> 
> Hirakata is about 25km north of Osaka, it's a typical suburban city of
> Osaka.


SO I guess that means it might be rather boring. But Osaka is close.
Is the food at hakata any good?  And how easy is it to get to Osaka
from there? Is there a subway to osaka, or would there be some other
way?  Are theryotei/sake  in hirakata?  I wouldn't have the money for
it anyway, but i would like to know.

> You may not like its heavy traffic jam......
 
i dont think id mind this

> Hirakata is also known as a typical Kawachi region. Nagao district of
> Hirakata, which is rather a traditional region compared to other parts of
> the city is the birthplace of the Kawachi Ondo.

Thats good.  I suppose if i were going to visit another japanese city
i would want it to be a slightly more traditional one, or to put it
another way when i heard "near osaka" i was thinking "maybe this is a
polite way of saying near kobe" and i admit i would hesitate to vist a
kobe like city.


I dont have  a choice in cities BTW.  I enrolled in an intermediate
japanese language course at my school this term.  Somehow, i was able
to pass the placement test.  They say top 3 students will be able to
go to hirakata.  I find it strange they would pick this city of all
places though.  My teacher isnt a kansaijin. I guess  i am thinking if
i should hustle for this, having only a month to become the best in my
class.
 
 >And I think, a person like Ernest Schaal would dislike this
> region.

People who like kobe dont matter