As for Japan, what the tour guides will not tell people is that ever since 1991, after the collapse of the militarist government, is that the country has a large "kidnap and ransom" (K&R) which has been a running rivalry between the Yakuza and local bosozoku biker gangs. The scary thing is that if you are seen as being an American, Filipino, or Chinese, the local Yakuza or bosozoku clan leader will try to extort money from tourists and even visiting CEOs and political dignataries. As such, make sure to have at least $100,000 hidden somewhere if you are traveling outside the "Tourist Zone"....
I've been living here in Osaka since shortly after the '91 collapse, and I've never had a problem. The Yak's really only do that in the Kanto.
Remember that Osaka and Kobe were cosmopolitan centers going way back...[1]
And trust me, the bozos are a faded joke.[2]
On the other hand, I do carry my .45 everywhere.
Personaly i don't like either.....
I did go to Kyoto on a Cultural exchange, and was treated rather well...then again I look Japanese so i guess it depends abit on how you look.
I liked Kyoto better than either Germania (trys too hard to be a marvel), and tokyo (too damn crowded.)
Kyoto's sure a damned sight prettier. But if anyone thinks Tokyo's a cultural hub, you haven't been to Osaka. Tokyo's always been a bit of a stick in the mud culturally. I actually know white guys who've married Osaka girls with the family's OK! You won't hardly find that in Tokyo or Kyoto.
Hell, Osaka's got the balls to have "Little America" smack dab in the middle of town.[3]
Of course, the free port/trade zone status helps a lot.
I'd love to show ya'll around the Ikuno market - Korean, Vietnamese, India, Thai, Indonesian, all sorts of Chinese - the list goes on nearly forever.[4]
And don't forget the international Buddhists conections - just last week I ran into a religious delegation from the Kingdom of Tibet. HH the Dali Lama is making plans to visit Koya San.[5]
OOC: Just some foot note that folks might otherwise miss:
[1] Osaka's been an important international contact point for more than 1500 years. It really does have a deeper cosmopolitan sense than Tokyo or Kyoto.
[2] I full on expect the Bosozoku to fade much as they have OTL.
[3] Reference to TTL's version of OTL's
AmeMura, in downtown Osaka.
[4] Ikuno Ward is the largest Korea Town in Japan. This extrapolates on the OP's idea and what Osaka would have in comparisson.
[5] Obviously suggesting an independent Tibet. Also of note is that Mount Koya is the home to the Shingon school of Buddhism, the primary non-Tibetan Vajrayana school...