Thank you, @joanstewart! Osaka does feel more laid back than Tokyo. Many locations are within walking or cycling distance, or just a short ride by subway or light rail. No hour-long commute like in Tokyo. And, this being Japan, everything feels very safe and calm. I notice how much more relaxed I am here, compared to how I feel in similarly big cities in other parts of the world.
It would be fun to visit a very small Japanese town or a village, however! Maybe one day I will. :)