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Osaka Japan

INTRODUCTION

Osaka, often considered the second most important city in Japanese history. From its humble origins as a small farming village, Osaka grew into the nation’s commercial capital, and is currently the second largest city in the country. As such, the city sees many commuters travel here for work and leisure to the extent that the daytime population increases by approximately one million people.

HISTORY

Earliest evidence of human habitation dates back to the 5th century BC, when life revolved around hunting and agriculture.

By the second century AD, Naniwa (now a district in modern Osaka) had grown into a commercial hub, trading with Western Japan, and the city grew.

In 539, Prince Shotoku ordered the construction of Shitenno-ji, now the oldest temple in the country.

In the mid 7th century, the Emperor built a palace here, and turned the city into the nation’s capital. Within a few years, the seat of government was moved to Asuka (modern Nara), but the former capital remained strong, in large part due to a location ideally suited to commerce and international trade with Korea and China.

One century later, the growing city of Naniwa regained its seat as the official capital, but within one year would lose this title to the city of Heijo-kyo (modern Kyoto), where the capital would remain for the next thousand years.

The port city became an integral link between the new capital and western Japan, and continued to grow over the next several centuries.

By the middle of the feudal age, Naniwa, renamed Osaka, was dragged into the civil war. The former Imperial Palace had been reconstructed for use as a Buddhist temple, but the rising warlord Oda Nobunaga began to distrust the nation’s warrior monks and laid siege to the temple. After ten years of battle, the temple was defeated and destroyed.

In 1583, Japan’s future leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi began construction of a castle on the site of the former Imperial Palace. Osaka Castle, one of the most prominent and picturesque castle in the nation, became an important feature in the efforts to unify Japan. The castle, home to the renowned Osaka-jo Hall, is designated an Important Cultural Asset, and has become a popular spot for viewing the blooming of the cherry blossoms.

Prior to the Edo period, Osaka had become the primary center for commerce. The city’s status remained strong during the Edo era, and continued to grow in spite of the shift of national attention to the new capital of Edo (not Tokyo). The military government invested in the development of the city, building canals to take advantage of the river network, increasing trade for local merchants.

As is often the case, much of the city struggled to meet the rising costs of the city, while the more affluent citizens turned a blind eye. By the early 1800s, poverty had grown to the extent that the peasants, led by a few disenchanted samurai, rose up against the wealthy. Much of the city was destroyed in the revolt.

During the Meiji Restoration, Osaka began to adopt Western influence, and implemented several western conventions, including streetcars and electricity.

In the early 1900s, Osaka experienced a boom in population when thousands of Japanese migrated to the city to escape the devastating affects of the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Osaka would suffered again during the Second World War, when Allied forces bombed the city heavily. Much of the city was destroyed, but the financial prosperity helped residents rebuild.

By 1970, the city was strong enough to attract international attention and became the host of Expo 70

In 1983, Osaka opened the Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka Castle, which is used for pop concerts (from Elton John to U2) and sporting events such as Judo competitions.

Modern Osaka supports more than 2.5 million people, and the population continues to grow. The greater Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area contains more than 18 million residents, making it the second largest urban area after Tokyo, and produces more than 21 trillion Yen (300 Billion U.S. Dollars) in product annually, in spite of the fact that many major companies have moved to the more prosperous Tokyo region.

There are plenty more things to see and do in ancient Osaka.

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