With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka) is Japan's third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries.

Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city could have become Japan's capital had Tokugawa Ieyasu not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).



■Osaka Tourist Attractions
・Aquarium
・Umeda Sky Garden
・Tsutenkaku tower
・Osaka Castle
・Abeno Harukas

■Other Sightseeing Areas in Osaka
・Nanshuji Temple
・Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun Ancient Tumulus Clusters
・Ikegami-sone Historic Ruins
・Kishiwada Danjiri Hall
・Kishiwada Castle
・Harvest Hill
・Inunakiyama Hot Spring
・Misaki Park
・Rinku Town

■Other Areas to Visit
・Nara
・Wakayama
・Kumano Kodo

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