With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka 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 may have become Japan's capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).
Osaka Aquarium: One of Japan’s most impressive aquariums.
Osaka Castile: Reconstruction of the large castle.
Sumiyoshi Taisha: head shrine of all Sumiyoshi Shrines.
Minami(Namba): Southern downtown of Osaka.
Kita(Umeda): Northern downtown of Osaka.
Umeda Sky Building: Skyscraper with observation deck.
National bunraku Theater: Venue for Japanese puppet theatre plays.
Peace Osaka: Museum about the horrors of World War II.
Kyoto: For over 1000 years the capital of Japan. Mount Koya: Atmospheric temple mountain. Nara: Japan’s first permanent capital. Himeji: Site of Japan’s most beautiful feudal castle. Kobe: Harbor city, recovered from 1995.
