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  ON THE TRIP

  An audio guide app that enhances your travel experience

  Similar to a museum audio guide, ON THE TRIP provides on-the-spot audio guidance at shrines, temples, spectacular views, and various sightseeing spots at any travel destination. Download the app and turn your smartphone into your own personal travel guide!

Audio Time Travel is an article that allows you to enjoy your trip to Osaka while listening to a guide. In this article, you can enjoy a portion of the audio guide. You can experience the entire audio on the ON THE TRIP app.

INTRODUCTION

Sakai was once a port city of such great power that it was even called "Golden Days." But where are the traces of that time? When you get off at Nankai Sakai Station, you may not sense any sign of it. That's because the area around the station was once the sea and was reclaimed land. The coastline and port at that time were located further inland.

On this journey, we will go in search of stories from the golden age of the port city of Sakai. You may discover the unique people who played an active role in Sakai, the intellectual pastime of the tea ceremony, and the hidden stories that lie behind the glorious prosperity.

01｜East exit of Nankai Sakai Station

Sakai, a port town, flourished as one of Japan's leading trading ports from the late 1400s to the early 1600s. Its prosperity was so great that it was called "Golden Days." When Chinese ships began docking at Sakai Port, international trade flourished, and gradually Nanban trade with Portugal and Spain began. Japan, with its many volcanoes, is rich in metal resources. Nanban ships crossed the sea and arrived in Zipangu, the land of gold, in search of gold and silver.

Sakai's merchants, who gained enormous wealth through trade, created an autonomous city surrounded by moats on three sides except for the west side facing the sea, to prevent it from being controlled by outsiders. The city developed through free trade, and Sakai's unique mixture of culture, which blended foreign and Japanese cultures, was formed.

If you look up at the ticket gates at the east exit of Nankai Sakai Station, you will see a picture depicting trade with Spain and Portugal. Can you see what looks like a vessel in it? What kind of vessel was it? The Nankai Sakai Station Building is located right next to the east exit ticket gates, and the tourist information center is on the first floor. A clue is hidden in the glass case in front of it, so take a look.

02｜Luzon Vase

A big, round brown pot. What does it look like to you?

This jar was brought from Luzon Island in the Philippines by a merchant from Sakai named Luzon Sukezaemon. Luzon, who managed a warehouse that stored goods at the port, used his business acumen to run a trading business. When he brought the jar back and showed it to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan, he was delighted, saying, "What a rare find!" Famous feudal lords also flocked to buy the jar.

At the time, enjoying the tea ceremony was a status symbol for samurai. Tea utensils were given as a reward for distinguished service, and their value rapidly increased. Luzon was a renowned trader, but was reprimanded by Hideyoshi for his excessive luxury and fled to Southeast Asia, where he died.

Luzon Sukezaemon was not alone. Among the Sakai merchants who colored the Golden Age was the famous Sen no Rikyu. Like Luzon, he came from a merchant family that controlled logistics, and later became a tea master known throughout the country.

This guide was created based on documents and interviews and includes some interpretation done by us at ON THE TRIP. Theories differ between experts, so try to find out what really happened on your travels!

*The information listed is current as of February 2024. Please check the website of each store or facility for the latest opening hours.