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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.

05｜Camellia Well at Sugawara Shrine

Leaving Xavier Park, head south along Kishu Kaido. Along the way, stop by Sugawara Shrine. Here you'll find the Camellia Well, said to have been a favorite of Takeno Jo'o, the master of Sen no Rikyu.

Have you ever heard the word "wabi-sabi"? It originally came from a Japanese poetry, and it is said that the essence of this word was brought to the tea ceremony by Jōō, who was an avid poet.

For example, wouldn't you change the way you project your voice when singing in a large banquet hall versus singing in the bathroom at home? Jōō apparently classified tea ceremonies held in spaces larger than a four-and-a-half-tatami room as "wabi-shiki" and smaller ones as "jaku-shiki." Incidentally, the most impactful part of a song is called the "chorus," and it's said that this is where the term comes from.

Each room is decorated differently, the tea utensils used are different, and the manners are different. The Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi" originated here in Sakai.

06｜The Mysterious Sakai Shogunate

Head south along Kishu Kaido. Stop at the Shukuin intersection and look around. It is said that the legendary Sakai Shogunate was located in this area.

Let's take a look back at history. Shortly before the Golden Days began, the Onin War broke out in Kyoto. After a long and turbulent conflict, the city of Kyoto was left in ruins.

At the same time, a succession dispute broke out within the Muromachi Shogunate, and a certain warlord from Awa Province played a key role in this.

He supported one of the shogunate's successors and established the Sakai Shogunate, but the general was killed by the enemy, and the Sakai Shogunate came to an end after only about five years.

However, the Sakai Shogunate and the death of its warlord were not meaningless. The warlord's son avenged his father's death, and even drove out the shogunate and seized power himself. He was also interested in overseas trade and gave permission for the propagation of Christianity. He is also said to have been the first to give tea utensils as a reward to those who had made outstanding achievements.

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.