A city with 1,400 years of history
Since ancient times, Osaka has been a place where people from all over the world have gathered. It is located at the confluence of the busy Seto Inland Sea and the rivers that flow inland towards Osaka Bay. Even long ago, before trains and cars were in operation, Osaka developed as an economic center and served as the gateway to Japan, welcoming traders and travelers from all over Asia.
Osaka's origins date back to the 5th century
Osaka flourished as Japan's economic and political center during the 5th century. Naniwazu, believed to have existed in what is now Osaka's Chuo Ward, was a newly opened port at the time and served as a gateway for Korea, China, and other Asian countries. Visitors to Osaka from Asia are said to have brought with them cutting-edge techniques for making avant-garde crafts and ceramics, blacksmithing techniques, industrial manufacturing, and a variety of other cutting-edge technologies and information. Buddhism, which had not yet been spread in Japan at the time, also began to spread to Japan around this time. This information and technology spread to other parts of Japan with astonishing speed.
As Buddhism spread throughout Japan, Prince Shotoku built Shitennoji in 593. At the same time, Osaka developed as an international city with connections to other Asian countries. In 645, Emperor Kotoku moved the capital from Nara to Osaka. Naniwa Palace, built by Emperor Kotoku, still remains in Osaka City as Naniwa Palace Ruins Park, and is open to the public. It is considered Japan's oldest imperial palace. However, the capital subsequently shifted to Nagaoka-kyo (Kyoto), Heijo-kyo (Nara), Heian-kyo (Kyoto), Kamakura, and Edo (Tokyo). Even as the capital shifted to other regions, Osaka continued to develop as a second-tier city, playing an important role as a gateway for diplomacy, particularly with Asian countries, and in trade and cultural exchange.
Hideyoshi's castle town
The year 794 marked the establishment of the Japanese capital at Heian-kyo. The era known as the Heian period began in this year, with numerous Buddhist temples being built in Kyoto and Osaka. Arts, crafts, and women's literature, such as Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, also flourished. However, in the late 1100s, a movement to overthrow the powerful Taira clan gained momentum, and the Minamoto clan succeeded in defeating them. Minamoto no Yoritomo took power and established the Kamakura shogunate. This marked the start of the Sengoku period, a period of frequent wars.
In the 14th century, Osaka was devastated by warfare. In 1496, Rennyo, a high priest, began construction of Ishiyama Gobo on the Uemachi Plateau. This Ishiyama Gobo was both a temple and a lodging for monks, and would later come to be called Ishiyama Honganji. Ishiyama Honganji would then serve as a fort to hold back the war.
During the latter half of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Oda Nobunaga, a powerful lord, attempted to attack Osaka's Uemachi Plateau. The Uemachi Plateau, as its name suggests, is a gently sloping plateau, offering a commanding view of the entire Osaka region. Furthermore, Osaka Bay was close to the Uemachi Plateau at the time, making it difficult for opposing forces to capture it. Another key factor was its location between the Yamato River and the Yodo River. At the time, waterways were the primary mode of transport. Many merchant ships also arrived from the Seto Inland Sea, allowing for economic dominance as a trading center. Furthermore, the terrain made it difficult to invade. Oda Nobunaga was convinced that capturing the plateau would grant him control over Osaka, and ultimately Japan and surrounding countries.
For over ten years, Oda Nobunaga continued to attack Ishiyama Honganji Temple. Eventually, most of the temple was burned down, and Osaka came under Oda Nobunaga's control. Then, Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, based in Osaka, began to rule Japan. Hideyoshi built Osaka Castle in 1583 during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1574-1600). Large-scale construction work created a moat surrounding Osaka Castle, widening Osaka's river and allowing the city to develop as a transportation hub connected to the sea. However, Osaka Castle and the castle town were burned down in the Winter Siege of Osaka in 1614 and the Summer Siege of Osaka in 1615, and the Toyotomi clan was destroyed.
Economic and cultural hub
The Tokugawa clan seized power and the political center moved to Edo (present-day Tokyo). Japan then entered a period of national isolation. Osaka, a city reduced to ashes, quickly recovered thanks to the character of its people. It grew once again as an economic center. At that time, Osaka, far from Edo, was known as the "Kitchen of the Nation." This was because important goods, including food and rice, were frequently bought and sold in Osaka. Rice was sent from Osaka to all parts of Japan, supporting Japan's food supply. Osaka also began to export many products overseas.
This economic growth led to the development of a unique culture in Osaka. Popular arts that could be enjoyed by the common people also emerged from traditional culture. This included the puppet theater known as Joruri (said to be the precursor to Bunraku), Noh theater, and Osaka's unique form of Kabuki. Osaka also contributed greatly to education. Schools founded in Osaka produced many scholars who had a profound influence on Japan at the time. Tekijuku was founded as a school for the study of Western science and medicine. In the mid-19th century, Japan ended its isolationist policy and entered the modern era. Among the students of Tekijuku were those who contributed to the country's opening and reformed the Japanese government. This later became Osaka University.
Manchester of the East
The Meiji Restoration (1868) was the biggest reform in Japanese history. The capital was moved to Tokyo, which grew significantly as an economic center, while the commercial city of Osaka stagnated. Osaka then attempted to transition into an industrial city. Smoke billowed out of the industrial areas, and by the end of the 19th century, Osaka was mockingly referred to as the "City of Smoke." It was then given the name "Manchester of the East."
Osaka City was incorporated in 1889. Soon after being officially recognized as a Japanese city, the 5th National Industrial Exposition was held in the Tennoji area in 1903. High-quality industrial technologies and products were gathered here, attracting industry and cutting-edge technology elites from all over the country. In the same year, Japan's first public streetcar service began in Osaka. Until 1925, Osaka was the most populous city in Japan and the sixth largest in the world.
Devastation during the war and reconstruction
One-third of Osaka was destroyed by American air raids during World War II, including many commercial and industrial districts. However, thanks to postwar reconstruction plans and the positive attitude of Osaka's people, the city regained its pre-war vitality. Today, a variety of companies and businessmen continue to thrive in Osaka. These many companies and businessmen have nurtured Osaka's robust economy, making it a central city in western Japan.
In 1970, Osaka was chosen as the site of Asia's first World Expo. Since then, Osaka has continued to host all kinds of international expositions, international conferences, exhibitions, and international meetings, including the 1995 APEC Summit. Osaka has everything you need to welcome guests from around the world: conference facilities such as the Osaka International Convention Center, top-class hotels, delicious cuisine, a unique culture and history, and a wide variety of entertainment and leisure options. Osaka is an important city in modern Asia and a world-class metropolis.