Osaka
In the modern period Tokyo took the position of the economical capital, but Osaka still remains a business powerhouse with factories producing the latest electronics and hi-tech items
Osaka is the economic
capital of the Kansai Region being one of Japan’s largest cities and was the
first ever known capital city of Japan, then recognised under the different
name of Naniwa.
In the 16th
century Osaka rose to fame when after unifying all of Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi
chose Osaka as the location for his castle. The city grew into a bustling
economic centre due to the merchants setting up around the city, with this
development being further encouraged by the Tokugawa shogunate hand-off
approach which allowed the merchants to flourish unhindered by government
interference. Interestingly the city could have had a different future path and
been the current political capital instead of Edo (Tokyo), if Tokugawa Leyasu had
not ended the Toyotomi lineage after the death of Hideyoshi and moved the
government to Edo.
Osaka is massive with loads to see and is famous for its good food, neon-clad signs, bustling night life and even has its own Kansai dialect…might be a bit like Geordie for us here in the UK! Although the city may seem full of elevated highways, high-tech and concreate buildings there are still green spaces, riversides, fantastic architecture, and cultural treasures.
