"PartyRambo's Osaka Page" a Osaka Travel Page by PartyRambo

Osaka is a wonderful secret for the Western traveller.
Its history is rich, its scenery is gorgeous, and it's well-located close to the major cultural centres of Kyoto & Nara, and just a few hours by bullet train (shinkansen) to Tokyo/Yokohama.

Originally known as Naniwa, the port served as gateway to Korea and China (at the time, more refined cultures).
In the middle of the 7th century, Naniwa served as Japanese capital, but over a few centuries of trouble, lost its status, changed its name to Osaka, and became a 'temple town'.

In 1583, warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built his castle here (see my Travelogue on Osaka-Jo), and it became a key component in his effort to unite the country.
When Toyotomi died in 1598, rival Tokugawa Ieyasu shifted to capital to Edo (later renamed Tokyo), and an era of political instability ensued.
The Tokugawa shoguns now had a firm grip on power, and allowed Osaka to grow as a commercial & economic centre.

After the bombings of WWII, Osaka picked itself up & became one of the wealthiest cities in the world, its gross domestic product exceeding that of Australia!