The history of Osaka is of great significance to the country. Throughout the centuries, Japanese Emperors established their courts in Osaka. Though it wasn’t until the 16th century when Hideyoshi Toyotomi became the most powerful lord in Japan and established his presence in Osaka, that the city experienced enormous growth, becoming the administrative and commercial center of Japan. The administrative center was moved FROM Osaka to Tokyo in the 17th century, when Japan came under the rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who succeeded Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

Today, Osaka is a thriving commercial and industrial center; it is the second-largest economic center in Japan and the third-largest urban area in population. Thirty out of the top 500 corporations in the world are based here, as well as several major banks. The city also has the third-most-active stock market in the world. Osaka alone produces approximately 2% of the world’s GNP (Gross National Product).

Osaka is located on the south coast of Honshu at the mouth of the Yodo River. The main tourist destination of Kyoto is close by. Because of Osaka’s central location and easy access for shipping, rail and air traffic, it is often used as a point of entry to Japan by tourists.