Osaka

Osaka is at the center of Osaka prefecture and makes up the heart of Japan's second largest metropolitan area of Keihanshin, encompassing Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, which, when combined, has a population of 18.6 million people. Osaka was traditionally the commercial capital of Japan, having been populated by many of the merchant class, it maintained this stature up until the centralized growth of the Japanese economy after World War II when many production facilities and companies moved to be closer to the capital, Tokyo. One interesting fact that belies the cities mercantile history is that the city of Osaka has the largest difference of daytime to nighttime population going from 3.7 million people during the day to 2.7 million at night when everyone goes home.

Osaka's origin's date back to 5th-6th century BC, during the Yayoi period of Japanese history as rice farming started growing in popularity people started to build permanent habitation in and around Osaka. The Morinomiya ruins dating to the Yayoi period can still be found after a short walk from the Morinomiya Station on the JR Kanjyo metro line. Because of it's geographical position at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka bay, the city has always played an important part in trade and commerce throughout history and was even the capital of Japan briefly during both the 7th and 8th century AD.

Other than being a city with a rich and long history, the city is also known as the tenka no daidokoro, or the "nation's kitchen" because it is traditionally held to be the country's center of gourmet food. Osaka also houses a few interesting places to visit including the Osaka Castle, the National Bunraku Theater, one of the more well known venues for traditional puppet theater plays, as well as the Osaka Aquarium, which houses a 9 meter central tank that holds a whale shark. For more information about international medical insurance plans for Japan, or to receive a free quote, please contact us today.

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