Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo, Osaka has historically been considered the nation’s economic powerhouse – as well as its kitchen! Strategically located at the crossroads of Japan, Osaka ballooned in size in the 1600-1800s, becoming Japan’s primary economic and industrial centre.
But it would be a grave mistake to write Osaka off as little more than an overgrown industrial port; it has made many significant cultural – not to mention gastronomic – contributions to Japan. It is the birthplace of many forms of Japanese popular culture, from ukiyo (woodblock prints), bunraku (puppet theatre) and kabuki in the 1600-1800s to forms of manga and theatre more recently.
